bradmats
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 2
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Folks, after reviewing myriads of posts on this particular forum, I am moved to make a point, especially since I just got done taking the exam today. Forget High Yield this and High Yield that, the formula to passing this test is to go into it ensuring that you know things COLD! When I write COLD, I mean it literally. The exam is a PIECE OF CAKE if you knew your concepts in and out. Remember, you get attacked from any subject and you are GUARANTEED to see every single subject on the exam. Even though it may seem that someone gets more Path than Pharm, Micro than Physio, etc. each question is of equal value and if you overlooked a simple concept, you are destined to lose that point. I am telling you, at least 95% of the questions are things you have seen!! Therefore, there is no reason to not answer them correctly unless you just memorized things without grasping the concept. Oh, also, you are required to know the WHOLE-9-YARDS on a topic. For example, i'm sure we are all familiar with Down Syndrome and it's classic presentation. However, the one little presentation that you overlooked e.g. cushion heart, may very well be the question they attack you on. And if you failed to associate this with the disease, then you will get the question wrong!! I can assure you that you will see DIRECT-TO-THE-POINT questions that can be answered by simple "BUZZWORDS". I can honestly attest that you will get some freebies, but remember, if you can't even identify the buzzword, then you won't even be able to answer the question correctly. Subjects like Biostats for example, are no use to mess up because you are expected to know all the relevent formulas (Odds Ratio, Sensitivity, etc.)!!! Simple as that! I don't think anyone should even think of sitting for the exam if you don't have things nailed COLD! You need to be realistic and constantly test yourself over and over ensuring that you are at least achieving some precision and accuracy. It's just so funny how other folks try to make this exam seem so dreadful! I promise you, it is more than doable. It is just a matter of wholeheartedly digesting the concepts and being able to assimilate them when asked. In order to test your readiness, you should be at the level to where, if I were to pick up First Aid, randomly choose a page, and ask you a question, you are able to tell me what it is all that encompasses it.. Believe me, it will be a waste of time to focus on one area, etc. YOU NEED TO BE WELL-ENCOMPASSED!! This is the key people!!!
I never thought i'd be able to say this but honestly, if you were to know First Aid inside and out cold, YOU WILL AT LEAST PASS THIS EXAM!! I can bet my bottomline dollar. But remember, this is considering that you truly, genuinely know the content!!! Part of this exam is conceptual but MEMORIZATION play a very very important role too!!!! If anything, of course it is essential to understand the concept because this is what we are going to be doing in our profession. But remember that for the sake of this exam, you main GOAL is to PASS IT!!! In order to go beyond and make more than just passing means that you only put more topics and concepts to heart and know it cold!! Of course First Aid fails to include all the possible charts out there, but is you are able to CONDENSE everything and put it all together, you should be able to attack the exam and PASS IT!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't let anyone tell you that First Aid is worthless because it is the unleashed secret. The only other thing that should supplement First Aid are Histo/Path/Physio, etc. slides, charts, graphs. etc that are not wholly included in the book. Please take my words to heart because I genuinely want to convey the TRUTH and nothing else! Again, there's nothing else to this exam but the ability to relate and recall information that has been compiled. If anyone who took the exam has some disagreements about my post, then they are LIARS!!! Ultimately, all that I mentioned is the BOTTOMLINE POINT to get you to pass this and any other boards... Know each subject EQUALLY please!!! Don't prioritize one over the other!!! YOU NEVER KNOW where you will be attacked from. You may memorize the entire Antiarrhtythmic Drugs and only end up getting 3-4 questions on the subject. But hey, the bottom line was that you were able to answer the questions because you covered it and also knew it COLD!! Same as any other topic. DO NOT OVERLOOK ANYTHING PLEASE!!!! I hope m message brings peace and calm to those who are all curious about what the USMLE IS ALL ABOUT... Also, the USMLE CD is the EXACT format, layout, etc. as the exam..
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| kulmur
Forum Senior
Topics: 1
Posts: 28
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Interesting and exact points well said.
I will follow your advice!
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| bradmats
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 2
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Bro,
Bring my advice to heart and you will make it!! I am so sure you will!! There's nothing else to it.. You can't be lazy about prioritizing each subject! If this is what you really want, you will ensure that your studied are well-encompassed and not just focused on one area!! I mean, honestly, majority of the questions are GIVEAWAYS!! The only problem is that when you are presented with the BUZZWORD or CLINICAL PRESENTATION, you are forced to dig deep into all the possible files you have stored in your brain. Remember, the answer should CLICK to you by the time you finish reading the questions. If not, then it literally means that you didn't know the subject cold. Oh, also, the answer choices will fall in similar categories. Thus ,if you only touch the iceberg on them, I can almost gurantee that you will be confused once you narrow things down. The best solution is just to dedicate your heart to knowing the concepts COLD. As easy as it's said, I KNOW that it is one of the most difficult realities to accept. But there's no other way behind it!! Again, the reason why this test presents as "TOUGH" is just because of the VOLUME of material. I guarantee you that if the USMLE were designed to test on each specific subject, the PASS rate will rise significantly. The mere fact of INFORMATION OVERLOAD is literally the ONLY hurdle that one must over come. THAT'S all there is to it!!!!!!!!
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| suv
Forum Elite
Topics: 43
Posts: 233
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Thank u very much bradmats ur post is so encouraging
___________________
Time is God!
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| OBO
Forum Senior
Topics: 10
Posts: 106
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Thanks A lot and great points to emphasize. .
Gl for your result and next steps.
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| mleguy06
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 59
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Good post buddy. Hope u pass with flying colours.
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