redddd
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 92
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After reading many prep journals I decided today to write one for me. I have been a regular reader of this forum. My step 1 and step 2 scores are 93 and 91. I took 2-3 weeks to prepare for step 3. I feel terrible that I failed step3. I got 73. After taking the exam I felt that I will pass. I'm starting to study again and want to be done by march. Man I have never ever had such a bad result in life, I mean never failed an exam. Anyways, Bad things do happen. Wish me luck for second time.
MY score report shows lowest in CCS and lower to borderline in rest of sections. and higher in Diagnosis/prognosis and pediatrics.... While I was doing CCS cases, 2 ended before time and rest didnt end before time was up. All the cases I did had shown improvement in patients, but My guess is I took a long time in the initial steps for CCS cases.... thats my guess....
Oh God I am so sad that I will have to go through this again. But its ok!! I will work for it...
here is my analysis
Prep time: 3 weeks
Prep material: Crush, Kaplan step 2 notes for Med, peds, OBGYN, UW Mcqs(scored 60% on avg, range:48%-80%) UW CCS cases
What went wrong?:
1.Insufficient time
2.Should have taken NBME test before exam.
3.CCS cases time management wasn't goood.
How to improve this time:
1. CCS practice on CD with time management
2. Kaplan Q bank, Q book completion
3. NBME tests before real exam
4. USMLEstep123.com( Iam not sure how it is, but I am ready to do it, cant afford to fail again)
5. First Aid and Crush both
Today is Day 1: I'm doing kaplan step 3 notes. GI.... Have to attend a pre interview dinner tonight.... and have an interview tomorrow. But Today I have to nail down GI!
Edited by redddd on 03/10/08 - 02:50 PM
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| docnikki
Forum Guru
Topics: 93
Posts: 680
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hi reddd I am exactly in your boat as far as the creds , preparation material in first attempt are concerned. I wish to join your diary if that is ok with you.
i like your strategy this time.
I am also adding Kaplan Q bank, FA, usmlesteps123.
From where did u get kaplan step 3 notes..is there any site from where i can download.
are you going to revise all ck notes too?
I have a couple of interviews on 22n and 23rd. I will try my best to keep up.
Currently Im trying to read geratrics from Swanson. today want to finish that.
GL!
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| docnikki
Forum Guru
Topics: 93
Posts: 680
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yesterday I could do some of geratrics, I have a flu so I couldnt make it till late night.
Today i will study half day as i have to prepare for leaving tomorrow early morning for an interview. I have 2 interviews back to back and then I will get back ti studies on 24th.
so today i will continue with geratrics. It looks good in swanson.
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| redddd
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 92
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hi docnikki
nice to see you here! Before I opened my journal, I was feeling kind of low, just the idea of starting all over again is depressing. But after seeing you here, I felt better. So welcome to my journal and I am sure we can do this. I have an iv tomorrow morning as well. I havnt finished GI yet, havnt gained the momentum yet. But will carry on with GI today.
it s really cold today!
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| redddd
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 92
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self doubt! self doubt!..... before every question and before every topic, I'm having self doubt. Will I be able to do it? I guess I am not good enough.
""""Man is a slave of his own fears"""
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| docnikki
Forum Guru
Topics: 93
Posts: 680
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reddd, just remember we were left just by a few points..so it means we were on the right track just a little bit more on that track. ....have confidence...we have had in 90s in other steps and never failed before...Im just like you and you are just like me ..I am feelling confident that I will do good so should you feel so.
Just remember the kind of exam it was and then look at the prep level we are doing this time...isnt it alot better...believe me...we will pass...we just have to see how high we can score...luck can be bad once but not everytime.
today I did more of geratrics ...its a total of 72 pages..Im done with 1/3rd...now I have to travel alot coming week...Yes its cold...and my mailaise and body ache is even worse...so i will try to finish geratrics as and when I can in between of travelling...and will get back to this journal as I get internet access.
We Have to believe in ourselves to be able to go on. Whenver you feel low i will hold you and when I feel low I will look at you. We both being in the same boat will sail through and celebratae our success together  My favorite saying...Fight Till the Last breath....a very important person in my life told me this and i never forget these 5 words.
See you. Happy studying.
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| wantitdone
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 7
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hi redddd and docnikki
even I am in the same boat.We already know where we screwd up last time.My ccs was ok,I mean borderline to high.The MCQs went really bad.all below border line and actually clinical intervention was with a star at the lower end.I am trying to know what should be done to improve myself in them.any suggestions?Let me join the group and I am sure we will all make it.WE WILL
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| docnikki
Forum Guru
Topics: 93
Posts: 680
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Welcome want it done....sure We Will. I am back from my interview and will get back to studies in later part of today. keep in touch and that will surely help.
GL!
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| redddd
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 92
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hi wantitdone. Did you try FA, it gives you a comprehensive review of all the imp things , I'm working on that these days. keep us updated.
wantitdone wrote:
hi redddd and docnikki
even I am in the same boat.We already know where we screwd up last time.My ccs was ok,I mean borderline to high.The MCQs went really bad.all below border line and actually clinical intervention was with a star at the lower end.I am trying to know what should be done to improve myself in them.any suggestions?Let me join the group and I am sure we will all make it.WE WILL
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| docnikki
Forum Guru
Topics: 93
Posts: 680
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how many pages are there in FA.
I am back from my interviews and today I plan to nail Geriatrics ( swanson)
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| redddd
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 92
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Thats great nikki! I have pdf version of FA, if you want I could send you that. I hope your ivs went fine. Mine was good too. I will be back to my home tomorrow. So keep it up and we can do it this time!!
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| wantitdone
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 7
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Hi reddd
I do not have First aid.Can u plz forward the PDF link to me.MY mail id is samatha27@gmail.com.
The MKSAP 14 which is usually for internal medicine boards has been suggested to me.There is free downloadable version online.If u cant find it out,I will send u the link.
Both u and Nikki should have done your ivs well.
GL
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| docnikki
Forum Guru
Topics: 93
Posts: 680
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thanks wantit done..do send me the link and i will take a look at it. if I can do it.
Thanks reddd...I can get hold of the Fa from another person..in case I dfon't I'd be greatful to u if you could send me. I wiull let u know in that case.
as i said i will be done with geratrics..im going to stay up late to finish it. Yes this time we have to do it.
reddd I yet did not come to my place...am in my sister's place..and we all have tickets booked for orlando( before i had gotten my results)...after my sad result I should have canceled this trip but didnt. as it was all in continuation of my interviews( which were in the same place where my sister lives)..and i had booked my return from orlando...so i have to go there....had my result been good i would have been having such a nice time with my family...but now I am studying...its ok..but feels bad sometimers...so i am trying to do my best before leaving for orlando ( 30th) and then from 30th to 4th i will hardly be able to study.
so today before i retire to bed i must finish geratrics!
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| redddd
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 92
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hey nikki, study hard and then enjoy tooo. For those 4 days, enjoy to the fullest and then you can study hard after you return. I was in orlando before I got my result It was so much fun. But for those 4 days just forget about your result and enjoy yourself.
I was thinking of scheduling my exam in march, just before match result. what are your plans? good luck with everything.
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| docnikki
Forum Guru
Topics: 93
Posts: 680
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Thanks reddd. I was thinking of scheduling my exam such that it is more than 5 buisness days aftr match result...so that in case I dont match this year I can postpone my exam free of cost so that I can score better by studying more in the extension I take because if i don't match this time a good step3 score will help me in next match season but a just pass score will not shadow my 2nd attempt 
in case I match i will take the exam as scheduled and will hope to pass with something in 80s and then negotiate for the H1 visa with the PD if he can wait for 3 weeks for my result. ...if he agrees this scenario will be the best for me. Plz god take us out of this prob and help us!!
I finished geratrics yesterday.
Today I am beginning IM ( from crush)...will have to finish it by tomorrow.
How is the Q bank going reddd....what are you scoring in that.
wantitdone what are your study plans?
GL!
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| redddd
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 92
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bad news, Step 3 to include video and audio clips starting early march
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| docnikki
Forum Guru
Topics: 93
Posts: 680
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lets not worry redddd, Im sure it will be easy and fun. After all they will be testing the common stuff in that way. Im just trying to be optimistic.
How is ur q bank going...
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| redddd
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 92
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hey nikki, still working on Q bank. how about you? what about your trip to orlando?
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| docnikki
Forum Guru
Topics: 93
Posts: 680
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Im reading swanson redddd, after finishing geriatrics decided to do sports medicine and Emergency med.
We are leaving for orlando on 30th. so I have 2 more days to study. I plan to read swanson only for the rest of my time till 30th. When I come back to my home on 4th I will start Q bank and will read other stuff along with it...will make a paln.
Do you know if Condrad Fisher questions are going to be helpful? does anyone do those?
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| docnikki
Forum Guru
Topics: 93
Posts: 680
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hi I am back from my orlando trip...now I have my last interview on 7th..have to go on 6th. so today and tomorrow I can study....hmmm
I plan to read CVS from washinton manual...its HUGE! but lets see how long I take ..i may continue the same after returning from my last trip.
I figured out a plan for my preparation. I plan to take it in march end...so less time left!
My materials will be--->
washington manual( just imp topics), swanson( pedia, psych, geriatrics, sports& emergency med), Kaplan Q bank, UW, Kaplan CK notes ( pedia, IM, obgyn) and if possible Condrad Fisher questions.
So today and tomorrow will spend some time with washinton manual. and then after returning from my interview will make further plans.
I didnt get any update from you redddd...how are u doing?...any changes in ur study strategy?
have a good day!
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| redddd
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 92
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hi everyone, I was having a very hard time logging in the forum, for some reason, but Today I could log in so I can post the messages!!!
Hello everyone I am done with
renal, respi, CVS, HEM onc, GI, Hepatology, endo, Genito Urinary and I am doing CCS and Kaplan Q bank my avg score is 50% ranging from 42%-78%
God give me strength my exam is in march 1st week. And I have to do 10 more CCS today. CCS was my weakest link in the exam, I hace to overcome it and I willl!!!!!!!! Docnikki how are you doing????
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| docnikki
Forum Guru
Topics: 93
Posts: 680
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hi redddd, welcome back !!!
and wow such a great progress. Keep it up! when are u going to take NBME?
I am done with geratrics ( swanson), CVS ( washinton manual, kaplan CK and UW CK) and now doing Resp ( from washinton manual). Im aiming for march end! I cant rush more than this as rushing was the worst thing I did in first attempt. but I have to go faster any how.
GL!!
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| redddd
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 92
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You're right nikki! Dont rush, my NMBE is on 25th, If I do well in that I will proceed ahead and take the exam otherwise I will post pone my exam. Keep it up buddy! I am sure this time we can defeat the Step 3 MONSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| redddd
Forum Senior
Topics: 11
Posts: 92
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Today's Plan:
ID CCS + ID Kaplan MCQs
Quick brush from ID First AId.
Dobale!!!!
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| docnikki
Forum Guru
Topics: 93
Posts: 680
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Yup! goodluck redddd!!
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