Isther
Forum Guru
Topics: 39
Posts: 743
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Just returned from Atlanta, did my CS yesterday in the morning. For those who are scared, its normal to be anxious but is not a difficult exam, so try to relax. Is impossible to know if I passed for sure but feel very optimistic. Could finish all the cases on time including the PN, and tryed to focus on my communication with the patient, I forgot something in every case though.
My advice, FA and/or USMLE UW are more than enough, and you can cover the material in 3 weeks with plenty of time to practice. I didn't have a practice partner all the time so I imagined most of my practice encounters... sounds silly but worked!! When I finished the general info and started to practice cases my first impression was "How can I ask all of this in only a few minutes, PLUS the physical and the counseling", but after a few days the questions start to flow naturally and time is no longer an issue. Is better to make up a plan of your own to approach the patients in an organized fashion and have a strong arsenal of DD's. I strongly recommend the CS Prep Journal forums since have plenty of good advice (LisaM & nithu... thanks a lot, your journals helped my a lot).
Can't release specific details about the exam, but some cases were almos identical to those in FA. The orientation video in the center was the same that is in the USMLE 2006 cd, so try to check all the CS material in it. I'm feeling quite relieved now, and going to relax to start the preparation for my last exam (CK). Wish you all the best and relax, is like treating with a real patient... just look cool. 
Will tell pass/fail status when the report comes, on july.
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| naina
Forum Senior
Topics: 15
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thank u for the info isther,goodluck
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| amygdalaa
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 399
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thanks- makes me feel better. Good luck.
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| xiangbc
Forum Newbie
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Would you please tell me where I could find those CS Prep Journal forums by LisaM & nithu? Thanks.
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| Isther
Forum Guru
Topics: 39
Posts: 743
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Thank you naina and amygdalaa good luck to you too. Xiangbc, the journals are here:
http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/92
All the best!
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| Isther
Forum Guru
Topics: 39
Posts: 743
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HEEYYYYY!!!!
Just did Oasis trick like some of U.... I passed I passed I passed... Just CK to go and I'm through with this...
UW and FA are all you need, now I can assure that!!!
All the best to those who passed and good luck to the soon-to-be tested.
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| amygdalaa
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 399
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Well Congratulations! I have mine in 10 days.Do you have any suggestions? I have read all 27 cases in FA atleast once. I have done half of the UW cases. I practised abtou 8 PNs. I have just started practising timed cases with my spouse. I made quite a few mistakes in my PNs and my questioning and examination look so awkward! They are not flowing smoothly.
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| Isther
Forum Guru
Topics: 39
Posts: 743
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You have to organize your approach... make a map in your head about the order of things you need to ask...1) CC 2) LIQUOR ETC ETC... 3) ROS (the ones pertinent to the case) 4)Social 5)PE... yada yada yada...
Make a plan of your own, stick to it, and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE, practice your plan with your wife until she gets tired of your presence... ...and you can do it in less than 7 mins. Memorize differentials so you can enter the room with at least 2 DD in mind (VERY IMPORTANT). Practice your english as well as your handwritting or typewritting.
You may notice that the word "practice" was repeated a lot... well that's because that's the deal...KEEP PRACTICING. It's an easy exam, sure you'll do fine... just be cool.
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| amygdalaa
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 399
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Thanks for your suggestions, Esther. I am trying to practise with my husband(I am the wife ). He is so busy, so I am only able so practise 1/2 cases per day. So I am looking fir a partner.
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"If at any point you feel you cant..... then you MUST"
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| som
Forum Guru
Topics: 59
Posts: 308
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Congratulations Isther!!! All ur posts and esp CK journal are very helpful in guiding a lot of ppl on this forum. Keep going !!
btw i like ur avatar man.it's cool !!
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| djyoti
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 13
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congrat
amygdalaa -i read ur posting here -- you said that your questions are not solid --it is because they are not in the tip of your tongue -- means you have to go to your old days of learning by rote / you got 99 in ck so u can do it easily-- using a pattern -- u wanna have a chat -- i do not know how to go about it
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| Isther
Forum Guru
Topics: 39
Posts: 743
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Mrs. Amygdalaa: Sure, do what it takes to practice enough...
Som: Thanks, your journal is a quite inspiring one, it helps me tons to move. The avatar is my physician version of a Green Lantern (yes, I'm a comic geek...).
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