jazmil
Forum Elite
Topics: 13
Posts: 298
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For all of you planning to go to Atlanta here are a few tips.
HOTEL
Book early. I stayed at the Country Inn on Phoenix Blvd which is just a 5min walk away. And I mean 5mins, just walk down the road, turn left, walk a bit more and you're there. I heard they offer a discount for ppl taking CS but i booked online so I paid in full (a bit expensive). Its a nice place though, clean, airconditioned, high speed internet(wireless and cable) and free breakfast. I was very comfortable. You can order food from a couple of fastfood restaurants. The hotel will give you the numbers and local calls are free. The hotel's number is on the USMLE website or you can go to their own website. There's also a minimart accross the street where you can buy toiletries(i forgot my toothbrush) or snacks and drinks (more on this later). Almost forgot, there is a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel and back. It was waiting when I got there but we left in less than 5mins even though it wasnt full. The day you're leaving make sure you ask about the shuttle schedule so you can get to the airport on time.
AIRPORT
Hartsfield is a busy airport but it was pretty easy for me to find my way around. Just get into the shuttle and head to the last terminal where baggage claim is. There are signs and maps everywhere. When you get to baggage claims go out the door that leads to the hotel shuttles(there's a sign) or just ask airport security where the hotel shuttles are. They're just outside. Try and carry your permits, stethescope, wardcoat and clothes for that day in your carry-on luggage in case the worst happens and your bags are delayed or lost.
EXAM CENTER : Pre-exam
The proctors are very nice. When you get to the center, you show ur id, permit and confirmation notice and they let you inside. I got there by 8am on the dot and I was the last one there. They give you your pre-assigned number to pin on your wardcoat and a clipboard with 2 pens. You can't keep anything on you for the exam except your money(no wallet, just the notes) and 1 form of id. But there is a room where you can keep any of the stuff you brought like a backpack etc. That room remains locked until the end of the exam. If you have drinks or medicine (i brought advil and visine) with you just keep it at your space on the table. You don't really need to bring food unless you have a sensitive stomach. There was enough food with plenty of drinks (i think i even saw coffee). We even had a fruit salad. The main food was during the 1st break but after the 2nd break there were more drinks and chocolate chip cookies (a nice touch).
EXAM CENTER :
We had 5 cases and a break then 4 cases and a break then the final 3 cases. Time flies so you'll be done before you know it. The SPs are great actors so just remember that everythin that they do is scripted whether they're nice, talkative, unresponsive or rude its all predetermined and part of the exam. Just do what you practiced and get out of there. The rooms aren't that big and all the equipment was easy to use. They have alcoholic wipes which you can use on your stethscope. People have suggested that its a good idea and I had planned to do it but I honestly didn't remember until yesterday (my exam was last week).
FINAL THOUGHTS :
The exam is pretty straightforward. My advice to everyone preparing is to practice, practice, practice and then practice some more. Develop a routine that you can do automatically. Practice your examination in a logical sequence. The patient will be sitting up when you start so know which ones you can do with him sitting up and the ones with him lying down. Again develop a routine that your comfortable with and practice it until you can do it in your sleep. Don't forget PAM HUGS FOSS. Make it part of your routine. Routine is the key word.
I used an old FA i downloaded in pdf form and i subscribed to UW. I think thats more than enough. I forgot a lot of things during the exam but I don't think i did too badly so I'm not too worried. I read thru a lot of posts before my exam of people who passed after making disasterous mistakes and it had a calming influence. You should try it too. Thats all for now. I'll post my experience when my result comes out. This thing is already too long anyway.
Good luck to everyone.
Edited by jazmil on 08/14/07 - 05:56 PM
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