zaf3000
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 87
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Hi all,
I am new here.. This board is great. Lots of useful informations.
I am about to start my preparations for both Step2 CK to and MCC exams.
I have few question which I am hoping you can help me out with.
1- What study material (reading and Qbanks) in general did you use?
2- What is the best way to organize my study time? Should I concetrate more on prep exams and Qbanks or on reading material?
3- I hear that TorontoNotes is a good source for the MCC exam (as reading material) how good is it for step 2CK?
I have just applied for MCC exam on the 11th of January 2007. And I was planning to take my USMLE Step 2 CK in December but I might delay it abit (I haven't decided yet, all depends on my preparations)..
I reviewed the sticky thread about the step 2 CK results.. Very informative thread. Thanks to everyone who participated in it.
Good luck to all,
ZAF
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| zaf3000
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 87
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Another thing I wanted to ask..
Reading over this forum I found that most of you are preparing usng NBME, Kaplan and usmle world.. Please correct me if I am wrong:
1- Regarding USMLE WORLD: I have to subscribe to this site: www.usmleworld.com right?
2- NBME 1,2,3 is it on this site: www.nbme.org or are there books I could buy?
3- Regarding Kaplan Videos: are they online based or can I buy them on DVDs?
4- Is the Kaplan Qbook similar to online QBank?
5- Regarding the Kaplan review books, I can't seem to find review books for step2 CK on Kaplan's site. From where did you guys get them?
I am fairly new to these exams and I don't know alot of people who have taken them before. Your help is highly appreciated.
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| study_ing
Forum Fanatic
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well u r right abt the websites. ( besides if u click on the names in the step 2 ck questions section , the main page, u 'automatically' get there
kaplan dvds are not necessarily online. where r u from? if u cud find someone in ur own country on the forum, that wud be better. if u intend buyuing them online i guess ebays a source but confirm from other online buyers before u finalize ur deal
q book is different from q bank. its arranes subject wise. q bank for step 2 by kaplan is not as great ( hearsay! no experience) as is UW and much cheaper.
i guess u shud try buying the dvds and the notes together if re going for an online deal..will probably find it cheaper..
one q id like to ask is whether u have taken step 1. if not, choose the 'advice' ont he forum by ppl with a similar experience.
good luck
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| zaf3000
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 87
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I haven't taken step 1 yet.
Step 2 CK will be my first step in the USMLE trip ..
I am organizing my study plan at the moment. Hoping to start in 1 week max.
I searched on ebay for the lecture notes and the DVDs. Only found one seller with 0 previous reviews. Any other places I could find them at? Online that is. Why aren't Kaplan selling them?
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| study_ing
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 180
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i really dunno abt the notes coz i dint have a problem getting them...just wanted to add that if this is ur first step, do incorporate the HY step 1 mterial into ur timetable. i just recently took step 1 and am listening to goljan step 2 audios..there's quite an overlap. try getting goljan audio 1 as well as that for step 2.
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If you yourself are at peace, then there is at least some peace in the world.
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| zaf3000
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 87
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Thanx will keep that in mind...
Any other tips from other members?
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| zaf3000
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 87
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I need more info about the step 2 CK. Like how many blocks is the exam (I think 8 blocks)? how many Qs per block and what is the time bound? What are the subject that needs to be covered and what are their percentage in the exam (I heard Medicine is 60% of the step 2 CK)?
Thanks alot.
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| study_ing
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 180
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its true that medicine is heavily tested but the percenytages are not fixed. some ppl talk about a lot of gyn/ obs and pediatrics in their exam.
visit http://www.usmle.org/step2/default.htm for the content, question style
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If you yourself are at peace, then there is at least some peace in the world.
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| zaf3000
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 87
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Thanks
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| zaf3000
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 87
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I have a question about Kaplan books and ebay.
Kaplan books are being removed from ebay so frequent. I've contacted a seller and she told me that its because they are copy right and Kaplan are making sure they are not sold through ebay.
I am close to buying a set BUT the buyer has no reputation. She says that its because she gets deleted for trying to sell kaplan stuff. My question is, is it normal what is happennig? Meaning do you think it is alright trying to buy the books from a nonreviewed seller (fairly new) because of this kaplan issue?
Thanks
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| zaf3000
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 87
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Are there differences between Kaplan 05-06 and Kaplan 06-07 books?
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| spebeeto
Forum Elite
Topics: 8
Posts: 176
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do not buy from someone without a good reputation. I would look on craig's list (www.craigslist.org) for kaplan books. i know in my area there are some for sale even.
There are probably not big differences in the Kaplan books, because exactly how much does medicine change in one year? Not much. I used even older books and did fine.
I also wanted to let you know that USMLEHelp Step 2 CK is a good quick-reference guide. I liked it, and used it a lot. Probably even more than the Kaplan books. You'll still need those books, or another textbook, but this one is great for quick referencing.
I tried First Aid, and just couldn't like it. Goljan's notes were too much in "disarray" to be useful to me. He had tidbits of info all over the place, and I just couldn't get into his notes.
Buzzwords for the USMLE was okay, but I don't think the USMLE uses that many buzzwords anymore.
USMLEWorld is great for questions. That and the Kaplan question book was what I used.
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| zaf3000
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 87
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Thanks for your reply..
My plan upto know is:
Study from Kaplan lecture notes books.. During my reading period I try solving Qs from USMLEWORLD. E.g. If I finish Cardiology I answer question regarding cardiology.. I also answer question from Kaplan Qbook druing this period.
After I have gone through more than 75% of my planned study material I will start solving Qs from MOCK EXAM.
Then as soon as I am done from my study material I would like to try an NBME exam and see how my preperation is. After that I should start reading from FIRST AID + USMLE SECRETS for fast review. Continue solving USMLEWORLD questions. The take NBME exam again if possible, + check the Kaplan simulation exam and check the USMLE CD.
I will then compare my results of my prep exams with what the members here got. This will give me a rough idea about my preperation.
I have the following questions though:
1- Do you think this a proper plan? Or do you think I am missing important things (resourses or organization)?
2- Regarding Kaplan Qbank, is it different from the Qbook? I heard it is. How much does it cost and how useful is it? Is it available for the public through subscribtion or is only limited for the trainee at their facilities?
3- the Kaplan simulation exam, how much is it?
4- Can you give me more info about the NBME exams? Are they simluation exams or are they Qbanks like USMLEWORLD (I heard simulation exams).
5- I am searching for more info regarding the actual exam. How many blocks are there? I heard it is a 9 hour exam consisting of 8 blocks of 46 or 47 questions each.
6- Any other hints, notes, suggestions..etc please feel free to say.
Thanks again guys... This site ROCKS.
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| zaf3000
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 87
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What is the difference between Kaplan and Qbank? Q review is 500 dollors an Qbank is 150-250 dollors.
Is it just the duration? Or what exactly?
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| study_ing
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 180
Posts: 2,511
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q review is loads of stuff
http://www.kaptest.com/
it has 750 IM qs too,besides the 2200 qs on step 2 ck..etc..etc
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If you yourself are at peace, then there is at least some peace in the world.
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| zaf3000
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 87
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I am happy to report that I managed to get my hands on Kaplan USMLE step 2 CK review books and Qbook.
Time to start reading
Wish me luck..
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| study_ing
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 180
Posts: 2,511
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GOOD LUCK
LOADS OF IT
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If you yourself are at peace, then there is at least some peace in the world.
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