Markus2009
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 189
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Hi guys,
I just took the test a few hours ago and I thought to contribute with my exam experience...
First of all I really went more prepared for this exam than for step 1 in terms of sleeping extremely good the days before and relaxing before the test. I took 2 days off before the test and slept at least 7 hours two nights before he,he
Took NBME form 2 one week before and got 670 which helped me to have some confidence before the test but it also made me lazy, because i didn't want to study anymore...I thought "Ok, I guess i will pass". I just reviewed OBGYN which is always my weak area and whatever topic I wanted but now i have some regrets I wish I had memorized childhood milestones, rinne/Weber test and some other last minutes brush up.
The Test Center was open at 7:30 am so I was the first to be there but oh surprise I forgot to print out the permit that has the CIN number and just took the prometric confirmation number and it wasn't enough. The receptionist sent me to a public internet place to print that form out duhhhhhh. Finally She let me in...
I did two blocks in a roll, they were easy like the USMLE CD(I think i got some questions of the CD...) or NBME form 1 then took a break of 10 minutes to drink some gatorade and eat some snaks.
Two block more and it became more difficult at the point that I had to mark at least 40% of the questions oh well i had extra 6 to 8 minutes to go over the marked questions again and changed some answers. Break time again this time for 15 minutes to eat half of my chicken sandwich and more gatorade.
Fifth block: I was sleepy because I didn't wait enough time after luch. Finished the block barely with 3 minutes left and I had to go for a break again. I am not sure if this block was difficult or I just was sleepy he,he. No memories about this block. Went out and try to move my legs and wake up, had more gatorade and close my eyes and think about a good score...
15 minutes after, went for the sixth and seventh block which were of steady difficulty but nothing out of this world, I couldn't tell which were the experimental questions. I had 2 audio-visual questions that BTW my earphones didn't work well so i didn't waste time and answer them based on the question stem. I expected more difficult questions and it was worrysome because everyone says the harder the questions the better the exam is going but they didn't show up. I think after 5000 questions I practiced, they were familiar to me...
Took the last break and couldn't believe it was getting over. The last block was easy again like the first one I realized that the questions marked were less.
Done, had 10 minutes of unused break time.
Finally I could say that the difficulty level is as NBME form 2 and 1(specially the first and last block) and UW is the best qbank by far. Time will tell me about my final mark but I know for sure that i am not going to fail...
Good luck everyone and plan well before the test, take the NBMEs (it will give you some mental peace)relax and sleep well the days before the big day and the test will be really enjoyable.
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| nica28
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Hi Marcus2009, I am sure you will pass. Hard work always pays off. Tell me what other qbank you used besides UW?
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"Il n'y a pas de si ni de mais il faut reussir" Napoleon Bonaparte
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| hottie99
Forum Elite
Topics: 30
Posts: 428
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MARKUS!!! recovering are we??? it's party time (tho i was just tired after mine, and went home, watched some basketball games, had a few drnks and sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!! )
glad to hear it was ok, ur gonna kill it!! best o luc sir!! glad to see ur alive as well! 
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| Markus2009
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 189
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Thanks nica28.
Kaplan for 1 month. Average score of 78% in a random, timed mode. Made notes just of the wrong answers.
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| Markus2009
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 189
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Hey hottie99, cheers, yeah it is party time. I can not believe it that I am not tired anymore. The night just starts he,he
Thanks you so much for constant support. I am betting on you too for step 1 so you better study hard huh he,he
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 25
Posts: 1,792
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You are so gonna pass!!! 
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Don't charge for what you've received for free!
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| motorola
how.do.u.spell.H1b?
Topics: 63
Posts: 369
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hey marcus can you write more about the content you were tested on?
what was the distribution like ? i have heard they are asking a lot of pediatrics now a days, and that surgery is very little. Also how were the psychiatry questions ? many audio/ videos ? what kind?
All the best for the score. I am sure you will do well 
Edited by motorola on 04/22/08 - 06:41 AM. Reason: name error
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| Markus2009
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 189
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Thanks Arlete, you are always very sweet.
Motorola: Thanks, the distribution was basically internal medicine 60% then it was equally distributed in OBGYN, PEDS, Psyquiatry and Surgery. I think you are right I don't remember too many questions in surgery but a bunch in OGBYN(maybe because I don't like too much this subject, seemed so many questions for me he,he)
The psyquiatry questions were like UW mainly focus on ethics, the questions stem were kind of long but not really hard. By doing kaplan Qbank I learnt to read the last paragraph first then jump to the beginning. It saves a lot of time.
I got just 2 audio/videos, one about mitral regurgitation in a Marfan patient, easy to answer just by reading the question stem, I don't remember the other one...maybe because i didn't play the media he,he
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| grechita12
Forum Senior
Topics: 4
Posts: 145
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i know you're gonna a get a super great score
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| motorola
how.do.u.spell.H1b?
Topics: 63
Posts: 369
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thanks markus. u will get a nice score for sure
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| Janka
Forum Senior
Topics: 23
Posts: 108
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congrats marcus,
thanks for your advice. i'm sure you'll get an excellent score!
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| Feyza
Forum Guru
Topics: 48
Posts: 1,436
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oh Marcus , I know Im not as prepared as you but still , left 2 days to my exam , it was soooooo good to read a happy experience !
so , congrats
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O my Lord! Open my chest for me ( grant me self-confidence ) and ease my task for me.Ta-Ha 25-26.
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| Markus2009
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 189
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Thanks grechita, motorola, janka and feyza.
@Feyza: Try ro relax the days before, there is no sense in cramming in the very last minute so just sleep very good. Don't take a nap the day before and keep your mind bussy in a different activity. Don't forget your permit with your CIN number, some energetic beverage, snaks and a light lunch. Try to rest at least 15 minutes after your lunch so you wont be sleepy afterwards. Good luck and show them that we are doctors...
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| GOGETA
I PASS step 1
Topics: 228
Posts: 2,296
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So you are between 240-260 good score
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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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| srita
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 39
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congrats on finishing the exam, good luckfor your score
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| sfk
Forum Elite
Topics: 43
Posts: 291
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Congrats markus. This experience already looks like a 99. when will ou post your exam prep details?
Pls tell me what sources you used for medicine.
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Forum Elite, But Step 2 Newbie....
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| docdoc9
Forum Senior
Topics: 17
Posts: 105
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Congrats for being done with exam can u pls post ur exam prep details like how many months u studied and also wat resources used?
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| Markus2009
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 189
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@GOGETA: I wish my friend but I will be happy with whatever decent score and most importantly is that I really enjoyed the exam. Nothing can take that from me. They are part of those great days you always remember. It shouldn't be a torture he,he.
@srita: Thanks. Is your avatar your picture?
@sfk: I really don't want to count my chickens before they are hatched...let's wait until the result comes out. Basically I studied from kaplan notes and DVDs, kaplan Qbank, Qbook, UW, partially FA and secrets and NBME form 1 and 2. Good luck to you too!
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| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 25
Posts: 1,792
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markus:
I thought the test was very tiring, but I enjoyed doing it, too. It was fair for me, lots of important concepts (in my opinion) were required from me.
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Don't charge for what you've received for free!
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| truedoc
Forum Senior
Topics: 25
Posts: 80
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Hi markus2009
How long did you take to prepare ? All the best for a fantastic score!
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| yogesh
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 55
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yogesh wrote:Marcus You wont believe it but It seems I had THE SAME experience with my exam few days back.. " I took 2 days off before the test and slept at least 7 hours two nights before he,he"... same pinch "I did two blocks in a roll, they were easy like the USMLE CD(I think i got some questions of the CD...) or NBME form 1 then took a break of 10 minutes to drink some gatorade and eat some snaks." ... Exactly (I drank redbull) "Two block more and it became more difficult at the point that I had to mark at least 40% of the questions oh well i had extra 6 to 8 minutes to go over the marked questions again and changed some answers."... (I marked some 10-12 Qs) "I wish I had memorized childhood milestones, rinne/Weber test and some other last minutes brush up. "... HOW TRUE.. (by the way did you answer otosclerosis??) "Finally I could say that the difficulty level is as NBME form 2 and 1(specially the first and last block) and UW is the best qbank by far. Time will tell me about my final mark but I know for sure that i am not going to fail... ".. (even if passing score is 240 right??) "By doing kaplan Qbank I learnt to read the last paragraph first then jump to the beginning. It saves a lot of time. ".. PERFECT STRATAGY. I had 15-20 minute in each block to review the marked ones I got just 2 audio/videos, one about mitral regurgitation in a Marfan patient, easy to answer just by reading the question stem, I don't remember the other one...maybe because i didn't play the media he,he.. (I had MR in first clip. couldn't figure out the other.Was it TGA? I wrote VSD  ) Good luck with the score friend..
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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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| Markus2009
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 189
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@docdoc9: Probably 4 or 5 months but with many interruptions and jobs in between.
Material used:
-kaplan notes and DVDs
-Some chapters of secrets and FA
-emedicine for things not covered by kaplan and answer questions in forums.
Questions banks:
-Mainly UW and NBMEs.
-Secondly kaplan Qbank and Qbook
Good luck to you too and pray for me to get a good score.
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| mangoshaikh
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 30
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congrats markus... your approach was wicked. I am not scoring as high as you on uw or nbme but i can definitely benefit from your approach. Keep your fingers crossed a 99 is on its way to you
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| Markus2009
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 189
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@arlete: I read you exam experience, you are really inspirational and so helpful. Guess i had the same experience. Nice and smooth he,he.
@truedoc: Thanks you will find your answer in the previous post.
@Yogesh: Huh.. we got the same audio questions.....Let's pray together for a decent score.
Edited by Markus2009 on 04/22/08 - 08:12 PM
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| Markus2009
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 189
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Thank you Mangosh. Try to answer the questions, specially the long ones, reading the last phrase first and find out what the heck is the concep they want to ask because sometimes you got a freaking long question and they give the diagnosis at the end. Let say a bla, bla case of multiple sclerosis then the last phrase says She is diagnosed with MS. What is the treatment to prevent the relapses? I don't understand why they make such a long question to ask such a direct question...
Edited by Markus2009 on 04/22/08 - 08:45 PM
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