TRD
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 5
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Dear Friends,
First I want to thank you all who contribute to this forum. I have been a frequent visitor to this site and it has helped me a lot.
I am an IMG graduated in 1995. I am working full time in a research position. I started studying for the USMLE step 1 exam in February 2007. I used to study after work everyday for about 4-5 hours and about 10 hours during the weekend. My study material was:
Kaplan Videos
Kaplan Notes + Q Book
Goljan Audio & notes (Notes I could read only 50%)- Goljan a must
Embryology-HY
Anatomy-HY
Neuro Anatomy-HY
UW (finished 2000 questions)
FA (65%)
Since I had serous problem managing my time I used my commuting time (1 hour per day) to and from work to hear Goljan using a MP 3 player.
When I took the exam my UW score (first time most in the timing mode) was 54%
NBME 2 4 days before the exam 410= 195
This was a mistake as I thought first to do the NBME so close to the exam. I was worried first but recovered within a day and fully concentrated next 3 days on my weak points.
I took the exam on October 30th and score reported after 3 weeks
Step1 Score 202(83).
I kept very calm and concentrated through out the exam, as I knew this would one way that I could score more than another person. I was exhausted after 5 blocks but kept my concentration as much as possible. First 4 blocks were OK and I felt I could pass but folowing that everything became very tough.
Questions were very nicely done and mostly clinically oriented. There were few (10) which was straight Q&A. I found points straight from Golan and UW. Questions were different from UW as Q’s were trickier and clinical oriented but UW preparation was extremely helpful.
I also did USMLE CS in June in Atlanta during the same time and passed. I used UW 100% and preparation was only 2 weeks. I timed and did all the cases. My patients were my wife and my little daughter.
During my preparation all I had was the determination to do well and pass the exam. Since I have some USA experience (Fellowship) and experience in 3 different countries in my field (Clinical Pathology) I never aimed 99 but I had to balance by understanding my own position balancing the work, study and the family. The strength behind was my little daughter, my wife and my parents.
I also want to thank my Indian friend who initially gave all the points what I have to do for preparation. If not for her I would have not done this easy. Than my two study partners (good friends) from my own country who helped in CS and other times where I was down during my preparation and all my friend s at work.
During my preparation all I had was the determination to do well and pass the exam. Since I have some USA experience (Fellowship) and experience in 3 different countries in my field (Clinical Pathology) I never aimed 99 but I had to balance by understanding my own position balancing the work, study and the family. The strength behind was my little daughter, my wife and my parents
Last but very important thing is that you should have a clear goal and you have to believe in your self. With all the difficulty I managed to do this (financial, work, family). I hope this information would be helpful to some one who is in the process of doing USMLE. I will write in Step 2 forum once I finish that exam. Thank you.
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| B6
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 3
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Thank you very much! I am also trying to study along my lab. It is hard. Do you have Goljan audio mp3? I would be very grateful to you!
Thanks!
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| B6
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 3
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how much anatomy did you have? what about the molecular and cell biology?
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| inkspot
Forum Guru
Topics: 26
Posts: 557
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thats really a great exp to go through. all the best for step 2 and ur future goals.
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Aagae Aagae Dekho hota hai kiya !!!
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| dr ruman
Forum Elite
Topics: 29
Posts: 412
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congrats great job,
party time,wow nice score,wondering when i wil get my score
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Living each day as a preparation for the next is an exciting way to live. Looking forward to something is much more fun than looking back at something—so lets do it together
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| basophilia
Forum Senior
Topics: 7
Posts: 220
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wow congratulations , you did really good ,
congratulations to you and your family
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