A bit of my experience...

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A bit of my experience...

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9 Posts

Allymd
Forum Senior

Topics: 15
Posts: 119

11/07/06 - 03:10 PM

Finally it's my time to give a little bit of my experience. I'm an IMG who graduated 2 years ago, since then I've been studying very intermitently because I was working for a full year doing shifts for my home country liscense... I started to study a bit more seriously in December 2005 and again had to start working in June 2006 part time. I of course wouldnt recommend at all such an instability, since I feel my first year studying just was a waste of time (I just finished biochemistry and half physio in that year and at the end I didnt remember as much). I watched kaplan videos and read their books twice(not much else needed). I also heard Goljan audio (a MUST) and read First Aid. Also Qbank, which I think was very helpful. But really, my only recommendation is study hard... know kaplan material and then do Qbank... add on first aid what is not in the lecture notes from Qbank (it helped me) and pray. God didn't leave me alone (he never does!!).

Now my scores:

Kaplan Qbank: 76%/100% completed (random, timed mode... 3 weeks before the exam, completed in 2 weeks, average 3-4 blocks per day and of course reviewing each answer, good and wrong ones which is a must... Those 2 weeks I had between 10-12 hours for study since I asked time off from work).
NBME 1: 600/240... took it 10 days before the exam, which I felt was enough time to review weak areas from first aid and in case I needed to postpone it, that time was perfect... but I didnt!! biggrin.gif
Qbook: didnt complete it. I started doing it after my first read and I found it very frustrating when I was getting low scores (60s and 70s) since it was only my first read and just did about 2 subjects... then in my second reading I didnt have enough time, but I think you should plan to do it after your second read.
USMLE CD: 39, 44 and 42 (83%). I found them easier than the real exam. Did it 5 days before the exam and unfortunately didnt have time to review the answers (kaplan has the answers and explanations).
Kaplan Simulated exam: 78%. 2 days before the exam. I thought I wouldnt have time to do it, but 2 days before the exam I was so tired and I was rejecting anything to read (I had planned to do my final pharm and biochemistry review from first aid that day and I was so tired of reading that I didnt do it). I prefered to do then the simulated and it was great cause I was afraid I couldnt handle all those hours from the exam doing so many questions and I did! biggrin.gif
The day before the exam didnt study at all (even when I had some material left for review). Dont study the last day. I went to the beauty salon, had my hair cut and done, went to the church and after that went to the movies. I wasnt anxious at all and I got home so tired (at 10 pm) that I felt asleep inmediately and slept well that night (another MUST).
Finally... my score: 240/97.
I had a lot of support from my friends, my boss, coworkers and my boyfriend who also took it and got 97! Guys this is doable... for me it wasnt easy... I had to work almost unhumanly... I had to put my life on hold, very important stuff put aside, but guys, now I am happy and now I can deal with them... And the best of all I have a lot of energy and motivation to get a higher score on Step 2 CK... GUYS YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

sukhs
Forum Senior
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Topics: 17
Posts: 191

11/07/06 - 03:18 PM

wooooooooow nice score
congratulations to u and ur boyfriend
can u give sum imp advice like things to do and strictly not to do stuffff?
hope to hear frm ya
thanks in advance

unique1
InGodITrust
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