advise on commercial test prep programs? I failed twice

[zolita]

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Hi all, I would appreciate any help. I am a US medical student and I am dyslexic. Having failed my step 1 twice, with a 170 and 179, I am pretty frusterated (so any help would be great!). I am looking into commercial test prep programs and was wondering if anyone out there had any advice. Some of the programs I have been looking into are:

1) PASS program in Champain, IL
2) Northwestern Medical Review
3) UMKC Institute for Professional Preparation in MO
4) Kaplan extended prep programs

I have heard that the Northwestern program was mainly geared toward COMLEX students, is this true?

I know that everyone recommends Qbank, but I was getting 65-70% on those questions so that didn't seem to be a good indicator. I also listened to hours of Goljan, read many of the recommended books, used several question books (doing over 2000 questions for the second try of step 1), and re-read First Aid multiple times.

Has anyone heard anything about the above programs? or does anyone have any other advice? thanks so much in advance.

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

you're dyslexic. did you have trouble reading the questions on the real test? did you run out of time?

 

[Megalofyia]

Marshall Med school has a program for medical students with learning disabilities.. though I'm not sure if the program addresses USLME stuff. I think it would since they are also open to residents that are having problems.

http://www.marshall.edu/help/Forms Folder/medical.pdf

 

[Bevo]

of those listed, I would prob go with the PASS program. Friends who have previously failed a few times. Took PASS and had some good results.

 

[zolita]

Yes, I looked into the Marshall program and they sound great. I already contacted them and will be going. The thing is that they are not a board prep program, per se. So, I wanted to suppliment them with an organized program.

I have always had a problem with standardized test taking, mainly it is multiple choice. But a lot of test anxiety too. I do tend to run out of time, and historically get the hard questions correct and the easy ones wrong.

I spoke with the PASS program people last night and they sounded very helpful. At my request, they had a former student with LD call me to answer questions I had. That was nice.

But I am still wondering about the other programs, if I should even bother. Northwestern med program hasn't gotten back to any emails or calls yet.

 

[ziffy 850]

Definitely check out umkc. I am currently taking the program. I failed with a 170 and hope that this will do the trick. I do not have a diagnosed learning problem, but have found that this program has helped me grasp the information.

 

[mjl1717]

Hi all, I would appreciate any help. I am a US medical student and I am dyslexic. Having failed my step 1 twice, with a 170 and 179, I am pretty frusterated (so any help would be great!). I am looking into commercial test prep programs and was wondering if anyone out there had any advice. Some of the programs I have been looking into are:

1) PASS program in Champain, IL
2) Northwestern Medical Review
3) UMKC Institute for Professional Preparation in MO
4) Kaplan extended prep programs

I have heard that the Northwestern program was mainly geared toward COMLEX students, is this true?

I know that everyone recommends Qbank, but I was getting 65-70% on those questions so that didn't seem to be a good indicator. I also listened to hours of Goljan, read many of the recommended books, used several question books (doing over 2000 questions for the second try of step 1), and re-read First Aid multiple times.

Has anyone heard anything about the above programs? or does anyone have any other advice? thanks so much in advance.

Here's my 2 cents:

Pass Program--I havent taken it but I hear Dr. Francis is suppose to be a stimulating lecturer and is concept and physiology based. His more personalized approached
from what I see is raining on Kaplans parade. Kaplan's monotonous videos can be boring at times also especially when taking the video it seems like you are only a social security number[It seems like Kaplan is such a money making depersonalized process]
All I can say about UMKC is that it been around for years and is kind of popular.

Northwestern has mostly COMPLEX but some USMLE students in it and gives tibits of info, at one time there base was East Lansing , Michigan. Peerhaps they improved.

So my ranking would be #1 Pass Program, #2 UMKC tied with Kaplan, #3 Northwestern.
Also Dr. Fancis tells memorable stories and adds humor to aid with the Hi Yield info. {I am in no way affiliated with Pass Program all info is from reliable sources}

 

[MD Dreams]

I took the Kaplan class in New Jersey. Overall, the course did help me, how much, it's hard to say. I can tell you that the class in not like the video lectures. It's better. Some of the teachers were excellent (biochem teacher really helped me understand the important concepts of biochem and I was able to answer questions that otherwise I would not have been able to), some are good, and a few really sucked. However, the class is long, and it takes a lot out of you. I found it very difficult to study while the class was taking place, I did most of my studying after the class ended.

I believe individuals with disabilities are able to get a time extension for the USMLE, however, the problem then become a lack of stamina.

Don't worry about getting low scores on Qbank. My final average after completing most of it was 68% or so. However, I did well on the step I. Qbank is difficult, harder than the real thing I found.

The best source I thought was first aid. However, it will not explain the concepts behind the material. It will tell you, however, what you need to know.

All the best.

 

[MD Dreams]

Oh, one more thing. If you have a lot of test anxiety, to the point where it hampers your performance, you may want to consider a 1mg dose of Ativan(Lorazepam). I took it on my test day (had tried it before) and it helped me a lot. It calmed me down just enough without making me drousy or unable to concentrate. Just an FYI.

 

[mjl1717]

One more thing:
In Kaplans defense I agree, the live lectures are better and they do update their material.

 

[kellysmith]

i took the pass program and bumped my score from 180 --> 220.

 

[mjl1717]

i took the pass program and bumped my score from 180 --> 220.

Great!-Thats what I hear, with the Pass Program some increase their score 30 or 40 points. Are there any more testamonials to this?

 

[zolita]

Thanks for all your input. It sounds like the PASS program is a good way to go, I would love to not only pass the boards, but do significantly better. The UMKC program is pretty long and expensive. Hopefully this Marshall program will be a great way to get better at the tests in general and study better for exams in the future (which, if I pass this time, I will be having for the rest of my life).

As for Ativan, I am pretty susceptible to it. I took it once, a miniscule dose, to seeif it would help for anxiety, and I fell asleep. Same thing with Beta blockers. Apparently my BP is too low for these (runs in the 80's). Any other non pharm suggestions?

 

[buddindoc]

try out the falcon programme..pm me if u need details,i know of a lot of ppl who took the course..and upped their scores..by 20 -30 their programme uses a patented "taping" of material...deal call them and talk to them.i have seen the material..its good

 

[mjl1717]

try out the falcon programme..pm me if u need details,i know of a lot of ppl who took the course..and upped their scores..by 20 -30 their programme uses a patented "taping" of material...deal call them and talk to them.i have seen the material..its good

Objectively speaking theis program (Falcon ) has gotten more negative reports then any other-the one based out of Texas-[I was also told that Texans do not go there]

 

[kate88]

hi zolita--
I'm a current med student at Marshall. Just wanted to let you know there was someone on the forum to talk to about marshall medicine, huntington, etc. I don't know anything about the HELP program specifically, but I could ask around if you wanted more info. I think some students in the current 1st year class may have went through it. Best of luck to you! Feel free to PM me with any questions!