advice on not doin so well???

[Rpre19]

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i have to take the test in a couple of days due to my school's deadline. Meanwhile, I am doing poorly on Qbank & NBme & cant seem to remember anything i've learned/read

I am not usually a whiner & I usually have the mentality of "just do it", & "put your nose to the grindstone" kinda thing but I've been thru some pretty harsh personal stuff in the last month. basically a very long relationship has ended, I havent been feeling well & some $$ problems too (i know we're all poor 🙂 )

So I think I might fail this test (trying to be positive but must be realistic too) I guess I'm just looking for some advice on how to handle it if I dont pass. I should mention I am interested in IM & pediatrics, so no crazy competitive stuff for me. I think I'll just mostly be embarrassed & dissapointed.

 

[gc1983]

hi,

i cant testify to being in your exact situation but im also having problems learning remembering stuff..all i can say is good luck and you can make it!!

 

[superoxide]

i have to take the test in a couple of days due to my school's deadline. Meanwhile, I am doing poorly on Qbank & NBme & cant seem to remember anything i've learned/read

I am not usually a whiner & I usually have the mentality of "just do it", & "put your nose to the grindstone" kinda thing but I've been thru some pretty harsh personal stuff in the last month. basically a very long relationship has ended, I havent been feeling well & some $$ problems too (i know we're all poor 🙂 )

So I think I might fail this test (trying to be positive but must be realistic too) I guess I'm just looking for some advice on how to handle it if I dont pass. I should mention I am interested in IM & pediatrics, so no crazy competitive stuff for me. I think I'll just mostly be embarrassed & dissapointed.

I took the test in April. I failed (172/72). Yes, it's very discouraging, especially after all the work you put into it. What I did was I just took 2 weeks off and went on vacation (I am lucky..my sister had frequent flier miles 👍 I didnt do any studying during that time..I just relaxed. Now I'm back, started studying (re-doing some of the stuff I did before and some new stuff too). I'm taking it slow (my school doesnt have any set deadlines). I'm going to take as much time as I need (The NBME tests will be my barometer as to where I am).

Yes, it's tough failing, but you'll be surprised how many people will understand your situation. Step 1 is a hard exam. I think everyone will agree to that.

Here were my stats going in:

Qbank average: 59% (completed all questions)
Qbook average: 63%
Kaplan simulated exam: 58%
NBME Form 1: 380/186 (taken one day before actual test)
USMLE CD (150 questions): 33/33/37
Listened to Goljan audio once

What I am doing this time that I didnt do before:

I bought Goljans Rapid Review Pathology Book. I read a particular chapter and then listen to the corresponding audio lecture. One hour/day and I do that 6 days/week. I want to go through all the audio lectures atleast 4 times.

I also got BSS, A&L and Goljans 100 page high yield notes. I will also do all of Robbins Review questions (which i didnt even touch before).

Hope this helps.

 

[leadfoot]

i have to take the test in a couple of days due to my school's deadline. Meanwhile, I am doing poorly on Qbank & NBme & cant seem to remember anything i've learned/read

I am not usually a whiner & I usually have the mentality of "just do it", & "put your nose to the grindstone" kinda thing but I've been thru some pretty harsh personal stuff in the last month. basically a very long relationship has ended, I havent been feeling well & some $$ problems too (i know we're all poor 🙂 )

So I think I might fail this test (trying to be positive but must be realistic too) I guess I'm just looking for some advice on how to handle it if I dont pass. I should mention I am interested in IM & pediatrics, so no crazy competitive stuff for me. I think I'll just mostly be embarrassed & dissapointed.

If you happen to fail it, retake it. Blow off failing it if that happens. Don't let it get to you, Einstein nearly failed Algebra. Just don't blow off preparing hardcore for the retake. Good luck

 

[ice_maiden34567]

Hey there,
Thought i'd put in a word for yoy----now that you have decided to go for the exam, give it your best shot.Dont go there with the mentality that you wont clear the exam---that is the worst you can do to youself. You have done your reading and there is a lot of what you read,somewhere there in ur grey cells--focus on getting it all out and doing ur best. Look at it this way(it it nothing new)----the anwers are all there before you,you just need to choose the best and the questions give you all the clues.So give it your best shot,with a cool head. Another thing is (as mentioned in the behavioral notes),when we are confused and worried,our ego is bound to come up with a lot of defences----like blocking for eg,which may be why u are not remembering what u learnt.If you realise it is a defence,then it wouldn't be a defence any more and u can perform better.
I dunno if this is the kind of pep talk u were looking for,anyways, All the best. ice