Tashidondrup
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 36
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Hi im a graduated Dr. From Latin America.
im currently studying for the STEP 1. ive been preparing for 9 month.
-KAPLAN LECTURES + some kaplan videos 5 months.
-Step 1 First Aid 1 month.
-Review of the lectures 1 month
-Diversal exams 1 month.
(1 month vacations distributed among the time.)
Right now i need help for what should i do now.
I wanted to test myself to see where i was standing, and im a little disapointed, because of my scores:
-Qbook: 56%
-41 blks qbank (downloaded from internet with 50 qst every block) 55%
-Kaplan simulated exam (7 blks 50qs) 46% 
The questions my friends are:
1-what do you recommend me to do, i know i need a 20 at least 15% of increment.
2-When i must program my exam??
3-when do i have to feel semiconfident to do the exam, i mean what scores you recommend like more similar to the results. (i know never gonna feel entirely confident)
Im thinking in doing the following:
1. Pay the Online qbank, (i read usmlewolrd is better....and cheaper..but i dont know).
2. Finished that take the NBME-1 and Nbme-2 (wich are the baseline scores for being safe at the line of fire???)
Any tips, facts, opinions, comments or thoughts will be gladly apreciated.
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!
Edited by Tashidondrup on 01/03/07 - 08:09 PM
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| mytime
Kick my butt!
Topics: 39
Posts: 3,173
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Hey what u must do is not take the test yet...Whichever q bank u take don't take the test unless u can score a7-10% over whatevr average they give. UW is tougher and good. Q bank is good, but easier. Since u did some most Q bank take UW and if can afford take IV kaplan.
Also from today what u need to do is 200 qs. per day and read text regarding the ans. make notes of what is new and different. and difficult. GOOD LUCK> U"LL BE FINE. Just go the right way.
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| Tashidondrup
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 36
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Hey thanks for the advice.
Today im starting the UW qbank....annnnd by the way..Does someone knows any link to a similar Qbank or the original one in the internet?
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| Tashidondrup
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 36
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Hello again
Well ive been thinking...and this is my plan now, i will like to know other thoughts about it.
6 - 12 DIC Integrated vignettes
13- 22 Qbank Downloaded from the internet in HTML format 41 Blocks of 50 qs each
23 - 1 JAN Time Out
2 - 12 Jan Kaplan Qbank 2006
13 - 18 NBME tests and Review
19 Jan Exam Date. D DAY.
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| Tashidondrup
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 36
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Hi again
Im currently takin the Kaplan Clinical Vignettes, and with 800 Qs done until now, i have 65% accuracy, is this good, not good, not bad? please i would apreciate some feedback.
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| askdoc
Forum Junior
Topics: 2
Posts: 88
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You can usually score about 10% higher in Kaplan Integrated Clinical Vignettes QBank than regulare QBank. 65% in ICV QBank means a score of 55% in regular QBank, so not really good news. If you want to evaluate what is wrong with your review, look at my post in response to someone who have problems raising QBank Score last May-June.
http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/thread/34492
GL on your Prep.
___________________
Step1 99/256, Step 2 99/258, Old IMG, 1989 grad. A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's heaven for. http://blogs.askdoc-usmle.com
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| Tashidondrup
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 36
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Hey askdoc
Thanks for your advice and wisdom, i already read ur other posts.
i was  and because of that, i did the fist 2 blocks of my CBT 2007 USMLE CD, the one they gave me when i applied. And this was my score (i only made 2 bloks) Block 1 68% Block 2 72%. 2 month ago i did it and my score was around 58%, i have a lot of IMGs friends that tells me that with the Kaplan Qbank, my score will be rising more...what do you think? i already programed my test for the Jan 26th.
Thanks in advance. Bye.
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| askdoc
Forum Junior
Topics: 2
Posts: 88
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The question is not so much whether you improved or not, it's if that is enough to give you a passing mark or a high grade. The Q's on USMLE CD is very easy, although I do not know it's correlation to actual USMLE Score. So doing NBME will be better for predicting actual score. Since NBME 1 is the most predictive of the 4 NBME examination, suggest you save that for the last NBME you will do just before the examination. Use another form first, probably form 2.
Suggest again, you evaluate your performance in UW qBank, using the format I outlined in my posts and decide whether it's a KA, KR or TP problem you have and act accordingly. I have in my posts put in suggested method of remedying each problem. Concentrate most of your study effort in the big three, Patho, Pharma and Micro-Immuno as this 3 will impact your score the most.
___________________
Step1 99/256, Step 2 99/258, Old IMG, 1989 grad. A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's heaven for. http://blogs.askdoc-usmle.com
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| Tashidondrup
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 36
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Hey Ask Doc
Happy New year.
Well i have a KA problem, thats for sure.
i have the 4 forms of the NBME, and i just finished the form 2, all 4 sections 1:28/50 , 2:31/50, 3:24/50 and 4:30/50 for a 56.5% of correct answers.
What do you think of that.
I know the 75 percentile is equivallent to the 55 to 65% of right answers, but again is this good or bad? how much do i need?
I know that the NBME is no directly proportinal, top score is 800, but the score is is percentiles too. i heard a guy that with 140/200 of correct answers had a 420. That means 70%, and i know you must be up to 400 to pass the exam...so i guess im below of that...
What do you think?
Thanks again for helping me.
Edited by Tashidondrup on 01/03/07 - 07:19 PM
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| Tashidondrup
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 36
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Ok
this is what im gonna do...ill PAY (for the first time in my life) a qbank, but i dont know wich one is the best one...the usmleworld or the kaplan qbanK?
ill finish it and 10 days before exam ill pay the NBME form 1 and depending of the results ill change or make the exam.
Still will be glad to listen someone...thanks.
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| Tashidondrup
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 36
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This are my partial results in Qbank until now
-Gross Anatomy 44% (136 Qs)
-Behavioral Sciences and Ethics 68% (94 Qs)
-Biostatics 58% (26 Qs)
-Biochemistry 51% (55 Qs)
-Genetics 32% (59 Qs)
-Cell Biology 20% (30 Qs)
-Embriology 59% (49 Qs)
-Histology 51% (39 Qs)
Partial % score 49%
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| MRMAVERICK
Forum Guru
Topics: 41
Posts: 730
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u have done q bank
y r u going again for that if u have to go 4 one'GO FOR USMLE WORLD
Edited by MRMAVERICK on 01/13/07 - 01:17 PM
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 30
Posts: 2,240
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Be careful not to postpone the test toomuch, chances are you are going to forget what you studied at the beginning. Good luck!
___________________
When men make the rules, God decides the exceptions.
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| Tashidondrup
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 36
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Hey Mrmav thanks. I decided and i took UW....and by the way...that thing is hard.
Started with a 33% of correct answers but im going up (i hope so).
And Arlete mmm hehe im not worried about forgetting the firsts thing i read...i already did.
But im doing a hard review. UW is a great resource and since im a visual learner this is the good choice for me.
My weaker point now is Anatomy (1 right out of 8) how can i improve this? ... i mean first aid is good, but is there any other book that can help me?
Edited by Tashidondrup on 01/11/07 - 07:01 AM
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 30
Posts: 2,240
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___________________
When men make the rules, God decides the exceptions.
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| unique1
InGodITrust
Topics: 19
Posts: 1,405
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High Yield is very good for Anatomy . I am currently reading High Yield Embryology and really like it . Good luck with your prep.
( BTW , I am not advertising a particular book . Just my opinion )
___________________
I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
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| Tashidondrup
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 36
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Thanks Unique 1
Ill try that one.
Any one has an idea what is the descent score in UsmleWorld Qbank?????
Im in 42% now, and im having a serious problem with concentration (may be ADHD when young) but still going up.
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 30
Posts: 2,240
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I've heard you add 30 to the percentage you have on usmleworld to predict your 2 digit score. In a few days I will be able to tell you if that worked for me. Usmleworld is more difficult than the real test, I felt. Pay attention to the very good images. Good luck!
___________________
When men make the rules, God decides the exceptions.
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| Tashidondrup
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 36
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Hey
In this post someone posted a formula for UW
= 1.7687*UW% + 121.7, R2 = 0.405, n = 102
1.7687 * 39.5 = 69.86 + 121.7 = 191.5 aaaaaaannnnndddd he is SAFE
http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/comments.php?id=3...
I hope is correct, cause i have 39.5% after 550 Qs, and with the other method i get 39.5 + 30 = 69.5
Any one knows how more correlations about UW and predictable scores?
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 30
Posts: 2,240
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My usmleworld during last month of study=55%
My USMLE 1 score=84
Pretty close to the "add 30" thing!
Good luck!
___________________
When men make the rules, God decides the exceptions.
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| muzammil
Forum Guru
Topics: 16
Posts: 658
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whats R2 in above formula
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| Tashidondrup
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 36
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I really dont know what is R=2 in the formula
and Arlete, i would like to know what was ur 3 digit score
this is the ecuation with 55% right.
1.7*55=93.5+121.7=215
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| laura81
Forum Elite
Topics: 32
Posts: 175
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im also doing around 40% in UW..and im getting desperate...some questions..i know what they are asking, i just cant recall the right answer ( usually get down to 2 options and pick the wrong one)...What shpuld i do to improve the scores (this is the first qbank im doing)..i didnt do kaplan before (i did actually just few blocks few months ago and i was scoring above 60)...im also doing the robbins questions, and i have above 70..towards 80 ( i even had an 81)....Any advices?...and also .do u think i can be ready for test in 3 weeks for now (im aiming for a score above90 ) ..thanks guys...and may God bless all of you
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| Tashidondrup
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 36
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Hey Laura
I really dont know what to do.....CRY or LAUGH
I mean that is happenning to me too. There can be 8 answers, and finally, i pick the 2 final horses...and when i pick just one...i blew it, i always pick the wrong one.
I can sugest you a technic i learned. if you finally get 2 answers, choose to pick the above or the one below always, in that case you have a 50% chance of being right.
I always was picking the superior one. But after A long row of good "lower rights", i started picking the lower, and then there was a long row of uppers, so my advice is STAY with ONE choice, no matter what. Im staying with the lowers
It will be great to listen to more experiences about UW scores and Final scores in the real exam.
Thanks to all
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| askdoc
Forum Junior
Topics: 2
Posts: 88
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to Tashidondrup: My advise is, you should not try to use guesses when you are doing the QBank. Try to know why you got something wrong or right in the first place. If you're already doing a lot of guessing now before the actual examination, you'll be doing even more guessing in the actual examination, and you could now imagine how badly that will affect your score. Although, I did not use UW for Step 1, I used it for Step 2. And if the questions are formulated in the same way for step 1, then use UW as a learning tool rather than for evaluation. NBME and Kaplan Qbank are better suited for that. It is much more important to learn why you got something wrong or right in UW QBank than your actual final score.
Another thing, the utility of NBME for predicting actual scores lie in a correlation study they did on thousands of AMG and not in the quality of their question banks. Since only NBME knows what the actual correlations are, you should take their online test and let them check it and do the correlation.
___________________
Step1 99/256, Step 2 99/258, Old IMG, 1989 grad. A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's heaven for. http://blogs.askdoc-usmle.com
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