nyimalay
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 280
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Dear all,
Thank you for your support during my preparation.
Here is a summary of my experience.
I used Kaplan lecture notes for main reference and Secret for a quick look.
After one read of lecture notes, I did Qbook just to check how much i retained from notes.
I got 70-85%.
Then along with my second read, I did kaplan old qbank questions (about 800 of them).
Then I did a quick review of Secret.
Along with third read, I did UW in timed, unused mode for one month.
I got around 70% in first half of UW and around 75% in second half.
My cumulative score was 76.
I did all 3 NBMEs that i collected piece by piece (please don't ask me for them). I m not sure how much i did correct. May be around 80%.
Finally I did usmleCD. (43,37,44)
Exam Day:
Need patience, concentration, confidence.
The most important day.
Test of endurance. So I just hanged on, concentrated, guessed best, never looked back and moved on and on.
I found my exam is similar to the style of CD though it is more difficult.
It tested on different angle and from different point of views for a common disease.
Sometimes on simple concepts that we overlook while studying for more complicated first step in management or first diagnostic test etc.
I did 4 blocks with a few minute breaks at the desk. Then had lunch and continue 2 blocks. Then take another break for snacks and did the last two. I suggest to save break time for last few blocks.
I got 5-10 minutes left after each block but just enough to recheck uncertain marked questions.
After exam, I couldn't tell how good or bad I did.
Many of my answers were my best guesses.
I think the test mainly check how to manage in primary care setting.
Let me stop here.
I will add more later.
I m sorry for not being a good writer.
I will be glad to answer if you have any questions.
Good luck to you all.
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| Markus2009
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 189
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Congratulations!!! You really rock.
How did you study in the days prior the exam. Thanks.
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| cathypitt
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 16
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Congratulations!
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| GOGETA
I PASS step 1
Topics: 228
Posts: 2,296
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nyimalay wrote:
I found my exam is similar to the style of CD though it is more difficult.
It tested on different angle and from different point of views for a common disease.
Sometimes on simple concepts that we overlook while studying for more complicated first step in management or first diagnostic test etc.
I think the test mainly check how to manage in primary care setting.
I will add more later.
I will be glad to answer if you have any questions.
Good luck to you all.
Did they ask many pathophysiology questions?
what % of the exam they ask you what to do next?
what % of the xam they ask what they ask what is the most likely Dx?
If you compare QBOOK with the test what would you tell me?
Where all the question VERY LONG?
thanks
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As a general rule, the better it felt when you said it, the more trouble it's going to get you into.
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| nyimalay
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 280
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Thanks markus and cathy,
To markus,
I didn't have tight schedule for the last week before exam.
Especially the last 2 days was spared for doing whatever i liked to do.
I finished revisions that i wanted to make before the last week.
I got 20 days after UW and used that time for revising my notes and repeat questions here and there to stay in exam mode.
I did NBMEs and usmle sample test in last 2 week.
I found doing those made me feel more oriented for exam.
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| sfk
Forum Elite
Topics: 43
Posts: 291
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
I was sure u'll do well. Lots of questions will be coming your way.
Good Luck 
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Forum Elite, But Step 2 Newbie....
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| praying4a99
MS-III
Topics: 100
Posts: 2,435
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Congratulations
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2008 Study Plan Discussion ..... My Personal Blog
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| nyimalay
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 280
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To gogeta,
In my exam,
Questions are variety variety.
I couldn't remember by percentage.
But don't worry about pathophysio, we all can answer it.
Diagnosis > next step questions.
Short questions > long questions. 70:30 (If you have half-half , time won't be enough)
Exam is totally different from Q book style.
NBME 1, 2 and usmle practice test are perfect for orientation.
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| kleovoulos
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 65
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nyimalay congratulations!
it's a GREAT score!
best of luck for the rest!
do u think lecture notes were enough? would u now consider any section of LN weak?
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| Ujk
Forum Elite
Topics: 36
Posts: 398
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Congratulations!!
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“When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.”
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| nyimalay
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 280
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Thanks all. To kleovoulos, I still feel lecture notes are insufficient here and there. But I solely relied on them for my prep and it worked, combined with knowledge from Qbanks. I m sorry I couldn't tell you where exactly they are weak.
Edited by nyimalay on 04/16/08 - 05:05 PM
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| yogesh
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 55
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Congrats nyimalay,
You've done it again. Wish a very good luck in all your future endeavours.
(I have a Q and have sent a PM regarding it. Please respond to that.)
nyimalay wrote:
Along with third read, I did UW in timed, unused mode for one month.
I got around 70% in first half of UW and around 75% in second half.
My cumulative score was 76.
Is that possible? Any typo there?
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When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help him realize his dreams. - Paulo Coelho.
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| yogesh
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 55
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Can I add some inputs nyimalay??
To GOGETA,
nyimalay wrote:
To gogeta,
In my exam,
Questions are variety variety.
I couldn't remember by percentage.
But don't worry about pathophysio, we all can answer it.
Diagnosis > next step questions.
Short questions > long questions. 70:30 (If you have half-half , time won't be enough)
Exam is totally different from Q book style.
NBME 1, 2 and usmle practice test are perfect for orientation.
I took CK last week. COmpletely agree with nyimalay. Diagnosis>>Next step. I was happily surprised. BUTTT on difficulty scale... Diag>Next step. I was unhappily surprised.
Regarding length of the Qs.. I had Long>short. but on difficulty scale short>long.
Exam totally diff from Q book. Can compare it with NBMEs and practice test.
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When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help him realize his dreams. - Paulo Coelho.
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| vanilla
Forum Junior
Topics: 5
Posts: 83
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congratulations!!!
can you tell me about UW.....do u think its close to exam as far as q style , difficulty and length is concerned?
also did to took notes while u were doing UW or u used the notes posted on forum?
Thank you.
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| veroni14
Forum Senior
Topics: 5
Posts: 133
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Great job Nyimalai
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| Mydream
Forum Elite
Topics: 10
Posts: 327
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Congratulations !!!!
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| MRMAVERICK
Forum Guru
Topics: 40
Posts: 713
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Great Score congrats
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| usmletopper2
Forum Junior
Topics: 9
Posts: 49
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hi congratulations on getting a great score.i wish to get score like u.
i'm doing UW .what is the best way to do it?do it subject wise or mixed.?
and what should be the avg score in UW if need to get above 239 in the exam?
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| inkspot
Forum Guru
Topics: 23
Posts: 542
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Congratulations !
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Aagae Aagae Dekho hota hai kiya !!!
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| kleovoulos
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 65
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nyimalay, thank u for ur reply.
congratulations once again!
my best wishes!
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| nyimalay
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 280
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Thanks all for your comments.
To yogesh,
I thought I was totally wrong for about 4-5 answers and another 4-5 were just like the turn of a coin and most of the rest were educated guess.
But with our foundation of knowledge, we have a very safe margin to ace the exam.
I didn't believe it before i got the result.
Since after the exam, i supressed all the bad feelings and kept myself busy with other stuffs not because i m so confident but just applying a defense.
We tend to blame ourselves for wrong things we did instead of appreciating the right things we do.
In an exam with 10-20% of uncounted items, about 75%correct performance is definitely great.
After step 1 exam which tested mostly on facts, we can see the back or white.
Step 2 tested on our judgement so we will feel a little bit doubtful.
I believe you will get a very nice score.
Sorry to answer here as I can't use PM function more for today.
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| nyimalay
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 280
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Regarding UW,
It is still the best possible preparation kits.
But the exam is not exactly in the style of UW.
It is a mixed from of nbme , usmle sample test and uw (uw style even less).
Not many questions are long but shorter ones are more dangerous because of limited information.
Why recommend timed mode?
Because time is a big factor on exam day.
Quick reading skill, and quick guess is the key.
But for earlier days of study, untimed tutor mode would be better.
How many questions per day?
One or two blocks depending on stage of study.
When study has been sufficient, 2 blocks went by easily as only a few points in the explination have to be recalled.
After a block, I read the explaination,I noted down some concepts as needed.
After 5-6 bocks, I reviewed wrong items once again. Not creating a test on it just looking back.
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| nyimalay
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 280
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Regarding Kaplan Lecture notes reading,
First read is collecting facts and concepts that will cover the exam.( Kaplan did that for us)
Second read is crucial: Emphasis is on how to differentiate diseases, in term of features and with use of diagnostic test.
Third read is more precious as we have clear idea on where to stress on. ( according to our weekness and mostly tested topics)
I used approximately one and a half month for first read. 25 days for second read and 20 days for the third run. I underlined what i would want to review during every reading.
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| grechita12
Forum Senior
Topics: 4
Posts: 145
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good work!!!!! congrats!
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| simi
Forum Elite
Topics: 53
Posts: 359
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congratulations!! great score...did u read FA or CRUSH?Any advice plz?
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