lancer
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 50
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I started my step 1 preparation almost 8 months ago. Initally, i took a relaxed approach towards gathering pertinent material from various resources. Then I started listening to kaplan audio subjectwise lectures and solving q bank subjectwise too.
Overall, I referred the following:
Anatomy Kaplan and high yield for neuroanatomy and embryology, it does not have much extra except sections of brain, MRI, CT scan , some applied aspects like lock in syndrome, subclavin steal syndrome, difference of cauda equine and conus medullaris, a chart of aphasia. Nerve injuries from goljan high yield, especially orthopaedics and disc prolapse
exam - not much over all but neuroanatomy - with slides of brain ,MRI, nerve injuries.
pls focus on brainstem injuries, aphasia, blood supply of brain, optic pathway most high yeild
high yeild or webpath is good for slides of brain, coronal, saggital and all possible sections.
X-ray with nerve injuries, like supracondylar #s, injuries to ligament with fractures.
exam - pathophysio was more rather than physio alone,
focus on cardiology especially circulation, respiratory , renal and fluid balance
biochemstry - kaplan only
exam - molecular biology , metabolism, and receptors and 2 msg all were equally tested, so dont ignore any of the topics. Got quite enzymes , especially charts and then clinical case with deficiency ..., 2 msg ,starvation metabolism
behavioural - kaplan and BRS( most necessary)
kaplan - sleep, stats, doctor- patient, ethics
BRS - child development, insurance, and rest of things
exam - doctor-patient most uncertain thing, dont worry everybody finds it different but jst remember fundamental , stats was good, therapies, etc
pharmacology - kaplan only is sufficient
exam - mechanism of action - anticancer drugs, antilipid , ANS- most high yeild, antiviral,
no much twisted only ANS was a bit twisted
micro- immuno - kaplan , but for immunology didnt find enough so try other sources too
exam - highly tested , all virus , fungi some bacteria , slides is necessary
AIDS - and organism , vaccines
immuno - receptor TCR, co stimulation, and immuno and cell biology especially FR questions, some question are only there where by slide only you have to do diagonsis otherwise clinical you can do easily
slides - cryptococcus, CMV
patho - goljan is the boss- make patho and life easy, had book and audio cd
goljan is must , it covers more than step 1 but u have to know as u get question beyond that,
after doing goljan you wont find patho as difficult, much of time will be saved and will gain good confidence
patho is mostly with combination of other subject
special focus on acid base balance
so focus on exam was like pathophysio>micro-immuno>pharmac>behavioural>biochemistry>an atomy
last 2 weeks i read first aid, its really helpful, especially microbiology , pharmacology embryology
did q book - 70%
q bank- 70-75%
BSS
took nbme form 3- 470 (before1.5 months )
usmle cd - 40,38,42
compass - 68% ( 2 weeks before)
kaplan review- 65%( 2 months before)
Edited by prep4usmle on 02/27/06 - 08:35 AM. Reason: posting code fixed
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| busy_mom
Forum Senior
Topics: 4
Posts: 100
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Thanks for the detailed Exam-Experience. It΄s good to hear that there are still some slightly more "normal" exams out there (vs. the one with mainly Biochem, Immuno, Molec.)! Good luck for your results ! 
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| lancer
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 50
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Thanks for your wishes. well my sixth and seventh blocks where tougher and but I didnt concern much as they may be experimental too. Good wishes to you too.
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| ibrar hussain
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 2
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plz guide me for step.1
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| lancer
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 50
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hi hussain,
To start with as usual kaplan DVD/ audio cds and kaplan notes
other referrals
BRS - behavioural and physiology
goljan - pathology
jawetz - micro and immunology - I was not able to do that but lastly I found that kaplans immunology is not sufficient
while doing subjects for a change you can do q book mcq which is subjectwise
After doing first reading go for kaplan q bank BSS cd if u have otherwise q bank is enough
do goljan high yeild patho questions, while doing patho go through slides from webpath cd
slides are highly tested, my real experience , cellular, MRI, CT scan, X rays, brain slides, microbial agents................. which is found in web path
The most important thing is you have to make a schedule and try to work according to that.
Fix the target date and study according to that
Try this web site http://www.med.upenn.edu/student/usmle/info.html
If u need any more guidance let me know
All the best for preparation
Edited by lancer on 02/17/06 - 09:31 AM
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| sonaliraj99
Forum Senior
Topics: 39
Posts: 132
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hi lancer... nice link u've given.. i jus wanted to know.. is d schedule given on d site for med students or.. for pass outs.. did u write mle while in med school? or after completing it? good luc for ur score.. thank u in advance..
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| shilahk
Forum Senior
Topics: 13
Posts: 126
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hello lancer and others,
i wish u all success...plaese i neeed advice..
i was studying for step1 since last octoberand i have been too slow for the past 2 months ...i did 1st read pharma, anatomy, and started pathology...can i make it for 2007 residency??i didn't take any exams yet...please advice me??
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| lancer
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 50
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Hi Sonali,
The schedule on the site is for the students preparing step 1 irrespective of their status. You can definitely modify it according to your convenience.
I took my step 1 after graduating from medical school and completing internship.
Thanks for your wish and all the best for your preparation and exam.
Hi Shilakh,
If you are an IMG, step 1, step 2 and CSA are necessary for obtaining ECFMG certification. I am not sure if ECFMG certification is necessary for application as many of my friends apply with only two steps, however, it is less probable to get interview calls with just two steps + low score on any one step + H1/J1 sponsorship requirement. So it depends on what position you are in and your priorities.
It would be advisable not to rush for any steps, as insufficient passing score will moderate the probability of getting in to a good program. However, if you are determinant for starting your residency in 2007, you can do it, its not impossible. Find out your own caliber and grasping and plan according to that.
My experience:
Step 1 I took 6-7 months for preparation.
CSA I am planning to take it in april as I didn't get earlier date, otherwise 15-20 days may be sufficient.
When you plan for your step 1 date, try to obtain the date for CSA ASAP to avoid the rush. Additionally, result for CSA arrives after approximately 3 months.
Step 2 I am planning for july/august, I don't want to rush + depends on my preparation.
Application deadline for residency is generally between November-end to December-end.
Step 2 result takes 3-4 weeks and ECFMG certification 2-3 weeks, so after taking exams you need window period of 1.5-2 months for all the processing, before you can apply.
Step 3 not necessary for starting residency, but passing increases chances of prematch / residency.
One more thing, get some clinical experience in USA and recommendation letters, which may be extremely helpful afterwards.
So just don't rush for all the steps and residency, rather play the game with good cards in your hands than blind.
All the best for preparation.
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| penshoppe
Forum Junior
Topics: 5
Posts: 33
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hi lancer, thanks for sharing ur experience. i have same problem with shilahk, i've been trying to review for months now but i've been too slow. I wanted to fo step 1 april but with this slow phase..i know i can't make it for april. i don't know what will help me push myself to review. i wish i can have that stamina to review.
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| shilahk
Forum Senior
Topics: 13
Posts: 126
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hello lancer and penshoppe.....
lancer....I am very thankful to you for this great advice....and also for sharing ur experience...wish u the best of luck...
penshoppe...you are as if ur talking about me..i started studying since last october...and i planned to take it in april..but for some family circumstances am too slow... and i am very worried about wasting time (one more year) and also worried about saving money for the exam and travelling...am an IMG.....can you tell me how much approximatelu does it costs for all steps plus visa plus travelling??...thanx for ur support all...another thing do we have to make TOEFL exam"??
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| brown
Forum Senior
Topics: 10
Posts: 49
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hi lancer do you think its better to have step-3 score as well at the time of interviews?if one need h-1?
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| penshoppe
Forum Junior
Topics: 5
Posts: 33
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shilahk, the good thing for you is that you have the reason why you were slow that time. In my case I don't have reason.. maybe boredom. But i'm trying my best to beat this slowness. Any advise?
i'm not sure with the visa right now. I had my tourist visa since last 2000. Some says that it is harder to get visa since 9/11 event in NY. But my friends were given their B1/B2 visa stamped with "for exam purposes only". For the travel expenses, try to check www.orbitz.com so that you can have idea.
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| shilahk
Forum Senior
Topics: 13
Posts: 126
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hello penshoppe,
if you have good conditions arround you, you should nEvER WASTE UR TIME...try to make a plan and put it on the door in front of ur eyes, and write in big leeters ur goal and how much important is this exam for you, and what would happeN IF U POSTPONE IT FOR MORE AND MORE YEARS, AND remmeber that wating a month or two may cost one more year becuase of those strict dates they put for registration and application.......i wish you good luck and success.....what about the TOEFL??
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| rapport
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 64
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hi really ur answers r very helpful..and i have one doubt..i have 2004 kap books..so it ok or should i take new edition books...and also for immunology which book u suggest and what about molecular biology...which book should i read?
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| lancer
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 50
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hi guys,
Thanks for all your wishes, god have given me 222/90. I feel its good but I expected more........ thats greedy.
shilakh , I agree with penshoppe for making a schedule and work. See usmle exams are expensive
All steps cost around 4000$ for just exams plus travelling and staying that stuff, obviously one has to think, but if you are determinent than dont look back.
Dont worry about visa and stuff, generally people get it plus this step score are valid for 7 years.
I know all circumstances, see I got married and than started my studies after break of 6-7 months.
But you have to try, and make goals , deadline than you can do it.
To brown - hi, see step 3 is not necessary its just helpful for prematch, otherwise you can give after your match before joining residency.
But its be aware of it so u can plan for it. Dont worry of it ,step 1 and step 2 score matters more, but if u have low in them, step 3 may be helpful.
To rapport - I dont think so it has much difference, I had physio of 2004 and 2005 but they was not difference. This kaplan books just have year change on there coverpage.
still I am not sure
for micro immuno , molecular biology - i did kaplan but jawetz is suggested by many for micro immuno. I think first read kaplan if you dont find it good go for other book.
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| mitty
Forum Guru
Topics: 52
Posts: 376
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congra!!!
90 is a great score.You are very kind person.I can see it in your posts.And I feel that you are going to be a great doctor.Medicine needs both brain and mostly heart and you have both of them.Keep helping us.
___________________
He will make it happen.
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| brown
Forum Senior
Topics: 10
Posts: 49
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ur true mitty,lancer you are a very helping person.congrats lancer its a good score more over ur fresh grad so its more than enough for getting into img friendly programmes.i will do well in step-2.
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| dr_sarim
Forum Senior
Topics: 16
Posts: 75
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hi lancer
can u please tell me how important histology was in your exams
thanks ..and congrats
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| rapport
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 64
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hi lancer, thanks for ur reply, and also tell me for mol.biology from which books we should read and in kaplan where we will find that mol.biology material. and u told slides for micro will come, means how to c that slides..i dont have micro slides...i have only web path cd. and i dont have BRS for beh.science and i have only barbara fadem, so is it enough for that..and what topics i should refer from that book....and also u told there wont b much difference ok kaplan books about old and latest editions...so do u think immunology is ok for 2004 edition....
please dont feel bored to my questions...just iam worrying about this new and old books..so please clear my doubts ....
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| lancer
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 50
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hi rapport,
In kaplan biochemistry, initial 7 chapters are molecular biology.
Micro slides are in kaplan cds if you have audio cds, in web patho may be you find some in infectious section
BRS(board review series) - is by fadem barbara. I did most from BRS, but specially its good for child development,pschyopharma,defense mechanism, human sex and substance abuse
do epidemiology ,sleep ethics from kaplan its better there.
Well I know before reading books one want to make aware that ... you read right books
See I am nothing this kaplan 2005 pages you compare it with yours 2004 edition. If same pages so nothing is added or changed
biochemistry - 369 pages
anatomy - 399 pages
physiology - 405 - 1000 = 595 pages
micro - 487 no - 802
immuno - 373 no -no 483
patho - 1 -288 pages
pharmac -293 - 604 no
behavioural -607 no to 782 no
Tally the pages no or no of pages ....... then you will know
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