GOGETA
I'm Dr. GOGETA
Topics: 300
Posts: 2,640
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So who am I? A regular guythat PASS step1 wiile having a fulltime job ,
I will try to answer your questions and the other seniors will also come and try to answer for me.
This will be a way of giving a little back to the forum and to the people that are behind us.
PS I might not know all the answer, actually O do not know all the answers , but at least I will try to help.
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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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| damselMD
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 173
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This is nice to see that the "wise elders" are out there and reading the posts... and willing to help... that's the support that we all need to do for each other... that's the reason i come back to this forum... it is just nice to know that i am not alone in this struggle!
Thanks! 
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| youngone
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 35
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Hi Gogeta!
I've been a silent observer and decided to take the plunge and post!
9 weeks till my exam and my study method is working out till now.
Promise a detailed examen experience and prep story in 2 months.
Anyways..... I have a question Gogeta.
They say anatomy is the least tested subject. Neuro as covered in HY Neuro is
like 50% of this anatomy or more. My question is if FA is enough for Gross Anatomy.
Should I read up on gross anatomy (pretty weak) instead of revising other high yield
area?
Another thing. Is Kaplan Biochem enough for Molecular Biology?
Thanks sweetie!
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| vwilldoit
Forum Senior
Topics: 18
Posts: 189
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thanks gogeta, will sure ask as questions come up!
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just do it .....
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| GOGETA
I'm Dr. GOGETA
Topics: 300
Posts: 2,640
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Damsel MD that is the idea of this forum, helping people that are going thru the same.
Young one: For anatomy it depends on how well you are doing in the other areas remember that the fastest way to raise your score is to elevate your weak areas.
Now Neuroanatomy you need to know and understand those nice beatifull ct scans of the brain, I mean identify the structures also know the classic drwaing of the spinal cord and what they do.
HY NEUROANATOMY FROM FIX is a really good book and prepares you really well for the neuroanatomy portion.
For embriology FA people say is enough,but this is my experience you will need to add UW for embriology they only had like 46 questions of embriology when I use them and they were right on the spot, also those UW questions of embriology made you think. Remember the test is UNDERSTANDING not only memorization.
Also for neuro anatomy you can dedicate a little time in the website call webpath is free and you just go over the CT and nervous system images.
About gross anatomy FA give you the general idea, the concepts, again people will say is enough. I think the HY book of gross anatomy is enough for that area, you need to identify and know the different structures in an xray and in a MRI or ct scan. I did very very good in anatomy.
Also most of the gross anatomy questions are a clinical case and then you need to identify or know the function of that muscle or structure.
For the Biochemestry portion specially molecular biology, I did very bad on that area
 , but will tell you that actually the kaplan book gives a good general idea about the topic.
Vwilldoit no problem
Have in mind that this step1 !@#$%^&*( test is tedious and    , but when you jump the fence you will love ste2ck more medicine.
Keep the price in your mind have a 220 or a 230 as a grade just think in a 220-230 or more and work for it, you might have one day with no studying will you not study the rest of the week because of that?
also the trick is little by little but constanly and you will pass the test.
If I could do it anyone can pass with a good grade.
___________________
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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| youngone
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 35
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Thanks Gogeta! You are great!
I've been reading up in this website since p53 and tolito times! 
On and off. Just getting a feel for the test. Love this website and came back to it.
Could the current senior members (including gogeta) please advice me if I am missing
anything. My books are:
I am doing the Kaplan books (except Path) plus HY Neuro, Goljan (pappy audios) and book + BRS Path and Big Robbins for pictures, BRS Phys, BRS Behavioral and MMRSimple. Lippincott Pharm for the mechanisms. Am planning to do HY Inmuno...any advice on that subject?
All of these PLUS ...the big daddy.... FIRST AID. Filling that sucker up with ink!
USMLE World plus Webpath {  }. Any other useful sites?
I am leaving 5 weeks for "pure" review.
Please point out if these are sufficient.
Sorry about the amount of questions. I am a pretty neurotic girl. 
Thank you again guys.
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| unique1
InGodITrust
Topics: 19
Posts: 1,410
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GOGETA, that is such a nice gesture from you. Thank you for that.
Please let me know if there is any way I can avoid FA ? I hate this book.
What if I annotate all the pnemonics and any other useful stuff from FA to KME and make KME my bible ?
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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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| hope4dabest
Forum Elite
Topics: 16
Posts: 433
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Advise me..i have asked others also but m asking the same thing again...
my scores of UW are not consistent..they waver b/w 40-50%...i have done like 500 q and completed the course twice today from kaplan and now gonna start FA and listening to glogan lectures...
got almost 45 days left before the exam...what do u guggest i should do in these last days..
P.S.--i feel i have this BIG problem in retaining things
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| sfk
Forum Elite
Topics: 43
Posts: 294
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nice gesture GOGETA. u'll be getting lots of questions!!!!!
my query is regarding pharma. how heavily is it tested in the exam, i mean is kaplan sufficient. and do u have to know the nitty gritty details??
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Forum Elite, But Step 2 Newbie....
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| GOGETA
I'm Dr. GOGETA
Topics: 300
Posts: 2,640
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SFK For pharma I did lippincott and actually that is alot and long, FA is actually what you need to know for pharm. know the MOA. SE and indications.
Lets say that I tell you that a guy suffers from constipation, what group of antyhypertensive medication is contraindicated or will worsen the patient.
Or they can directly ask a guy has head trauma which diuretic will you use?
But pharma was easy
hope 4 de best
i finish with a 49 including the new ones and was one moth away and I was able to pass.
You need to take a NBME test to see where you are.
DO your FA everyday with Goljan and keep doing questions at least from 60-80 a day and you will be ok.
But most importantly do NBME4
Unique1
You can use KME, but I will suggest you to go over from time to time over FA and 3 weeks before the test you will need to go over it. If you can put the information into KME you might try that.
Youngone
You need to take an online NBME test to see where you are.
For behavio I think that the kaplan book is very good.
It seems you are ready to go
If I miss anything please tell me guys/girls
___________________
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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| youngone
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 35
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thank you. God bless.
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| hope4dabest
Forum Elite
Topics: 16
Posts: 433
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Thanks a lot..i really needed to hear that
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| paheli
It'sAllAboutGoodKarma
Topics: 170
Posts: 2,217
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GOGETA wrote:
remember that the fastest way to raise your score is to elevate your weak areas.
EXCELLENT point!! this is something that EVERYONE overlooks!! bravo, gogeta!!! well said!!
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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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| drnaik
Forum Elite
Topics: 14
Posts: 226
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ok guys...
even i am here to help..
though i dnt wish ne of u go thru wat i did...
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you get what you deserve in life!
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| unique1
InGodITrust
Topics: 19
Posts: 1,410
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Thnaks GOGETA .
So no escape possible from FA
___________________
I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
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| GOGETA
I'm Dr. GOGETA
Topics: 300
Posts: 2,640
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All the seniors and people that want to answer any question they are welcome to do so.
Unique 1, sorry buddy I know how it feels to just look at that book.
___________________
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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| sfk
Forum Elite
Topics: 43
Posts: 294
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thanks for the reply.
Sad, but true. i also dont get along well with that book!!
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Forum Elite, But Step 2 Newbie....
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| paheli
It'sAllAboutGoodKarma
Topics: 170
Posts: 2,217
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if there are really so many people who don't like that book, i wish you'd all speak up. coz, if only the ones who love that book are vocal about it, then it will give a 'false positive' review about that book. [no pun intended] people end up buying it blindly, and that's not good. coz each person should spend money on what suits them, and not following with a 'herd mentality'
in the recent past, there have been some [heated] discussions about everyone's favorites: goljan and uw. it's perhaps time for a fa discussion as well.
my $0.02
___________________
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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| unique1
InGodITrust
Topics: 19
Posts: 1,410
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Paheli, how do you like FA ?
I guess I will be among those few people who do not memorize FA. I cannot.
___________________
I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
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| youngone
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 35
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FA is an outline. It is basically alot of people writing in and telling the authors what
was tested on their test. The authors take this info a put it into what is called the FA.
That is all it is. The reason so many people use it is because it is the easyiest way to
know what the most common questions on the boards are.
Take the FA and use it as a gloryfied index, do this at the same time as you use
your Kaplan, or BRS or whatever.
FA is not a textbook! It is a most commonly tested items LIST!
It is not to be donde alone. If you use it with another good review book AT THE SAME
TIME it makes alot more sense.
My 2 cents too!
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| unique1
InGodITrust
Topics: 19
Posts: 1,410
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Youngone, I totally agree with you and that is why I could never understand the logic behind memorizing FA. I think one should know all the topics mentioned in FA , and not just memorize the list of commonly tested topics .
___________________
I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
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| sfk
Forum Elite
Topics: 43
Posts: 294
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these are my thoughts being echoed here!!!!
even i think that its just an index, and thats how i treat it.
i woiuld always wonder how so many people say MEMORIZE FA....
Reasons i dont like the book. -
-info is too precise, as mentioned just like a brief overview of topics.
sometimes i feel i now more than what the book writes
-some topics subject wise, some system wise. i find that a bit haphazard
-one can add notes to it, Even then, how much can a person add on a book?
i'd rather have my books annotated, and flash cards etc.
(i used to think i'm the only one who is not comfortable in memorizing this book. never thought of saying anything against the "bible" of this forum)
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Forum Elite, But Step 2 Newbie....
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| paheli
It'sAllAboutGoodKarma
Topics: 170
Posts: 2,217
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well, unique1, i'm basically gonna use fa just to ensure that i know all that's in there, and of course i must know many things that's not in fa as well, if i have to attain the score that i want. but, i am not using it as a means of learning anything. it's a book that needs to be gone through thoroughly a couple of times, and it is invaluable for the purpose it serves. but, i don't understand when people say they use it to study!
also, as sfk said above, it's a bit too haphazard for my liking. i like to be systematic in my prep, and i find that when i'm going in a systematic manner in my kln, i need to jump across pages, even sections in fa to read the same topics in sequence. for instance, the topic that i'm covering in kln phys, i haven't even figured out where the heck it in in fa yet!!
oh, but i like the way the book smells!! [don't look at me like that, people!! i'm a book freak, ok!!!]
___________________
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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| basophilia
Forum Senior
Topics: 7
Posts: 206
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hi gogeta i would like to know if i have to use q bank and usmle world, which one first_
in my second read, this is my tried to pass step 1, i failed with 74 the first time so i want to cover all my weak points , so what do you recomend me?
thanks in advance and all the best for your step 2
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| GOGETA
I'm Dr. GOGETA
Topics: 300
Posts: 2,640
|
Dear Basophillia
You were so close, that for sure you will succed with a good grade this time. Look at the performence in the usmle step1 and like you say attack your weak areas first.
I will recomend UW go over your weak area and system with UW.
Remember that UW is a learning tool, not a assesment tool.
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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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