cyra
Moderator
Topics: 29
Posts: 844
|
I'll be detailing my prep as I went through it.I don't mean to freak anyone out cos mine is more of a trial and error story...I stumbled across what the right resources were some time during/after(for most subjects) my first read....and got a hold of them during my second read.The "In retrospect" bit would deal with what I think, I should/shouldn't have done.
Time Span:
I studied for about 7 months.Started in Mayཁ but there were some unavoidable breaks in between.For those who might want to know how many hours I put in each day - I started off with ~4-6 and gradually built up to ~8-10 about 2 months before the exam.I might have done about 12 hrs per day during the last week...but what it really boils down to is how much quality work you get done.
I went through the material about four times.My first read took a little over 3months.The second took about 2 1/2 months...the third one took 1 1/2 month and a final quick review in the last ten days.
Resources/Review Books:
Anatomy:
Gross anatomy: Read High Yield.Pretty good and more clinically oriented than kaplan.I did however listen to the kaplan lectures on the UL/LL plexuses/injuires and the perineum...those were awesome...made life a lot easier for me!
Neuroanatomy:I went through High yield for my first read...didn't really like it.By my second read I had got hold of the kaplan lectures.That guy does a great job.I just listened to the lectures and followed the text where I felt it was required.I jotted down points which i thought needed to be committed to memory as i listened to the lectures and those are what I used in the end.
Embryology:High yield.Comprehensive and an easy read.
Hisology/Cell biology:I am afraid kaplan didn't do the trick for me.I had quite a few electron micrographs in my exam and i was clueless.There a couple of links in the histology forum and my exam experience that might be helpful.
Biochemistry/Genetics/Molecular Biology:Used kaplan for these.
Behavioural science/Biostats/Epidemiology:BRS plus kaplan for behavioural science.A&L notes and Kaplan for biostats/epidemiology.I'd say its imperative to listen to the kaplan lectures by Dr.Daugherty for these.
Immunology/Microbiology:Kaplan should suffice for immunology.Went through MMRS for micro and then switched to these flash cards called micro cards.Annotated them as i went through Q bank.Those worked out just fine for me.The antimicrobials portion in MMRS is great help though...makes memorising things easy.
Pharmacology:Kaplan and First Aid.Annotated FA and stuck in notes through out my review and just used FA towards the end to revise.
Physiology:BRS for my first and second reads which was when i started Q bank and realised that it wasn't going to be adequate.The kaplan lectures came to my rescue again.I really didn't want to go through the massive kaplan lecture notes although I knew how essential it was.So,I took a notebook..put on lectures by Dr.Dunn(whose monotone made me want to kill myself) and made notes as i listened and did the end of chapter questions.All this in about 5 days during my third read and it helped loads.So,kaplan it is for physiology!
Pathology:BRS+Goljan audio+webpath for slides and specimens.
Q Resources/Simulated Exams:
Q Book:Used this with my first read.
Q Bank: Took the 3 month subscription.Did it subject wise and timed during the second read.Had a cumulative of 74% on that...but one can only correlate if you do it random and timed.
The quizzes on webpath are pretty good.Did those some time during my second read.I'd also suggest robbins review...which is a question book for pathology.Didn't go through the whole thing...but good practice!
During the last month I did random questions from BSS and NMS whenever I got tired of studying...just to keep that problem solving frame of mind going.Learnt a lot from the forum.Participating in discussions here goes a long way.
I didn't do kaplan simulated...had the cd and just did a couple of blocks here and there.
Took NBME form 3 ten days before the exam.
In Retrospect:
1.Do your homework and get your resources sorted out before you start...i guess even midway through the first read should be fine.I switched books like anything and it was a big hassle.
2.If i were to do Q bank again...i'd do it random and timed.It did work out fine for me even doing it subject wise...but that in itself can create some self doubts....i guess it gives one more confidence if you simulate the exam as closely as possible as early on as you can.
2.Donot be scared to take the NBMEs.Reason I took mine so close to exam was cos i thought i just wasn't ready.Take one form at least a month before the exam,identify your weak areas,work on them and take another form about 15 days prior to the exam.
3.Plan well and stick to your plan.
4.Do go through Goljan high yield notes.I had no time to go through them...my fault entirely-procrastination!
5.Familiarise yourself with FA from the very beginning.I just used FA for pharmacology in the way that it is supposed to be used.For other subjects i just had to skim through it as I had not familiarised myself with it enough during my review.
The last ten days or so can certainly take their toll on you.I, for one had major self doubts.The key here is to compose yourself(easier said than done,i know!) and have faith in all the hard work you have put in.Identify your weak areas and tackle them.It is human nature to stay away from subjects one is unsure of/uncomfortable with....if you have even an iota of doubt about something...don't let it be...figure it out there and then.Figure out what is a stress reliever for you..cos you'd sure need some form of stress relief close to the exam.Last but not least...if you believe in God...pray hard...He will take care of you!
Signing off now....shall be glad to answer any questions.
|
| usmlebaby
Forum Senior
Topics: 1
Posts: 38
|
Congratulation,Your hard work really paid you off
You are really inspiration to all of us
Wish you all the best in the next step
|
| Geroo
Forum Guru
Topics: 114
Posts: 799
|
thaks alot Cyra for sharing your experience.
|
| Doc2378
Forum Guru
Topics: 46
Posts: 688
|
Thanks Cyra for the detailed experience...very helpful!
Can you tell me what your NBME scores were going into the exam...Thanks!
___________________
Courage does not always ROAR. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow" - Mary Anne Radmacher
|
| reet
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 152
Posts: 1,411
|
thanks a lot cyra,,
___________________
Live as u were to die tommorow. Learn as if u were to live forever.
|
| prader-willi
Forum Elite
Topics: 28
Posts: 364
|
thank u soooooo much....great really detailed schedule and good points.....god bless u
___________________
hang on in there......u will survive....
|
| DrPak
Forum Elite
Topics: 49
Posts: 348
|
Hey, good thing I've snared you as a mentor! Hand off everyone, I saw her first!
|
| mazinger
Forum Guru
Topics: 46
Posts: 918
|
Useful info cyra thanks a lot!
___________________
original mazinger z
|
| cyra
Moderator
Topics: 29
Posts: 844
|
You're welcome everyone!
Doc2378:My NBME score was 540 which correlates to a 228 3D score..pretty accurate!
DrPak:LOL!!you owe me a 99!
|
| icycool
Forum Junior
Topics: 2
Posts: 24
|
thanks cyra...have been reading ur posts on the forum.did u get a lot of calculations on the exam..i am scared to death by numbers?! all the best for step two.
|
| cyra
Moderator
Topics: 29
Posts: 844
|
You're welcome icycool...
I got a couple of calculations but they were simple...I am bad with numbers too.Don't be scared about the calculation though...major consensus is that they are nothing out of the ordinary.
Good luck!
|
| roume
Forum Junior
Topics: 1
Posts: 35
|
thanks a lot ....
are indeed a very helpful 2 cents of yours...
thnaks for making it all sound so easy and manageable....
may u always succeed in everything you ever attempt. Amin.regards
___________________
Proper Planning ,Preparationand Prayers Prevent Poor Performance.....!!!
|
| neevyg
Forum Junior
Topics: 15
Posts: 68
|
your two cents helped out alot, thanx...do you think mmrs is enough with kaplan lecture notes...or do u really reccoment another source with mmrs?
|
| cyra
Moderator
Topics: 29
Posts: 844
|
Glad to have been of help guys!
neevyg:Kaplan should suffice...only reason I used microcards was cos I got hold of the kaplan notes too late in my review.Kaplan microbiology covers everything you'd need to know for the exam(maybe even more)...and the immunology section is great too!
|
| ayaz153
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
|
congradulations cyra u did a great job. plz tell me pics and slides of which topic i should see frm webpath as its very lenghty to do it all. best of luck for step 2
|
| cyra
Moderator
Topics: 29
Posts: 844
|
Thankyou ayaz153..
Go through webpath as you read through pathology.....it shouldn't take you long...I am afraid I can't really pin point which ones exactly...you could also look at the Goljan slides.Normally, the question stems give clues to what the picture/slide may be...
|
| endocrine
Forum Senior
Topics: 7
Posts: 55
|
hey cyra!
i have joind the forum recently.....
great post...thanks a lot...iam goin thro bad time...gave nbme1,got 450 n definately not happy.
got an unavoidable break aftr takn kaplan course n startd studn for past 2.5 mnths...
nbme 1 brot me down big time...gathrn up courage n tryn to rview my weak areas..20 days to go
(aftr potponn)
iam hopn these 15days l help me get betrr..
any sugesstions?
|
| cyra
Moderator
Topics: 29
Posts: 844
|
Hey endocrine....You can do a lot in 20 days!NBME is a good tool to gauge how one would perform on the actual exam....in the end though, the final decision is yours.Form 1 must have pointed out your areas of weakness.It must seem overwhelming....but step back and take a note of your strengths and weaknesses.I'd suggest taking 10 days to work on your weak areas first(only you can decide how much time to give to each)...give a quick run through to the major subjects like pathophys and pharmacology...and please reasses yourself again....maybe take form 3 and if you are satisfied with your performance, take the plunge.You don't want to go in having self doubts...that alone can wreak havoc even if you know your stuff.So,give it all you can these coming 10 days(think of all the hours in those ten days...it helps)...take another form of NBME and then decide.Good luck!
|
| endocrine
Forum Senior
Topics: 7
Posts: 55
|
thanks cyra!
l do tat!wastd time today n tensd by the end of day...l study now
|
| Geroo
Forum Guru
Topics: 114
Posts: 799
|
hi Cyra,
I need your advise about that; after I take an NBME form should I try to find the answers to all the questions?.I'm doing that with form 2 now,but it takes too much time,do u think it's worth doing?
|
| cyra
Moderator
Topics: 29
Posts: 844
|
Geroo...If you have time,I guess it is ok to search for answers....but I'd rather you make the most of your time and work on your areas of borderline/low performance as pointed out by the NBME.
Good luck!
|
| Geroo
Forum Guru
Topics: 114
Posts: 799
|
thanks Cyra!!!
|
| Rimmi
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 10
|
Hey cyra,
I am Also a new member.... Wow, your 2 cents were very motivating and encouraging.
I am new in USA, from Pakistan. I feel i have very limited resources here as i left most of my books back home.I dont have goljan here. Do you think Kaplan note are enough for Pathology??
thanks alot.
|
| cyra
Moderator
Topics: 29
Posts: 844
|
Thankyou Rimmi!
I used BRS for pathology along with Goljan's audio lectures.I think kaplan should suffice as I've come across a lot of people who've used it and have done well.Goljan's rapid review for pathology comes highly recommended as well....if you have just started with your prep it won't hurt to go to a bookstore and just browse through Goljan's book...see if you like it and how it compares with Kaplan.If I were to do path again I'd definitely go for that!Whatever resource you use make sure you are comfortable with it and of course don't miss out on Goljan's audio.
Good luck!
Edited by cyra on 02/14/06 - 03:34 PM
|
| Rimmi
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 10
|
Thanks...Alot.
|
|
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
