usmlekiller
Forum Guru
Topics: 18
Posts: 1,010
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keep at it simon u can do it!!!
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FUTURE 99ER
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| veteran
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 81
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Yes, Simon. I am glad to read your post. I think the only reason anyone should do anything is for themself. There is a saying where I come from that roughly translates to "Bless that you may be blessed". So it ultimately boils down to YOU who should be the reason for your USMLE- not your kids or wife or parents or friends however important they may be. Your efforts will translate to your success and every good thing that comes out of it will automatically benefit and inspire everyone around you.
One who has not failed has simply not tried anything. Failure is a constant companion in our life- it is like a shadow- it may dwarf you, be miniscule, may never be in sight depending on the time, but it is always there. I think it is best to accept and move on. The brave are not the ones who are not scared, but who go ahead anyhow. Persist. Forge through.
Try to get a FEEL for every subject. On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your comfort level with each one. Then test yourself to see where you fall. This gauge is very important to develop. It will be your guide so that next time you predict a score, you will be within 3 points plus or minus on the two digit score.
Your expectations were not false- they are applaudable and required. You simply are not there yet. At this point, it seems like you are very FAMILIAR with the topics. Now you need to MASTER each topic. Know it to the point f being able to teach it. When you study, give it your all. I used to take a do a 3 minute revision of a topic like valvular heart disease before I shower, then during, I would run it in my mind. I will be sure of about 70% the first time and will invariably have confusion about some fine points like which maneuvers do what etc, then I will look up after my shower and fill in the gaps.
For a great score, for the next few weeks, you must LIVE USMLE. Eat, drink and sleep it. I know it is hard for you with your kids- but I am saying what I felt like-please take what will work for you and pardon me if most of it wont work.
You are already an inspiration.  
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| commit
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 264
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Hi simon73, we are all rooting for you and you will definitely win the battle against USMLE. It is a hard long battle. Many times when I felt I have finally learned enough for certain topic, I will get many questions from the practice that I either I forgot or I have no idea at all. There are so many detailed stuff in the test. Additionally, just a few questions in each block can make a huge difference in the 3 digit score. It really is a game of perfection. As veteran said, we have study each and every topic until we can teach it. It will take a lot of time. But I think that is the best way to learn and master. It just takes a lot of time. For the repeatedly tested stuff, I tried a few times to draw a diagram or table or just write down everything I know about the topic. It often helps because you will notice gaps in your thoughts or knowledge.
I know it hurts. But anything does not kill us only makes us stronger. If there is anything I have learned in life, it is that perseverance will prevail.
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| Melu
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 248
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Simon,thanks to your journal a lot of my questions are answered.Advise given by Veteran, commit and your own thoughts are precious.
You are going the right way !
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"The best preparation for good work tomorrow is good work today."- Elbert Hubbard
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| target
Forum Guru
Topics: 5
Posts: 842
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Hi simon, how is it going? I agree with commit and veteran to study like you want to teach someone. It changes the entire perspective of studying. Most of all it gives you confidence on the topic...keep us posted. Cheers!
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In Him I trust !
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| commit
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 264
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Good luck for everything, simon73. I will start limit my time on the internet from now on. You are my best buddy here. You are an inspiration to me. Studying USMLE with a full-time job and two kids is abosolutely amazing. You have a big and kind heart and give me a lot of support and understanding during my dark times. You deserve a huge score with your superb effort. Just be a little patient, it will come to you and a great score will eventually put a big smile on your face.
I will still come and visit your journal, just not as often as I used to. Manbe I just want to use this chance to say thank you.
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| simon73
Forum Elite
Topics: 4
Posts: 484
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Dear Friends veteran, commit, target, Melu, usmlekiller,
Thank you very much for your kind words and support at this time. I think it is time for me to put my grief behind and give my best to this exam. I have subscribed to Kaplan Q bank, and as veteran suggested has started with one subject - Behavioral science, did a quick review and a did a block in Behavioral science and scored 54%! lesser than my expectation. Since the block was entirely in Behavioral science, all the questions were very long and could not complete the last 3 questions and didnt have a chance to review the marked questions. I have identified the mistakes i had made were in Bioethics. Veteran had warned about it earlier, this is one tricky area, though the questions looks like common sense, it is not. I will review bioethics carefully and do another block in Behavioral science tomorrow, hopefully my score will improve.
Commit, I completely understand your situation. You work full time and juggle with studies. Please visit us whenever your time permits. I look up to you for inspiration and will strive to reach your wonderful score. Best wishes to your prep.
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| study499
Forum Guru
Topics: 5
Posts: 576
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Hi simon,
You are a true inspiration for all of us...I can see you there...so happy and proud with your achievement... we all should learn from you.
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With God, all things are possible.
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| simon73
Forum Elite
Topics: 4
Posts: 484
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Thank you study499. We will all get there.
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| simon73
Forum Elite
Topics: 4
Posts: 484
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I have been doing some thinking on what went wrong with my performance in NBME. I found the reason, if not the only reason - lack of PASSION. As someone in the forum said, if it is a battle i absolutely need to win to survive, will i not fight with all my heart and energy!! I have so many blessings i need to thank for - reasonably stable job, blessed family. May be in my mind, i was trying to comfort myself the effort i put in and am OK with the results. Asking myself these questions objectively, i would say YES. This was my mistake.
I want to do this exam for myself and want to get a great score, I have a little over 7 weeks - approximately 50 days for my proposed exam (August 29). The only way i can get a great score is to have PASSION in my efforts. I need to drink, eat, breathe and live the subjects. I AM GOING TO DO IT, OR WILL TRY MY EFFORT BEST TO DO IT. The clock is ticking. Thank you all you friends - Lets get it.
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| veteran
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 81
| | 07/09/08 - 11:29 AM
2 of 2 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #191 |
Hi Simon, I am glad that you are back on track with your preparation again without much ado about the NBME score. 54% in kaplan in what you think is your confidence building subject is simply not enough. You have to change your strategy. Each subject needs a slightly different strategy. First, I want to ask you- how did you feel before you took the block? I would like for you to have an "estimate" of how much you are going to score before you even attempt a block of questions. After you do the block see how much you score. Keep track of both scores side by side. Go for 100%, only then you will gain the momentum you need to get over where you are now. Also, immediately after you finish your block, go back and revise the same topic again before you do anything else and attempt your wrong questions again to see how much you can improve your score that way.
If you get even one question wrong, ask yourself why you got it wrong. Silly mistake?
Tough concept? Not in Kaplan? Google it! Look it up in the big books in the library. Like Commit said, make a picture, a table, write it on your palm with a pen- anything to help you remember it atleast till you complete Step one and ideally till you complete step 3. Passion will certainly keep you going. Love, live and woo the USMLE. Celebrate your wins and let your losses fire you up to try harder. Treat the score like a very popular woman who happens to be the love of your life, but whose attention you are trying to get along with 5000 others. Compete. Never tire. Try anything you find in the forum and few things you can think of yourself. Master and own the topics and you will earn your success.
You have a lot of well wishers here in the forum. We know you can!
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| target
Forum Guru
Topics: 5
Posts: 842
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Veteran, words of wisdom and inspiration! Totally.........!!!! Wish you could drop by my journal too at target's target if you have time. Simon you have a wonderful coach here and lots of prayers and wishes.
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In Him I trust !
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| simon73
Forum Elite
Topics: 4
Posts: 484
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Thank you Target.
Hi veteran,
I reviewed behavioral science and did the incorrect ones, scored 74%. Bioethics was very good, i need to review it again and again to get all the concepts right. Mistakes were in that area and remembering the signs and syms of substance abuse. i need to memorize those signs and syms, i guess. Finished with that.
Did a block in Embryology just now, scored 60%. I will need to review the areas i went wrong and redo the incorrect ones again.
Thank you for all you suggestions and encouragement veteran.
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| veteran
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 81
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Simon, I am glad to know about your progress. Please do not thank me- it is kind of embarassing 
Simon, make a list of topics that has to be comitted to short term memory that you will review intensely in the days before exam. For want of a catchy word, shall we call it the "exam list". In this list, write down every subject and under every subject, note down the kaplan text book page number that you want to review just before exam. For example, in behavoiral sciences, I wanted to review the developmental milestones, in immunology, the autoimmune and hypersensitivity tables- substance abuse column is a biggie. I had atleast 20 such topics. I tried to photocopy and make a file of these pages, but realized I remembered better when I saw it in context on my most familiar text. It is best to review these topics every day for atleast 5 days before the exam. You will find that it will take only about 15 to 20 minutes in the end, but it will help to do it. Dont just glance at the same page the same way every day. Try to mix it up. Do last page to first page. Do last line to first line. Do middle to either side. Hide part of the page with a book mark and fill in from memory. Finally, check your memory by trying to recollect the contents of the page before you even open the book and see how much you can picture in your brain. This has been the best exercise for me. When I can really remember most of the contents just by closing my eyes and thinking about it, I know I have mastered the subject and now own it! I know I can teach it to a group of strangers standing on a podium with no notes. It gives a tremendous sense of achievement. Get there, Simon! Also you must treat each page in FA like your exam list. Know everything cold. This has been repeated several time in the forum, but just reinforcing it as I dont think it can be said enough times to someone preparing for USMLE.
I used some big books in the library to increase my understanding of anatomy, physiology and some atlases for pathology. But I also had way more time than you. Eventually I only revised Kaplan, but all the time I invested helped me understand and remember just a little more.
Hope you have a date for NBME 2, potentially for the real exam and a study plan. Let me know.
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| study499
Forum Guru
Topics: 5
Posts: 576
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Hi simon,
good progress...wish you a nice and productive weekend.
Veteran, you are the best usmle coach I've ever known
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With God, all things are possible.
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| target
Forum Guru
Topics: 5
Posts: 842
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Simon, how are the questions coming along? Keep working relentlessly.
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In Him I trust !
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| simran2008
Forum Junior
Topics: 1
Posts: 66
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hi simon good to see ur hard work keep it up u will definetly clear me and many others are in the same bat dear so keep it up we will surely crack the board GL
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| simon73
Forum Elite
Topics: 4
Posts: 484
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Thank you study499, target and simran2008. I found the bioethics link:
http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/index.... very very useful. I found the explanations for practically all the bioethics questions in Kaplan here at this link.
I think i am making some progress, i scored 84% on the wrong questions when i reviewed embryo and redid it. The material is out there, it is just finding it and owning it is the most important thing. DEPTH of knowledge will definitely be the key to success in this exam.
I have laid a plan for the next 5 weeks, after which i will take an NBME, likely on July 17th. Hoping to finish Kaplan Q's and reviews by then.
Happy reading everyone. Time to get back to MicroB.
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| target
Forum Guru
Topics: 5
Posts: 842
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Thanks Simon for the bioethics link. Good going on the questions. Keep it up. Aug 17th is what you meant for NBME I think. Give it your best. I plan to do micro too - someday......what is your plan on micro - it would be fun to have someone to study along. Let me know if you are in. This is my first read though 
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| simon73
Forum Elite
Topics: 4
Posts: 484
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Thank you target. Yes, i meant August 17th for my next NBME. I was busy taking caring of some personal stuff amidst trying to find time to study hence couldnt post here.
I am presently studying micro and doing Kaplan questions. I plan to finish it by tomorrow or day after max. I planned to do 100 questions yesterday but ended up just doing 50 and scored only 54%, mostly careless mistakes, as i narrowed down to two choices and choose the wrong one - I guess this is where the depth of knowledge helps, and mistakes in microbial genetics which i will need to work on. Did a quick review of micro again and did a block this am, and scored 60%. Still need to read the explanations and find out where i went wrong. One thing i learned in the process is that, the answers are out there it is just a matter of owning the subject that decides the score - not a new concept but trying to say it to myself enough to get it.
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