dncosta
Licensed, finally
Topics: 19
Posts: 604
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Hello everyone, I just arrived, I'll post my experience later, pretty confident of a good result.
A REAL experience. And to everyone preparing for this step: Stick with FA and UW, listening to Goljan audio lectures in the intervals.
Nothing else is necessary if you have or had solid concepts (disclosures and will be posted later, after a couple or dozen of beers).
PS: Sorry, re-posted this here (it was in the wrong section).
Edited by dncosta on 06/01/07 - 09:13 PM
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| GOGETA
I'm Dr. GOGETA
Topics: 319
Posts: 2,701
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congrats now enjoy.
It seems you will score 99
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As a general rule, the better it felt when you said it, the more trouble it's going to get you into.
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| vanilla
Forum Senior
Topics: 10
Posts: 67
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GL 4 ur dream score 
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| dncosta
Licensed, finally
Topics: 19
Posts: 604
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All right, here we go:
1) Who am I? - IMG graduated in 2001 in South America (in a very good university that follows the US Model). Finished residency in Radiology there. Now in the US for a research fellow, invited to a clinical fellow last December to begin next July (I was offered the position but I didn't have any of the Steps, so I had to register for Steps 1, 2CK and 2CS in 5-6 months). Impossible, according to some.
2) Preparation (TRUE, although it might seem impossible) - 1 month full-time (on average, 8 hours/day): reading FA and listening to Goljan audio lectures in the meantime, intercalated with a lot of UW questions. FA and UW are the most important tools for the exam!!!
3) How I felt before the exam - I was scoring high in UW (cumulative average 78%, used 70% of the questions) which boosted my confidence. On the other hand, recent posts saying that the exam was harder than UW have worried me. Anyway, my aim was a PASS result (I wasn't that interested in the score, so I gave it a shot). But I have to recognize that, after achieving a 241/97 in 2CK with a 4-week prep, I really thought/think that I could get a good score in Step 1 either.
4) The exam - Except for the last block, the other 6 blocks were easier than I expected (slightly easier than UW), I believe I was lucky enough in the questions assortment. Some weird behavioral science questions, and a couple of questions that were definitely experimental because they had clear errors (ex: identical options). In most cases, the slides were not necessary for picking the right choice. Questions were straightforward, 5 lines each (much better than 2CK, where the questions were pretty long and sometimes confusing). Time was not a problem (in 2CK it is tight), I had at least 10 minutes remaining in every block, which I used to extend the breaks. I had breaks after every block and I really recommend that, helps you keeping the mind cool and regaining conscious. Go out, wash your face, walk around for 5 minutes and get back. Although there are a lot of books that seem to help students out there (BRS, Kaplan Lecture Notes, etc), my brain has limited room and I chose to stick with the extremely high yield material (i.e, First Aid).
Some important disclosures: the fact that I (or you) already graduated, also in my opinion, gives me more maturity to face the questions, especially being specialized in Radiology (an area extremely linked to all other fields). Another important point: I graduated in a very good medical school that follows the US model, so my prep maybe is not fully suitable for everyone.
Keep me in your prayers, I'll get back to you once I get the results.
Feel free to ask questions...
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| Luckyall
Forum Guru
Topics: 11
Posts: 592
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Hola !
for 1) im impressed if you've already been offered clinical fellow position.
Just curious on a scale of 1-10, how would you rate UW ? have you been tested on UW concepts itself ?
Im assuming that XRays, MRIs, angio's were not a pro for you, so im not even asking ...
GL for a high score !
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| dncosta
Licensed, finally
Topics: 19
Posts: 604
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Dear Luckyall, GOGETA and vanilla, thanks for your wishes.
UW is a 10, definitely, same pattern of questions in the exam (but in my opinion, the options in the exam are easier, not as tricky as in UW).
I've used UW for 2CK (at that time, I also subscribed Qbank, which was a waste of money), and it is very important for both exams.
And yes, I didn't have problem with the figures, but in most cases they're not crucial for diagnosis.
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| Feyza
Forum Guru
Topics: 48
Posts: 1,429
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good luck ok Ill do radiology first in my country then give the steps 
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O my Lord! Open my chest for me ( grant me self-confidence ) and ease my task for me.Ta-Ha 25-26.
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| keepgoing
Forum Guru
Topics: 62
Posts: 1,673
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congrats!ur confidence says u will not only pass but with good scores..gl
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| Ujk
Forum Guru
Topics: 42
Posts: 445
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Best of Luck!
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“When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.”
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| P4a99
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 36
Posts: 2,234
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Congratulations...
Good luck on your score. I have one question please: Do you think its a good idea to get done with the Step1 exam during med. school or not?
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2008 Step 1 Study Plan Discussion ........ My Blog
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| zolpidem
Forum Junior
Topics: 10
Posts: 80
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congratulations and all the best
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| dncosta
Licensed, finally
Topics: 19
Posts: 604
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Dear Feyza, keepgoing, Ujk, zolpidem and praying4a99, thanks for your best wishes...
Feyza: I am sure you'd like, Radiology is really great...
praying4a99: Yes, it is best to give the exams during your medical school because it saves you time... And knowledge is fresh in your mind... But always keep in mind that the exam is clinically oriented, and that is not true for some med schools in the first years of the course (unfortunately).
Thanks again, and good luck on your projects!!!
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| P4a99
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 36
Posts: 2,234
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Thank you very much for your reply ... OK. do you think ill be capable of getting over this obsticle if i try hard (well a little hard) using the same materials that almost every body is using + doing some Qs? Because im realy hoping for a high score. So i dont want that to effect it.
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2008 Step 1 Study Plan Discussion ........ My Blog
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| dncosta
Licensed, finally
Topics: 19
Posts: 604
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Sorry for the delay...
Yes, praying4a99, I think so. But keep in mind that your score will also depend on your performance under pressure, test taking strategies, etc. If you train yourself to remain calm and focused during the whole exam, especially in the last blocks, you'll do great.
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| junoon
Topics: 4
Posts: 47
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I have just one more month left for my exam.I'm so freaked out & panicked its getting even harder to study...Any suggestions for me?
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| dncosta
Licensed, finally
Topics: 19
Posts: 604
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junoon, it is a sort of consensus among most people giving the exam recently: in the last weeks, stick with FA and UW, they're extremely high yield and you'll be upset getting a question wrong that you're sure it was there.
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| junoon
Topics: 4
Posts: 47
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Thanx for the advice dude! Wish you all the best for 99!
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| mytime
Kick my butt!
Topics: 39
Posts: 3,174
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WOW SEEMS LIKE U DID IT,BUDDY! GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATS!
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| paasu
Forum Newbie
Topics: 8
Posts: 33
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cheers mate,
you have gone through all the pain just for your bright future.
i know how difficult it would have been.
now rest for at least couple of days.
but i think this was ur last exam ....right .
you surely will get the residency,as your institute had promised.
relax maan.
good luck with your score.
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| dncosta
Licensed, finally
Topics: 19
Posts: 604
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thanks a lot, paasu, junoon and mytime, I hope to get back to you with good news in a couple of weeks. when I receive my score, I'll be able to talk about preparation to those who haven't yet given the exam.
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| dncosta
Licensed, finally
Topics: 19
Posts: 604
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Hey everyone, just wanted to give you a feedback: I passed. I'm very thankful for the support, will post my score once I receive. Finally, ECFMG certification.
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| junoon
Topics: 4
Posts: 47
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Many many congrats ! I was really hoping for something good for you!It's finally over ..Just relax now & throw a party!
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| P4a99
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 36
Posts: 2,234
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Congratulations on passing, (waiting for your score).
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2008 Step 1 Study Plan Discussion ........ My Blog
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| yoga
usmlelogy professor
Topics: 73
Posts: 635
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u didnt recieve ur score yet??
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we are all in the gutter but some of us looking at the stars
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| dncosta
Licensed, finally
Topics: 19
Posts: 604
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Thanks a lot junoon and praying4a99, your support played a critical role. All the best for all of you.
yoga, no I haven't received, should receive it tomorrow and will post it.
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