francis
Forum Junior
Topics: 1
Posts: 2
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AHHH!!! so I didn't pass on my first attempt. I failed with a 181 which sucks!! but on the bright side, is better than failing with a 100 .
In any case, I have been a silent reader in this forum, and now I need all your advice more than ever. I want to know how I can effectively use my two month to not only pass the exam, but to do really well......I only wanted to pass in my first attempt, but now that it will be my second and last attempt I want to do very well to offset my first time failure. I want to set a study plan, but I don't know where to start .
My NBME 1 week prior to the exam was 460, and cumulative QBank 65%. I was confident going into the exam, but suffered a horrible panic attack, small story short, I was unable to read an average of 15 questions per block. I have since been given medication for when I retake the exam again. So now, I need to set a plan of attack to finally defeat this beast I like to call Step 1........I will appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance!!!
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| pearljam59
Forum Guru
Topics: 120
Posts: 273
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Well you seem already competent to pass as proven with a 460. I would suggest NOT to read everything again but rather just do FA and questions and questions and more questions! Maybe if there was one particular area you keep blowing off and are weak at you can spend some time on that. But FA and questions in my opinion!
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| tolito
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 119
Posts: 2,174
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i would suggest that you study like this was a first attempt so you do not feel you know it. this time around, you will study the appropriate topics cos you have been there. it will not take you time to read thro all the kaplan LN. make a timetable. if you have 8weeks, i suggest use 6 weeks for studying. your target should be to complete all kaplan books 2x as well as FA 4X. and do qbank everyday in the timed mode. you can always look up the answers after. the last 2 weeks should then be spent consolidating your knowledge. and relaxing. if you have studied wide enouogh, chances are that you will be more relaxed closer to the exams and if you did enough q and did well in them, that would also boost your confidence. one of my snr colleagues used to advise us to take drugs to prevent panic attacks during exams. he used to suffer from them. so you are not alone in having that problem. he was very intelligent. i think the more intelligent you are, the more demands you make on yourself which tends to heighten your panic level. so chill you will surely make it. you have the brains for it.
wish you best of luck at your next attempt.
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| francis
Forum Junior
Topics: 1
Posts: 2
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Thanks guys!! for taking the time to respond to my message and all your great advice. I will definitively do questions, questions, and more questions, and continue reading my revised FA....should I get the 2006 version? I will also re-read Kaplan lecture notes, some BRS, Goljan, and HY books. I'll stick with one book for each subject though.
I am currently doing a daily calendar with my plan of attack for the next two month......I also took the NBME 3 today to see what subjects needed more attention, and how the medication worked with me. I got a 530 (226)!!!!!, so now more than ever, I have no doubt in my mind that I will pass this exam this second time. I just hope I can blow it out of the waters, which is my ultimate goal......Do you guys recommend I take QReview, or just stick with QBank?. In any case, thank you guys again!!!! let me know what you think of Qreview, and FA 2006....Best, Best of luck with everything...I can't wait to start studying, and take this exam again.
By the way tolito, thanks for letting me know of the advice your senior colleague gave you. As I have gotten older my test anxiety has increase immensely, but I have always been able to control it through meditation, yoga, and calming teas. I never wanted to take any medication for it, even after this panic attack. I was even thinking maybe I wasn't well prepared and blaming a panic attack as a defense mechanism......but after today, I know I was just in denial. Taking the NBME on medication for the first time, and seing how calm I was and how easily I went through the exam without feeling like my heart was about to jump out of my chest........I am in cloud 9. I just keep thinking, if this is the score I get after failing and not studying anything for four weeks, imagine what I can get after two month of hard studying. I can not thank my doctor enough for prescribing me something even after my hesitation, and then, to read your message, I cannot be any happier. Thanks!!!!! and Take care Best of luck to all.
Edited by francis on 04/06/06 - 01:37 PM
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| tolito
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 119
Posts: 2,174
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you are welcome. i also get panic from simple things like a presentation, a new operation i am performing, an interview etc. At the beginning my hands actually shake but the only good thing is once i start, i am in control. and i start to enjoy myself. i am also tempted to take medication but propanolol is not good for me cos i am asthmatic so i just talk myself through it. diazepam will reduce performance even though it would make me calm.
i strongly believe you have what it takes.
good luck
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It has been a looooong hard journey but I am inches away from my destination...
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