edie
I can, and I will.
Topics: 26
Posts: 1,202
| | 08/31/07 - 07:36 PM
9 of 9 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #1 |
Hello everyone. Here's a snapshot of my exam day.
Last night, went to bed early, but woke up at 3am with an evil acid reflux, took meds, but couldn't get back to sleep  Ate a simple breakfast of coffee, juice, oatmeal and a boiled egg. I did wear layers against the A/C, thank God. Got to the center about 40 minutes early, got signed in and started right away.
I was really tired, despite my double shot of espresso. The first block was my worst! The first 5 q's were really awful, I had no clue what was going on. I got so frustrated and just wanted to say EFF IT! But I calmed down and went on through. I felt better by the 2nd block. I took breaks after each block. Took along a large coffee, water, a protein bar and hard candies. Took sips and nibbles of the bar each break. After the third block, I took a multivitamin for extra pep.
Overall, the exam was very much like what I have seen on Kap Qbank, UW, NBMEs and the USMLE CD. I had about 4 q's identical to UW, even one with the same image. I did see some weirdo q's, like one where I had to ID an amino acid by it's structure  At first glance, I was like Whaaa??? But second glance, it was benign enough. I should have taken a mouse trap with me--I had several q's featuring experimental mice. They seem tricky at first, but that's all smoke and mirrors. And urine!!! My exam was pouring it like crazy. Any scenario with urine you can think of, it was there. Infections, malformations, malignancies, drug reactions, you name it. I studied the crap out of pouches, clefts and arches—and I did not get one q on these where I could show my stuff
My exam was very path heavy. All the expected guests were there: brachial plexus, limbs, sensory and motor, neuroanatomy brain and cord slices--find the lesion, chest and abdominal CTs--not as many as I wanted, I studied these well at last minute, molecular and genetics analysis tests, pedigrees, heart malformations, mumurs, not much immuno, and I studied this well, too! HIV—know everything, from genes to drugs to opp infections, pharm mostly drug metabolism, DOC for bugs, side f/x, ANS second messengers. Lots of q’s on STDs, one on the lac operon, and ethics and patient/doctor-didn't have as many as I would have liked, and every other question included a smoker with SOB on exertion! Or a retarded child. Not many images as I thought, and no multimedia. A couple stats q’s. BS was not big on my exam at all. Maybe one q on oncogenes. Hardly no q's on hematology/lymph disorders, and I was so ready for them! I had lots of viruses, or maybe it just seems that way because I didn't really study virology well. Much of the stuff I didn't study well popped up o my test, for sure  Had 1--count it, one--histo q. The other few were related to path. As far as experimental q’s were concerned, I really couldn’t tell you about them. I could only differentiate vignettes from the straight shooter q’s. See New_n_Lost’s exam experience for more info on this.
I had many Goljan moments, thanks to his audios, book and HY notes. There were about 10 q’s that were freebies on each block. Likewise, there were about 10 that I had no clue about, and the other 30 I can say were at best hit-or-miss. And I think I missed a lot of these. A few more days with FA and Goljan would have done the trick, so these are a must--DO NOT blow these two off! I saw many of the concepts from these on my exam but I didn't have them sealed in memory. So people, LIVE, EAT and BREATHE your FA and Goljan resources. Edie signing off. Good luck and stay well 
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| GOGETA
I'm Dr. GOGETA
Topics: 370
Posts: 2,994
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230 230 230 230 230
 
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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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| acintya
FOCUS on your Goal!
Topics: 7
Posts: 758
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I Salute thee Edie Yang!!! Great job, great prep....will lead to GREAT SCORES!!!
Thanks for the experience....it definitely shows us how we need to prep too! Take a nice, relaxing vacation....you need it....and I am gonna take one too....just cos you worked so hard you see!!!!  
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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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| medocuk
IM-RES
Topics: 26
Posts: 1,467
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Hey Edie, thanks for writing in such details. Take your break woman, sunshine beach, martinis all that you hoped/ dreamed for. I'm happy you are done, but funnily enough a tad bit sad, cos I know I am going to miss you tonz.
Thanks for being as encouraging and motivating as you have been. I am sure everything that has transpired in the last few months will bear good fruits.
Hugs and see you around.
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| new_n_lost
Forum Hero
Topics: 663
Posts: 6,107
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Well I agree with Gogeta U will get easily 230+ Good Luck Yang
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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: 19
Posts: 437
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yep edie yang is gonna get gr8 score. thanks for the info....Good luck
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| yuna
Forum Senior
Topics: 7
Posts: 229
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Edie, you found the trap and you werenot a mouse, according to your exam experience. I am pretty sure that you have good score than your NBME's (that's my thought after I read this, oh my goodness, she was doing quite good!, and it is not the common post-test congrats on forum to you)
Hard working will have payback. Good luck!
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I have found my love...
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| GOGETA
I'm Dr. GOGETA
Topics: 370
Posts: 2,994
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new_n_lost wrote:Well I agree with Gogeta U will get easily 230+ Good Luck Yang
Now I have to inmortilize that you actually agree with me LOL
eddie this is the prove you are at 230+
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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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| mytime
Go Marching in!
Topics: 40
Posts: 3,182
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U sud be good or else u too are officially in the "GET LOST" list for freaking us out! U are still spared, maybe! Good luck my friend and thanks!
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| GOGETA
I'm Dr. GOGETA
Topics: 370
Posts: 2,994
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who is that my time? is that you
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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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| ShweHope99.9998
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 12
Posts: 2,700
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Hi Ed ,
Been very late here now, just want to say hi & congrat, u did the test .
Will post here more later .
Will meet u in the dream land , u did great Ed .
So glad that u did have boiled egg , tat forget to tell u .
In sss near exm did say alot of snack, food there so , thought we all have the big wide idea. Seems like i also need to dig that post , what to eat, to wear on exm day .
So exm room is really cold, hhun ??
Where do u leave coffee , isn't it make u pee more ?? with the help of A/C , silly Qs, but like to know . More silly qs...
Can u have hard candies in poket, on table of exm rooms , also mint, spicy gum, chocalate bar , mentoes , fruity, m & M , smarty etc snack , water bottle , juice bottle on test table ??
Also maloxx, tylenol, small tiger balm round metal can on table of exm desk??
Do u need to use ear plug , is that noisy ?? How's the lt in the room?
How old the pc are ? Are they with LCD screen ? The mouse is optical or wireless & is the regular big one or easy lady hand size small flat one or regular flat one , not big fat one ??
Ok , the rest of usmle Qs will ask later .
Good night , have fun on long week end, then will ask more Qs after that .
Good Luck,
Wish you get high score that you will
So long yang , am going to miss u alot , do visit us often
Hope to see u in person soon
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| paheli
It'sAllAboutGoodKarma
Topics: 192
Posts: 2,582
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hey edie, what a level-headed exam experience, after a level-headed prep. i think your prep is the most systematic that i've seen written down in these forum pages. and a fitting end to a very admirable and disciplined study plan. am gonna take time this weekend to read your entire journal yes the whole of it!
i'm glad you are done with it. will miss your brains around here though. do you mind leaving it behind for the rest of us?? manage the rest of med sch without it, and come get it back in time for 2ck!! most of us should be done with it by then!!
wishing you a good break, before you jump back in to classes. enjoy your weekend........and the week that follows!!
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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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| oldkidontheblock
Forum Guru
Topics: 60
Posts: 927
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GL
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Malcolm Forbes: Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat
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| mytime
Go Marching in!
Topics: 40
Posts: 3,182
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GOGETA wrote:
who is that my time? is that you
yeaaaaaaaaaaa who else?!
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| unique1
InGodITrust
Topics: 19
Posts: 1,448
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You had prepared really well. Wish you all the best for the predicted 230 . I am sure you won't mind if they decide to give you more .
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| hedieh
Forum Guru
Topics: 47
Posts: 435
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Thanks a lot Edie for sharing your experiences and thanks for your useful advices. I wish you a descent score!
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Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.
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| at peace
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 44
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hey congratulations u are done with it! i'm sure u'll do very well...
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| sss sss
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 203
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am down with the prediction as well, goodluck with your score
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| simi
Forum Elite
Topics: 53
Posts: 357
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thanks for posting ur experience edie...wish u good luck...time to enjoy
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| yoga
usmlelogy professor
Topics: 73
Posts: 649
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thanx alot edie 4 sharing
GL on score
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we are all in the gutter but some of us looking at the stars
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| angel^Doctor
Forum Guru
Topics: 35
Posts: 480
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edie, first of all , congradulations ur DONE
WISH U THE HIGHEST SCORE EVER!
now its the time as i told u before to ask u this question again
how helpful were goljan 100 ? and if i'm lacking time.. can i skip the audio ?
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The more I know, the more I don't know!
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| jaZjaM
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 118
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Congrats on finishing it up..
Wish u a great score
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| P4a99
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 43
Posts: 2,422
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paheli wrote:
hey edie, what a level-headed exam experience, after a level-headed prep. i think your prep is the most systematic that i've seen written down in these forum pages. and a fitting end to a very admirable and disciplined study plan.
As usual, Paheli put it nicely.
Edie, thanks for sharing ... and please later on give us all that youve got to say about materials and prep and please dont forget what i asked for in the past in my journal (tell and teach us how you manage to be so disciplin and well organized).
I wish you the best.
Yup, "you can and hopefuly you did".
Take care.
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2008 Step 1 Study Plan Discussion ..... I am a moderator not a source for download links. Please do not ask me for any.
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| amritt786
Forum Senior
Topics: 26
Posts: 196
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hi edie , u really gave good explanation and very helpfull to all of us. thanks .may god give u good score.
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parda kajj layin sayian saadi changi mandi da
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| edie
I can, and I will.
Topics: 26
Posts: 1,202
|
Thank you all for your posts, comments and good tidings! I appreciate the 230 mantra. My mantra is like this :Pleaseletmepass, pleaseletmepass, pleaseletmepass!!!
But get this: one day later, and all my exam day bloopers come to haunt me
Shwe I had to leave my candies and gum in the locker, because you are not allowed to go into your pockets during exam for any reason. You only allowed to take into the test room your ID, your locker key, 3 laminated sheets and 2 dry erase markers. I left my coffee thermos on top of the locker. I used the restroom at every break, whether I had to use it or not. I wore a tank tee, long-sleeves blouse and hoodie. I left the hoodie in my bag in locker. It got chilly to me around the 5th block, then I put on the hoodie. The computer was fine, monitor not LCD but no flickers, nothing was wireless. I was offered noiseblocker headphones, did not need. Every now and then people got up/came back, but did so quietly, and proctor walked the room every now and then, but I did not find this distracting at all. The staff at Prometric was very nice, professional. My test room was crowded, too, almost every cubicle used. The cubicles were good for keeping your area somewhat private. The PCs were not brand new, but not so old to make a difference.
Mytime LOL!!! I surely don't want to make that list. But in case I end up there, the site administrator can put me on the Prep4USMLE Wall of Shame!!!
angel^Doctor, I found the HY notes saved me on several q's, especially the genetics, micro, and pharm parts. I got much of the path from the audios and book. Durng the exam, Goljan's voice echoed in my mind many times. I also found the pages of FA popping up in my mind as i went through the q's. But I think this is bound to happen with any resource you use and use well during the exam. I cannot answer how helpful audios could be for you without much time, depends if you are an audio learner type. I am not, so I knew ahead I would have to listen over and over. And over
Another point on Goljan: he mentions in the liver lectures about CCl4, how it's not asked anymore--but I had that on my exam
Thanks again everyone for your prayers and well wishes. If there are anymore questions, please feel free to ask. Good luck to us all!!!
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