dr.damdoumeh
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 8
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hi guys:
finally I passed CS exam.
I failed twice, but when I changed my center I passed.
in my opinion the worst test center is in philadelphia especially in january, a lot of people fail at that center.
the best center in huston
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| abanoz
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 28
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could you please tell me details of your experiences? What is the major difference between centers?
I am going to take the exam in Houston also.
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| dr.damdoumeh
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 8
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I dont know the differance exactly , but I did in the exam in philadelphia better than huston and i failed
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| nadiabarati
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I also took my exam in phili. The patients seemed totally indifferent and I didn't see any satisfaction or smile on their faces! Whenever I asked an open ended question they answered: nothing! But my friends in other centers told me that they got a lot of extra information to their open ended questions and patients smiled at them and looked satisfied!!
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| abanoz
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 28
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thank you very much for inputs.
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| dr.ayham
Forum Newbie
Topics: 10
Posts: 20
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that is mu opinion too
the first time I did the exam in january last year in philadelphia I failed
the second time I did it in huston , the patient there helps you
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| dr.ayham
Forum Newbie
Topics: 10
Posts: 20
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what about chicago center guys????????????????????
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| anastamosis
Forum Senior
Topics: 34
Posts: 167
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hows LA?
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| neuroblastoma
Forum Guru
Topics: 99
Posts: 1,016
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yes..anyone tell me howz chicago centre??
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| marubill
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 3
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I did it in Houston and I passed. SP are very nice there
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| nyimalay
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 280
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I m so sorry to hear about Phili center. I have to choose it cause it is near to NY where I live.
Does anyone have opinion on LA center?
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| farnsworth
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 165
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don't worry, nyimalay!
The Philly test center isn't that bad. As the whole 'show' is extremely standardized, I don't suppose that there are any differences in passing rates among the test centers.
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| nyimalay
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 280
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Thank you very much farnsworth.
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| farnsworth
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 165
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You are welcome, nyimalay. Took CS there, too. I passed despite being an IMG. The proctors at the center are quite nice, the SPs are pretty good actors. Contrary to the experience of nadiabarati, the SPs did answer to open ended questions, when asked at the opening and at the end of the history taking ('is there anything else you want to tell me?')
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| anzar
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I agree with farnsworth................
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| anp
Forum Newbie
Topics: 6
Posts: 46
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I think that the patients are trained to act indifferent . But it dosnt matter,u keep on doing ur work correctly and they pass u.Dosnt matter the look on their faces.I took my exam in Philly -by Gods grace i passed.
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| aloha30
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 9
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i just also passed my CS which i took it on Dec. 20th in Los Angeles. I was a mindblowing experience.Im also an IMG from the Philippines. i just arrived in the States a week before the exam... i only had one week to review for this exam coz i was having some trouble processing my visa. i read First Aid and Kaplan and memorized diligently the digitaldoc and i even printed it for me to browse it more efficiently. I had no time to practice with a partner. all i did was to read at least 3x the FA and kaplan and supplement it with digitaldoc. and as always, the night before the exam, i barely had some sleep. so was kinda like zombie and maintained being awake by drinking coffee in the test center. The staff at LA was very accommodating. There were only two of us who were IMG's in the test center. my first case was a pain in the ass (oooooppppsss! sorry for the language.) i couldn't figure out what he was saying coz he had a different accent so i had to reconfirm my questions to him. but always keep your composure no matter what. keep smiling, show compassion, always ask for permission before doing some examinations, and as much as possible, counsel every case you encounter. the thing that bothered me was my handwriting. it was really a mess. i had so many erasures in every patient note that i wrote. but i see to it that i didn't have any blank items in the differential diagnosis and managements...just write whatever you have in mind there. but dont put any refferals there. its a big no no. then after your counselling, ask if she/he has anything to add or any questions. then, say thank you and smile and shake hands. and most of all, pray before and after the exam.....if you guys have any questions, feel free to message me.
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| hundoc
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 1
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Dear Aloha!
Congrats for your passing! Which Kaplan book did you use?
Thanks and good luck'
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| aloha30
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 9
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thank you sandsim and hundoc.
fro sandsim,im very sorry to hear that...since i only have one week to study, i read only First Aid and Kaplan USMLE step 2 CS book. as far as i can remember, i read those books 3 times. after that, i religiously followed everything in digitaldoc. always make sure to look confident when you enter the room no matter how nervous you are. always know the name of the SP and greet him/her with a smile and introduce yourself...when he/she tells you the chief complain, show some compassion and empathy and reassure them that you will do your best to help them. always practice your English language. tell your friends or family to talk to you in English. since i wasnt able to study with a partner, i think its a good idea to get one. i thought i would fail this exam coz i made so many mistakes but prayers really do work, everytime. practice, practice, practice.....
for hundoc, i used the Kaplan Medical USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills 3rd edition...but i think FA is better. and always read the digitaldoc. =)
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