GDS2008
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 144
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Hello everyone,
I have been visiting this forum very regularly for the past few months and found some useful tips regarding step 2 CK. I took the exam (Step 2 CK) on the 5th of September and I guess it is my turn to share the experience. I took step 1 in April of 2005 and then joined a research position here in the US. I started studying for step 2 CK in March of 2006 and till mid of August, I was studying mainly in the evenings (apx. 4 hours every day), except on weekends as I am working full time. I took last 2 weeks off for my final crunch before the exam. I started off with Kaplan Step 2 CK notes, gave it a reading and while doing that also subscribed to Kaplan Q-bank (although now I think Kaplan Q-bank was a complete waste of time). By the time I was done with my first read, I had done Kaplan Q-bank (cumulative score of 77%) and Kaplan Q-book for step 2 CK (with a score between 40-46 out of 50). After my first reading, I read “Crush Step 2 CK” and in my opinion it is a pretty useful book. I then started my second read and took USMLE world during that time, completed USMLE world in timed mode with a cumulative score of 78%. I was very confident after that as this score on USMLE world is considered very competitive. By the time I was done with USMLE world and my second read, I was only left with 2 weeks. I went over all the questions that I got incorrect in USMLE world, followed by NBME Self-assessment form 1 (1 week before the exam) and scored 800. I was satisfied with my preparation and during the last week, read Crush Step 2 CK again along with other high yield material. 3 days before the exam, I took another NBME Self-assessment form 2 and again got an 800. I was confident and satisfied with my preparation.
When I came out of the examination center, I had no clue as to how did I do. Unlike Step 1 in which I was certain that I had done well, I was not sure after this one. The real exam resembled USMLE world in terms of question length and the format. Although I did not have any difficulty in completing and reviewing marked questions in the allotted time, I think time management is much more important in step 2 than Step 1. There were some straight forward questions and some weird questions. I had many questions on ventilator settings and stuff (most of which I had no clue about). There were quite a lot of questions related to Step 1 knowledge. I can recall so many questions that I have marked wrong. It is possible that I am only recalling those that I was unsure of (and they kinda have stuck to my unconscious mind). I hope that I do well and the questions that did not make any sense to me were experimental questions. I am counting on the validity of NBME and USMLE world and hoping that they stay true in my case as well.
In my opinion, the best way to prepare for this exam is doing as many questions as possible. Kaplan books, although are a good way of getting yourself started, they are not sufficient in any way. USMLE WORLD is the best source of questions, by far and should be done by everyone. Please let me know if you guys have any questions.
Good Luck to all!
Edited by GDS2008 on 09/15/06 - 03:01 PM
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| DrPak
Forum Elite
Topics: 49
Posts: 348
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From ur NBME scores, it looks like you're going to do very, very well on this exam.
I've also accepted the "do as many questions as possible" approach and plan to do just that. I plan do go over the kaplan books and DVDs in about 40 days (during which time I'll also do Kaplan's Qbook). After that, I'll just do questions all the time.
However, which question sources would you reccommend? I plan to use USMLEworld, of course, but what else beyond that? You say the kaplan questions were a waste of time, so where else do I get questions from (I'm aiming to do some 5000 questions for this exam).
And what did u get on Step 1?
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| star1
Forum Guru
Topics: 93
Posts: 826
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Thanks for sharing ur exam experience and Now good luck to your score.
I am going to start my prep for CK within 2 days . I am intended to start internal medicine from Kaplan notes. Should I also start USMLE WORLD Q alongwith my prep? or should I start UW Qs after finishing first reading of all subject?
Do you think Beside All Q source Kaplan notes plus FA is enough for step 2ck?
I am having no job just going to start study. what you suggest how many month are sufficnet for step 2CK?
Thanks
GL
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| lotshope
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 16
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No doubt, you will get super 99. Best wishes!
I've done UW and am reviewing all the UW Qs now. I am not satisfied with my UW score. I will do NBME later.
But now I just want to buy some other Qbank such as kaplan, so I am asking that what and how bad the kpaplan step2 Qbank is? Could you please tell us more? Thank you very much!
Should I do kaplan Qbook?
Do you think kapan note can give you clue about those step1-like Qs on your real exam?
Thanks a lot.
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| GDS2008
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 144
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I also did Kaplan Step 3 Q-book, Step 3 Q-bank, a little bit of NMS, exam master and Mock step 2 by Adam Brochert. However, I would say that do these only after U R sone with USMLEWORLD and have read/mastered all the explanations cuz that is the most relevant.
DRPAK - I got a 269/99 in step 1, but at that time I was not working and essentially STUDYING fulltime 
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| loser
Forum Guru
Topics: 34
Posts: 341
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hi
wen did u graduate
awesome scores man!!!!!
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| study_ing
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 180
Posts: 2,511
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vow....the greatest of scores wont be a surprise!!
hope u do brilliantly
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If you yourself are at peace, then there is at least some peace in the world.
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| brucella2007
Forum Junior
Topics: 9
Posts: 72
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ure truly inspirational
were there any online links ud deem essential??
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| lotshope
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 16
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GDS2008,
Do you think step3 Qbank or Qbook had give you lots of help on the real exam?
I am thinking to buy either step2 Qbank/Qbook or step3 Qbank/Qbook. Which one is good for a people has done step2 USMLE WORLD with 60-65%?
I appreciate you reply very very much!
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| epica
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lotshope. Please tell me which material did u use for step 1 I failed once and going to take step1 soon
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| lotshope
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 16
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All kaplan notes. plus BRS hysi path; High Yield: embry anatomy neuro histo micro molecular behav.
Kaplan Qbank, *make a note.
FA.
If you can go over these again, you should be fine.
Good luck.
Please check step1 forum. You need to know latest news about step1.
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| GDS2008
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 144
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Finally! I got my score. It is a 268/99 (got an 800 in NBME which pretty much correlates with this score). I was not sure after the exam and very relieved now. Thank you all for the support and kind words.
Good Luck to all!
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| vanshita
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 829
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Congratulation
Great score
GOOD LUCK for your match
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| GDS2008
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 144
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Thanks!! I am not aplying for the match this year. Will complete my postdoc and aiming to start the residency in 2008.
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| loser
Forum Guru
Topics: 34
Posts: 341
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awesome score...congrats...wat is post doc?
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| humbty
Forum Elite
Topics: 24
Posts: 135
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GDS2008 wrote:
Finally! I got my score. It is a 268/99 (got an 800 in NBME which pretty much correlates with this score). I was not sure after the exam and very relieved now. Thank you all for the support and kind words.
Good Luck to all!
Congrats, great score. And good luck for the match 2008 (I will probably go for the match 2008 too).
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| tolito
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 119
Posts: 2,164
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congratulations. this is fantastastic. you are a 'valid' good student with 268/99 and 269/99.
all the best. 
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| robin082006
Forum Hero
Topics: 471
Posts: 5,125
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Excellent score,
Good luck.
We're fellows for 2008 match .
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The Key to Succeed is Patience.
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