barbot
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 10
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Just got my step 2 CK result today and couldn't believe that I surpassed my Step 1 performance (got 263/99 on Step 1)! I know this sounds strange, but right after taking step 2 , I thought it had been a disaster. I felt really bad during the whole exam - was unable to finish one section (had to randomly clicked the last two questions) and barely had enough time for the other sections. I felt tired and extremely rushed the whole time. It was very different feeling from Step 1 (which I took in August), for which I felt I had enough time to think through each question. So I totally agree with some of previous posts on this forum about step 2 experience - you may feel like crap after the exam but the end result may not be bad at all. I wanted to thank everyone on the forum for your input, which was invaluable for my exam prep.
Now about my exam preparation. I will lump Steps 1 and 2 together because I've never posted my step 1 experience and because the two steps share a lot of the same knowledge base. I believe from my experience that if you have a solid understanding of step 1 material then not too much additional effort is needed for step 2.
I am an older IMG (graduated 8 years ago and did not study medicine in English). The single most important source I used was Dr. Goljan's material. I listened to both his step 1 (twice) and step 2 audio, and printed out all of his step 1 notes from the pdf files I bought on ebay, and read them all during my prep for step 1 (I am finally parting with these notes - please see the end of this post). I think the reason why his material is very useful for both exams is that a good undertanding of pathophysiology is fundamental to everything, and that no one explains pathophysiology clearer than he does.
More specific to step 1, I spent about 5 months studying full time (one month of the 5 I was distracted by other things and did not study much). I watched Kaplan centerprep videos (tedious to watch but I think it's helpful if you are an older, non-English-educated IMG). I read Kaplan notes twice and First Aid once. Did Q-book, Phsiology Q bank and the regular Q bank (didn't have time for the I.V. Q bank). Did the questions in Goljan notes. That's it.
As for the prep for step 2, I was distracted by many things (residency application, interviews, etc.) and total study time probably just added up to about 4 or 5 weeks. The only material I studied was Kaplan centerprep videos and Kaplan notes (and listened to Goljan step 2 audio as I mentioned earlier). The Kaplan videos for step 2 are definitely worth watching - they add lots of flesh to the notes which I found to be quite dry. I didn't have time to watch the surgery videos, but I think that's okay because the surgery notes are quite good. That's it for step 2! I didn't have time to do ANY practice questions, except the 150 questions on the orientation CD (which I got about 92% correct). I bought step 2 FA but didn't even touch it.
As a last thing, I am parting with my Goljan notes. These include detailed pathology notes (which cover much more than pathology, really), high-yield notes on biochem, pharma, etc etc, as well as Goljan's exam questions. These total about 900 printed pages and are spiral bound into separate volumns. I ask for $75 which basically covers the paper, the toner cartridge I burned out, binding cost and shipping cost (they weigh a ton). I will send them to the first one who emails me (jun@planet-save.com).
Good luck with the exams!
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| norwalk
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 8
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wow thats an amazing score.ur inspiration for us old grads.congrats.when did you start ur prep for step-1,i mean in 4 odd months u aced the exam,what was ur stratergy?how was ur schedule?how many hrs a day?is q bank only enough for the exam?
step-2 prep takes how long,if one studies full time?me just started for step-1,getting tensed as it may get late for the next years match.
did you apply with just step-1 and c.s results as ur step-2 ck came in late.is it ok?or will one miiss out on interviews?how many interviews so far?pls give little for details of ur prep.
thats really great.congrats.
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| barbot
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 10
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Thanks, norwark. To answer your questions:
when did you start ur prep for step-1,i mean in 4 odd months u aced the exam,what was ur stratergy?how was ur schedule?how many hrs a day?
I started in last March and took step in mid-August. As I said I wasted a month in the middle. But when you plan your time make sure to throw in some slack. On the days I studied, I studied about 9 to 10 hours a day. I took Kaplan centerprep 30-visit, and tried to cram it as much video as possible in one visit. I didn't start Goljan till I'd gone through all subjects once because his lectures and notes synthesize everything and you need to have some basic familiarity with the subjects. I didn't do practice Qs till the very end because I am a linear person, by that I mean I can only focus on one thing at a time. Except for one block of questions from the Qbook I did for each subject, I did the rest of the Qbook, the physiology Qbank and regular Qbank all within the last 2 weeks before the exam (about 300 Qs per day and read only the explanations for the Qs I got wrong.)
The stragegy should be different for different person - lots of people who got great scores started doing Qs very early on. You have to find out what works for you.
is q bank only enough for the exam?
It depends on your style. As you can see I am not a big Q person (and didn't do any for step 2). But some people prefer to use Qs as a learning tool and it works for them. For me, I feel I have to understand everything first from reading, so doing Qs or not does not make too big of a difference.
step-2 prep takes how long,if one studies full time?me just started for step-1,getting tensed as it may get late for the next years match.
It depends on how well you did for step 1. For me it was about 4 to 5 weeks full time. But please do throw in plenty of slack - because you will feel worn out and need frequent down time after step 1.
did you apply with just step-1 and c.s results as ur step-2 ck came in late.is it ok?or will one miiss out on interviews?how many interviews so far?
I applied with just step 1 result. I took cs the last and don't have the score yet. Unless you want to apply for some ultra-competitive specialty, do NOT heed what the programs say on their website - things like you have to have ECFMG certificate when you apply, or you have to have graduated within 5 years, etc, etc. Because from my experience, and the experience of some of my friends, if you have an impressive Step 1 score (the higher the better, of course) plus perhaps some research credentials, all that rubbish is thrown out of the window! DO put some effort into putting together a decent CV and personal statement - they make a difference. As for me, I only applied to 3 places I wanted to go and got all 3 interviews.
So take your time to study for Step 1. A good score on step 1 not only give you an advantage in residency application (as you will be compared with American students who will only have step 1 result anyway), it will also set you up well for step 2.
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| robin082006
Forum Hero
Topics: 471
Posts: 5,123
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great score, congratulation
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The Key to Succeed is Patience.
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| barbot
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 10
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In response to everyone who emailed me about the Goljan notes and audio - my printed copy of the notes is already sold.
You can easily obtain Goljan audio mp3 files and the pdf files for the notes for about $10 on eBay. Just search for "Goljan". Because these are digital files on a CD, there are people selling these on ebay all the time. So there is no need to rush and pay the "Buy It Now" price. Just wait for the end of an auction and get it cheap. The sellers will make up for their cost by charging you an inflated shipping fee anyway.
Initially, I had trouble getting the Goljan mp3 files onto my ipod, though I've never heard about any problem with other mp3 players. So the following suggestions are only for those with an ipod if you run into a similar problem. I had suggested in a previous post to change the files into a higher bit rate, but later realized that bit rate was probably not the issue. I now believe the problem was with the tags. My suggestion is download a free version of Media Monkey and use this program to open up the tags of the Goljan mp3. Compare these tags to the tags of some "normal" music mp3 (the ones you had no trouble getting onto an ipod), and edit the Goljan tags till nothing looks out of the ordinary. Then they should work on your ipod.
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| norwalk
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 8
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hi,barbot thanks a ton for the info.i still have few queries,was wondering if i can send you an e mail.let me know.thanks.
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| barbot
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 10
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norwalk -- you can email me or post your questions here, either way is fine.
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| certi
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 22
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I have a problem with mp3 player similar as you.
When I try to play goljan's mp3 files on my digital audio player ( which is not ipod, it is PoGo adiorave), player shows that file is there, but I can't hear anything. I did try convert from low bites to higher bites ( the size of file gets bigger too), then it works. But it takes a lot of time to convert every file.
I did download MediaMonkey as you said, but don't understant how you compare tags and edit files. Please sent me a email at certi_mgh@yahoo.com or post here, either way.
Thanks in advance
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| synapse17
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 4
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Hey barbot
Great score Congrats
When did you take the step 2
Thanks
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| barbot
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 10
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synapse17 -- I took step 2 in early December.
certi - If changing the bit rate works for you, you should just stick with it, because it will take up more of your time (rather than computer's time) trying to fiddle with other parameters. When I was trying to figure out the problem, I spent (and wasted) lots of time messing with all different things and eventually something worked. So in the end I was confused myself as to exactly what had made the difference. The reason I said bit rate may not be the cause of the problem is that later I came across some files with the same bit rate as the original Goljan files, which nonetheless worked on my ipod without problem. There again, that's with ipod and may not even apply to your player.
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| meroon
Forum Senior
Topics: 0
Posts: 52
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congrats.
I was wondering whether you could tell me how to get goljan notes(not the audios)for step 1 and step 2.I guess you had the same.I would really appreciate if you can help me with that.
And how did you use your q bank for step1,can you tell me what sore you had on the same.
did you use NBME or USMLE WORLD.
Is that too many questions,I am sorry.
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| synapse17
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 4
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Thanks barbot for the reply
I took my step 2 ck in 3rd week of december and the waiting is driving me crazy
I wanted to know approximately how days after your exam did you get your results
I am particularly anxious because prometric closes from Jan 1 to Jan15 but I do not know if NBME?ECFMG also closes during that time.
Your reply will help me calculate my wait time.
Thanks in advance.
Once again, Cheers for your great score.
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| barbot
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 10
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meroon -- please refer to post #5 above on how to get the pdf files for the notes. People who sell Goljan audio on ebay often sell the notes as well. There is only step 1 notes out there, which is what I had, and covers a lot of stuff relevant to step 2 as well. I don't remember exactly of my qbank result but it was about 85%. I did NBME for step 1, got 770 on both parts (which incidently corresponded to exactly 263, the actual score I got on step 1 - and that's why I remember it). Didn't do NBME for step 2, nor usmle world.
syapse17 -- oasis first showed that my score is reported on the 4th wednesday after my exam (I took the exam on a Friday). Then the score arrived in mail 2 days later.
I doubt nbme has any connection with prometric schedule because prometric administers all sorts of other exams besides usmles.
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| synapse17
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 4
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thanks barbot
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| meroon
Forum Senior
Topics: 0
Posts: 52
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Thank You so much.I really admire the way you scored on both steps.
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| yolanda
Forum Elite
Topics: 18
Posts: 247
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Hi Barbot, Congratulations.
I send you a PM, not sure if you are going to still read this, but I was wondering, when did you apply for residency with just step 1, in September or October???
You interviewed in 3 places, did you prematch or match???
I am in a very similar situation, I was almost about to give up and try to match in 2008, but if you did it, maybe I still have a chance, because I am going to do the exams almost in the same dates as you.
Thank you
Yolanda
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| manikandan
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 18
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hello barbot, your performance is wounderful, pls keep it up.
is 8 weeks of study ok for step 2 ck?
bunch of thanks
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manikandan
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| MRMAVERICK
Forum Guru
Topics: 44
Posts: 808
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congrats
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245/264/CS pass All on first attempt/2006 Grad/Need VISA
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| rahayu
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 5
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Hi barbot,
congratulations. Your achievements are so impressive.
I was graduated in 1998, so also about 8 years ago. Also from english nonspeaking country.
I had research experience for about 3 years. I was enrolled in PhD program in molecular genetics in Japan, but I did not finish it (so...basicly nothing much to "show off" during the interview with the PD regarding my research experience). My medical carreer was blank for about 5 years (busy with family and kids). I passed step 1 exam last June 2006 (237/96). And I am planning to take step 2 ck (January 2007) and cs (in April or May 2007).I don't have clinical experience in the US.
My question is....do I still have a good chance in getting accepted in residency program?? What are the most family friendly residency program would you recommend for me? I have 2 girls (5 and 4 ), and I perhaps want the best of two worlds by hoping to be able to do my medical carreer and not to compromise too much time spent for my family.
Would U mind telling what program did U get interview for??
Thank you.
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