an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
| | 08/25/06 - 09:59 AM
2 of 2 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #1 |
There aren't many step 3 experiences in this foum, especially when i was preparing for my exam, and so thought, once i am done i will put mine. this has taken a while to write and it's long(and boring), but hope it will help some who plan to begin step 3 prep.
my step 3 exp...here goes..
i answered CK in feb and CS in march this yr and started step 3 prep in may. I started out by solving a few tests from kaplan q book(just to see where i stand)..my plan was if i score less than 40/50 in the tests, i would read step 2 lecture notes. Luckily(or is it un-luckily), i scored an average of 41 in the tests i did. So i decided to skip step 2 notes(a mistake in retrospect). At this time, I also solved the FSMB CD for CCS and thoroughly understood the software, etc. I did one reading of strong medicine and then started doing UW MCQs. Scored 64% in first round, all taken in random, timed, new qu. During this period, also scanned through Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics(not recommended if you have not read this bk before, and don't have much time for prep. as the matter is very condensed and takes long to read the first time..but this bk has been my buddy for a few yrs now and have read it a few times). I finished the MCQs with 15 days left for the exam. I made notes of some concepts from here. Then, I solved the FSMB practice CD MCQs (83%).
The next 7 days, I did the UW CCS. I didnt like these so much. Don't get me wrong..this is a very good prep tool, but i felt that all cases were micro-managed, and lot of unnecessary details. For approach to CCS, the best sources i had were the feedback pdf in FSMB CD and the cases in strong medicine. But, UW does give a lot of CCS to practice and if u do these once or twice, u will be ready for the CCS in exam.
Last 7 days, quickly went through strong medicine again, did remaining tests from kaplan Q book, solved all wrong qu from UW..took final average to 71%. Took the NBME test 2 days before exam, got a 590..didn't know what that correlates to, but knew I was ready. Finally, read the UW notes I had made. The day before the first day I answered the FSMB CD MCQ again. The day before the second test day, similarly did the FSMB and Strong medicine CCS.
Now to the exam days..i booked the exam on a sat and mon so as to get some repair time on sunday. But, my first day the center people couldnt open my exam and the prometric helpdesk refused to help, it being a SATURDAY, said they'd sort it out on monday!!!..and my exam almost didnt happen. I actually emptied my locker out to go back. But then a miracle happened. One of the proctors called up a contact she knew in helpdesk, and together they sorted the problem out..took over an hour in all..but since i had reached the center a good 45 min early, i got delayed by only half an hour or so.
The first day was very similar to step1/CK exam...i took a break after every block..went to the restroom, drank some iced tea and ate some chocolate(this has been my ritual for all the exams so far, and it's worked out well for me). I don't like to eat a full lunch coz it makes me sleepy.
The second day is much better. The MCQ blocks are shorter, and somehow i felt were also easier. Again, i took a break after every block. Then the CCS...one thing i learnt from other people's experience was to take a break after every case..even if the case ends in under 5 min..don't start the next one immediately. no need of going out of the exam room..just sit, close eyes, a few deep breaths, some relaxation exercise..clear the mind..and go onto the next case. After every 3 CCS cases, I would walk out and take a longer break. I think the entire CCS got over in 45 min..and then I was done. So second day, the exam gets over much faster with 3-4 hours to spare.
As always, after the exam had absolutely no idea how I'd done. I think i was sure of about 65-70% in each block. the remaining were mainly, narrowing to 2-3 options and taking educated guesses..very few where i had absolutely no idea what they wanted(step 3 tests common concepts). There were those darned ethics qu..about 20/> on the first day..i have no idea how i did on them and won't be surprised if i got most of those wrong.
Things i wished i had done differently...read step 2 notes, atleast psychiatry and also ethics from behav. sciences of step 1, also maybe trauma and Ob/Gyn notes.
Another thing, many people have asked how long it takes for step 3 appliication to be processed...apply to connecticut board, took me a total of 15 days after my getting my ecfmg certification(3 days from receiving my notarized form to their sending the permit).
exam done on 15/17th july
score reported on 9th aug
step 3 score 237/98
so this is it..my step 3 experience. Officially done with the USMLE. 14 months in all. A big thanks to this forum..which saw me through moments of self-doubt and near-insanity. A big thanks to all my friends especially the ones i made on this forum, couldn't have done it this well without all ur help. And my best wishes to all who are studying and/or preparing for residency applications..may the force be with us all, god bless and godspeed.
___________________
I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
|
| mymeghji
Forum Senior
Topics: 4
Posts: 68
|
Thank you An for some very helpful advice
Good luck with the match
|
| vsp99
Forum Senior
Topics: 18
Posts: 74
|
CONGRATS to your great score !!!
thanks for sharing your exam's day.
GL with matching.
|
| robin082006
Forum Hero
Topics: 471
Posts: 5,125
|
congratulations.
You're a genius, 99 for step 1, 99 for step 2 ck, and 98 for step 3.
___________________
The Key to Succeed is Patience.
|
| mymeghji
Forum Senior
Topics: 4
Posts: 68
|
an The CCS section of Step 3 causes a lot of anxiety, would you be kind enough to give us some tips on how to approach this section Thanks
|
| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
|
hi..thanks for all wishes..
the main thing for approaching the CCS is understanding how the software works...and for that u need to do the FSMB CD over and over again..understand what each icon means, how it works, especially moving the time forward...initially it seems quite complicated, but as u keep working on it, u will find that it's actually user-friendly.
the first time i used it, i got so intimidated by it, that first case of pneumothorax, which is so straightforward, i completely messed up, by not giving oxygen etc...becoz i would worry about being able to use the software and not actually working up the patient. So then i used this technique. After reading the history before typing out orders, i would write on a sheet all the things i would do for this particular case(don't take more than a min to do this though). Another thing i tried was when solving UW CCS i would open a case from the FSMB CD(even if not the same) to practice typing out instructions, like certain shortforms, certain abbreviations, sending consults to different depts, admitting patient in different settings.
finally the step-wise approach for any CCS case...first stabilize, then phys exam, then investigations, then treatment. And read the case properly..for small bits of info..like smoker, alcoholic, etc, and then u can get some extra points for counselling for that..
hope that helps.
___________________
I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
|
| mymeghji
Forum Senior
Topics: 4
Posts: 68
|
Thank you very much. All the very best with the match
|
| LisaM
Forum Guru
Topics: 16
Posts: 321
|
Thank you for the details of your preparation and exam experience, an. Very helpful indeed. Hearty congratulations on all your great scores! 
___________________
lisa
|
| retail
Forum Elite
Topics: 37
Posts: 208
|
Wow awesome scores! How many days would u advice on CCS preparation?
|
| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
|
first keep as many days as possible to understand the CD...in fact since the step 3 material is included in all the CD they send(Step 1, CK, CS)..u can start before applying for step 3...u will be able to figure it out in maybe 1-5 days.
then, depending on ur clinical experience/ whether u r clinically active at present, u will need to do the UW CCS atleast once, preferrably twice, mainly till u r comfortable and confident of being able to handle the CCS section on D-day.
thanks for all the nice words...
___________________
I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
|
| lotshope
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 16
|
Congratulations! An,
Could you please help me about if I should buy step3 UW for step2 study?
http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/thread/41060
Thank you very much!
|
| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
|
no lotshope, step 3 UW wont help much for step 2 CK prep...even though the tested matter is similar, the kind of qu asked in CK r totally different from Step 3 qu..step 3 qu will test decision making skills in different settings mainly..
good luck in ur exam..
___________________
I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
|
| lotshope
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 16
|
Thank you very very much!
Good luck!
|
| retail
Forum Elite
Topics: 37
Posts: 208
|
Dear An,
1 Q-havent subscibed to UW yet for CCS-can u tell if UW CCS has software similiar to the CCS or is it just Word?
I'm asking coz my friend gave me print out of 60 cases of UW and I dont know if this is the same or do I need to subscribe.
|
| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
|
hey retail, hope ur query is answered in the pm..let me know if u need any other help.
___________________
I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
|
| fariskhan
Forum Elite
Topics: 21
Posts: 84
|
hie.. Ann.. ist of all congrets
i have the same query... as mentioned by msg 14... can u plz tell me if ther is a software of UW as i am having ccs cases in book format with me.. thanks
2ndly... as soon as i get the ECFMG certificate... what thing i can do step wise so as to ge t registered for step 3 asap..
thirdly... do u think q book is must or kap q bank will do the same....any idea how kap q bank is...
ll really appreciate your input
|
| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
|
Hi Fariskhan, the UW is not in any software, it's only a write-up(similar to their CS stuff)..so if u have the same material in bk format it won't make any difference...
regarding second qu, apply by online form the day u get ur ecfmg cert, then get the necessary form notarized and ur pic, and send it(better to send by usps certified mail, so u know when it reaches them), and then they will send u an email saying ur application is processed and u will get ur permit within the next 10 business days...the day u get ur permit, call up prometric and bk a date(for step 3 u can't do online booking at prometric, also since it's a 2 day exam it's difficult to get dates within the next 30 days..so the earlier u call, the better).
i didn't use kaplan q bank so i don't know how it is, but by history(in step 1 , i had used kaplan q bank and q book), almost all of the q book qu are from q bank, so if ur buying qbank anyways, i guess u won't need the q bk...but if u have less time and think UW MCQ is enough, then do get the qbk..
gd luck in ur exam..
___________________
I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
|
| fariskhan
Forum Elite
Topics: 21
Posts: 84
|
thank you very much... God Bless You
|
| img9
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 2
|
Hi An,
thanks for all the help u r giving.got my exam in couple of days.just wanted to knw the weightage given to biostats in step3.
|
| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
|
as far as i can recollect none(maybe i have forgotten, it's been 2 months now)...definitely brush thro ethics if u can..
good luck in ur exam...let us know how it goes..
Edited by an on 09/30/06 - 05:54 PM
___________________
I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
|
| img9
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 2
|
Thanks An.
surely will let know once i am done with the exam.
all the best to u.god bless u
|
| splitting
Forum Junior
Topics: 11
Posts: 27
|
An,
great post! thank you! I will start prep today. I saw your suggestions of reading kaplan step 2 books well. I have used kaplan step 2 books intensively for my step 2 took on June 2nd. Should I use them instead of step 3 kaplan books? I am arguing if I need buy the kaplan 3 books. Also I am not confident in my pediatrics. I felt that kaplan step 2 books are not enough, from my exam experience. do you think the Kaplan books are enough covering knowledge in step 3?
Also I graduated 5 years ago and did not practiced since. Should I read Washington Manual for compensate that? What's your suggestions?
Thanks
|
| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
|
hi splitting, yeah thats what i meant too..read step2 kaplan books...i didnt use kaplan step3 lecture notes so can't really comment on them, but can tell u that all tested matter is common with step 2.
how much time do u have to prepare for step 3?...if u have a couple of months, do read Wash. manual...another thing u can try is read just one system, eg. Gastrointestinal from wash manual and see if u find it useful...if u do then read the whole thing(skip the part on malignancy and antibiotics,it's not that high-yield..)...
gd luck
___________________
I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
|
| armaan0101
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 18
|
Hi an,
that seems real helpful piece of advice. I am a forum junior and my question may sound really stupid to you. I am preparing with a friend who is interested in paediatrics and we were both keen to know if " passing step 3 " is a pre-requisite for applications to residency programs, or can we clear this exams while doing residency. Does clearing step3 offer you a better chance of getting a good residency programme. Thank you
|
| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
|
Hi Armaan...i don't know how much step 3 helps to get a good residency prog, coz i have only just applied this yr...but passing step 3 is a pre-requisite for H1 visa...also some prog like Duke wants IMGs to have step 3 scores for interviews...but if u get a good score it should be a plus, in addition to ur other scores..
___________________
I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
|
|
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
