monamoon23
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 16
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This is my first post. I discovered this forum in one of the searches and decided to look to you guys for some advise. I took the Step 1 exam about a month ago and I received my score, and unfortunately I did not pass. I was inconsolable for a few days but now I have my head back on and want to start studying again. This is what I did the first time around:
1. Watched all of the Kaplan Videos (b/c I did webprep)
2. Worked all of Qbank (98%) and got an average score of 64% at the end
3. Took two NBME tests, both of which showed the same score of 190
4. Listened to all of Golgen twice
5. Read all of the high yield Golgen notes
6. Studied in the library from 10 in the morning till 10 at night with 2.5 hours of break in between, from August till October.
I do not know what to do differently. I thought I did everything I could possibly do, but my scores show that it was all in vain. I am thinking about getting the PASS videos now and then maybe taking Falcon in Dallas or a Live Lecture from Kaplan. What would be the best for me at this point? I feel like Kaplan would be the same thing, same qbank, same way of teaching, etc and that I might benefit more from Falcon. But there seems to be a lot of negative press about Falcon. I am very lost and do not know what to do. Please help me get through this difficult time and help me make the decisions that will work out for the best in the future.
Thanks for you help and hoping to get a good response from someone! Please reply!!! PLEASE!
Mona
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| ALFA
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 87
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It seems like you've worked pretty hard. What books did you use for studying/reference? And how long your total prep lasted?
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| monamoon23
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 16
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I used all of the Kaplan books, read them all cover to cover with the aid or the videos. Also read and reread First Aid, and took notes in First Aid which is what I reviewed the last week before the exam. Also read pathophysiology for the boards and wards. Looked up stuff in Robbins, but I had read all of Robbins during medical school, so didn't read too much from there. Other than that I didn't use any other books.
Well, as far as how long did the prep last....I was intense from August till October, but from May till July I was studying maybe like 3 or 4 hours every other day. So I guess only really 3 months in total, b/c I don't think the May till July really was much studying.
I have not taken an official review course which is why I am considering Kaplan or Falcon at this point.
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| ALFA
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 87
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Well, I would read the same material all over again. Would make sure I have a good understanding of it. Plus I would try to do as many qs as possible. Find some other good sources. If you want to take a course...well, I hear about Kaplan. I never watched the videos, so can't comment if it's the same. Good luck!
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| robin082006
Forum Hero
Topics: 471
Posts: 5,123
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Hi,
You're so hurried to take the real exam. Usually 3 months are not enough for the exam, I think we need at least 6 months.
Most people said that Kaplan notes are enough for step 1 except Pathology, which needs other reference books such as Goljan or BRS. We should concentrate on one source of review materials only. We need to read two times before doing questions. Also we need to read all explanation even though we answer correctly. Then review the third time before thaking the real exam.
___________________
The Key to Succeed is Patience.
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| Steptaker2005
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Perhap join a study group hat would exchange some infos as well as sharing concepts and refresh and stengthen your understanding of the concepts. Do more questions by yourself as well as with a group. Don't isolate yourself. I have a study group. We welcome you to join when you decide to go back to study. Know our weaknesses. Your NBME score s should tell you where your weaknesses are. Go back and reread those subjects. If your resources is great, then join Kaplan for centerprep- study at Kaplan where you can discuss difficult concepts with others. Email me if ou like for support group and study partner- dcblokemd@yahoo.com. Please don't give up yet!
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| fakhan
Forum Senior
Topics: 5
Posts: 73
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hi monamoon,
analyse what was missing previous time,learn from urs mistakes and try urs best next time, and believ in urs self and belief in GOD
for usmle only hard working is not necessery ,but a good study planning and good study method is also necessery.robin082006 is right that u give only 3 month prep ,some times pacing sucks,i dont say that speed reading is bad thing it is good but for difficult concepts u have to slow down urs pace ,although for crammable topics pacing is good.urs biggest mistake is urs poor planning(do not want to insult u ,but want to point out urs biggest mistake)i think firstly u set a low goal(u wanna just to pass)so u give only three months while 6 months prep is necessery(but even 3 to 4 months prep is sufficient but u used so much in less time,i assure u if u study FA and keplan notes u can score 90%,but u use so much material .u watched all keplan vidios(not necessory) firstly study keplan notes and if u dont understand any topic in keplan noyes then clear the concepts from vidios or clear the concepts from other review or text book or do revelent practice questions to clear concepts.if u want just to pass and not to score then give more time and focus to HY topics(topics in FA)and then less focus on low yield topics and do more and more practice questions .as u already read keplan notes so this time little hard work is required ,so quikly go through urs notes and note down topics which u did not understand well and which u did badly on exam and which u did badly in nbme and the topics which u did badly in keplan qbanks,give more focus to these topics and also give more focus to HY topics and then go through urs notes once again and then do practice questions to see urs progress but do more and more practice questions and then take nbme and then decide whether to take the test or not.GL
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| hardwork21
Forum Junior
Topics: 12
Posts: 51
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Hi All
THis is my first post. My story exactly same as monamoon,
I failed second time 73 /179 score.
I 'm depreesed can't get back but i want to.
Please help me how to start all over.
I used same material KAplan centerprep ,Goljan audio and notes .
I really worked hard , prepared till i could,about a year,i really never expected to fail!
Itried oasis trick,unfortunately it really works!!!
I'm down devastated ,can't look at the books .
I really want to start over please help!!
Please anybody has any advise what other resourses ,books
Thanks
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| monamoon23
Forum Newbie
Topics: 7
Posts: 16
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Hey guys, thanks so much for all the input from here. Yeah I just finished my second year in medical school and we have to take the exam before going on to the third year. So I took the review course offered by our school for 3 months and then studied by myself for 3 months. We had to take it by Oct 31, b/c of financial aid and stuff which is why I took it before then. I think like steptaker was saying maybe it would help if I studied with the group.
Has anyone taken kaplan live lecture and saw the videos? Are they the same thing? Or do you think I can benefit from Kaplan live lecture? I don't quite know if Falcon would be worth it b/c I think I am going to be using kaplan material anyway even if I go to TX to take Falcon. Thanks again for all your advise.
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| dr.barbie
Forum Senior
Topics: 6
Posts: 42
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Hi, I too failed step 1 after the same prep that you did. When NBME says that you will not do well, listen. I didn't listen either and that was one of my biggest mistakes. I personally tried Kaplan videos and lecture. I liked lecture more b/c it was more interactive and I met people that were doing the same thing I was. This was great because we set up study groups. I don't know where you are deficient but you should pinpoint your weaknesses and tackle them, even though it may not be easy. A girl in my live lecture failed step 1 after one year of prep and then totally focused during kaplan and ended up getting over a 90. Of course it's important to know the material but it's also important to know how to apply it to the questions. Qbank is great, but you have to know why the the right answer is right and the wrong answers are wrong. GL and dont's think of this as a failure but as a second chance to get a great score. To Hardwork: perhaps take a few days off and rethink your study plan. Set your goals on paper. I was devastated also and it took a few weeks before I could study again. But don't despair, your motivation will come back. Best of luck to you.
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| hardwork21
Forum Junior
Topics: 12
Posts: 51
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Hi dr.barbie, thanks.
I'm kinda on break are you preparing for step 1 too? Do you think taking the Kaplan q bank second time really helps?
I'm all confused Last time I tried 3 months of q bank, i triewd to solve all and i couldn't go over sec time,i just did which were answered wrong.
Some how I'm not able to decide how to study
Could you please help.
Thanks
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| dr.barbie
Forum Senior
Topics: 6
Posts: 42
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Hi hardwork21, Yes, I am back to preparing for step 1. It was hard to get focused again but slowly but surely it happened. Remember the reason why you went to medical school. Think about how great it will be once you pass. Try to think positive. I got qbank again for 3 months becauseI feel it's a great tool. If not for anything else to build up your endurance for the exam. Most people I talk to did it twice. Plus I do the questions at the end of the chapters of the kaplan books. The first time around I didn't and I now see that was a mistake. It really make the information stick and shows me where I didn't truly understand something. Only now am I realizing that I only the know the information superficially. I would say that your resources are good. From what I have read most people on this forum use the same resources. Perhaps a study partner would help. You were so close last time I am sure with just some fine tuning you will do great!!!
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| grace_jones_md2b
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 4
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Hi Monamoon,
I know what you are feeling. I was there too. I was one failure away from getting kicked out of school. I am one of the people who took falcon, and am happy I did. If you want to email me, you can at grace_jones_md2b@yahoo.com.
I wish you well.
Grace
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