hosklal
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Hey everybody! I found this website soo helpful during my preparation for the usmle step 1 that i thought i would post my experiences to help others out there who have similar MCAT/grades as me and are curious about what they will get on Step 1. First let me say that I got a 32 on my MCAT and I honored half of the courses in med school 1st and 2nd yr. I bought 1st aid at the beginning of 2nd yr and read it as the year progressed. I studied extemely hard 2nd yr, honoring all the courses.
I studied for step 1 for 5 weeks, taking off only 2 days for relative's graduations. I studied from 8-12, then 1-5pm, then 7-11:30pm did Qbank. If I was feeling more motivated, then i would just keep studying. I did 100% of Qbank(ignore IV Qbank which none of my highscoring 250+ friends used), getting around 70% right. I took NBME Test 3 after studying two weeks and got 228. I took NBME Test 4 after four weeks of studying and got 257. I made a lot of really dumb mistakes on my actual Step 1 test, which is why my score was not like my final NBME score. do NOT be discouraged if you walkout of the actual exam knowing that you made really stupid basic errors b/c even the top scoring students are making dumb mistakes as well. Now for some tips: do NOT overlook subjects like biochemistry and anatomy. My test was full of over 25 questions each of these 2 subjects. Every student's exam is different, and mine was not anything like i expected. Also while studying, do NOT focus on details for these smaller subjects. Make sure you know the major players that are found in 1st aid. I wasted too much time trying to memorize details in review books. If I could do it again, I would study 1st aid biochem over and over. Also, make sure you are well-rested for the exam. That final week before mine, I studied really hard and I was worn out come test time. I made really stupid errors like not remembering HELLP syndrome b/c my brain was fried. Make sure you give your brain a rest before you take it. My last tip is that make sure you go over high yield material the last couple days. Over my course of studying, I had taken 100s of pgs of notes on stuff that i did not know. Then the day before my exam I read all this nit-picky material for hours. Well not 1 of those pieces of material was on my exam!! It was a waste! Instead my test was full of high yield questions, like about eclampsia and diabetes and these topics were not as fresh in my brain b/c i hadnt studied them in awhile. So use the last couple of days to just re-read high yield only. Do not try to cram in small facts that have a 0.000000000001% chance of being on the exam. Good luck to everyone!
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| new_n_lost
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U R AN AMG Right ??
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"never argue with a fool, they'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience" FORUM RULES-- Those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand. I get enough exercise just by pushing my luck --P4U World.." The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
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| ShweHope99.9998
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No way can score that high especially in step 1 , unless has study similar stuff while in med school either self study or the school has the same, similar curriculum . Even kaplan live lecture is 6 to 7 week for 5 days a week with evening, week end involved in some .
Please verify , so no one AMG or IMG or Carribean or UK, Australia etc , will not get it wrong .
One of my IMG friend said even IMG alot not say their actual prep time , that give v. depress for others that have to prep longer than all others they thought . So she said good 1 yr or may be 10 month is the least to prep well, score v. high .
Prep time should include as soon as in med school , if exm is not so far yrs from the grad time .
So please share specific non consistant , consistant then school time, after school time way of study, material use etc ...... including premed if have any similar material in the course, study . Also hr of study a day to how , with which materials, Q , how many pages or Q a day, then the Q in tutor or timed mode .
Waiting for good study material, method from you to score high in really short study peroid , so we all can benefit . 
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| ShweHope99.9998
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By the way you're talking about step 1 or 2, since you said about eclampsia & diabetics which are for step 2 & HELLP syndrome .
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| ShweHope99.9998
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Also bioch, anatomy never over ask or HY , so unless as AMG, you got lucky .
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| hosklal
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hey guys, no i am not amg. i am a regular med student. and yes i had a ton of biochem and anatomy, i promise i am not lying. and yes I had a HELLP question, the question was a pregnant woman with high blood pressure, edema, protein in urine would have what possible additional finding?" And the only possible answer was "elevated liver enzymes" as part of HELLP syndrome. Also diabetes medications is extremely high yield on Step 1. I had 2 questions. any other questions??
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| hosklal
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I want to clarify that I go to medical school in the states at a MD program, and I am not AMG, IMG, Carribean or any of those other things.
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| new_n_lost
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hosklal wrote:
I want to clarify that I go to medical school in the states at a MD program, and I am not AMG, IMG, Carribean or any of those other things.
Dude Thats Wht AMG stands for AMerican Medical Graduate or in Ur Case American Medical Student.
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"never argue with a fool, they'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience" FORUM RULES-- Those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand. I get enough exercise just by pushing my luck --P4U World.." The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
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| njcjzy
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Thanks so much for sharing your experience. It is helpful to me. Best luck with the following tests.
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| new_n_lost
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Its Alright for to score 247 in under 5 wks of study cos u essentially taught in the same way the exm is oriented. Thats nothing unusual abt it infact u fella r expected to get such scores. Its not prejudice that we feel for u but for us IMGs ( International MEdical Grads) its a bit hard to achieve that in under 5 wks cos we r taught in different way namely the British System which is way different in terms of question orientation.
Thts all.
___________________
"never argue with a fool, they'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience" FORUM RULES-- Those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand. I get enough exercise just by pushing my luck --P4U World.." The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
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| junoon
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Congartulations on such awesome score but I believe for me it wud take another five years to achieve such a score!
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| kingusmle
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whoever is he ...amg or img ..he studied and got a decent score...common guys cheer him rather than comparing
congrats hosklal
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| ShweHope99.9998
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new_n_lost wrote:
Dude Thats Wht AMG stands for AMerican Medical Graduate or in Ur Case American Medical Student.
In that case, as I said , AMG or AM student , the st 1 exm is your exm that test your knowledge that you have learnt during your med school year, so you have prep study since yr 1 to total 2 to 3 yr till that done your basic med Sc yr.
You might even have learnt all basic Sc in premed 4 yr or so , so you've study basic Sc in total 6 yr or so more or less . Then , application is not through our IMG exm body , marking scale may say same, but why , not all apply at same address , & get same standard as getting residency if ever get passing mark 75 . No comment on Q, but now seems your Q will be more basic as anatomy, biochem then pathophysio in v. post med as attendind, clinical level .
The reason , IMG etc except canadian or AMg , american student prep different is the school curriculum, the favorism of residency especially if same marks, AMG win.
Not try to argue or get against, but that the way it is, we have to accept it .
But in term of exm experinces, better mention the general origin of IMG, AMG or IM student AM student , so the members will know , that exm prep experinces is fit , suitable for them or not .
Anyway , thanks for the clarification finally by NnL .
Even american or canadian if go get the Dr degree out of usa or canada , they all are IMG , carribean is IMG just most of them has clinical yr in usa .
All go to med school for MD , Dr degree in usa, canada from starting of the med yr 1 to ends are local american, canadian grad MD with previlage to apply both sides for residency I guess with passing the exms .
KingU , amg, img , not comparing, But ...interm of study time frame , better be clear if sincere to get attention , though HosK is not lying , I do not think HosK is at the 1st place, but for good forum like here, better clarify, mention as AMG or IMG to help others to get inspiration, motivation .
Anyhow, hosK , it will be great if you can elabrate more re your exm like , as you said anatmy, bioch, then say re other subj & image, CT, MRI, histo, path slides, immu Q, mol Bioch etc how heavy in your exm.
Just to let all exm takers to know what to expect for especially , we also have med students not only from usa , canada but also around the world as IM students like to know how , what to prep, expect .
Since most of us are med grad already , so way of study , prep will be different for any students, especially as you mentioned that Diabetes & OG eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, that v. clinical knowledge that will not teach in some med school at med basic Sc yrs in early med yrs eg some International Med school or some Carribean [ according to my young med student fellow] too .
Still hosK, as AMG , congratulation on your high score , since without studying well, hard, no one get high score IMG or AMG .
Than after residency , all will be MD, USA .
May all American MD dreams come through .
Edited by ShweHope99.9998 on 07/19/07 - 07:48 PM
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| vwilldoit
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Congrats!! AMG --> Amazing Medical Graduate ...
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just do it .....
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| anuba
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Congrats! Dude you sure 's one hardworking kiddo. I wishe d for that score Years ago...
God Help!! I am envious Way.. damn envious but in a good way!
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| RockSteps
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new_n_lost wrote:
Its Alright for to score 247 in under 5 wks of study cos u essentially taught in the same way the exm is oriented. Thats nothing unusual abt it infact u fella r expected to get such scores. Its not prejudice that we feel for u but for us IMGs ( International MEdical Grads) its a bit hard to achieve that in under 5 wks cos we r taught in different way namely the British System which is way different in terms of question orientation.
Thts all.
You're kidding yourself if you think that US schools train you towards USMLE in any way, shape, or form. Preparing for USMLE is a different beast all together.
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| new_n_lost
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Well Guess Wht I m not kidding myself nor anybody but Applications of th eTest r ingrained in AMGs and the Thought Process is likewise. IMGs under British System Give them the pt they will give u the Diagnosis They Stick to the Diagnosis part. U will find that Most of the IMGs who have een studying under British System will find MRCP of even PLABS easier then USMLE cos its how they were oriented during their own med schools.
I m not saying that u AMGs r taught separately for MLEs but its how u were trained to answer a question. All over the World none of the Basic Sciences have changed, there isnt any difference in the concepts. the way of the application of the concept is different. Thats All.
All i m saying that AMGs r better equipped than IMGs in givng MLEs.
___________________
"never argue with a fool, they'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience" FORUM RULES-- Those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand. I get enough exercise just by pushing my luck --P4U World.." The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple."
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| faraym
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Yeah Iam also of British descent ,My father was born when there was British Raj 
NNL we also study the british way ...Iam slogging since 7-8 months ..Doing it in 5 weeks is a dream in my case ...I need 5 weeks just revise the final time.
Yeah definetely AMG s are better equiped in many ways ......we British have to study Cholera ,TB ,Thyphoid , toilet models, mosquito repellants to name a few .....
and Lyme's disease is in some corner and we dont care to read...same for cystic fibrosis etc ....
And our Q papers and answer sheets run in 30 to 40 pages solid regurgitant of memorised stuff.
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| faraym
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CONGRATS HOSKLAL...best of luck for other steps ... Wishing and praying to be smart and lucky like you
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"Bindu ki maa, Jab Jab jo jo hona hai ,tab tab so so hota hai." from Padosan.90/85/CSpass/2005 grad/India/GC/8 mo Obser/10 IV /28 rej
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| edie
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Congrats for a great score!
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