nik2882
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
| | 05/19/07 - 09:34 AM
2 of 2 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #1 |
Hey guys!.....Its an awesome feeling to be over with USMLE finally.
I'd like to admit here that I am not one of those sharp brains around and I think my 2 cents can really prove helpful for mediocres like me.
First of all, I didnt have great scores on step 1 and 2 to start with and that was smthing which caused more apprehension than anything else and m sure same is the case with many of u reading this post. But the good news is that I found out it really doesnt matter how u performed on other steps because u can get a passing score in step 3 even if others were a fiasco. i got 80/196.
My first and foremost advice to everyone here is to try n take your step 3 exam as close to ur CK as possible. It really helps a lot.
Secondly,I'd advise everyone to have 2 indispensible tools for step 3 preparation
1. step 2 CK material (There is no doubt at all that CK books have all the material reqd for step 3. Beyond this, only ur brain & test taking abilities make a difference)
2. USMLE World (Do it random and if possible revise)
I think the above 2 tools are more than enough. If u score >50% on UW on first attempt random, I think u are ready to take step 3 i.e if u only need a passing score. If u need a score >85, then U should take ur step only after u score > 58% on UW. There is no denying the fact that UW is the best preparatory as well as assessment tool for this exam.
Here is wat I did.....I went through all the CK notes once and noted down for every condition in evey subject:
1. Best initial test/ Next Best step
2. Most accurate test
3. Treatment
I ended up with approx. 40-50 pages of these notes and believe me they proved really helpful. I went through these notes once and then started doing the UW marking the salient points in explanations for revision. when I was done with UW I went through my notes again and read the marked text in my UW. I could not re-do wrong or marked questions due to lack of time.
For CCS I just read UW cases. Make sure u read all of them n try to practice as many cases as possible on the software in the USMLE CD. I think u'll get a good hang of it after 30 cases or so.
Remember, U can still pass even if u screw up half the cases and U'll score well if u can nail all 9 cases and thats definitely possible even for mediocre ppl like me without any US clinical experience.
My exam experience was bad like many others. First day was really gruelling with long difficult questions in 4 out of 7 blocks. Please practice time management for this step.
2nd day was better in a way that I could complete all blocks in time most probably coz I was accustomed to them the previous day.
But I ended up making the day much worse by screwing up 4 out of 9 cases which never improved.
But the fact of the matter is that I still cleared step 3 and there is no reason for anyone to believe that they cant do it.
I hope this helps.
Good luck guys.......
Edited by nik2882 on 06/23/07 - 10:36 AM
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| carvedilol80
Forum Senior
Topics: 38
Posts: 135
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congrats n thanks for sharing your experience
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grab your fears!!!!!
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| CocaCola
Forum Guru
Topics: 35
Posts: 908
|
Congrats and thanks for sharing your experience!
I bet it's a good feeling to be done with USMLE!
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There is one thing we can do, and the happiest people are those who can do it to the limit of their ability. We can be completely present. We can be all here. We can give all our attention to the opportunity before us!!!
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| robin082006
Forum Hero
Topics: 471
Posts: 5,125
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Congrats and thanks for sharing.
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The Key to Succeed is Patience.
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| egomez2001
Forum Guru
Topics: 51
Posts: 930
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Congrats nik
Thanks for the post
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| Sheriff
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 5
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Nik, nice post. Very encouraging. Good luck w/your future
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| vidnel
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 25
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thanks nik.. was really nice to read ur advice.. gud luc to u.
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| doc.jay
Forum Senior
Topics: 18
Posts: 81
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congrats on being all done !! I really like your simple and straightforward approach to preparing for the exam! all the best,
Jay
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| Dr.Luck
Forum Senior
Topics: 12
Posts: 225
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Congrats nik2882....& thanks for all the tips....may God bless u!!!
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| inkspot
Forum Guru
Topics: 26
Posts: 559
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congratulations man !
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Aagae Aagae Dekho hota hai kiya !!!
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| nik2882
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Thanks a lot for ur wishes......I wish my experience comes in handy for u guys.....I'd be happy to answer any specific questions sm1 might have.
Gud luck!!
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| oggn
Forum Elite
Topics: 52
Posts: 169
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it is so helpful that whenver I feel bad I just read ur post and the start.
Thanks
God Bless you
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| pami
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 6
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what are ck notes?
thanks
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| egomez2001
Forum Guru
Topics: 51
Posts: 930
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pami, "Kaplan Lecture Notes for Step 2 Clinical Knowledge"
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| k00l
Forum Junior
Topics: 13
Posts: 37
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hi nick
i guess there are 7 blocks of 46 mcqs each on day 1 and then how many more blocks r there on day 2 along with ccs? also in total how many questions are asked and how many need to be correct to pass?
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| nik2882
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Kool, on the second day there are 4 blocks of 36 questions each plus 9 ccs cases. The passing score for step 3 is 180 odd ( not sure), so u actually know how many questions to get right.
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| k00l
Forum Junior
Topics: 13
Posts: 37
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thanks nick.
does this mean one has to get 185 correct answers from 480 odd questions [48x7 on day 1 and 36x4 on day2] ? this sounds very reasonable. corrct me if i am wrong.
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