DocPakMan
Forum Senior
Topics: 25
Posts: 89
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Hello all, I was wondering if you guys/gals can help me out with a few things regarding my preparation for Step 1. The following may be a bit erratic but please bare with me!
I am currently going thru the Kaplan DVD lectures/videos for my first, rather long read( I went on holidays in the middle and other things etc...). Im finishing up on Immuno(@ 4 days left), still have Patho and Behavioural left(date now is Nov 6). The thing is, despite this first read, I dont really feel like I've learned all that much! everythings a blur and I barely recall anything!(is this normal or am I deficient mentally??) I mean I just managed to get thru them! I have only done the Kaplan lecture end-unit questions and havent touched Qbook as of yet? (is this a serious blunder? or is it ok to do these Qbook questions with the second read?).. I also have Qbank 2004.
anyhow, I have signed up for the live lecture course(Kaplan) in January(as I really want to get thru on my first attempt) so it gives me 2 months to finish these last two books off but I kinda wanted to go thru physio one more time properly(as my first read was very erratic, and done without the DVD videos and I really really didnt grasp much as I was just starting my studying regimen)...will I be able to pull this off by January, and what kinda schedule should I be pulling...?
so, Im planning to undertake my second read/lectures at the Kaplan center program which ends in mid February and hoping this will help considerably being in a more interactive environment and a tight regimen of 6 weeks.
afterthat, how much time should I spend reviewing? should I go thru the course an additional 3rd time? or should I just do questions only? what about NBME(I have heard of this, but dont have a clue about the site or when I should be attempting this test); also, when should I be looking at sitting for the exam? (I have picked the March-APril-May slot for the exam)
Also, I still havent got FA (to be honest...just procrastinated) and am worried if I should .. is this a must book to pass or score decently.. am i missing out?
Overall, Im just an average individual so please base your answers accordingly. I know that there are many questions mixed up in this messy post but please help as Im a little perplexed nowadays and in dire need of guidance from anyone with some experience/advice.
I will surely appreciate any comments, suggestions and advice.
thanking everyone in advance.
SIncerely,
DrPakMan
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| DrBee25
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 10
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I think your questions are exactly all the ones I want answered as well. I am in the same exact spot as you and just wanted to let you know I am doing the same thing and no your are not mentally challenged, Physio is pretty tough. Since I have not taken the exam as of yet, this is all I can say. Do not be so hard on yourself YET. Get through the materials. If you think you are going to memorize all of the information in the Kaplan book on your first read, you are mistaken. If you do doubt this and try to memorize on your first read I guarantee you will be taking a month for each subject. I don't think this is the right thing to do. The key SEEMS to be repetition. There are so many questions out there you should be doing ONE source of questions such as Qbook right now and AFTER Kaplan in January do all of the other resources left. Qbank etc...I've realized that since we are NOT machines, we are not going to be able to recite things without practice. Take a deep breath and give yourself credit for what you have gone through so far. I myself am going through Physio AGAIN because its my hardest subject. In the end though, we are going to pull everything together from revising and doing questions with it, reinforcing all of those details. Get first aid as soon as retreat starts or else you will drive yourself crazy with all of the different resources. One more piece of advise I have is set a schedule, but make it realistic and do NOT get overwhelmed. Don't make the mistake I did and be like oh I'm gonna get this subject done in 1 week and then realize it takes a little longer, just get through it. I hope this helps and don't worry I think the course is going to really help structure the schedule.
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| DocPakMan
Forum Senior
Topics: 25
Posts: 89
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Hello Drbee25,
thanks for the support... this exam is really driving me nuts... it sure would be a great help to get some help/support every now and then. I will try to get FA asap, whats the best place to get it?(Ebay..?). When are u planning on giving the exam by the way?
Looking forward to hearing some more advice.. 
DrPakMan
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| surprisedgirl1
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 63
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Well, I can see how that can be frustrating. I hve not YET taken the boards BUT several of my friends have. I don't think you should expect yourself to be memorizing the information just yet. Those Kaplan books are huge. I think maybe getting a cheap qbank that you can do topic by topic (even something like score95) will help you solidify the material after you read it. That is how I learn. After I read a good chunk of info I will do questinos on them and many things stick in my head better. Also, good job on getting the FA. I think as you read through Kaplan maybe that night you should read the relevant pages in FA (probably no more than 10-15 dependnig on what you cover that day), and write in any clarifications for the stuff that makes no sense as FA is written not in sentences and sometimes things need clarification. I think two reads through Kaplan and then focusing on FA after that will help you MEMORIZE all the stuff you need to. Sometimes you need to go through the longer stuff to get a good understanding of the material and shorter stuff (FA) to memoroize because in reality, Kaplan is WAY too much detali. I definitely think gettin ga read in before the course is a wonderfl idea! Good luck!
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| DocPakMan
Forum Senior
Topics: 25
Posts: 89
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thanks for the comments surprisedgirl1.
Well I decided today to do some questions from Qbank as I have them on my computer in Mword format(just to get in the habit of doing questions), and it is quite helpful in ironing out a lot of detail.
I think im gonna take ur advice and start a quick revision at night time(maybe just 1/2 hour) once I get my hands on this FA!
nowadays finishing up on immuno(today is Nov 8- have about 70 pages left).. at this very moment I can barely remember the headings of what I read today! quite demoralizing nonetheless...
also, what do u guys think is the best course of action after i take my course which ends in February... how should I proceed from there?
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| new_n_lost
Politically InCorrect
Topics: 650
Posts: 6,056
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i think u shud plan for a date of Early March cos the additional 3rd read shud take u abt 15-20 days tops. Dont take too much time after ur review, if u put space amongst urself n the exm date cos u just might start losing the confidence u had built during the course review. I dont know if u r gonna have Dr. Goljan in ur review session of Kaplan but it wud be advisable to have a look at his work. Apart from that u shud do more questions from everywhere u get them and atleast try to attempt 50 questions a day so that u r able to have some grasp of time consumption issues a lot of us have. Start working up an Imagination get things into 3D images but MOST OF ALL REMEMBER THAT U DONT HAVE TO MEMORIZE THINGS BUT CONCEPTS R GOING TO HELP U OUT. Build Concepts friend u will need those when u r in the 5 hr of doing Questions in the actual test cos the concepts never leave untill dementia kicks in but till then they r ur best true friends,
GL to us ALL
___________________
FORUM RULES-- Those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand. I get enough exercise just by pushing my luck --P4U World.." The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
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| DocPakMan
Forum Senior
Topics: 25
Posts: 89
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thanks new_n_lost.... (ur nickanme is not that reassurring though!) jj....
anyhow, I also think that March should be my D-day to give the Step 1 exam. I have started my Patho revision...(1st read)... how should I use the Goljan audio.? i mean should I finisht the Kaplan lecture book and videos first then go through the Goljan audio?(is this the right techique?) plus how long will Behavioural science take?(again 1st read)
Also, am curious is there anyone out there who has taken the live 6 week review course at Kaplan??? please give me some feedback as to how it is, how best to maximize my effort and any other relevent pointers,
thanking you in advance
DocPakMan
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| marissaDoctora
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 8
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sounds good
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| new_n_lost
Politically InCorrect
Topics: 650
Posts: 6,056
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DOC dont judge a book by its cover open it then u will find out (j/k)
___________________
FORUM RULES-- Those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand. I get enough exercise just by pushing my luck --P4U World.." The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
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| DocPakMan
Forum Senior
Topics: 25
Posts: 89
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well said new_n_lost!
Im just all over the place nowadays...dont mind!
trying to get thru my first read and worried how to handle the next process
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| serene25
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 6
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DocPakMan wrote:
well said new_n_lost!
Im just all over the place nowadays...dont mind!
trying to get thru my first read and worried how to handle the next process
drpakman
sallam..well im in the similar situation right now..doing videos but im also doing qbank along w it...its slow but im hoping to get through qbank by december (inshallah) and then hopefully start my second read and do more questions till march-im also planning on taking it in march..and my suggestion (from all the friends who already took the exam) BUY FA...its a must u need to memorize it..so its a good investment
aight dont worry u'll be fine
good luck
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| DocPakMan
Forum Senior
Topics: 25
Posts: 89
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thanks alot serene25. I have ordered the FA but its gonna take around 10 days to get here! so in the mean time im just finishing up on pathology and then I have behavioural science left. But ive only done my first read. How long do u guys think my second read should take, and then ... how long should the third read take? and unfortunately im still procrastinating with the Qbank/qbook questions part! I thought I would start them with the second read(i know im gonna kick myself for this !!!) but I thought since i have this routine going of just getting thry my first read, I thought well... just finish thr 60 pages of patho and then Behavioural... and start the second round more properly! with Qbank/Qbook... by the way, what kind of scores are u getting in those books?
Anyhow, thanks for your advice serene, the FA book will be arriving soon and then I can hopefully start looking at that too!
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| serene25
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 6
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hi,
well w my first read only and the videos..my q bank scores are not so flattering..the last test i took i got a 65% but i just bought the q bank few days ago and im planning on working on it even in my sleep hehe.. inshallah im gonna keep doing the questions..i learn alot that way w the questions ..my problem is that i change my answers, i know the answer the first time around but i dwell on it too long and pick the wrong one..but im working on that problem
thats good you ordered the FA ..take a look at it
ok
GL and take care
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| DocPakMan
Forum Senior
Topics: 25
Posts: 89
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ive heard that many ppl have this problem with changing their answers... so dont worry, seems like a trend in this forum im also the same, but for the most part, either I know it, or I dont... and in some circumstances, I narrow it down to two answers... but then again its the all or none principal...(either I know it, or I dont!)..and there's alot that I dont know!!!
Anyhow, I really want to pass this exam and Im open to all suggestions/advice. I know I have to do more and more questions. BTW, I did a few questions from Qbank the other day.. and scored more or less what u did, but my concern is that, they dont reflect the style of questioning on the USLMLE exam! anyhow, i know Im procrastinating, and I feel soooo guilty so I know that I have to do those questions regardless. just finished breast pathology and going onto male pathology. anyhow thanks again for your advice, Good luck to you and talk to u soon.
Khuda Hafiz
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