ing
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I did the ck yesterday. On the way out from the test center I was very disappointed, upset, angry..
That's enough discouragement. Here is my experience.
1. I know that I need quarters for parking. I prepared a lot. But I didn't count how many I have. When I arrived the test center (Bethesda, MD) and started to put in coins, I realize that I need 20 quarters for 10 hours. Luckily I just had enough. --- count your coins if you need them for parking.
2. When I did my step 1, I used their noise blocking headphone (not sure how to call it). It hurts my head and ears after 2 or 3 hours. So I brought my own ear plug. (I'm very easy to be distracted by other test takers typing, and any noise.) When I came back from the restroom break after the 3rd block, one of the people who works there saw my ear plug on the desk. He took away them said something like "these are not good.." His voice is so low that I don't really understand what he is talking about. But I decided don't waste time to ask. Ok, use their head phone. Of course my head and my ears started to hurt on the 5th block. --- ask if you can use your own ear plug.
3.Every time I signed in or out, I looked my watch (not digital watch) for the time. There is no problem until right before the last block. The person who sat there watching me said "Oh, you can't have watch." "This is not digital watch." "It doesn't matter. No watch is allowed for USMLE exam." "I'm sorry, I don't know that. OK, no problem. I'm taking it off." --- no watch in the exam room (?).
4. Just like other people, my audio question is silent. I only got one. It's the last question in that block. But I think you don't really need to hear it to make the choice. Also I only have a little more than one min left for the last question. Hope I choose the correct answer.
5. When I did my step 1, I felt that I can pass, if there is a magic I either fail or get really high score. I got 88. Just like I thought. It's a little disappointing because I was hoping to get more. But for step 2, it's a different story. I felt I will get the lowest score in the history. I might only did 2 or 3 questions right in the whole exam. I don't know if I want to check my score in 3 weeks.
I have studied really hard for step 1. Like many of you, I need to work, taking care of my family... But I had so much energy to study. I have graduated many many years ago, basic medicine is just my weakest area back in med school. Now I need to study it in different language, I know I have to work very hard to get good grade. Maybe I have used all my energy for step one, I just can hardly put myself together to study for step 2. It took me so long, a year after step 1, also have to extend my exam period. I'm happy I did it finally.
I used KP, UW and FA. Use the knowledge you've learned apply to the UW questions. Find out why you did the question wrong. So it's important to make your own notes instead of use somebody else notes. It's going to take about the same amount of time either way. Don't read somebody's UW notes before you start your UW questions. Because you want to find out why you didn't do it right. Sometimes even you know the education point for this question, but you still did it wrong. After you find out what went wrong, you won't make the same mistake in the real exam. So the exam is not only testing your those education points, but also how you apply those points to the real (exam) situation.
Hope what I have written makes sense for somebody. Study hard, believe in yourself, you will get there. Wish you all the best!! Happy Thanksgiving!!
got my score: 223/92
Edited by ing on 12/12/07 - 08:14 AM
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| Ivonne
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Hey ing thanks for sharing your experience. i heard that the difficult the exam gets the better the score so just relax and don't dig in your sanity. I wish you get your dreamed score and Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
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| supra
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When i come out of da exam hall,i had mixed feelings,i didnt have da feelin dat i did gr8 nor did i feel i wud flunk,i was neither confident nor disappointed with my performance,to be honest after reading many experiences of others,i thought i need to have some feelin whether good or bad 2 assess how i actually did,but i just cudnt say how i fared.but got my score 2day.99/241.so we just cant say.....dont worry,our efforts will be payed off ultimately.God will definitely help us if we study hard.GL Ing n happy thanksgivin,Just try 2 divert urself,start prepaing 4 da next one if u plan 2 do.
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| drdg
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ing,
I am so happy that you have done it. I think you did great in your test. You will receive your best Christmas present ever. Believe in yourself!!!
I am in the same boat with you. I am a very very old IMG from China. I need full work to support my family. Like all people with the same situation, we have to work hard and also need to deal with the pressure from our current boss . we need to achieve a high score to get a resident position.
My test is 10 days away. I really need your advice. What is the best way to practice in the final week? By the way, what is your UW score and NBME score?
Thanks and good luck.
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| ing
Forum Guru
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Ivonne, supra, drdg, thanks very much for your support. That means a lot to me.
drdg,
I really don't know if I can pass or not. But if I can be any help..
I did nbme form 2 about 1 month before the exam, I got 460. I was very upset, but I don't want to delay this stupid ck exam any more. I decided to go for it.
I did UW first round earlier this year, but didn't wrote down any notes, average 57%. Then I have to go back to my hometown for 1 month. I came back on Sep and start to study again. I bought 3 month UW again. It was my second time doing UW questions. I got about 70+-%, random, timed. I wrote down notes after each block. Then I did wrong Qs, got about 75% for these Qs. Then I did marked Qs, it was about 600 to 700 Qs. I got about 85% for them. After that, I redid all Qs by starting from the 1st block, marked all the Qs, then selected marked. This time I got 3 or 4 blocks for about 70's, about 10 or more 90's, The rest are about 85%+-. In the last month, I read KP IM 1 time, and FA for other subjects 1 time. In my last week I read everything in FA and part of my notes from UW. 2 days before, I finished my notes and read "rapid review" chapter in the FA.
Wish you good luck!
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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ing:
You've seen it happen. Many people feel sad and frustrated after giving step 2 CK, and in a few weeks receive the notification of a 95+ score. Maybe you'll be one more.
I am impressed by your English, I wasn't expecting you had had any trouble studying for the steps because of the language. I think you are doing great and must have a superior intelligence, juggling family duties (bringing money home) with studying for the steps and learning English at the same time. I think you're doing a great job and deserves to reap after all your effort.
Keep us posted, I am rooting for you.
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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When I went for my steps, I couldn't wear my watch, but used my soft earplugs. Go figure...
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| ing
Forum Guru
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arlete, thanks very much for your support. I remember when I posted some questions on the forum on the kapland website before I did my step 1. arlete is the one who encouraged me. I think you are the same arlete. Well, I just want to thank arlete and people like you who are always there giving your support.
My problem with English at the very beginning(step 1) is I have to use the dictionary a lot for the first 2 or 3 months. After that I only need to use the dictionary once a while. At the end I can even finish a block of questions with 4 or 5 min left. I didn't have many language problems when I study for step 2. But in the real exam, I always only have 1 min left for the last question for every block.
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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ing:
I think I am the only "Arlete" in foruns about usmle. At least, I never saw another. It's an unusual French name.
I am glad I was a positive thing in your life. I hope one day I'll be celebrating our victory. I'll drink Arbor Mist for you, you choose your drink, OK?
I studied English for 11 years in my country, I could be a teacher there, but when I moved to USA, I could write and read, but wouldn't understand anybody and nobody would understand me. It was very frustrating, I thought I hadn't learned enough. Even now a days I have a strong accent and sometimes I depend on the goodwill of who's listening. But obstacles exist to be overcome, right?
Keep in touch!
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| ing
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Just got my score: 223/92. Thanks Ivonne, supra, arlete, drdg and other members in this forum. It was your experiences, your great support and your journal encouraged me to keep going. Thanks, thanks very much to the members that I know your name and to the members that I don't your name. Wish you all very good luck! Be patient, you will get there.
Edited by ing on 12/12/07 - 09:06 AM
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| Ivonne
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
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Congrats!!!! I'll drink today!
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| ing
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Thanks Ivonne and arlete. All the best to you!
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| multifactorial
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congratulations
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| drdg
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Congrats!
I am so happy that you got this wonderful score. Your hard work get paid off!
Are you going to take CS soon?
drdg
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| ing
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Thanks drdg. I forgot to tell you that I'm from China too. Since I have full time job and also I'm a slow learner, I'm thinking to have cs in July. How was your exam? Good luck to you.
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| drdg
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I had a mixed feeling for my CK test since it was tough. I need to wait for another 2 weeks for the result. I really don't know what is going to happen to my score report.
I am preparing for my CS right now. I just hope I can pass the CS with first try.
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