vradojc1
Forum Elite
Topics: 21
Posts: 309
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Very ambiguous questions. I have part II tomorrow (04/03).
I just cannot wait to be done with it.
More tomorrow.
Haven't posted in a while, it's nice to be back.
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| yendor
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 48
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good luck! do tell us more about your experience and preparation...
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| yendor
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 48
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so what happened to part 2?
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| vradojc1
Forum Elite
Topics: 21
Posts: 309
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So I did part two as well  and it was not a bit easier. I ran out of time on one case (trying to figure out how far in advance to go with the therapy), but it did not impact my performance (which I thought would be miserable when compared to Step 1 and 2).
Anyways, I got 243/99.
I actually took the exam only not to loose my money, as I have extended the eligibility once already. I planned to go for 2008 Match and being an J-1 holder (with waiver) needed it to be considered for H-1B. However, after attending a meeting, I decided to stay in the lab for one more year to complete a very interesting project that was going on. Moreover, I'll be a GC holder for 2009 match and will be doing a couple's match with my wife (MD/PhD graduate from a top tier US Med school)
My prep:
I studied actively only 10 days prior to the exam. I did some studying before the last ten days prior to the exam (very few qs from qBanks), but I do not consider that even worth mentioning.
I did Kaplan notes (just superficial browsing) and some OAHCM (Oxford American Handbook of Clinical Medicine) and Washington Manual of Medical therapeutics. Did not have subscription to any of the prep resources, although I should have gotten UW CCS.
Exam was tough (worse experience than any thus far) and I even thought I might have flunked. Luckily it did not happen.
Unlike Step 2 where you're asked the MCC/Best next step, it seems to me that at Step 3 it is assumed that not only you diagnosed patient correctly, but also started appropriate treatment, and the questions usually relate to a step that is further down the road in clinical decision making/process. And that is really tough to do if the question itself is ambivalent, or the accompanying photo/media clip that should enable you to make diagnosis is of such a poor quality (which is especially the case with photos of dermatological conditions, and there was a lot of the latter).
As for the CCS, I did the CD several times, and I would recommend to anyone to get really familiar with the software - I'd just like to have the last 5 minute timer a bit more visible (I forgot about it and ran out of time not writing down the diagnosis on one of the cases).
Cases were not too tough, but I was so unsure of myself - probably most of people share similar experience: "Am I under/overtreating the patient?".
I cannot give an advice about it - if I got this score with my performance (subjective), I think anyone could pass.
In the end, I'd say that this exam is probably so much easier after the intern year.
Good luck to all of you test-takers!
Edited by vradojc1 on 04/30/08 - 01:06 PM
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| Drtweetie
Forum Elite
Topics: 17
Posts: 301
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Many congrats on a superb score! and thank you for sharing your experience with us.
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"Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall." --Confucius
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| drshvetasm
Forum Elite
Topics: 19
Posts: 232
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congrats!! thanks for sharing your experience..
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| ram3
Forum Guru
Topics: 47
Posts: 510
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a 99 whith only ten day serious preparation you are truly a genius congratulations wish you the best
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| neuroblastoma
Forum Guru
Topics: 97
Posts: 966
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HE SAID ACTIVELY 10 DAYS PRIORTO EXAM...BUT PASSIVELY HE WAS STUDYING SINCE HIS ABSENCE FROM FORUM...
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yahoo mesenger and skype ID asdvsd2003
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| pinkyal
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 18
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congratulations but give us a break abt that 10 day 1hr a day study for step3, to get a99. why did you extend your interval if all you ever wanted from the beginning was to get it over with?!
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