intern_doc
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I took my exam on Dec 20, 2004 evening session in Atlanta. It had been a long wait, but today, I just got my result in the mail. My heart was beating like MI, even though I dont know how that feels. The result is in ==> I PASSED. yes PASSED. God I am so happy  now. All this time, I can not put in 100% on my Step II CK, but I guess I can now.
I posted my exam experience back in December 23 (in usmle.net) under Sleepwalk. I could not remember exactly. If anyone have any specific questions, feels free to ask. If I can do it, anyone can.
SleepWalk
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| mash
Forum Fanatic
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congratulations!
gud luck fr step 2!!
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I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
--Confucius
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| intern_doc
Forum Guru
Topics: 98
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thank you MASH. I remembered you now. The guy that answered to almost every freaking questions that I posted back on Step 1 forum. All I have to said is that "you're the man" Anyway, when is your step 2 ck ? I plan to give sometime end of next month depend how I do on UW
SleepWalk
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| sar
Forum Guru
Topics: 22
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Congratulations to you!
How were your after exam feelings? I am recently done with my exam and feeling not so good!
Best of luck for CK
Sar.
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| intern_doc
Forum Guru
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I got a total of 11 cases. I took it in the evening 3pm. Out of those 11 cases, I was able to figure out 8 cases. The other 3, I just used my best judgement and follow the PAM HR FOSS and LIQOR. As far as preparation, I used USMLEWORD, FA and Kaplan. I found USMLEWORD to be VERY useful. Make sure you concentrate on the challenge questions, b/c I got nailed on those, and I was able to answer it no problem. About the cases, you can answer it by using usmleworld w/o a problem, but make sure you ask the right question. It could be very similar, and I mean very similar, but you have to listen to what the patient is telling you. Very important !!!!
There were 11 people took that day in the evening session. I was the freaking ONLY one with FMG status. The rest was from AMG. Man, I feels so stupid b/c they went around table and ask each other.
One of the case I got, at first I was assuming he had TB, but turn out it's NOT. So, make sure you ask the right question to rule out your differential dx.
About my first case, I was a little bit nervous but I was able to stay calm and figure out what she got. For each cases, I spend 20-45 seconds outside the exam room to write down my differential and possible lab work down before I enter the room. So that way, I can gear my questions toward those diagnoses.
For example, one case I got was chest pain. I put down
DDX 1.MI 2.Angina 3. Pneumonia (if fever) 4. Costochondritis 5. GERD
LABS 1. ck-mb,troponin 2.ekg 3.echocardiogram 3.strep throat 4. CXR 5. upper endoscopy
And then when I enter the room, I ask all of my questions related to those DDX. This is just my technique. Oh I got 1 psych case, NOT the one I expected. My advises to you is that practice those cases on USMLEWORD back and forth. Call up your friends to practice so that you get used to it just in case you get a telephone case (hint!!!). Dont worry, You will do just fine. Well, I just dont know how I did. All I have to do now is pray and concentrate on my step II ck coming up. Wish you all the best of luck
Any other questions, feels free to ask.
SleepWalk
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| intern_doc
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Hey SAR,
Thank you very much. I felt pretty good about my exam, except for my psy case which I think I should have done more. I knew that I made a couple mistakes such as forgot to ask certain questions that I should have ask. There are always room for errors. Nobody is perfect on this exam. As long as you followed a certain guidelines, then you will be allright. If you did not get the dx, it's ok, as long as you tell the patient ddx, lab you gonna orders and advises for each cases, you WILL PASS.
I wish you the best of luck on your score. Hope you pass. By the way, have you take step II ck yet ? if yes, any tips or advises ?
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| sar
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Thanks intern_doc for sharing your experience.
I missed many imp things, i am now praying to pass this exam!
When are you taking your CK?
tips and advices in short are "Do questions as much as possible" I used uw (highly recommended), kap q bank, kap sim, usmle cds and kap notes. I used crush the steps in last week for quick revision.
Practice for time management. Try to master the concepts, asking in uw.
Thats it!
You are welcome to ask any other question regarding CK.
Thanks again,
Good luck for your CK,
Sar.
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| intern_doc
Forum Guru
Topics: 98
Posts: 433
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Hi SAR,
Can I ask what is your average on the UW ? I am getting CRUSED. So far, I finished around 500 questions and average around 47%. The questions just dont seems to be that hard, but I guess the choices are very tricky. I did alright in Kaplan Qbank and Qbook (both around 72%).
I was wondering if you had the same experiences in UW ?
Wish you luck on your CS score...I know you pass...
SleepWalk
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| xiangbc5
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 4
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I am preparing CS. Thank you for sharing your experience, which is very helpful to me. But I do not know UW. Would you like to tell me where I couild get it? Thanks.
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| intern_doc
Forum Guru
Topics: 98
Posts: 433
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Hi Xia,
You can get UW at www.usmleworld.com.
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| sar
Forum Guru
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hello intern_doc,
sorry for the late reply.
uw questions, i got the same score in the beginning. My final score was 52% :oops: at the end of the course.
I got in 70's in kap q bank and q book. I think its ok if you are getting low scores in uw, but try to learn the concepts they are asking about, and use uw as a learning tool rather than the assessment exam.
I hope your score will get better with time.
When are you going to take your ck??
I might not able to reply you for 2-3 days, i will be on this forum after sunday!
Good luck!
Sar.
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| new2usmle
Forum Senior
Topics: 48
Posts: 106
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hi intern doc, could u plz guide me a lil abt CS ,is it required to take kaplan courses for cs?
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| intern_doc
Forum Guru
Topics: 98
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Amber, like i mentioned b4. Saved your money and do not wasted on Kaplan review course. I dont know how much it cost, probably in the 1000 of dollars easily. Dont get me wrong, If you had the extra cash, go right ahead, because it probably help alots.
As for me, money is kinda tight (esp student loan calling you everyday :oops: ) I just spend around $130 total for my CS review. I started out with the kaplan CS book and First Aids book. I spend about 3 weeks on that. Then, finished off with USMLEWORLD (excellent). Total preparation is about 6 weeks. The reason I used all 3 sources is b/c I got paranoid. This year seems like people are failing left and right, including 2 of my buddy that I study with. They ONLY used OSCE book. I thought that book is the worse book of all. Dont know why so many people give a high rated. It don even teach you how to write good patient note or answering challenging questions which I am pretty sure you will get on your exam.
Anyway, you can take my advise if your $$ is tight. But if you have the $$ to burn, take the Kaplan review. Either route, you will still have to do self study. Oh make sure you practice with a friend. Good luck on your exam..
p.s OH and if your money is really tight , then stick w/usmleworld
SleepWalk
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Please call me by my first name on March 17 - Dr.
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| sar
Forum Guru
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I agree with intern_doc, uw is the best for CS. For pt notes i used Kaplans book. I have OSCE, ( i did use it for some cases at the end of the book for final prep) but i think kaplans book is better than OSCE for imgs. I dont have Ist aid, so i dont know about it.
uw, is very useful!
Good luck,
Sar.
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| intern_doc
Forum Guru
Topics: 98
Posts: 433
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Hi sar,
I have a question if you dont mind answering. Did you pass the CK yet ? if yes, do you mind telling me the score. You dont have to answer it. The reason I am asking that is because I just wanted to see the correlation b/t UW score and real score. Also, did you took the NBME CCSSA exam ?
I am half way through UW and the score jump the whole 2 percent. :lol: from 47% - 49% YES.....ALMOST 50%........I learn so much by just reading those explaination. I found that, when you read the question stem, you think you know the answer and of course the answer is in the choices too, but the answer they want it is totally different. Anyway, I am just hoping to pass this exam. GOSH....HELP ME....
Intern_doc
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| sar
Forum Guru
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Hi intern_doc,
I just posted my scores in exam score thread under step 2 CK forum. Check this link. http://www.prep4usmle.com/community/topic12074.ht...
If you have any question after reading my scores, let me know!
Good luck,
Sar.
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| docindia
Forum Newbie
Topics: 8
Posts: 12
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Hi!Intern_doc
What to reply if SP says,
Am I going to die?
Can I have something for my pain now?
Will this test hurt?
All the best for CK
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| new2usmle
Forum Senior
Topics: 48
Posts: 106
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thankyou very much.wanted to ask u 1 more thing...labcoat....do i have to get my name printed on it or get a name plate made or nothing...and do i use only my last name since if i use my full name it ll be very long?
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| dacis
Forum Junior
Topics: 1
Posts: 75
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You do not need name on your lab coat . Actually if someone has a name on the coat - the name will be covered with white tape before they lat you in the exam .
When introducing yourself to Pt. it is enough to use just your last name .
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