bose
Forum Senior
Topics: 33
Posts: 162
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214/87 (Exam on May 14, 2005)
It's not an incredible score compared to the 99's people have sort of got accustomed to getting these days, but it is a perfect score for me.
A little background about myself helps put this score in perspective and might help all those who are in a similar situation to mine. I'm an IMG old grad, completed my graduation in 98, came to the US in 99 and within 4 months in 1999 landed a high-paying non-medical job that I held onto until I resigned in February 2005 to seriously study for Step2. I did not take Step1 yet. I've scheduled it for September 15. From the beginning of my preparation I aimed for a 90, so though I got little less than 90, I think I couldn't have asked for more. Thank you very much, O God.
My schedule was as follows:
Kaplan notes first reading = Jan 1 to March 20 (In January it was only 3-4 hrs per day study as I was still employed full-time. Starting February 5, I studied around 8-10 hours per day)
USMLE World = Mar 21 to Apr 5 (ranged from 41% - 63%, avg 53%)
Kaplan notes second reading + First Aid + UW explanations review = Apr 6 to Apr 20
Kaplan online QBank = Apr 21 to Apr 28 (ranged from 63% - 80%, avg 70%)
Grand Revision of all above sources = Apr 29 to May 12
USMLE CD = 37, 38, 37 (81% cumulative)
NBME Form I on May 5 = 530 (correlates with 224)
NBME Form II on May 12 = 410 (correlates with 194)
Just two days before the exam I took NBME II and was totally shocked and depressed by the score. I even doubted if I will pass this exam. But nevertheless I did not want to postpone and couragiously took the exam on May 14.
Ever since May 14 I've been having a deep nagging fear whether I will pass, or even if I pass my score would be in the 70's as correlated by NBME II. So you could fairly imagine my joy when I got the score report in the mail today that read 87/214. It's definitely not an incredible score, but at the same time I'm not out of the competition either.
This forum has been of incredible help and support to me during my 4 month preparation and I would like to especially thank Dev, Mash, Tasneembanu, Hamidi, Ayesha, Sujju etc. for their support and helpful statements.
My exam experience - http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/thread/11481/21 (post#927)
Edited by bose on 06/03/05 - 02:49 PM
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| icecool
Forum Senior
Topics: 22
Posts: 113
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Congratulation Bose, that is a very sweet score !!!!!!!!! given the time you took for your prep, it is also highly cost effective !
Thanks for sharing of your experience and wish all the best to your step 1 exam!
icecool
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| Hamidi
Forum Guru
Topics: 46
Posts: 471
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Hey congrats!!!!!! this is a very good score esp considering the time that u took to prepare and also the gap that u had in ur carrier.Give urself a pat on the back.Good luck for Step 1.
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| sujju
Forum Elite
Topics: 59
Posts: 157
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congrats bose iam so happy for u.one mile stone is over.take encouragement from this&move forward.goodluck for step1.
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| friscan2b
Forum Guru
Topics: 86
Posts: 447
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Congratulations!!!!!!!! Way to go, and by the way it is a GREAT score. Don't let anything cast not even the smallest bit of shadow on your accomplishment!
Best of luck with everything else!
A.
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| SA
Forum Elite
Topics: 21
Posts: 193
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Congratulation Bose and nice to know about all of you especially about ELM as when I use to visit the forum he was of great help. I finally had my exam on 31 of may and in same state of mind as most of us had after exam that nothing is sure. I think 87 is a very good score. Bose can you tell me what is corelation between this 214 and no of question you get right in your exam? Pray for me to have a good result as well as I almost follow the step as describe by Bose. I did only UW as other sources I think waist of money and time especially NBME if you are well prepared and don't want to prolong your bad days. I did UW from 23rd March till 23rd May and rages from 45% to 78% with an average of 57%. I did almost all the time "timed" block in uw that help me a lot in actual exam. I read the explaintion and then noted then down as well to review one week before exam.
I did it like that lets hope for best.
As for as exam experice is concern I think IM and then Peads was major once but OBGYB and Surgeory almost equal and then Psy and very little Biostate. Pray for my good score.
ELM bust of luck for your match
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Wish best of luck to all users
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| dev
Forum Guru
Topics: 70
Posts: 1,794
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hi bose
congrats.i thought i would wish u here too
bye
dev
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| tasneembanu
Forum Guru
Topics: 96
Posts: 545
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Congrats Bose,at last we have finished our Step 2 CK,thats a very good score.
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| bose
Forum Senior
Topics: 33
Posts: 162
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Thanks to all who congratulated me, especially icecool, hamidi, sujju, friscan2b, sa, dev, tasneembanu, ayesha_l and res06. Your wishes means a lot to me.
SA - it is normal to feel anxious until you get your score, but have faith. I am sure you will get in the 90's, that would be a pretty decent score.
Edited by bose on 06/07/05 - 08:22 AM
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| dev
Forum Guru
Topics: 70
Posts: 1,794
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hi bose
which college are u from?
bye
dev
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| jaylike
Forum Junior
Topics: 11
Posts: 42
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congrats bose,
a good score with your background. al the best for youe step1.
jaylike.
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| intern_doc
Forum Guru
Topics: 98
Posts: 433
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congratulation.....very good score....good luck on step 1...
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Please call me by my first name on March 17 - Dr.
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| mich
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 23
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congrats bose. good luck in step 1. do u think kaplan notes are enough? are lectures neccessary? short prep time. please respond. thanks
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| bose
Forum Senior
Topics: 33
Posts: 162
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I bought the Kaplan Lecture DVDs on ebay. I used to watch the videos whenever I was tired of reading. Kaplan notes are excellent for preparation and Kaplan videos (if you have them) will definitely consolidate facts and create memory. Atleast they helped me a lot. Ofcourse watching them takes time, so I could not watch all the videos in full. I watched only those areas that I felt weak. In my opinion Kaplan Notes + UW are more than enough. It helps to have First Aid +/- Kaplan videos.
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| mash
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 147
Posts: 1,326
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hey bose,
congratulations!
good luck fr step 1!
___________________
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
--Confucius
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| chemamr
Moderator and PGY2
Topics: 703
Posts: 4,442
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Congratulations bose !!! , itīs a good score. Go ahead.
Good luck in step 1 ! 
___________________
Any time something is written against me, I not only share the sentiment but feel I could do the job far better myself.
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| bhutan doc
Forum Junior
Topics: 4
Posts: 33
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hi
This forum really helped me to improve on my score.Being a very old graduate from India I am happy to get 89/219. I just had a passing score at Step1.Thanks for sharing your experiences.
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| Ria
Forum Elite
Topics: 30
Posts: 229
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GREAT SCORE
GOOD LUCK FOR STEP 1 
___________________
"The Only Way Out Is Through it"
Robert Frost
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