Hi -
I would just like some advice moving forward, if at all possible.
Just to get it out of the way, I'm AMG and a native English speaker. I scored really low on my Step 1 last June - 207. There were several things wrong with the way I approached the test - I didn't take the study period seriously enough (took only one NBME and 1 UWSA, was barely finishing UWorld) and coasted through 1st and 2nd year.
Fast forward to this year, I've been trying hard to compensate for my Step 1 performance. Shelf exams were naturally difficult as I still had a pretty weak foundation - I scored in the low 70s for most of the exams. In terms of percentiles, I've scored two ~70s percentiles, one ~50 percentile, one ~40 percentile (medicine), and two ~20 percentile. It's fair to say it's pretty middle-of-the-road.
I've already finished UWorld once this year through studying for clerkships - now averaging exactly 60% on timed 20 question blocks by section (in the order I went through it this year).
I'm setting aside 8 weeks for Step 2CK, with a goal of improving my score by 40-50 points.
I'm using MTB, step 2 secrets, Step-Up (medicine+CK) and obviously going through UW again on timed random full blocks. +/- the Kaplan Qbank.
I have a few questions:
-Should I use the Kaplan Qbank?
-If you were me, how would you structure these 8 weeks to improve as much as possible? How should I use the 4 NBMEs+UWSA?
I'm really determined to make a comeback this time. I scored 36+ on the MCAT so I think I have what it takes to take a standardized exam, it's just being disciplined enough to assimilate all the material.
Suggestions really helpful - thank you so much!
I would just like some advice moving forward, if at all possible.
Just to get it out of the way, I'm AMG and a native English speaker. I scored really low on my Step 1 last June - 207. There were several things wrong with the way I approached the test - I didn't take the study period seriously enough (took only one NBME and 1 UWSA, was barely finishing UWorld) and coasted through 1st and 2nd year.
Fast forward to this year, I've been trying hard to compensate for my Step 1 performance. Shelf exams were naturally difficult as I still had a pretty weak foundation - I scored in the low 70s for most of the exams. In terms of percentiles, I've scored two ~70s percentiles, one ~50 percentile, one ~40 percentile (medicine), and two ~20 percentile. It's fair to say it's pretty middle-of-the-road.
I've already finished UWorld once this year through studying for clerkships - now averaging exactly 60% on timed 20 question blocks by section (in the order I went through it this year).
I'm setting aside 8 weeks for Step 2CK, with a goal of improving my score by 40-50 points.
I'm using MTB, step 2 secrets, Step-Up (medicine+CK) and obviously going through UW again on timed random full blocks. +/- the Kaplan Qbank.
I have a few questions:
-Should I use the Kaplan Qbank?
-If you were me, how would you structure these 8 weeks to improve as much as possible? How should I use the 4 NBMEs+UWSA?
I'm really determined to make a comeback this time. I scored 36+ on the MCAT so I think I have what it takes to take a standardized exam, it's just being disciplined enough to assimilate all the material.
Suggestions really helpful - thank you so much!