zzpearl
Forum Senior
Topics: 53
Posts: 143
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Hello everyone,
Would you like to give some suggestions on the available CS preparation courses? <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
1. Kaplan 5 day course ($2799)
2. Kaplan 6 day course ($3299)
3. Kaplan 1 day course ($999)
4. PASSCAS 1 day course ($495)
5. C3NY 3 day course ($995)
6. USMLE world online course ($50-$70)
Are they worthy? I do not want to spend $2-3000 on it, but I really concern about the exam. I will take it in 3-4 months. I graduated almost 8 years ago, and have not been in touch with clinic since graduation. My native language is not English, although I am not very worry about my spoken English.
Do I need this kind of class if I could find a practice partner?
Thanks a lot.
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| southamericanIMG
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 15
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Hey zzpearl,
I have taken the cs eexam 2 weeks ago and am waiting for results so I thuoght I might answer based on my personal experience. I think that if you buy first aid for the usmle step 2 cs and subscribe to usmle world you should be more then ready make sure you go through these atleast 2 or 3 times each and 4 or five weeks is generally enough providing your putting in 6 to 8 hours 5 or 6 days a week. You need a partner to practice on and remember that it doesnt have to be a med student it can be any one or even a pillow if nothing else can be found. If your really worried then maybe you need 2 months but it sounds like time is on your side if you get going now. The key to this exam is practice and knowing how to write a patient note the correct way as in first aid and being able to do this in 10 minutes which takes alot of repetition. Hope this advise is of help tp you. Good Luck.
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| zzpearl
Forum Senior
Topics: 53
Posts: 143
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Thank you very much, southamericanIMG.
Do you think the knowledge of step2 CK is essential for differential dignosis on CS?
I will take CS first. just wondering whether I should go over the CK once since I forgot a lot after getting out of medical school.
I think I need to prepare for 3-4 months because I work full-time here. So can only study on evenings and weekends.
Would you like to suggest some ways to find a practice partner? I tried this forum and usmlebuddies.com. But no reply.
Thank you very much for your sincere advices.
Thanks
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| southamericanIMG
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 15
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Dear ZZ pearl,
I dont really think that CK is essential at all if you are already a graduate your thinking is already talored towards coming up with a differential diagnosis, rememeber this is an exam consisting of very predictable case there are only about 50 to choose from. Having said that I did already finish CK in December. As to finding a partner I didnt have one so I ended up just kind of practicing in my mind the scenarios and resorted to writing up my patient notes (this is very, very important) but try and find a partner it doesnt have to be another IMG is can be your spouse, brother friend etc. Do take aslong as you have to to feel comfortable but remember this exam will cost about $2000 in total so as an investment it is in your best interest to devote as much time as possible to it, if you can take some time off of work do so. I also worked during my preperation and it took away from my ability to study a but I also took the last week offf before my exam and studied 24/7 I also got to chicago 4 days in advance and prepared while I was already there. Good luck
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