manolok
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Passed Step 2 Ck after taking it Feb 14th at my lucky center in DC. ECFMG certified 2 weeks later, scrambled and as expected came up empty handed with a few leads. I feel that the scramble candle light is slowly dwindling so decided to start my prep for Step 3 in the event something comes up I will at least have this score under my belt.
I started today by enrolling in UW. really confused as to how this whole exam prep works because was used to studying from a source. So I decided to just plunge right in and start questions and learn from that.
Did a block of 20, tutor mode and ended up with 50%. seems like step 2 over again. Read the first CCS case but don't really know what to do with this. Im thinking these cases are like the CS in which we will be asked questions based on these cases through the CCS software.
Got my notebook out and started jotting down notes on stuff i got wrong.
Not really concentrating because I'm wondering if this is really the way to go by taking this exam. I guess it wouldn't hurt me and could only help.
Till my next entry, good luck to all.
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| JACKDANIELS
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Hi manolok,
I am also starting step 3 and as confused as ever about where/what to study. I thought studying one topic like GIT per day should be achieveable but somehow i get distracted. Currently I am listening to lectures, trying to follow step 3 notes along with it and then compare all this with Firstaid and step 2 notes and wash manual. At the end of the day i did 20 UW GIT questions scored 61 but i knew all that from step 2 so i dont know really whats the most efficient way to tackle step 3 as i'm pressed for time. I have 1.5 to 2 mon max.
Keep posting your prep.
Goodluck.
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| doc1981
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I'm joining you guys! Gotta start and really don't know where to begin. Haven't subscribed to usmleworld yet. Thought I'd start off with a quick read of kaplan CK notes first. Is that what you guys are doing as well? Good luck!
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| manolok
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Hey Jack and Doc1981 and Welcome. didn't really do much today but the day isn't over. now you got me intrigued jack. are these Kaplan notes and dvd's your taking about? hmmm I think it's time to scope ebay for some books and other materials. I've got the Washington Manual and going to use that as my main ref. where are you guys at with your careers? residency? matched? I'm taking step3 to enhance my cv so really want to do well on this one. Good score on your first 20q's jack! Its easter weekend so don't expect to accomplish much. Just want to at least jot something down everyday to remind me that my prep has to be consistent.
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| Justice
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I join you guys, if you let me in... I start UW from Monday...
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| manolok
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more the merrier justice. just hop on board and put what you've done for the day. This is the first time I've really taken a journal seriously and I think it's an excellent idea. Keeps you on your toes knowing that people are going for the same thing and you feel bad if you don't accomplish anything that day and everyone else has.
After posting yesterday, I did another 20 and ended up with a 50% again, going to review my mistakes now and maybe do some more questions. Happy Easter to all, and happy festival of colors for all the desis!
Hey guys if you are going to join, be active and not just log on to the journal to see what I've done. We should all bounce each other's progress and feedback.
Should I bite the bullet and buy the Kaplan Books for step 3?
I'm wondering if 2 rounds of UW and maybe time permitting, USMLE 123 would be enough with some serious notetalking.
I need to get a decent grade on this!
let me know
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| JACKDANIELS
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Hello manolok, justice and dr1981, Happy to see so many members joining.
Sharing reduces the pain, lets put it to test.
I listened to step 3 hem lectures, read FA step 3 hem section and browsed thru step 2 hem notes. Took 10 hem q's UW which unfortunately has hemonc combined and i got only 3 right in 10.....Needless to say i was dejected....Today i will read it all again.
Mano I dont think buying step 3 notes is essential, even lectures are good only if you have time.(you can buy it on ebay)
Goodluck all.
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| manolok
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Hey Jack, just keep on trucking. I'm sure if you do a mix bag of questions you will be alright. I was all poor in HemeOnc but ended up being my highest in the long run.
I think I'm going to use step-up to medicine. Someone said this is ok too for the med portion of step 3.
What do you think abou that? I sold my step 2-CK notes.
printed out 2 CCS cases from UW and reviewed them. Made notes from the 20 questions I did.
What audio lectures specifically should I be looking for on ebay? Kaplan, Premier? let me know jack thanks.
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| doc1981
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Hey guys - good to see so many people studying for this exam. I'm still trying to get over the shock of not matching. I guess everything happens for a reason. Trying to get back into study mode.
Will be doing Int Med today - whatever is left of today lol. I'm reading CK notes. Don't have audio/video lecs. Will CK notes + first aid + questions be enough?
Manolok - I'm sure usmleworld must be good. I used it for CK and liked it. Made notes for the wrong questions. Are you doing the same thing for step three? My plan is to go over CK notes once and then start q's..
Good luck guys!
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| JACKDANIELS
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Honestly guys, i get so depressed if i score poorly in MCQs (its my OCD). Thats why I have decided to start really studying the notes step 2 + fa with additions from WM. Only if I am done with all this, I will do UW questions.
Today I have started Cardio lectures. Lets see how much gets completed.
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| doc1981
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I think that's good - I want to jump to questions as well but I know I'll get nine out of ten wrong at this point so I'm waiting to finish reading the books atleast once. You'll get better as time goes by - don't stress.
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| manolok
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Hey guys, didn't do much today. I too am trying to recover from the after math of the scramble. Right now, I'm debating on how i can better my CV by the time I re-submit my application in Sept.
I didn't have ANY interviews because didnt have my ECFMG certificate and had some academic misadventures on the steps ! LOL. with that said, im wondering if getting a decent score on step 3 will garner more interviews in the fall.
I'm thinking about getting FA, i really need to stick to one or two sources this time around. Gonna try to accomplish more tomorrow.
Hey did you guys know they are going to change the passing again this may for this exam?
I heard step3 is tough, but my friend who also had attempts passed step 3 on the first try with a above average score.
He just studied first aid and UW.
till tomorrow.
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| doc1981
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Manolok - I've been wondering how to improve my CV as well. I think getting rid of Step three will help out considerably. Not a lot of people are ECFMG certified on september first (like us last year) so being certified is good. Getting Step three out of the way - especially with a strong score would be even better. I was thinking of May/June for this exam. When do you intend on writing it?
Jack - hope studying is coming along well. Are the Cardio lectures any good?
Justice - welcome to the group. Good luck all.
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| manolok
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Doc1981, U was going to take it around that time too. I want to get step 3 out of the way and also do an externship.observership before applications start in sept I'm hoping to get something off-cycle too. Just cant stand the wait anymore.
Jack: thanks for the tip
Till tomorrow
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| manolok
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Bought first aid today and read a couple of pages. did 25 questions of UW and suprisingly did better than the average, 56% so now my cumulative has gone up to 52%. really shouldnt be bogged down with the score. i'm going to take this one slow and really learn the material.
another day. just trying to keep my head up. till tomorrow
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| njcjzy
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manolock, you are making excellent progress. Maybe I will visit your journal more than mine, since yours inspires me more. This is my official first day to study, but didn't even read a single page of FA due to many distractions. Good thing is I got two emails from two doctors willing to take me as an observer. About step 3, I will try to keep up with you guys here.
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| JACKDANIELS
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I read cardio from FA and a little bit of WashMan...could not complete...Tried reading step 2 notes very sincerely but just could not.
then i attempted 15 cardio UW questions scored 50%.
This is third time in 2 yrs I am trying to to figure out how to interpret arrythmias...I hope i succeed... ...
So far I am not happy with the way I am studying...Seems like my ADHD is back.
Today I have scheduled June 8-9 for step 3..I just hope i am really prepared by that time.
Goodluck everyone.
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| njcjzy
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Don't ever feel frustrated, Jack, you still have over two months at hand. And you are making good progress gradually. Good luck for you to control your ADHD. Hi, I have ADHD too. And many other people have that. But still we can conquer our shortcomings and step up to success.
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| manolok
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lol, i hope you guys really have ADHD and not joking about it. I have ADD and take prescription meds for it. It's not a joke and everyday is a battle. But I've come this far so got to pat myself on the back for it.
Did 25 questions random/tutor and totally flubbed.. 44%/national average is 52% for that exam. Wrote explanations for ones that I missed. It's amazing how step3 tests the same material but in a different angle.
Worked in the doctor's office today and tired from all this inter-office fighting. A whole lot of drama that I don't need in my life.
Sent a couple of emails for observerships only to be told no. I know I'm gonna have to end up paying for an observership.
This sucks. How's the review guys? Mine is going slowly but surely. Will read 2 cases tonight for CCS prep.
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| njcjzy
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sorry, manolok, my ADHD is self-diagnosed. I guess it is a genetic thing, since my lovely daughter has that trait too. But the underlying reason for that is both of us would prefer to do easy things, instead of difficulty things. If I chat with friends, I can chat for a hour or longer, and don't want to stop. But that is not the case if I study. Anyway, have to battle with that really hard.
Yes, observership thing really sucks. Until now, no one said no to me, but they also didn't say yes. Looks a little bit promising in one day, then no real progress in another day. It is really disturbing. Have to be patient.
Slow but steady in studying is good. I will follow your steps.
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| JACKDANIELS
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Hi guys,
I am just flipping pages of step2ck notes, listening to lectures which are so redundant, then reading FA each day. I end my day with 10-20 question from UW of the same subject scoring whatever the avg score they have for those particular set of questions.
Somehow I want things more organized for example when i say I want to do Nephro today, I wnat to do it thoroughly and completely unfortunately thats not happening. I wish there was some more organized way to study for this step or perhaps I just dont have enough time to prepare to perfection.
Manolok, I have worked in a doctors office once and i know what you are talking about. The way they use us and ABUSE us is mind blowing but its all worth it in the end.
Njc, I hope you get the observership you want. Once someone mentioned, If you email around 200 there is a good chance you will get one positive reply.
And where did doc1981 and justice vanished.....Guys comeback and post your daily log.
Today i am starting neurology...will update how it does.
Till then Goodluck all
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| doc1981
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Am here guys! Didn't post because I didn't do much..  Read First Aid - GI and Heme/Onc. Did GI in the ck kaplan notes as well. Then I did 50 questions of internal medicine from Qbook and got 38/50. Is that any good? Anybody else do those questions from Qbook? I'm not sure what the level of difficulty is since I haven't signed up for usmleworld.
Jack - you're doing well. Just stay at it. That's what we've gotta do for these exams. I'm already getting worried thinking about the match! But I guess you've matched right?
Manolok - hang in there. And nice to see you njcjzy.
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| manolok
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hey guys, haven't done anything in 2 days but will read something in FA today. do you guys think that reading step 2 ck notes really help? I read this frightening post of some guy that failed step 3 with a 60% average from UW. thats frightening. So decided to take this review slow and leave no stone unturned.
Gonna hold off scheduling my exam till I am about 70% done with my review.
Good luck all, will post later.
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| JACKDANIELS
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I have already scheduled my exam so I need to pick pace. Studying Full tme from today. Since morning I have read step 2 ck notes + FA for Pulmonology. Now I am starting step 3 lectures + step 3 notes fr the same with hopefully WM in between.
Takecare all and GOODLUCK
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| JACKDANIELS
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Got bored with the lectures....they just keep repeating the same thing over n over so time consuming...i doubt if it will ahve any positive effect on my prep.
Also today I read respiration from WM, hope it helps me in the long run.
Took some 15 qs from UW Respiration...got 8 right..just abt average.
Goodluck everyone.
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