09-14-2010, 09:45 PM
Bye Bye-USMLE!!!!
Dear forum fellows, I would like to throw few things to those of you who may benefit from my experience. First of all I would like to present my God who listened unto my bitter prayers. I thank my previous senior colleague WM (currently a surgery resident at John Hopkins) -who has been diligently encouraging me when I feel like not trusting my level of knowledge. I wish you read this message. You deserve where you are since you are an all time brutally honest man for everyone who approaches you. I want to thank some forum guys who are so generous in stretching their hands to people in desperate need. Even though some shameful ones spited their nasty ideas and rather aggravated the cause. (I am glad that I scored better than two guys who consider themselves high and have downgraded me.)
My score is 90/214. This was the most terrifying preparation I had. Partly it has no standardized preparation material, partly the fear factor due to wide range of exposure across test takers whom I my performance will be compared. I prepared on and off for 4 months. (I was working full time night shift, doing observershipe 3 days a week with 8-9 hrs/day; and being busy with two active and beautiful daughters). I am telling this because there may be similar scenarios out there-you are not alone, you can do it.
Here are Materials I used and my level of recommendation:
1.MTB: I read it roughly once. I found this book a good one to begin with.
2.Kaplan DVD. I loaded to my MP3 player and always listened on my way to work and home.
3.Kaplan Q bank: I did it once mixed unused and timed mode. My average score was 59%. I revised 65% of it. The questions are too long and help you to go over/revise the whole CK lecture notes again. It also helps you practice time management.
4.UW Q bank. This is the best tool as you all know it. First time I did it timed, all subjects, unused mode and my average score was 63%. Second time I revised in subject mode, still timed, and for a third time I did only those I got wrong when I did second time (about 15-20% of questions).
5.MKSAPP-15. I used this through out my preparation as reference. Any thing I do not understand from what ever I am reading, I first navigate through MKSAP-15 search and do a pointed reading to all related searches. In that way I have gone through some 30-40% of the questions (and I can’t estimate the notes as I did in pieces as needed). The notes are fantastic. The questions are shorter than both UW and Kaplan, but more difficult. Pay attention to slides in MKSAP-15 (I had the exact same pictures in the exam). I have met a lot of points of emphasis in MKSAP-15 in common with UW.
6.eMedicine/medescape, and Uptodate. These were my last lines of defense when I fail to understand (or have no enough information) from the above sources. The eMedicine multimedia is magnificent, but you can’t get it all together unless you search specifically.
7.For the CCS I just used UW and FA.
8.I tried Ck notes and Archer’s notes but found them boring and declined to use.
9.I have a habit of writing note of any ne idea) when I study, and read my notes (from my UW for CK), and my notes from step 3.
10.Study partner, not a good idea. I tried it; no, no, no…not online. I had bad experience. Be by your own unless you can meet physically, or know each other.
11.Self assessments, UWSA 2 weeks prior to initial schedule was 470/210. I was extremely terrified and pushed by one week, NBME 1 week after UWSA was 400. Unlike steeps 1 and 2, NBME for step 3 is a crap. No correlation with the exam (does not look like, nor is it predictive). It rather depressed me and made me malfunctioning for the rest of the days prior to the exam. But, it is good to do it off-line since most topics covered are touched. USMLE CD (both CCS and MCQ- big time!!!) Do it very well when you have3-4 days, one day is enough. I got a couple of questions exactly copied. My final performance report is the mirror image of UWSA-except to areas of my weakness have shifted right.
My exam date was Aug 23rd and 24th; the questions look like UW. 80-90 % have been touched by UW either in the Q or explanations. Some 20 % are head on easy; 20% really tough and too long even to understand; the rest are balanced. I have a bad habit of not guessing, and waste time to figure out those kinds of questions. On the first day, I had about 3/4 questions in each of 4 blocks that I did not reach (has to click on an answer randomly before submitting). On the 2nd day, I had two questions in one block. The CCS went very quick and I had ample time. I had computer problem and had to raise my hand for proctor assistance. He couldn’t help it and session closed before I write my final diagnosis. He said he will report the incident. I did the best I can on my situation and have no regret of my preparation. Rather I am so grateful to my God for generously giving me this score (for my situation). Be advised that how you do on a test is not dependent only on the contents of materials you read, but the circumstances during the exam week, your judgment ability, and stress management among others.
Due to time constraints, I did not enjoy revising my own high yield notes. I was angry when I couldn’t remember things in my note due to failure to re-read. Read your notes. Things you write at the time of slow reading are likely to be important ones. My only double star is CCS, most of the rest are all pass with broad performance bars. I have one failed star (neonatology) which was also indicated in my UWSA and I did not mind reviewing it. My other draw back may be that I did not read the CK notes (except medicine) during my step 2 preparation last year (just did UW QB) which made me feel incomplete (though it is not the case) due to a lot talk going on in here.
My level of recommendation is as follows:
1.UW (My level of recommendation is A++); If one gives enough time and understand its contents well, …. The rest will not be up to lack of materials
2. MTB (My level of recommendation is B-) ; If you want to have a “structured” (with table of contents and chapters) out line of the material to be go through. But is not enough to depend on, some times mistakes..
3.Kaplan DVDs (My level of recommendation is C+) -precise and fun learning, makes a rapid review of very important points, but too brief to depend on Some sections are excellent; It also gives a “lively feeling” of perceiving what is the center of step 3….
4.Kaplan QB (My level of recommendation is C); their questions are too long and good for practicing under time pressure; it goes through the in and out of their book. You can get every thing in it from UW. Even though there are areas that are covered by Kaplan QB and not by UW, I have not met questions in the real exam in those areas.
5.FA CCS part = ha ha do not forget it. A single after noon is enough.
6.MKSAP, eMedicine, uptodate… if you are gona use them for supplementing unclear ideas
If any one my way right and needs suggestion, I am glad to give (I will be visiting this forum for some time)
Now my prayers are to get residency to make my doughters proud of me. (I feel embaraced when they proudly tell that I am a Dr.)
Best of luck
Dear forum fellows, I would like to throw few things to those of you who may benefit from my experience. First of all I would like to present my God who listened unto my bitter prayers. I thank my previous senior colleague WM (currently a surgery resident at John Hopkins) -who has been diligently encouraging me when I feel like not trusting my level of knowledge. I wish you read this message. You deserve where you are since you are an all time brutally honest man for everyone who approaches you. I want to thank some forum guys who are so generous in stretching their hands to people in desperate need. Even though some shameful ones spited their nasty ideas and rather aggravated the cause. (I am glad that I scored better than two guys who consider themselves high and have downgraded me.)
My score is 90/214. This was the most terrifying preparation I had. Partly it has no standardized preparation material, partly the fear factor due to wide range of exposure across test takers whom I my performance will be compared. I prepared on and off for 4 months. (I was working full time night shift, doing observershipe 3 days a week with 8-9 hrs/day; and being busy with two active and beautiful daughters). I am telling this because there may be similar scenarios out there-you are not alone, you can do it.
Here are Materials I used and my level of recommendation:
1.MTB: I read it roughly once. I found this book a good one to begin with.
2.Kaplan DVD. I loaded to my MP3 player and always listened on my way to work and home.
3.Kaplan Q bank: I did it once mixed unused and timed mode. My average score was 59%. I revised 65% of it. The questions are too long and help you to go over/revise the whole CK lecture notes again. It also helps you practice time management.
4.UW Q bank. This is the best tool as you all know it. First time I did it timed, all subjects, unused mode and my average score was 63%. Second time I revised in subject mode, still timed, and for a third time I did only those I got wrong when I did second time (about 15-20% of questions).
5.MKSAPP-15. I used this through out my preparation as reference. Any thing I do not understand from what ever I am reading, I first navigate through MKSAP-15 search and do a pointed reading to all related searches. In that way I have gone through some 30-40% of the questions (and I can’t estimate the notes as I did in pieces as needed). The notes are fantastic. The questions are shorter than both UW and Kaplan, but more difficult. Pay attention to slides in MKSAP-15 (I had the exact same pictures in the exam). I have met a lot of points of emphasis in MKSAP-15 in common with UW.
6.eMedicine/medescape, and Uptodate. These were my last lines of defense when I fail to understand (or have no enough information) from the above sources. The eMedicine multimedia is magnificent, but you can’t get it all together unless you search specifically.
7.For the CCS I just used UW and FA.
8.I tried Ck notes and Archer’s notes but found them boring and declined to use.
9.I have a habit of writing note of any ne idea) when I study, and read my notes (from my UW for CK), and my notes from step 3.
10.Study partner, not a good idea. I tried it; no, no, no…not online. I had bad experience. Be by your own unless you can meet physically, or know each other.
11.Self assessments, UWSA 2 weeks prior to initial schedule was 470/210. I was extremely terrified and pushed by one week, NBME 1 week after UWSA was 400. Unlike steeps 1 and 2, NBME for step 3 is a crap. No correlation with the exam (does not look like, nor is it predictive). It rather depressed me and made me malfunctioning for the rest of the days prior to the exam. But, it is good to do it off-line since most topics covered are touched. USMLE CD (both CCS and MCQ- big time!!!) Do it very well when you have3-4 days, one day is enough. I got a couple of questions exactly copied. My final performance report is the mirror image of UWSA-except to areas of my weakness have shifted right.
My exam date was Aug 23rd and 24th; the questions look like UW. 80-90 % have been touched by UW either in the Q or explanations. Some 20 % are head on easy; 20% really tough and too long even to understand; the rest are balanced. I have a bad habit of not guessing, and waste time to figure out those kinds of questions. On the first day, I had about 3/4 questions in each of 4 blocks that I did not reach (has to click on an answer randomly before submitting). On the 2nd day, I had two questions in one block. The CCS went very quick and I had ample time. I had computer problem and had to raise my hand for proctor assistance. He couldn’t help it and session closed before I write my final diagnosis. He said he will report the incident. I did the best I can on my situation and have no regret of my preparation. Rather I am so grateful to my God for generously giving me this score (for my situation). Be advised that how you do on a test is not dependent only on the contents of materials you read, but the circumstances during the exam week, your judgment ability, and stress management among others.
Due to time constraints, I did not enjoy revising my own high yield notes. I was angry when I couldn’t remember things in my note due to failure to re-read. Read your notes. Things you write at the time of slow reading are likely to be important ones. My only double star is CCS, most of the rest are all pass with broad performance bars. I have one failed star (neonatology) which was also indicated in my UWSA and I did not mind reviewing it. My other draw back may be that I did not read the CK notes (except medicine) during my step 2 preparation last year (just did UW QB) which made me feel incomplete (though it is not the case) due to a lot talk going on in here.
My level of recommendation is as follows:
1.UW (My level of recommendation is A++); If one gives enough time and understand its contents well, …. The rest will not be up to lack of materials
2. MTB (My level of recommendation is B-) ; If you want to have a “structured” (with table of contents and chapters) out line of the material to be go through. But is not enough to depend on, some times mistakes..
3.Kaplan DVDs (My level of recommendation is C+) -precise and fun learning, makes a rapid review of very important points, but too brief to depend on Some sections are excellent; It also gives a “lively feeling” of perceiving what is the center of step 3….
4.Kaplan QB (My level of recommendation is C); their questions are too long and good for practicing under time pressure; it goes through the in and out of their book. You can get every thing in it from UW. Even though there are areas that are covered by Kaplan QB and not by UW, I have not met questions in the real exam in those areas.
5.FA CCS part = ha ha do not forget it. A single after noon is enough.
6.MKSAP, eMedicine, uptodate… if you are gona use them for supplementing unclear ideas
If any one my way right and needs suggestion, I am glad to give (I will be visiting this forum for some time)
Now my prayers are to get residency to make my doughters proud of me. (I feel embaraced when they proudly tell that I am a Dr.)
Best of luck