yunuz
Forum Junior
Topics: 17
Posts: 66
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I was going to not post my experience because I am not very proud with my score(196/80).
However, I thought I need to do this because first this may help old IMGs who read the post.Second your experiences posted here were and still are of great guidance for me and encourraging me to continue this long journey.
I am very old IMG (>10 years since graduation), away from medical practice for a while and have full time job with a family.I many times wanted to apply for medical registration but was stopped either by time or my money or by family problems.
My real journey started in 2005 when I felt the need to go back to medical profession and made a plan to study.I bought all books advised in FA. but noway! i could not digest all these informations on my own.I gave up few weeks.I realise I have fogotten almost all biomedical material like anatomy, biochem, physio.
An one day a collegue advise me to take kaplan and that what I did.I have listen to all the material, took notes, read the notes, did the Q book, did Q bank online.That was very hard becose everything was new.I was like I started med school again from scratch.I set for the exam on August 2006 and failed with 176/73.
I said to myself this is enough and stoped again.Additionally I have serious problems in my family with my wife being seriousely ill for many months.
I was really disapointed but I felt I have spent too much money and time in this process and felt all this as wast of money and time. So despite all these problems and having in mind that I am old and have may be little chance to get residency, I have digged my books again and re-started my journey.That was October 2007. That time I develpped new strategy with more active reading and I discovered USMLEW.
I did UW as in a tutoring mode and I think this was a mistake.
I resisted against many conflicts and problems. I did not have time to read somtimes and I have to wake up at 4 am to study.
I took too much time from my kids and my wife and felt guelty and I studied only when they are sleep or not arround.
My study material was Kaplan videos and notes ( my references)
Goljan path audio and notes
USMLEW
I took the old version of USMLE, as my exam was on 26 May.
The exam was very touch and went beyound kaplan, USMW,.
The way I could analyse the test is as follow:
They test your ability to apply medical material.
Some Qs are very simple that can be answerd from FA.
Some Qs need to master the material.
To amswere seome Qs you need to understand the concepts at the point where you must be able to TEACH it to someone else.
Some Qs are beyond my understanding
All Qs are 2 or 3 steps reasoning.
I think it was said enough here that the way to prepare for this exam is meerely understanding the material.So for old IMG I suggets to first have a big picture of the material and then go back to it thouroughly and try to apply it.
What helped me a lot wer the vedo presnetation because I have forgotten as I said all my first year medical staff.
The othe thing was that I studyed medicine in French so I need also the terminology and videos helped me in this way.
Also as many students witenesed here USMLEW is the best tool, but you need to finish at least the firts reading at the point where you understand the concepts.
I dont advice for old IMG to start USMLEW straight away.The material and concepts must be digested first and then start USMLEW to make integration.Always take notes of USMLEW corrections.
I think also nothing to add regarding Goljan audio. It helped me big time. I actually read pathology and pathophysio from his notes solelly.
With my old age and my low mark, I dont know to where this is all going to lead me but I will continue step 2 ck and cs and I will take it from there.
Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contct me either here or pm me.
Regards and thank you for all your experences and comments.
This forum is good.
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| oldkidontheblock
Forum Guru
Topics: 57
Posts: 912
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Buddy I am even more senior to you and there are people on this forum and one of whom which I know is even senior to me. He has also passed his steps in high 80s while mine are in low and mid 80s. I know personally two people a guy on this forum recently got matched into University program in Arkansas and another lady matched in Long Island, NY. Both of them had no GC no citizenship. So, its never too late and its for you to decide whether you really want to do it. Things are possible if you in your heart think that you can do it. Better late than never!!!!
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Malcolm Forbes: Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat
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| usmlekiller
Forum Guru
Topics: 11
Posts: 623
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congrats well done!!!!!!!
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FUTURE 99ER
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| sigh
Forum Elite
Topics: 21
Posts: 245
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Congratulations! Special congratulations to you body! Your story is not common and it is inspiring for others. With your passion and life experience you will get a spot in residency for sure. So, do not you worry... just keep going. I know it is tough but what is the most important at the end...THE RESULT...you did it, you passed. Good luck in your next step!
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| floresmd
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 68
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congratulations yunuz, i'm too an old graduate,but i'm always workin in clinical field with patiente since i graduated from medical school. but ever i have in mind to take the tests,now i'm studying. but i'm married too with 1 son,and is hard some times to study,and same as you i have too wake up early 5-6 am to study because i got to work in the afternoon,but i think if we want something,we can do it. so go for it.
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| wyb
Forum Junior
Topics: 8
Posts: 43
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Congra.! Thank you for the inspiring story, it is really really lifting me up again! Your effort has already paid off, and wish you good luck for the next steps.
Happy studying and keep going!
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| sm
Forum Junior
Topics: 11
Posts: 32
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Hi Yunuz,
Thanks for the all the advice and information. From your post, it seems like you took around 7 months to prepare. How many hours did you study each day? What about weekends? What was your schedule for studying everyday? Were you working while you were preparing for the exam? Kindly answer. Thanks.
Regards,
sm
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| yunuz
Forum Junior
Topics: 17
Posts: 66
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Thank you all
Sm, I have full time job, but I read moring between 4 am until 7 am.(about 2 hours because I have to help my wife preparing my my kids for shcool)
And then at work I dont have luch but study during this time(luch time is quite felxible, so I can do 1 H to 2 H) and after work I stay 1 to 2 H in the library.
But I needed to accomodate to the work schedule and kept my study schedule very flexible.It was frustrating that some days I did not have a minute for study and I have to wake up even before 4 am the following morning to catch up and sometimes I dont catch up at all! As I said I seldom study at home when my family is arround but I read when the are not here, or sleeping.But there is always some times to do soemthing.
I read my notes in the bus too or I listen to Glojan when I drive to work.
However I took 2 weeks leave before exam and dedicated this time solely for studying in the libray.
For my second attempt I tried to stick with my scheduele but at failed to do so at many occasions because of work, etc.
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| sm
Forum Junior
Topics: 11
Posts: 32
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Hi Yunuz,
First of all, I apologize for thanking you so late! Thanks again for all the information. My hats off to you for your dedication regarding your wife and children. God blessed and rewarded you appropriately. You have to take into consideration that some people, even me would love to be in your shoes (regarding passing the exam). Do not worry about the scores right now. Important thing is that you passed. It is time to move to the next step. Good luck for all your remaining steps. I am sure you will do very well. May God bless you.
Regards,
sm
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| dr_puma
Forum Senior
Topics: 6
Posts: 205
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hang in there chase ur dreams
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do whatever u want,but do it wholeheartedly...never hold back.
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| simon73
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 318
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Hi Yunuz,
Congratulations to you! Your post is especially inspiring to old IMGs like myself, who is struggling to get there.
Thanks.
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