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Do you guys think it's worth it to bank the anatomy/embryo in GT or is it just not worth it?
Do you guys think it's worth it to bank the anatomy/embryo in GT or is it just not worth it?
Do you guys think it's worth it to bank the anatomy/embryo in GT or is it just not worth it?
Gunner 2.0 is incoming soon. Got an alpha invite w00t
Gunner 2.0 is incoming soon. Got an alpha invite w00t
Sorry, don't want to answer your question.
Gunner 2.0 is incoming soon. Got an alpha invite w00t
what! I want one.Gunner 2.0 is incoming soon. Got an alpha invite w00t
I have a question about a GT card:
"In pregnancy, serum thyroid binding globulin (TBG) concentrations rise almost twofold. TBG binds to T3 and T4; therefore, total T3 and total T4 concentrations are elevated. However, free T3 and T4 levels are normal. The increase in serum TBG concentration during pregnancy is due to increased estrogen activity."
I'm not understanding why free thyroid hormones levels don't change if TBG rises. TBG increase means more thyroid hormone is bound to it, thus less is 'free'....so why isn't free thyroid level decreased in pregnancy? I'm missing something here.
I found this on wikipedia:
"If, for example, the TBG level is high, which can occur when estrogen levels are high, the TBG will bind more thyroid hormone, decreasing the free hormone available in the blood, which leads to stimulation of TSH, and the production of more thyroid hormone. In this case, the total thyroid hormone level will be high."
So it sounds like the free level does decrease, but TSH immediately compensates. After compensation, the free level will remain normal, but total level is increased. Is my understanding correct?
I found this on wikipedia:
"If, for example, the TBG level is high, which can occur when estrogen levels are high, the TBG will bind more thyroid hormone, decreasing the free hormone available in the blood, which leads to stimulation of TSH, and the production of more thyroid hormone. In this case, the total thyroid hormone level will be high."
So it sounds like the free level does decrease, but TSH immediately compensates. After compensation, the free level will remain normal, but total level is increased. Is my understanding correct?
He probably got early access to Step 2 GT and is trying to cram the next 1000 questions in over 3 days.status update irk? curious how the cram bank is going
status update irk? curious how the cram bank is going
He probably got early access to Step 2 GT and is trying to cram the next 1000 questions in over 3 days.
Irk is animal!
87%/67% and am starting to see the light at the end. Will be done before June 1st (test is June 26).I'm interested to hear updates from others who are using GT as their test date approaches...
%banked/%mastery
how many daily questions
time spent on daily questions
qbanks or other sources your using alongside
I'm curious to see how GT has prepared you for the final stretch!
I'm interested to hear updates from others who are using GT as their test date approaches...
%banked/%mastery
how many daily questions
time spent on daily questions
qbanks or other sources your using alongside
I'm curious to see how GT has prepared you for the final stretch!
Just got my score and am incredibly pumped. 271/91.
First off let me throw my (probably biased) 2c into the ring on debate about the value of high scores. There is most definitely diminishing returns to increasing step1 score in that the gap from a 230 to a 250 is much much more important then the gap between 250 and 270. That being said I believe that people who think improving scores beyond the 250ish range doesn't help are probably deluding themselves. It definitely isn't the only part of an application, and a 240 w/ good grades, research, and interviewing skills can certainly be a better applicant then a 270 without any/all of those things. It of course will vary highly between specialties (higher scores probably more important in more competitive specialties) as well as between programs (some value step1 highly, others very little). Thats why I am very skeptical of any anecdotal "well my PD said this . .", and there is undoubtedly a range between programs. Anyways, enough of that. These threads were very helpful to me in my preparation, so I hope to give back a bit with what I did and what I would/wouldn't change.
Study resources: By far the most important was gunner training. I started this winter of first year, and it was absolutely essential for hammering in the facts. Reading first aid for the first time felt like a review, as GT had already hammered in most of the factoids into my brain. It also has lots of things that aren't in first aid, and so is a great supplemental resource. That being said, it is a system that takes A LOT of time to work, so start early and stick with it, or it may not be worth using at all. If only they had it for wards/step 2 . . .
I used Kaplan qbank along with 2nd year classes, with a second pass during my study period. Kaplan is a decent Qbank. Generally good questions and explanations, but some overly nitpicky questions. Definitely not as good as Uworld, but I'd rate it as #2 (and newly inexpensive, only $150 w/ AMA discount for many months)
I did 2 passes of Goljan audio along w/ 2nd year classes, w/ 2 more during the study period (while at the gym). This is great because he completely emphasizes the HOW and WHY of pathology, which is much more useful then trying to memorize his book, which was garbage IMO (except for the pictures, which I used along w/ the audio). As I explain later, understanding the how and the why is essential, as they love to ask questions about classic diseases but w/ a new twist that makes it very difficult to just memorize the answers.
I did a quick pass of first aid along w/ 2nd year classes, then 2 passes during my study period, w/ a last only on pages I'd marked as weak spots. Great review, terrible for trying to learn material. Not much more to say.
I did 2 passes of Uworld on untimed tutor mode during my study period. This Qbank is solid gold, with multi-step/conceptual questions and amazing explanations. I highly recommend using tutor mode (or thoroughly going over all answers afterwards, including correct answers). Even if you got the answer right, make sure you got it right for the right reasons by reading the explanations.
I also read through BRS physio along w/ classes and once more during my study period. This book is great for understanding of basics of physio, which is essential for reasoning your way through tough questions.
Finally, work hard on your classes in the first 2 years. There is no review book/memorization set in the world that can replace a solid foundation in physiology and pathophysiology.
About the test itself: First off, I won't talk about areas of focus. I've talked to enough people to know that your distribution of questions is basically random e.g. I had 4 ACE inhibitor questions and not a single lasix or thiazide one. Doesn't mean the latter concepts aren't important, just that it is totally, 100% random what will be emphasized on your test.
There are a broad mix of questions. There are many questions that are straight forward and fact based and much easier then uworld questions (assuming you know your facts straight). There are also many questions of Uworld type difficulty, but often testing aspects of a question that you've never seen before. This is a brilliant test in that it asks you questions that force you to make an educated guess based on your understanding of how physiology and path work. Instead of asking you the classic lab findings of disease X (which you memorized), it can ask you about what you would expect some other random lab finding Y (which you haven't memorized) to be, and you have to figure it out based on the pathophys of that disease. You can memorize yourself to a passing/good score, but not to a great score. I personally felt that there were plenty of questions I wasn't "sure" about, but had made my best guess based on my understanding of how the organ systems work, and I guess I was correct more often then not. That's why there is no replacing a good education in the first 2 years, no matter how many times you read first aid. Likewise, when you take the test, don't feel bad that there are tons of questions you think you know, but aren't 100% on.
Thus to all the "are UW + First aid enough" questions, I'd say it depends. Those 2 resources will certainly provide you with enough of the factoids to memorize that you can do very well with just those 2 IF you also have a good understanding of physio and pathophys. If you don't, then use whatever resources you need until you feel you have a good understanding of how the organ systems work and what is happening when things go wrong. Also know that no matter how many resources you use, there WILL be things you haven't seen before, and so your ability to make educated guesses is essential.
Numbers:
GT = 100% completed, 75% mastery
Kaplan Qbank = 84% first pass, 90% 2nd
Uworld Qbank = 89% first pass, 96% 2nd (though I remembered many questions)
NBME 11 = 255 (5 weeks out, after finishing classes before study period, GT, kaplan 1x, goljan/FA 2x)
NBME 12 = 265 (2 weeks out, after first thorough pass of FA in my study period, first Uworld pass, another goljan pass, and some of kaplan)
UWSA1 = 265+ (1 week out)
NBME13 = 275 (5 days out)
UWSA2 = 265+ (3 days out)
Actual test = 271/91
Hope this helps.
2nd year honors vs 100% banked GT...
So I've been off and on this program, I've found it very difficult to honor anything while using GT while I can honor ~50% or so of my courses without GT. So my question is this, would you rather be 100% banked with GT 6 months before Step 1 or honor 2nd year courses? I know some people are smart enough to do both (or they have synergistic effects with class + GT). Unfortunately, our tests tend to emphasize minutia for the honors grades, and not clinical problem solving or application of main points. They'd rather have you regurgitate an unimportant fact than test a difficult concept.
I have found that if I'm not careful with GT, I will try to bank too fast with surface understanding, which obviously hurts you in recall level as the cards build up. This semester played out like that for me, I tried to do too much and obtained mediocre results on both fronts (resetting GT and ~average grades).
I asked this question before and people said, "do both." But it just didn't work out for me, for whatever reason. I have to chose one or the other.
6 mo may be hard to do, especially if you haven't seen some of the mat'l yet. For instance, our school does pharm the last 4 wks before our 4 wk study break for step I. I think it would be difficult if you tried doing all of the GT phram with no base to build from. 2 mo out should be plenty. Also, in terms of difficulty, MS2>>MS1, so you may struggle a lit bit to bank GT as much as you think you can.Hmmm I wouldn't want to be 100% banked for GT 6 months out; you'll peak too early. I would aim for 100% banked 2-3 months out.
For me, I think I would take a very high step 1 score over preclinical honors. People have differing opinions on what matters for residency applications etc. but since many schools don't even have preclinical grades, I can't think that they're crucial to matching well. So, if you think GT will help you with doing well on step 1, I'd go with GT...but maybe spread it out a bit so you don't finish too early.
How often do you guys find yourself rolling over the day's questions. (ie. spreading out over 7 days, etc) I find that I often get too busy and end up doing that. At least once a week or so. When I get home late at night and I'm staring at nearly 300 questions, I'm just like "aww hell naw" and I click "clear"
Any suggestions, or is this a common occurrence for some of you too?
How often do you guys find yourself rolling over the day's questions. (ie. spreading out over 7 days, etc) I find that I often get too busy and end up doing that. At least once a week or so. When I get home late at night and I'm staring at nearly 300 questions, I'm just like "aww hell naw" and I click "clear"
Any suggestions, or is this a common occurrence for some of you too?
I've never done it. What has worked for me in the past = getting up early before class to finish the questions for the day. You could also try getting ahead by a day or two on review quizzes so that you have a buffer zone if you end up getting really busy.
You guys have convinced me to come back. Shooting for 100% between Jan-Feb, for a June exam.
Is the consensus supplements to GT: Pathoma, Kaplan Qbank, UWorld, + maybe BRS physio/goljan RR? Hope you all do well. Good luck.
You guys have convinced me to come back. Shooting for 100% between Jan-Feb, for a June exam.
Is the consensus supplements to GT: Pathoma, Kaplan Qbank, UWorld, + maybe BRS physio/goljan RR? Hope you all do well. Good luck.
Pretty much my plan. GT + Pathoma + Levinson Micro/Immun this summer + RR path (depending on how well time permits, over 2nd year), BRS physio (very quick skims, before each block), Kap Qbank by subject going along with classes, learn and bank psych/pharm over christmas, UWorld during dedicated study time on tutor (hopefully 2x), NBME's for timing practice.
All very tentative on how well I feel I can learn/not expend too much mental energy this summer
+/- FA: would love to hear some more input from people with a high bank % if they feel even one pass through is worthwhile. I could see how it might be nice to have one quick condensed comprehensive pass through everything, phrased slightly differently from GT, and it would be quick if 100% banked, but could also be a waste, so await experienced opinion
Welcome back. Will you be starting from 0% banked again?
Lol, yeah. I was ~32% banked when I reset. I think I can do those cards in a solid 2-3 weeks if I really tried.
Lol, yeah. I was ~32% banked when I reset. I think I can do those cards in a solid 2-3 weeks if I really tried.
Maybe, but doing that much that fast will net you like 500 q's a day in the short term won't it?
You guys have convinced me to come back. Shooting for 100% between Jan-Feb, for a June exam.
Is the consensus supplements to GT: Pathoma, Kaplan Qbank, UWorld, + maybe BRS physio/goljan RR? Hope you all do well. Good luck.
Current MS1 here.. is there a real advantage to banking pharm in GT during summer and focus on path/micro during MS2 year? Or is this more like a waste of time?
Current MS1 here.. is there a real advantage to banking pharm in GT during summer and focus on path/micro during MS2 year? Or is this more like a waste of time?