2 weeks left for surgery shelf. Need suggestions

[wtm1114]

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Hi guys,

I have 2 weeks left before the surgery shelf. So far I've read NMS, First Aid Surgery, and Surgical Recall. I'm wondering what's the best way to study now. I've tried pretest. I'm doing the new version of it by the way (white instead of orange cover). I feel that it's very hard and somewhat beyond the level of MS3.

What's the best way to study now?

Any suggestions is very appreciated!

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Hi guys,

I have 2 weeks left before the surgery shelf. So far I've read NMS, First Aid Surgery, and Surgical Recall. I'm wondering what's the best way to study now. I've tried pretest. I'm doing the new version of it by the way (white instead of orange cover). I feel that it's very hard and somewhat beyond the level of MS3.

What's the best way to study now?

Any suggestions is very appreciated!

I think (a) you've already read a lot, but (b) if you really need another source, I think the best thing you could use now is the Kaplan notes/Pestana notes (they are the same). Search this forum and you'll find a link or two to them. They were really very helpful.

I thought pretest stunk - I haven't seen the newest edition though.

 

[basupran]

You have read more than enough for the shelf. If you still want to read, try reviewing skimming some internal med. When I was taking the surgery shelf, I had to double check my cover an make sure that I wasn't accidentally given the IM shelf

 

[Keg]

You'll be fine. I kept up with cases with online searches + recall + occasional Lawrence (probably read 30 pages out of it), and in the 3 days before the shelf, I read NMS Surgery Casebook and did the USMLE World questions. With just that,I got a 94th percentile. So do questions and maybe pick up casebook.

 

[dragonfly99]

Unless the surgery shelf has changed a lot in the past few years, I remember that Surgery pretest seemed less helpful than the Pretest books for some other specialties. I also felt there were a lot of questions that were like IM and a ton on postop complications...there was NO anatomy, etc., which was the stuff I got pimped about daily in the OR and on the rotation, and though would be on the exam.

 

[Eurosepsis]

You'll be fine. I kept up with cases with online searches + recall + occasional Lawrence (probably read 30 pages out of it), and in the 3 days before the shelf, I read NMS Surgery Casebook and did the USMLE World questions. With just that,I got a 94th percentile. So do questions and maybe pick up casebook.

I can't stress how useful Casebook is. I read that and the kaplan notes and scored in the 93rd percentile. Recall is a total waste for the shelf although quite valuable for pimping.

 

[theunderdog]

Agreed. Just took the shelf yesterday. Kaplan Notes +/- Pestana is amazing for surgery shelf. DEFINITELY USE NMS Casebook. Don't believe what you hear. It and the variation of cases is outstanding for the shelf exam. It also has some random facts that showed up on my exam.

 

[rrickett]

Hey guys,

I heard that the pestana audio files were a great review for the surgery shelf. Could someone PM me a way to access them and any other material. I keep hearing reference to notes etc by her. Do you need to buy these?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Pestana audio is the same as Pestana review, just spoken.

 

[rrickett]

Pestana audio is the same as Pestana review, just spoken.

Ok that helps...but where can I download them. I am having trouble finding them on a torrent.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Yeah, I felt like Pretest was pretty much worthless. Pestana was good, but I still felt fairly floored by the shelf even after doing OK on all the UW questions.

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Yeah, I've come to the conclusion that there are zero great books for the Surgery shelf. NMS casebook was OK, and the closest to a decent whole book. Pretest sucked, Lange sucked worse, Case Files was meh, NMS text was god awful, Pestana was great, but doesn't come close to comprehensive, obviously. First Aid was full of useless details..

I think I tried everything and still WTFed at way too many questions. And had I not had medicine first I would have gotten at least 10+ questions more wrong.

 

[InternationlDoc]

Must agree with pontifex above,

I basically relied on pestana + quick review of NMS casebook

uhh...shelves haven't given me much trouble except the time issue this year other than this one. I just did not feel too confident like I did in medicine shelf (very confident and my scores showed that). Surgery questions, i'd say around 10, were vague and tough to figure out what next step/management is better than the other one. Will post more after the grade comes back.