beiwen
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Just started preparing for Step 2 CK a couple of weeks ago. Started 2 days after I took Step 1. The waiting for the score was terrible! so, I wanted to distract my mind and decided to read something about IM, just a sneak-peek for CK. As I went reading I discovered how similar all contents from both Step 1 and 2 exams were. So, I felt I was also reviewing for Step 1 in case I had to re-take it. Thanks God I passed, so I kept on with IM and I felt I was reading all same diseases as in Step 1, but, of course, from a different perspective: diagnose, best initial test for dx, best definitive test for dx, best initial step in management, and best ultimate management/treatment process...
Last week, I finished reading and watching dvd lectures on IM, and started with KN Qbook. Doing 50qs blocks at a time, I started in the mid/upper 60s... I felt a little disoriented because I could see I was missing the point of the questions. I understood each case presented, but I was choosing the wrong answer. Fortunately, by the 4th and 5th block I was already hitting the mid/upper 70s. And I felt better. I was getting acquainted with the logics of the exam.
My plan is to give a first reading of all subjects, do qbook after each subject is well read and understood. Afterwards I'll do a second round for reading along with UW and KN qbanks before the exam, as an integrating and reviewing method
Hopefully I'll be taking this exam by Februaryང. I know people take only a few weeks for such preparation, but I have a full time job and although I can read something at work, I always need time to read, digest and process everything. Otherwise I'm blindfolded when doing practice questions... I always have to read and understand everything before I get to the practice questions in order to take full profit out of them.
Ok... let's see how this CK journey goes.
Edited by beiwen on 09/28/07 - 06:25 PM
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| anuba
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Good luck beiwen & Congrats in Step 1. It must be hard working & studying but you did it in step 1. Those are high scores in Qbook. WOW!
I'm doing first read of Kaplan & FA for a month then hit the questions! Good luck to us!!
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| beiwen
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Thanks, anuba!! I saw you also started preparing for Step 2 right after step 1. I found it a good thing because:
1- you have already 50 + % of concepts from Step 1 that you'll need for step2, as well. And they are still fresh in your RAM memory.
2- you still have the rythm for studying
3- you're truly motivated, since step2ck material is much shorter
thanks again, good luck!
Edited by beiwen on 09/28/07 - 06:12 PM
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| beiwen
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This week I hit Qbook for IM: Test 1= 67%; Test 2 = 66%; Test 3 = 74%; Test 4 = 80%; Test 5 = 72%; Test 6 = 86 % (this was much easier than other test blocks) ; Test 7 = 75 %, just finished this evening.
My weakest area is nephrology. It's always been... I'll have to get harder on that one . I never liked it and, along with behavioral sciences, it was also one of my weaknesses in Step 1 performance.
Now reading Test 7 explanations.
Edited by beiwen on 11/15/07 - 03:51 AM
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| beiwen
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yesterday, did Test 8 for IM = 73%
today, started reading obs/gyn
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| Ivonne
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that was an excelent start beiwen. Good luck in your prep and your step 1 score.
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| beiwen
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Thanks, Ivonne! I got my Step 1 score on Sep 19th already. I passed!
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| nyimalay
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Hi, I m so motivated after reading your post. I just finished step 1 on sept 28. I m moving on to step2CK. Thanks for your detailed prep journal. One question please, do you find kaplan videos are helpful?? I used them for step 1 but they are a bit time consuming except for some subjects. I have no idea whether i should buy them for step 2. Please let me know your opinion.
Thanks and Best of luck in your journey
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| beiwen
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Hey nyimalay! Thanks for stopping by!
I also find KN videos very time consuming. But they are worth watching most of the time. I find these lectures very useful and clarifying. As for Int Med, I found those of Cardiovascular and endocrinal and renal systems so useful! I found them great for my weakest areas. However, I also noticed that if you feel confident and strong on some areas you might want to skip those specific ones. On the other hand, in order to go faster with them, my latest strategy has been reading the notes of a determined topic first. And, later on, watching the videos on that related topic or subject. This is good because:
1- it's a way of reviewing what you read on your first round (I'm planning a second round of reading, of course, but this time without the videos, which are worth watching between 1st and 2nd round of reading, no need to watch videos more than once for 2CK).
2- you go fast with the videos... you don't have to stop them and go back and forth everytime there's something that might seem new to you. It happened to me that whenever I watched the videos while or before reading the notes, it took me so long to get the videos done!!!... I go faster by reading first and watching the videos later, as a reviewing method.
3- in the videos, the lecturers give you tricks, some extra information and algorithms that are easier to integrate and retain if you've read the notes beforehand.
good luck with your Step 1 score!! and welcome to the 2CK expressway!!!
Edited by beiwen on 10/01/07 - 04:49 PM
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| nyimalay
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Thank you very much, beiwen.
I m looking for those dvds now. Starting Int.med also. Thank you for your advice and wishes.
My step 1 exam was tougher than i guessed. So waiting for score is exhausting. Anyway,it is better to move on as I can't change the past.
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| beiwen
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your welcome! and yes... my step 1 was tougher than I had guessed, too! it's a good idea not to think about it and put your hands on 2CK, while you're waiting for the results.... I know that waiting game sucks!!
Today: finished reading HTN as obstetric complications. Will halt reading and start watching ob/gyn video lectures thus far.
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| Ivonne
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Congratulation for such a great score in step 1 beiwen. I just read your post. It was great. Keep it up. You will ace ck too.
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| beiwen
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Thanks, Ivonne!
You're doing a great job on your prep for 2CK
Good luck to us!
and good luck on your CS result next week!!
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| beiwen
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Today: continuing on OB/Gyn first round reading. Got to Gyn neoplasia.
Also: watching video lectures. Now on Antenatal Care and Fetal Testing.
Goal: get it done with Ob/gyn first round reading and video lectures watching process by Oct 15th... Let's see...
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| njcjzy
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Beiwen, you are making great progress. Keep up your good work and enjoy your study!
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| beiwen
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Thanks, njcjzy, for your encouraging words!! it's really appreciated!!
Today: got through with obs videos; advanced on gyn reading up to ovarian neoplasia staging.
BTW, this journal is being helpful in keeping myself on track so far...
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| beiwen
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Sat: busy at work then visits at home, just read a little of gyn.
Sun: also busy, but managed to do some gyn reading up to contraception mtds and some video watching on gyn neoplasia.
Edited by beiwen on 10/08/07 - 02:38 PM
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| njcjzy
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Beiwen, are you done with ob/gyn?
Enjoy your study!
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| beiwen
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Thanks, njcjzy!
i'm done with obs/gyn reading. Still have some video lectures on gynecology to watch.
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| beiwen
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Tue: some gyn video lectures and started with pediatrics first round reading (up to newborn reflexes/infants developmental milestones.
Wed: trying to get gyn video lectures done. Continuing with pediatrics reading
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| anuba
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You rock beiwen!! You're an inspiration to me. I am gearing up w/ more positivity this time. I was distracted for a week. Raaar!!
Keep going..You're doing a great job!
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| njcjzy
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Yes, beiwen, you are moving pretty fast. Congratulations for that.
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| telomerase
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thanks beiwen.your journal is motivating one.
now me too thinking of reading well.and also make a note on points like best test initial test etc..
but however my reading is a bit slow.
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| beiwen
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anuba, njcjzy, telomerase: thank you so much for stopping by, and for saying such encouraging words!! Good luck to us!!
Thursday, watched some gyn videos and read pediatrics, a little. Took some time off from studies, though. Friday, same thing. Had to do so many other stuff... And it's time for my brain to rest a little, as well...
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| Ivonne
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Hey BW thanks for visiting me . I agree about getting some rest then hit the books again. Have a nice day studying and relaxing.
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