M R
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 13
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Hey,
I have been visiting this forum regularly and have been a passive participant. This forum has been extremely helpful to me, especially the exam experiences posted by many people. Am extremely thankful to all of them like meg, robokosh, etc... who have been helping us glide our way thru' Step 1.
My exam is over!!!!  Am glad it is. However, studying for Step 1 has been interesting in its own way.
I took my exam about 15 days back. Although, I might have forgotten a few details, I shall try my best to recollect as much as possible so that my exam experience may prove helpful to those preparing for Step 1 as of now. I shall be more than happy if it does.
I went to the center at eight in the morning and was allowed to start the exam asap.
Let me go subjectwise now,
Pathology: Quite a lot of questions were from Pathology. Had got a histo slide of pancreas and was asked what disease is caused by one group of cells which was pointed.The group of cells was islets and one of the choices was DM. I personally felt that reading Goljan Pathology was very helpful for most of the questions.
Anatomy: I had a CT and was asked to name Pancreas. 2 questions on Pituitary (Brain CTs) Otherwise, most of the other ones were ok. A subject not tested in great detail.
Behavioural Sciences: I had a lot of questions on doctor-patient relationships, the ones like "What would be most appropriate for the physician to say?" About 15 questions in the whole exam. I found them confusing. There were quite a few difficult questions in Statistics. The questions on defence mechanisms and Diagnostic and Statistical manual were not very tough. I didnt have a single question on Child Development.
Pharmacology: Most of the questions in Pharmacology were based on graphs or poisons as far as I can remember. There was a graph on Atropine. Questions on Benzodiazepines, Acetaminophen, one each. Pharmacology overall was o.k.
Microbiology: Most of the questions were Math type. Either know them or not. But some of the questions were confusing. I had a question on Myco. tuberculosis and there were some weird choices like shigella and yersinia. I just hope it is one of those experiment questions!!!
Physiology: One question was on Length-Tension curve. I dont remember most of the q's in Physiology coz they were kinda "doable"
Biochemistry: Most of the questions were concentrated in molecular biology and genetics. Some of the questions were based on very fine details of molecular biology.
As far as the breaks were concerned, I took a 5 minute break after 2 blocks, a 25 min break after the 4th block and then two 15 minute breaks after the 5th and the 6th block each. It was such a relief when I came to the 7th block, and lo and behold, it was all over before I realised.
I havent been able to recollect all the minute details bcoz of the time lapse but I have done my best.
The books I studied were:
Kaplan notes-All subjects
Goljan Pathology
High Yield Embryology
Did questions from
!. Q Bank.
2. Q. Book.
3. Kaplan Simulated
4. USMLE CBT Practice test questions from ECFMG 
5. Compass.
Before I take your leave, I felt that a few other things were as important as studying for the exam:
Sitting in front of a computer and taking a whole simulated test(atleast one to two times) before facing the real exam.
Not trying to cram things just before going to the exam. Believe me, most of the questions you are going to face in the exam require some thinking to be done as opposed to direct from the memory kind of questions. So, it is futile to try to squeeze in information on the day before the exam or on the day of the exam. On the other hand, this may leave a few people anxious.
Not being intimidated by the exam and keeping calm.
And last but not the least, do take food stuff which can give u lots of glucose for that will keep you going.(Ofcourse, glucose is the main source of energy for the brain!!!!)
Ok then, shall take your leave now. Am as of now waiting for the results....and keeping my fingers crossed!!! If any of you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Wishing you all the very best,
MR
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M R
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| anne
Forum Elite
Topics: 41
Posts: 348
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hi MR,
congrats on ending up with the exam.wish u all the best for ur result.
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| fetus
Forum Senior
Topics: 13
Posts: 128
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Hi ,
I'm currently reading Kaplan's step-1 lecture notes and i 'm wondering if to buy BSS.If it's worth,how many parts these series include?Some people say-3,some say-5 .Which year is the last edition?Is it 97'? ..strange ..
Anyway,if you know someone is interested to sell,or you recommend other MCQs series,please inform me.
thanks,
Leon
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| Malaysian
Forum Guru
Topics: 28
Posts: 778
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3 main review books and 2 minor ones.....so I guess those who are saying 3 and 5 are both correct in their own ways.
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| fetus
Forum Senior
Topics: 13
Posts: 128
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so, would you recommend to buy them? if yes,do u know someone who's interested to sell? may be even BSS-CD..
thanks
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| M R
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 13
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Hey friends,
First of all, thanks a lot Anne for your wishes. Wish you the very best too.
Leon, as has already been told there are 5 books in the BSS Series. Although, I didnt read them, I have heard that they are really good. The BSS CD-ROM is supposed to be good too.
As far as reading them is concerned, I think it all depends on how long one is planning to prepare for the exam. I think Kaplan material is good too.
I am sorry, I don't know anyone selling BRS at the moment but remembering seeing a couple of posts on e-bay. If that could be of any help to you, I would be glad.
Let me take this oppurtunity to congratulate you on having secured an AWESOME score in Step 2.
Bye and all the very best,
M R
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M R
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| cococat
Forum Junior
Topics: 4
Posts: 46
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What goljan pathology did you read? Can you give details? Thanks a lot. Wish you a great score!!
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| mingle
Forum Senior
Topics: 27
Posts: 109
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Wow great to know you have got through was wondering what is the kaplan notes? i have heard so much about it. how much does it cost?
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| fetus
Forum Senior
Topics: 13
Posts: 128
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thanks for your comments.
You finished this hard job(step-1 prep'),congratulations!
According your description in experience sharing,it seems you were "under control" during the exam,so i feel you'll be satisfied from the score.
wish you best of luck in your exam score!
Leon.
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| M R
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 13
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hi,
You wanted to know what Kaplan notes is. Kaplan is basically an agency which conducts classes for Usmle and many other exams and this is their notes. If you would like to buy it you can go on some book websites and look for it. I am positive it is available but am not sure how much it costs.
M R.
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M R
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| M R
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 13
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I am really sorry for the delay in replying to you. I did Pathology notes by Goljan which has 2 parts. The first part consists of General pathology, Cardiovascular and Respiratory systems and the second part consists of the rest of the topics.
All the best to you,
M R.
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M R
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| M R
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 13
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Hi friends,
Got my results finally. I have got 98/242. I cant believe it!!!!! Phew!! Its such a big relief. Many thanks to God and you all.
Wishing you all the very best,
Would be glad if I could be of any help to you guys,
M R
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M R
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| varripra
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 1
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hi everyone i got 81 in step 1 .is there any chance for me to get into residency anywhere in us i am vey much deppressed pls help me.
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| nuprin
Forum Elite
Topics: 16
Posts: 338
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congrats, MR! i just read your score. you should post under a new topic! all your hard work surely paid off.
best of luck for your future!
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