medicus_81
Forum Elite
Topics: 12
Posts: 432
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Hey guys & gals!
I got my score today: 99/247!!! I am very happy, did not expect it...I took CK on April14th and I got out feeling miserable, thinking this might be the biggest failure of my life. This was my first USMLE exam, since I started backwards, and there was e great deal of anxiety.
This is going to be another "I used to be a silent viewer" post . I am not a big writer, so I was another silent viewer, but I would like to thank all of you - for you sharing, comforting and encouraging.
MY BACKGROUND:
I graduated last fall and decided to start with Step 2CK first - I felt that coming out fresh from the clinical rotations this was the best decision. I had done several rotations both in Surgery and IM here in the US- I think overall this really has helped me a lot.
THE PLAN :
Total time: 3 months
I started studying mid January, read First Aid once( as a quick review for 2 weeks) and then started doing only questions- started first in the tutor mode, all specialties mixed, then switched to timed again all specialties mixed. I was lucky to be able to stay at home all the time and studied at first 4-6 h/day, towards the end 8-10 h/day. I had a LOT of ups and downs, moments of glory and despair, personal struggles, so it was anything but smooth. After I finished all the questions on Kaplan and UW (≈2 weeks before exam), I ran through FA once again and used USMLE Step 2ck secrets ( I would recommend both), at the same time doing questions I have marked on both Qbanks. I was not able to review them all. Did not take NBME!
2-3 days before exam I was doing just my own cards, which I made during preparation + again reviewing and emphasizing on points of weakness.
my sources:
First Aid
USMLE Step 2 Secrets
Kaplan Q book : ? %
UW: 64%(did it first), Kaplan Q Bank: 70%(did it second)
THE EXAM
Again, this was my first USMLE experience, so I was scared, but very focused. Skipped the tutorial. The first 4 blocks were really fair and easier compared to both q banks. Then I took a big break (20 min) and continued with the rest…Boy, I was horrified! The confidence I gained in the first 4 blocks got blown away by very long and somewhat weird questions plus the fact that I ran out of time on pretty much every single block. I think it was getting mentally tired and to some extent the questions really got more difficult- but this is my subjective opinion! I noticed A LOT of endocrinology (5 questions on SIADH alone) and for my own sorrow- at least (I am serious) 10 questions on vaginal bleeding- in its every possible form- so I took a deep breath, said to myself- Self, OB/GYN was never part of your strengths, but do the best you can…
After all, I went out and had mixed feelings- I thought - I could have aced it, could have done it just ok or failed it really badly…anything was possible. Then came the big relief- IT WAS OVER!!! All the hard work, neglected family and friends, sleepless nights and irritable bowel syndrome- I just hoped it was worth it, took a week off to regain strength and started studying for Step 1.
WHAT WOULD I DO DIFFERENTLY?/ MY ADVICE
1. Now that I am studying for Step 1 and reviewing the basics, I thought several times that it would have been better to do Step 1 first….It obviously worked out for me taking Step 2 first given the score I received, but I would recommend to take the boards in normal order.
2. More time to review the marked questions.
3. DON’T PANIC AS MUCH!
4. DON”T GET INFLUENCED AS MUCH! Sometimes I used to read the forums here and felt blank fear that I am not doing things right. So I stopped reading the forums for a while. Everybody has his/her own style of studying. What works for me does not mean it’s best for you! The exam experiences are also SUBJECTIVE- don’t forget it!
5. FIND BALNCE! I got too stressed about stuff and sometimes I had the feeling of loosing control.
6. CARPE DIEM! We survived med school; we are going to survive this too. And we are more than a two/three digit number!
I wish all of you success!
Sincerely,
R.
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| doc.jay
Forum Senior
Topics: 18
Posts: 81
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awesome job!!! congratulations !!!
Jay
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| coolmavs
Forum Guru
Topics: 39
Posts: 614
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Great job, medicus_81.......job well done!
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You know my creds........
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| MRMAVERICK
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 759
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congrats
well done
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245/264/CS awaiting result/2006 Grad/Need VISA
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| dr.shailu
Forum Senior
Topics: 26
Posts: 191
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congratulations
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| vanshita
Forum Guru
Topics: 26
Posts: 881
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Congratlation great job
thanks for sharing with us
GOOD LUCK for step 1
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| khorshid
Forum Guru
Topics: 32
Posts: 591
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congratulations, great post and good luck for the rest.
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| nany
Forum Guru
Topics: 14
Posts: 1,060
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congratulations
and good luck with step 1
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" You Are Limited Only By What You Think "
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| doc_clotaire
Forum Guru
Topics: 159
Posts: 1,268
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Congradulation . I really like your CARPE DIEM!
Good luck in Step 1
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The elevator to succes is broke ,you must take the stairs
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| sprint123
Forum Guru
Topics: 129
Posts: 870
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Great score!!!Congrats!
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| snake0613
Forum Elite
Topics: 96
Posts: 191
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Congtrats.
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| 3abeer
Forum Newbie
Topics: 6
Posts: 26
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congrats 4 the great score
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| young_doc
Forum Guru
Topics: 56
Posts: 735
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Congrats! g'luck on Step1!
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First Aid is my Bible...
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| AAzad
Forum Guru
Topics: 57
Posts: 460
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congradulations and thank you for sharing
Good luck
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AAzad
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