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Do you have questions about the USMLE/COMLEX exams, the Match, or the application process? Need help creating a study plan? Ask a Kaplan expert, and post your questions here.

Are there any full length NBME-type practice tests that Kaplan provides at all?
Thanks

Is this a new course? I noticed that the courses are offered only for pathology, pharmacology, and biochemistry? Will Kaplan be offering Live Q courses for other subjects as well? Are the questions covered in the review same as the ones that appear in the Qbank? If yes, what % of the Qbank questions are covered on the Live Qbased review?

Originally Posted by bestmed

Is this a new course? I noticed that the courses are offered only for pathology, pharmacology, and biochemistry? Will Kaplan be offering Live Q courses for other subjects as well? Are the questions covered in the review same as the ones that appear in the Qbank? If yes, what % of the Qbank questions are covered on the Live Qbased review?

Hi BestMed!

Kaplan released our Question Based Review programs about a year ago. They were designed to let students get hands-on advising and strategy from our top faculty on the most challenging topics and questions for the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK exams.

Our Question Based Review course is delivered direct to students in their homes using Kaplan’s Live Online delivery. These courses will include live, interactive instruction as our expert faculty guide students through over twelve hours of USMLE question-based review. The interactive features include:

• Using USMLE questions as a device to cover High Yield topic
• Live faculty members to answer students submitted questions in real time
• Students will vote on their answer choices, similar to the well received i-clicker voting process used in our Live classes

These courses are designed for to students who are nearing their test dates, and have covered most of the Kaplan Material, so consequently we cover only path., pharm., and biochem. in our Step 1 Question Based Review Course since these subjects are the highest-yield topic areas that most students want a last minute review on.

You can learn more about the program online at http://www.kaptest.com/Medical-Licensing/USMLE-Prep/step-1.html?tb=lolreview.

Hope this helps!

Amanda

Originally Posted by hyrule

Are there any full length NBME-type practice tests that Kaplan provides at all?
Thanks

Hi hyrule,

Kaplan offers several Full-length online simulation exams for all USMLE Steps. The total number each student receives depends upon the course they're enrolled in.

Hope this helps!

-Amanda

Does the Kaplan Step 3 qbank include CCS software practice or written practice CCS cases? If not, are there any plans to include this in the package in the future?

Originally Posted by Neuro or Derm

Does the Kaplan Step 3 qbank include CCS software practice or written practice CCS cases? If not, are there any plans to include this in the package in the future?

Hi Neuro or Derm,
The Qbank doesn't include CCS practice software, but our Center Prep and Deluxe options do include video lectures for the CCS portion. QBank will help solidify concepts and focus your studying on areas that need improvement.
Although familiarity with the CCS interface is important, we have found that content knowledge is key to doing well. Most students don't need more than two weeks with the interface to feel comfortable with the CCS.

Originally Posted by PayalatKaplan

Hi Neuro or Derm,
The Qbank doesn't include CCS practice software, but our Center Prep and Deluxe options do include video lectures for the CCS portion. QBank will help solidify concepts and focus your studying on areas that need improvement.
Although familiarity with the CCS interface is important, we have found that content knowledge is key to doing well. Most students don't need more than two weeks with the interface to feel comfortable with the CCS.

Thanks for answering so quickly! One more question. So since you focus more on the concepts, how does the Kaplan way help in distinguishing between the single best answer choices and the cases on CCS where you have to know what tests to order and in which order to order them (sorry if that sounds confusing!)

Originally Posted by Neuro or Derm

Thanks for answering so quickly! One more question. So since you focus more on the concepts, how does the Kaplan way help in distinguishing between the single best answer choices and the cases on CCS where you have to know what tests to order and in which order to order them (sorry if that sounds confusing!)

Hi Neuro or Derm,
We do review the content, but in a format focused for Step 3. The lecture notes and vidoes will differentiate between the best test and the best initial test by using a mix of foundation review and case studies.
I hope this helps clarify, and please feel free to ask more questions.

Do you have a suggested timeline to use the Kaplan materials? Most people I've talked to say that there's too much information to get through in the few weeks they have to prepare.

Hi peanut11,

It depends on how much time you have and what course you are taking.

The best way to develop an efficient study plan is to assess your strengths and weaknesses by taking a diagnostic exam, and to use this data to decide how much of your remaining time should be invested in each area. For example, if Physio is 20% lower than Micro, spend at least 20% more time on Physio than Micro. Remember to build in time to refresh all subjects, especially those hit hardest on the exam.

After you review a section of the material, do some questions covering what you just reviewed, to assess your level of knowledge and locate problem topics that need further clarification from the Notes. About once a week, take 2 or 3 tests composed of new items from all the subjects you have reviewed up to that point. This will keep material reviewed earlier in your memory, and give you an accurate picture of your progress. You will increase your mental stamina and feel more comfortable with the pacing needed on test day much more rapidly.

Hi,

Can you suggest the best way to review along with your STEP 2 CK QBANK while preparing. Is it a good idea to annotate Qbank points into the lecture notes?

Originally Posted by sinceremalang

Hi,

Can you suggest the best way to review along with your STEP 2 CK QBANK while preparing. Is it a good idea to annotate Qbank points into the lecture notes?

Hello sinceremalang!

Yes. The most effective way to use Qbank is to look within completed test blocks to determine what topics are weaker and causing test errors. Use this list of problem topics to be your study agenda, so you can go back to review sources to clarify and refresh your recall of them. Make brief notes which you can review as your exam date nears. Both making the notes and reviewing them helps to keep these aspects in your memory for test day. Once you remediate problem topics, resume another cycle of self-testing, identifying topics and remediaton.

Hi, I was wondering if I can access the Qbank from an android tablet?(Now, I realize there are a great number of tablets and variations out there, but I've been eyeing the Notion Ink Adam, or similar higher-functioning tablets.)

Thank you!

not sure if this is the place for asking

is the kaplan USMLE Step 1 q bank organized by organ system?

or is it just a mash-up of like everything?

Originally Posted by parhelion

Hi, I was wondering if I can access the Qbank from an android tablet?(Now, I realize there are a great number of tablets and variations out there, but I've been eyeing the Notion Ink Adam, or similar higher-functioning tablets.)

Thank you!

Hi parhelion,

Not yet, though we are exploring the possibility. Thank you for asking!

Originally Posted by JokerMD

not sure if this is the place for asking

is the kaplan USMLE Step 1 q bank organized by organ system?

or is it just a mash-up of like everything?

Hello JokerMD,

You can select questions by organ system, discipline, difficulty, yield and question type!

Hello,
1. How accurate is the comlex simulation exam as a score predictor?
2. Are you aware that there are many errors within the test?

Are there any plans to develop an android app for the COMLEX, similar to the step 1 USMLE Qbank app currently available?

I just bought a month long bank access and started it up without realizing that there is no way to get COMLEX questions on my HTC EVO Android.