new_n_lost
Forum Hero
Topics: 663
Posts: 6,107
| | 08/31/07 - 04:17 PM
32 of 44 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #1 |
Asalam Alaikum Friends
As u all know that I had my exam today. First of all I like to thank each and every one of u who prayed for me. That was really comforting and helpful.
Well my exam in majority comprised of:-
General Physiology (approx 50 questions)
Cell Biology (50 questions)
Genetics ( 25 questions)
Histology (10-15 questions)
ETHICS (almost 35 questions)
Micro had almost (5-10 questions)
Anatomy (40 questions),
NA (all slides of actual midbrain and spinal cord = 25, arteriograms 10)
Pathology (20 questions)
Biochemistry (30 easy and weird ones)
Pharmacology Gen (25 -20)
Now u must be saying how the heck I managed to get the questions figured out. Well the Re-writeable sheets I was given provided me the material I needed. I just made the columns on them for the experimental and weird ones before the test but as it turns out I was compelled to record all the questions
I had reached somewhere around 6:20 am on the Exam centre and was ready to start somewhere around 7 o’clock. As some people said the exam centre is normally a bit chilly I had made a point to wear warm socks which helps in 2 ways. First u don’t get cold feet which is quite bothersome in a long duration exam. And secondly it helped to keep the urinary system in check i.e. didn’t feel the extreme urges right in the middle of the exam.
The tutorial was skipped (as if it matters) got right down to business.
Block ONE:-
The first 10 question were entirely numbing because they were from Gen Physiology and if u think that they were easy. Heck no. The questions were about the vessels diameter and its reaction to hypoxia. Have u guys ever heard the term of “Reactive Hyperemia”. The concept itself is easy to understand but they had asked was the tissue response to it and exact mechanism and its relativity to muscle and arterial diameter and the time difference in which the flow of blood is going to be maintained. Then the questions were on the muscle synaptic potentials and endplate potentials and the ions involved and conditions which r going to affecting those. I looked up Kaplan for it because I did remember that there is a topic on it. But the question itself wasn’t from that page. Most of the questions were based on such interactions amongst the internal organelles in under different variations.
This was the only block where I had to rush thru my revision because believe me the shock was intense. I took a break after this block to get myself in perspective.
Block 2 & 3 were almost like this. Every block had 5- 6 questions from General Physiology, Gen Pharmacology, and Ethics.
And then it really dawned upon me that no matter what I have studied this is not gonna be asked.
Block 4 & 5 were from Anatomy and believe me the questions weren’t all that easy. I was asked things like internal layers of and boundaries of different organs such as Dartos muscle and pelvic diaphragm and its relations. These questions weren’t like they directly asked u. No way that’s not USMLE I had its was like this is an MRI or CT scan can u identity where the fluid is landing if there was a pathology in the general area of quadrant.
The rest of the Blocks had no semblance none whatsoever to any of the questions of either UW or Kaplan. PLZ DON’T FORGET TO DO THE USMLE CD BECAUSE almost 20 similarly looking questions were found.
Believe me most of the questions were 4-5 lines and were apparently looking very easy and doable but hold on READ THE QUESTION VERY CAREFULLY because there is a trick word which changes the entire question. There were NO BUZZWORDS.
Subject wise breakdown.
Physiology
Most of the questions were based on the vessel physiology and then went into the reactive hyperemia and then effects of Hypoxia on the Cell organelles. Graphs of different vessels and their effects on how the ANS and Hypoxia will have effects. Then Endo and Respi were in the works and questions weren’t all that difficult unless u know what the heck does Soda pop does to your calcium concentration in bone and then if can tell us how the hell r your osteocytes and osteoblasts gonna react to the Soda pop. I found a lot of questions which resembled with what we here at the forum have discussed and then they change the choice by adding/replacing one more item and the question took off into space.
Pharmacology
The questions comprised of ANS drugs and their interactions, Graphs of different drugs and their interactions with the receptors. Some of the questions were in reverse order like they give u the Graphs and then u make the conclusions or give u the conclusion and u tell the graphs. Anti Cancer were like their Favorite along with Anti-virals.
Microbiology
Viral DNA replications and HIV virus genes. Chagas’ disease, Hepatitis B. Not much from microbiology. Pretty straightforward questions nothing really weird.
Pathology
All the questions were easy and straightforward except a couple of them which were not that difficult, they required laterally thinking and I mean way lateral thinking. NO BUZZWORDS. Either u knew the answer or u didn’t.
Biochemistry
Probably the toughest ones I had to face because all them were 3 steps questions they didn’t ask u the normal rate limiting reactions they asked the next steps in the reactions. Like in PFK 1 is inhibited then what is accumulated and what reactions take place.
Molecular Biology
TATA box, CATA box, Deletions and all of them tough ones.
Genetics
Much of it was Pedigree style questions which shud have been easy if they weren’t twisted as much. The Style of the questions was reversed. They have u the scenario and then asked u to identity the pattern of inheritance. Some of the questions were on Lab Testing.
Histology & Cell Biology
Plain and simple Identification and nothing else was given just simply identity the slide and then the choices given were recently thru the Hubble Telescope. No sense none wht so ever. Cell Differentiations and organelle internal structures. Nuclear material in certain conditions
Anatomy
Every aspect of every limb and region Nerves, arteries and injuries and response to those injuries. Injuries were done thru MRIs and CTs. Gross sections of midbrain and spinal cord and to identify the tracts. Almost every tract was discussed and asked. Arteriograms were of not MCA but its branches they showed the entire arteriogram one cud figure which is what then when it came to the branches they asked what cud be the pathology.
Immunology
Was tough but if u know ur stuff then u would be fine.
In Retrospect 75% of the questions were in 3 steps:
1. Understand wht is being ( which sometimes was very difficult to understand).
2. Then Figure the problem which is being indicated from the summary of the question.
3. As the choices weren’t the next immediate possibility u wud have to know the next 3 steps to know the answers, which was sometimes difficult and tough.
The questions which were 3-4 lines were extremely tough though they may appear to u as harmless because there was a trick word lying somewhere in those sentences. I figured this out in the First block when I was revising it. Then I went thru every question and found out that the choices were so closely related that if u miss that trick word then u wud be wrong.
A lot of people have said that their exam was based on Kaplan and they have sung praises to FA like a Church Choir. But My Exam was nowhere remotely related to those books.
Infact, there are certain tables from Goljan that really helped me to guess the answers. Each block I had after my first go 5 unanswered questions and almost 15 marked questions which I did on revision. They never asked any Pathology which was worth mentioning it was like the whole paper was based upon how good was my General Knowledge of Physiology and I how well did I know my Cell organelles. One question of each sub division was asked and then that’s about it. They went on to ask me thing which tiniest details in the Entire course.
After a initial assessment of my questions answered wrong I think I might barely pass because the questions I remember cant be found in any of the books I have I m doing internet searches and they r there and I like how the heck do u expect me to know this.
I know that most of guys r gonna not believe me for wht I m about to say but I m pretty sure about it. I have Failed this exam and if score does come around it gonna be something like 75 and thts a big maybe.
___________________
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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| edie
I can, and I will.
Topics: 26
Posts: 1,202
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Wow, NNL! Your report is amazing! As you know, I took mine today as well. CONGRATS on being DONE!!! And now, we play the good old Waiting Game  Ok, I'm off to write my experience. Best to you and a GOOD GOOD SCORE!!!!
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| new_n_lost
Forum Hero
Topics: 663
Posts: 6,107
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Plz dont think that i panicked. On the Contrary i was quite calmed and relaxed and had spent time on every question. Suprisingly the panic didnt set in.
___________________
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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| sss sss
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 203
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hey congrats on gettng this done, you have really worked hard and derserve to do really well so dont worry,you will be fine,goodluck on yor score
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| new_n_lost
Forum Hero
Topics: 663
Posts: 6,107
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PS DONT GET SACRED BY ALL THIS. Its my experience and it has happened to me only. Chances of it happening to u r as equal to humans getting wings.
___________________
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
Forum Addict
Topics: 23
Posts: 795
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Congrats on getting it done. Best of luck for ur score.
My test had the same pattern like yours  .
I wonder how people manage by just memorising FA .
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"Bindu ki maa, Jab Jab jo jo hona hai ,tab tab so so hota hai." from Padosan.90/85/pass
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| shumaila
Forum Elite
Topics: 58
Posts: 347
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good luck and dont worry many ppl have same feeling after exam butIt come out the got 99 
so dont worry u hav done ur role of hard work now just prayto God and relax
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| Grandmaster
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 8
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Could you please explain what is "general" Physiology.
And thanks, I use to get more benefits from exam experiences like yours becaue it makes me study more.
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| GOGETA
I'm Dr. GOGETA
Topics: 344
Posts: 2,898
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nnl and eddie look at it this way. you will not suffer from GLOS syndrome
and you guys will have the grade electronically
also nnl=250 eddie= 230
Ad when you guys come and actually report your grades, I will believe your grades. you do not even have to scan it.
good luck
___________________
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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| ShweHope99.9998
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 12
Posts: 2,683
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NnL too early to say that, enjoy st 1 freedom then study st 2 or st 1 realted to st 2 like pharm , path, behav Sc .
Thanks for the detail qs experinces.
Wait , ok , don't wait, have vacation ,. enjoy long week end , celebrate exm day done for st 1 .
Then when back to self study as I said, u can still catch the 2008 match . study for Cs then CK .
Pl pl do not be so hard on self .Enjoy the exm done , relax .
Good Luck 
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| acintya
FOCUS on your Goal!
Topics: 7
Posts: 758
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The battle is NEVER LOST!!! Regardless of the score. That being said, I still believe you will get a GREAT SCORE!!
Just you wait n see!!! Now that you are finally done with it, take a well deserved vacation.....PLEASE!!!
Thanks for posting a detailed experience. Now forget about all this and enjoy a bit
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Life is a Mind Game! Remember, obstacles aren't meant to prevent your success; they only slow you down and show you where you must work harder.
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| new_n_lost
Forum Hero
Topics: 663
Posts: 6,107
| | 08/31/07 - 07:11 PM
0 of 5 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #12 |
Guys Seriously. Believe me when i say this " I aint no Drama Queen" I have categorically identified the questions i have done right. I honestly had to make 20 guess per block. out of 300 questions believe me there were only 100 which were straightforward and relative to wht we have been doing in Qbanks. OTherwise the rest of the paper was so intensely complicated tht it was difficult to get thru with sure shot conviction.
Goljan, Kaplan werent asked they had almost in combo 120 questions from it. My Ethics questions r exactly similar to the ones posted in CCS Forum cos i chked. there was nothing from Hot major topics which every Kaplan teacher and Goljan has said. I can tell u one thing in Hemato they asked me all those questions which GOljan said in rarity will they be asked. He said that there is a possiblity that they will ask this sort of a question. One question was like that then it went off in a different tangent.
I m gonna take a wk's rest and then start back on Step 1 cos I m not gonna wait for 20days for something which i know now.........
Thanks for all ur encouraging words and ur precious prayers.
___________________
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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| hedieh
Forum Guru
Topics: 47
Posts: 435
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Allhamdolillah, you did it & Now you are free.
I wish the best luck for you in your score!
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Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.
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| GOGETA
I'm Dr. GOGETA
Topics: 344
Posts: 2,898
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ok let me see
if from 50 questions you guess on 20, that means that at least you knew 25 and lets say that guess 20 you actually got half that is 10 so 25+10= 35 =70%= PASSING score.
Dude you are much much better prepare than me, and I had a PASS, so by logic there is no way you could fail the test or get a low score.
That is my honest opinion men.
___________________
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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| medocuk
IM-RES
Topics: 26
Posts: 1,467
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what matters is you are done. you can now forget about this exam till your result is out.Time to move forward and in style. You deserve it after all the hard work.
Thank you so mucy for taking the effort to write down your experience in such details. Helps us a lot.
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| hedieh
Forum Guru
Topics: 47
Posts: 435
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NNL can I ask you which Qbanks have you done? And what was the difficulty of your exam related to them?
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Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.
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| new_n_lost
Forum Hero
Topics: 663
Posts: 6,107
| | 08/31/07 - 08:24 PM
4 of 8 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #17 |
UW and Kaplan, they seriously dont have many questions with that much of Difficulty. Ethics were pretty much like wht shud u do 2 choices can be the right answers. Cell Biology & histology havent been covered well in the Qbanks. If u get the concepts then u can easily get thru the exm. Mine was weird and strange bcos they didnt ask the regular Pathophysio questions which we see. it was like they werent aiming for straight questions.
___________________
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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| hope4dabest
Forum Elite
Topics: 18
Posts: 436
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hey NNL...come on man u r over with ur step 1...u know the best what u have done in ur exam...all i can say is have faith in GOD..hardwork always pays and i know, u must have done it...keep praying..Good Luck for scores
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| yuna
Forum Senior
Topics: 7
Posts: 229
| | 08/31/07 - 09:26 PM
2 of 2 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #19 |
NNL, First congrats you that you have done this, at least! Your experience is as identical as mine, but I can't describe it into words like you and Edie. Yeah, they asked manything that we can't not have in HY review books like Kaplan, FA, and even Goljan, but when we check on net, the Ans are there!
For example, I was asked about Luciferase assay and expression level of a gene, and the conclusion is to identify the region of a promoter!. Luckily I know about Luc assay cause I had chance of doing this kind of experiment, and I understood well the Qs, however, I cannot choose the Ans. The other Qs are about the MOA of Ethanol on tissue ( I got it wrong) and Which SPF should I recommend to a child with fair skin and sunburn easily. After the test, I wonder did I do my prep wrong, cause I didn't listen to Goljan (no time), just only 1st read on RR, and some chapters of FA. They are the two that every ppl considers as BIBLE. Now I meet your idea about the Test and I feel relief. If I fail, that's my knowledge, not my prep!
Finally, thank you for your post, as you told it for me . Such a detail with all genuine thoughts about the test! I know you did well, 5 Qs marked in first round is excellent, even you might think deeper on the remaining after you reread them. Wish you get all your guessed Ans correct!
All the best,
Edited by yuna on 08/31/07 - 09:32 PM
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| anuba
Forum Elite
Topics: 6
Posts: 449
| | 08/31/07 - 09:35 PM
2 of 2 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #20 |
Only you knows how you did in the exam. I must say yours seems really difficult as you have honestly described. go with your plan of starting to read again then after 3 weeks you passed then it's even better. Good luck.
Your exp. scared me a lot. i don't know you or have not read your journal but I wish you the best. Now's the time to pray more.
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| mytime
Go Marching in!
Topics: 40
Posts: 3,177
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Did u take an exam or write a thesis! Something must have clicked somewhere and u must have done great that's y u cud write the above! Am certain of that! But know something was better off without "the  factor!"
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| paheli
It'sAllAboutGoodKarma
Topics: 192
Posts: 2,567
| | 08/31/07 - 10:17 PM
2 of 4 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #22 |
what a shocker of a title!! i nearly fell off my chair!!!
gosh, nnl, kindly change the title. you haven't lost a thing so far. and you don't know anything for sure. yet you make it sound so final.
after every practice test that i take, i realize that so many ans i was sure of turned out completely wrong, and many questions i had no clue of turned out to be correct! i'm pretty sure that you're underestimating your performance, coz i do exactly the same. actually, i manage to convince myself quite fully that i've flunked, so no one can manage to change my nind. so i know that no post here can make you feel otherwise. only the result in your hand has the power to do that.
so please take off on a much-needed break, then go visit the 2ck forum [if you aren't done with it yet] of course keep coming back, but rest assured that your step 1 tryst is truly over!!
good luck for that score, my friend.
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Prepare as if you're the worst, Perform as if you're the best! As you dream, so you manifest. So, DREAM BIG!! When you face hardship, remember, God never gives you more than you can handle. Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.
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| mytime
Go Marching in!
Topics: 40
Posts: 3,177
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YEA LET ME VOICE U PHAELI>>>>>>LEAVE US ALONE!  Go on a CS vaccation that's better! 
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| unique1
InGodITrust
Topics: 19
Posts: 1,437
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paheli wrote:
what a shocker of a title!! i nearly fell off my chair!!!
Agree with Paheli. I am shocked and scared   , although I believe that you didn't mean to scare us.
You have worked hard and I am sure it would be rewarded.
As a revenge of the shock you gave us , I wish you get shocked by a 90+ .
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I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
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| usmletopper1
Forum Junior
Topics: 13
Posts: 68
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you r going to come out with flying colours, i know.i have sixth sense
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