just do it
Forum Senior
Topics: 24
Posts: 139
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I received my step 2 ck score report yesterday.
It's my dream come true -- 99 ( 251 ). Took my exam on dec 27th.
Thanks to the forum members who helped me, esplly tolito, gtd068a, Xtant ! This forum was very useful
nbme 1 ( 600 ) --4 wks before the exam
nbme 2 ( 540 )--3 wks before the exam
nbme 3 ( 570)--5 days before the exam
UW --67 % ( great source )
kAP q BANK --74 % ( helped in practice of time-management )
USMLE CD --- 44/ 42/ 39.
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| sarika
Forum Guru
Topics: 195
Posts: 1,200
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hey Congratulations on that perfect score.
i have a question though.
when and how many days before your exam did u take kaplan qbank? was it online and was it the new one?
Thankyou
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| doctor_80
Forum Senior
Topics: 7
Posts: 36
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A big congrats !!!!!!!!!!! Its superb.... Well , please post ur exam experience for new ones who are starting step 2 preparation . How long did u study and everything .......
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| robin082006
Forum Hero
Topics: 471
Posts: 5,123
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Congratulations for excellent score.
Good luck.
___________________
The Key to Succeed is Patience.
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| dr.shailu
Forum Senior
Topics: 26
Posts: 191
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good score
congratulations
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| MRMAVERICK
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 765
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congrats great score
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245/264/CS awaiting result/2006 Grad/Need VISA
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| Ancylostoma
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 637
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Great score Hope you get the best residency !!!
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| just do it
Forum Senior
Topics: 24
Posts: 139
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Hi sarika and doctor_80 , robin , shailu, mr.maverick and ancylostoma.
Thanks to u all !
To sarika---I started online subscription for kap stp 2 ck Q bank, for one month—the new one— I started it 2 months bfore the exam, so finished it 1 month bfore the exam. If u have time, take it. If not, revising UW one more time is equally good.
To ancylostoma---Thanks 4 ur wish !! Anyways,I am applying for 2008 match and not this year's. As an IMG, I will be more than happy if I get a reasonably good residency. I think Best one would be an illusion to me, as my stp 1 score is 80 %le , though my stp 2 score is 99 %le.
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| just do it
Forum Senior
Topics: 24
Posts: 139
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To doctor_80
I would say this exam is all about persistence and concentration, i.e., both the exam prep and the exam day. First of all, we need a driving force all through the prep. Apart from my hardwork, I owe my success to my husband's support and above all to god's grace. My husband and my friends gave the emotional support I needed, whenever I become less confident abt myself (thinking abt my messed up stp 1 prep and score). Also, I used to read the success stories in the forums—prep4usmle.com and usmleforum.com, for advice and inspiration.
Exam prep--
I took abt 6 months overall. First of all, I was desperate for a good score in stp 2 ck , as my stp 1 score is low 80 %le ( 196). First, I figured out what went wrong in my stp 1 prep .During stp 1 prep,I just did 2-3 readings and did not do any practice Questions .
Then, after coming to USA, I got in touch with a friend of mine, who is a 99 scorer in
stp 1. Then , I realised that the secret of success is dedicated hardwork. So, I decided to give my full-time to my stp2 ck prep. I kept my social life to the minimum. Also, we were in regular touch all through our prep and took our stp 2 exams on successive days. I am very glad to say that my friend got 99 once again.
After 2 readings of kaplan books, I took UW subscription .UW is just great source along with kaplan books . Then, I did the stp 2 Kap Q bank online , 1 month subscription( the new one). I finished it abt 1 month before the exam. I did the kap Q book for subjects other, than Int. Med. I planned I.M last , but I did not get time for kap Qbook , IM part. Then , started to take nbme exams 1, 2, 3. Just abt 2 days before the exam, I took usmle cd.
Actually I scheduled my exam on dec 15 th. But, after nbme 2 , I wanted to study for more 10 days . So, postponed my exam to dec 27th. But, truly speaking, I could not study much after postponement. Only thing I was doing in the last week was --preparing myself mentally to face the exam on dec 27th. I had lot of performance anxiety, as I know stp 2 score is very important for me, to prove myself as a potential candidate for residency. I was really very much tensed, after noticing the competetion for residency and all the double 99 ers in both stp 1 & 2.
Exam day.---
I realised that you can make / break the last few points just by the way you face the exam.
Though, I was not revising much, I could not sleep on the day before the exam, until 12.30 midnight. Then I took an anxiolytic and calmed myself to sleep. On the exam day, I woke up at 6.00 am and I read the test-taking strategies from kap Q book.
Then tried my best to be relaxed. After reaching the exam center-- - I started the exam , after taking deep breaths and using the ear plugs. I wanted to be in the best possible state of mind , with peak concentration.
One more thing was, I was a slow test taker. So, in step 1 I had abt 10 unanswered questions in the very first block. I was totally out-of-time in stp 1. So, this time, in step 2 ck, my main focus was time-management on the exam day. So, I was clicking on the answers and moving ahead as fast as I can.
I was marking those Q , which I felt are taking away too much of my time or pulling my confidence down. Then , I was left with average 5-8 min per block.So, I went back to those marked Q and checked if I need to change the answer,though, I changed the answers only in 2/ 3 Q. Actually, this kind of fast test taking was unusual for me. But, it was bcoz of my stp 1 impact, I rushed myself through the blocks. I had many lengthy Q , with many choices, also had some medium length Q and 1/ 2 small length Q. Regarding
exam topics-- IM-abt 65-70 % ( many resp, nephro, though almost all topics are covered) , rest was the remaining subjects. Every block is a mix of some known Q, some vague and some common sense call Q.
Abt breaks during exam---
I took a break after each block. In my case , I feel that , the reason for that extra edge over my nbme correlation was
my exam day's state of mind. I was totally obsessed with every block I was doing and nothing else. Even during breaks, I avoided thoughts abt the prior block or doubtful Q and vague Q and motivated myself to do my best possible in the next block.
Wishing everyone a happy study and great results ! May God bless us all !
Edited by just do it on 01/27/07 - 02:55 AM
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| vanshita
Forum Guru
Topics: 26
Posts: 892
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thank you for sharing your experience with us
Congratulation
Great score GOOD LUCK for match Take care enjoy your sucess
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| doctor_80
Forum Senior
Topics: 7
Posts: 36
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just do it ,
Thanks a million for sharing with us ur exam experience . I am in a confusion these days as I have just started studying and I have to write step 2 in 2 months. Do u think 2 months wud be enough to get 90 plus ?? In my situation wud u advice doing UW twice or shud I do UW and Kaplan Q bank once .
Thanks n Good luck
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| just do it
Forum Senior
Topics: 24
Posts: 139
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doctor_80
I was in a similar situation, during my prep. If I were you, I would now go ahead and be perfect with UW. Because the concepts are same in both and I think UW needs a 2nd revision.
only if you are very anxious abt not doing kap Q bank or if u r slow test taker--only then think abt taking kap Q bank and do Int.med only . other subjects are not that gr8
otherwise , go ahead with mastering UW. My friend mastered UW .she also got 99 . Also, start doing nbme one month before the exam.
Good luck !
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| madhavi_latha7
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 10
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congrats n wish u gud luck!i too got a 78 on step 1 n was like everythings over but today i was like maybe i can still try.....really appreciate ur hard work!
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| just do it
Forum Senior
Topics: 24
Posts: 139
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madhavi_latha
Surely you can acheive high score on stp 2 ck !
Be confident and give ur best prep---GL!
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| USMLEGladiator
ck, CS Finish by Feb09
Topics: 131
Posts: 481
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congrats.well done.
___________________
Be confident,Plan Well at beginning,do hard work,forget past failures and success is yours.......
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| madhavi_latha7
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 10
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thanks a lot n i'l definetely try this time!
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| ing
Forum Guru
Topics: 45
Posts: 435
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Congratulations for the wonderful score! Thanks for sharing your successful story. One question, did you use crush the step 2 or first aid? What were you studying a couple of weeks before your exam?
ing
___________________
Never give up!!
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| goodyear
Forum Guru
Topics: 16
Posts: 409
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Congrats!!
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| just do it
Forum Senior
Topics: 24
Posts: 139
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Thanks usmlegladiator, ing , goodyear !
ing---i did not use crush & first-aid . last 2 weeks , i was reviewing UW educational objectives only and kaplan notes---topics i felt i need a last revision (IM--cardio, nephro; peds--milestones; obg-- Mx part only; psych--psychopharmac).
ing--GL for ur exam !
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| dr.ssar
Forum Junior
Topics: 12
Posts: 42
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Dear Dr,(just do it),
Thanks for sharing your exam experience. I just want to ask that ,does it enough to study Kaplan Notes, Q banks, USMLE WORLD OR do I need anything more for Step 2??? You also told that new Q bank, what does it mean??Does it modified or anything else???
___________________
A bend in the road is not the END of it, unless you fail to make the TURN.
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| Mahwish Mushtaq
Forum Junior
Topics: 9
Posts: 62
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Congrats on the great score
I just wannna ask u that from where do u get NBME exams & how?
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| just do it
Forum Senior
Topics: 24
Posts: 139
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Dr.ssar
kap Q bank is updated with new Q--that's wht people are calling new one. u can buy it online www.kaptest.com.
Abt study materials---the books i mentioned in the post abt my prep. see that. they are enough.
apart from them, i refered cmdt---for lipid Mx current ldl level cut-of levels, bph and male infertility work-up ( urology lesson), pain Mx in terminally ill pt and consent for organ donation in a pt who dies under ur care ( care at end of life--lesson). HTN lesson. so, u may refer that book for these topics. If u don't have, plz don't buy just for stp2 ck. u may try 2 refer from any lib/ book store.
Hope this helps !
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| just do it
Forum Senior
Topics: 24
Posts: 139
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mahwish mushtaq
www.nbme.org
is d website where u can buy nbme forms.
I took timed tests and later discussed probable correct answers with my friend, who also took them at the same time.
u may find nbme forms posted in wwww.usmleforum.com , if u just wan2 have a second look.
GL!
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| drzhiv
Forum Junior
Topics: 4
Posts: 26
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best of luck for ur residency. u will definately get the residency of ur choice. our prayers r wid u. u r a source of inspiration for many of us wid low score in step1 but wanting to get an exceptional score in step2ck. thanx for ur detailed experience. best wishes for everything.
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| jam
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 26
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hi doc! CONGRATULATIONS!! =)
do you mind emailing me your calendar of studying? i'm in the process of revising my calendar for reviewing step2ck.
jamillallanesgomezmd@yahoo.com
thanks! goodluck in the cs & matching!! keep it up doc!!
in God,
jamilla
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