MAIA
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 16
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Hello everybody.
First of all want to say that I am glad to find this forum and realize how many people live and breath the same as I was for the last 2 years. I wish I found it earlier- it's amaizing how much support and useful information you can get from here. 
I am an IMG from Europe. 2 weeks ago I had my usmle 1 exam for the 1st time, imressions of which would like to share with you.
I was probably the longest and the most disturbing 8 hours of my life. :shock:
A week before the test I visited the test center which I think is a very good idea- you can see how long it takes you to get there, you are more familiar with center and stuff which gives you a liitle more sense of control, and that you will sure need at your test day. Most of them will let you start your test earlier if you get there too early, which is nice- you don't have to sit and worry waiting for the time.
A good night sleep is very important the night before, but I would not suggest you to take any sleeping aid especially if you have never done it before- you never know how you will react to it and you do not want to be sleepy the next day.
It was very hard for me not to cramm any material the night before, and though I promissed myself that I won't , i did. I should have just relaxed all day before.
OK, to the important part- Questions. Sorry to say that, guys, don't remember any AT ALL!!!! I wish I was more attentive to that to help you with that. But i remeber most of the topics they tested on.
ANATOMY: remeber brachial plexus question - not only one! ; hand sensory innervation Q,
NEUROANATOMY: had a very strange photograph of brain stem with cranial nerves, and the Q was to identify the specific nerve responsible for...... bla-bla -bla..... and when I looked at the photo there was one nerve missing that was supposed to come out of pontomedullary junction, which was very frustrating. :x May be I am blind or something? :?:
A lot of MRI photos- to identify strustures that resonsible for certain functions.
PHYSIO: remeber HB dissiciation curve tested with different ph values, acidosis/alkalosis Qs, high altitudes changes.
BEHAV.: pt-physician relationship, schizofrenia/schizoaffective disorder differentiation, sleep apnea, and almost no statistics
MICRO: a lot of virus Qs, cocci differentiation,
BIOCHEM: some Qs about aminoacid metabolism diseases, Icell d-se and tay-sacs
PHARM: a lot of endocrine pharm. and autonomic ns Qs- remeber epinephrine reversal effect!!!!
PATHO:some vascular path and cardio path, brain path.
That's about all I remember for now. It was quite an experience for me.
Anyone who is getting ready for the exam- I feel for you, guys, don't give up, give it your best and hope for the passing score afterwards. as they say - what does not kill us, just makes us stronger !!!
Good luck to everybody. 
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| rida
Forum Guru
Topics: 109
Posts: 721
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Thanx for the post MAIA, wish you all the best with your score!!!!!
___________________
"If He takes you to it, He'll take you through it."
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| naisarg
Forum Newbie
Topics: 6
Posts: 26
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hi,
I have my exams on 10th may and this is my 2nd attmept and this time i have not told any of my family member (except my husband) that i m appearing and few problems keeps on coming on my way and ican't read calmly for this last few days..i don't want to fail again...and there' sno way i can postpone my exams as i have many socials coming on my way froom may end ...so what shoud i do? what is best advise to read and study in this last 10days....pls.reply me as soon as u can...i m in desperate need of help and some confidence..
:oops:
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| MAIA
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 16
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Dear naisarg,
first of all- take it easy, worrying and getting nervous about the exam will not help.
Second, be honest with yourself and ask what material you are the least comfortable with, what you think you don't know? that would be my priority for the next couple days- it will make you feel better at the exam.
If for some reason you just don't get that material, don't waist your time, and admit it toyourself" ok, I don't know it,". there is always something you just cannot get. I never got some markers (DR,HLA) for systemic diseases and when I got a Q at the exam about it, I calmly picked my favorite letter and moved on, it made me feel in control that I know exactly what I don't know.
Last couple days I would do a lot of Qs and read all the explanations. If you fell that you forgot the concept, go back to the book and review it again. The qs will help you to reveal your weak points and you can strenthen them with repetition on materal.
Let me know how your studying goes.
I wish you best luck on your exam,
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| peekay
Forum Guru
Topics: 102
Posts: 588
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I WOULD SAY I F U CAN CONCENTRATE ON DOING QS , DO THAT. IN FREE TIME IF THERE IS ANYH RADIOLOGY ATLAS OR CLINICAL MED ATLAS LOOK AT THE PICS. AND ABOVE ALL RELAX AND STAY FOCUSED. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN YOU CANNOT CHANGE THAT. MY BEST WISHES FOR YOU AND GOOD LUCK
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| matty
Forum Newbie
Topics: 12
Posts: 24
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i would say just read first -aid.
all the best.
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| naisarg
Forum Newbie
Topics: 6
Posts: 26
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I m trying to revise kaplan books...feeling worried as i have not revised them...no doubt i haev read them fully after i flunked once and then have read FA twice ..and now doign Q-bank and my aveeraage score is 74% ...still 500 Q left out and my online Q-banks is expiring on 6th may and my exam is on 10th may..what else should i do? i have some unexpected problems coming over..so was little worried..now trying to keep myself relax as much as ican...WHAT SHOULD BE MY LAST WEEK ADVISE FROM U ALL? :roll:
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| vas
Forum Junior
Topics: 10
Posts: 49
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Hi,
Go to the library to study,I have had distractions at home ,you know kids,TV,visitors etc,but by going to the library you are leaving all that behind and therefore u can concentrate better.Belive me it helps.The last week just do FA and Crush The Boards.Good luck!
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| dxtxpx
Forum Guru
Topics: 259
Posts: 1,233
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they have crush the boards for step1??
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| vas
Forum Junior
Topics: 10
Posts: 49
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oops! :oops: ,
Its Crashing the Boards,sorry!
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| dxtxpx
Forum Guru
Topics: 259
Posts: 1,233
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So is this book any good? plz elaborate if u have personally use it. thanks
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| vas
Forum Junior
Topics: 10
Posts: 49
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Its good for quick review in the last 2 weeks,it has some mistakes but u will notice it easily and its rated B+ in FA.Overall its not the best of books for last minute but its easy reading.Hope this helps.
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| dxtxpx
Forum Guru
Topics: 259
Posts: 1,233
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yeah thanks for your input. i will just stick with FA for quick review. too many books make me anxious and i learn less 8-[
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| vas
Forum Junior
Topics: 10
Posts: 49
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Yep!do what u r comfortable with,FA is really great,I wouldnt do without it either.
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