Book for Step 2 CS

[HAM2]

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Can anyone recommend me a good book for the Step 2 cs? thanks!

 

[doc05]

you don't need to study for this exam. save your money.

 

[DoctorG]

Can anyone recommend me a good book for the Step 2 cs? thanks!

First Aid is good but people say it's an overkill.

 

[Blade28]

Just skim the book at a bookstore...that's enough.

 

[pathchick]

i've heard from several people that there's a good book that was initially written for the csa. i can't remember what it's called but it has a blue cover. should be at the bookstore because it's pretty popular. good luck!

 

[ALMD2B]

the book is called (type in OSCE CSA in amazon)

"Mastering the OSCE/CSA:Objective Structured Clinical Examination/Clinical Skills Assessment" by Jo-Ann Reteguiz and Beverly Cornel-Avendano

The old edition was light blue (hence the name blue book) but the new edition is multicolored so don't get confused if you do purchase it.

Another good study source is USMLE WORLD. www.usmleworld.com

The best way to study is with a partner, preferably with someone who has taken the exam already.

good luck,

A.

 

[monstermatch]

First Aid for the CS has everything you need to know. Split the cost with a friend, skim the front of the book, do the cases in the back with your partner & you will have no problem with the test. The test is a stupid, painful, expensive process - even tho you probably don't actually need to study for this thing, you would hate to have to reschedule and retake the test. By the way, I have heard of American med students failing the test, so its certainly a distant and revolting possibility that you have to consider. I took my test in Mid november and I'm still waiting to hear back but I used first aid for CS and felt confident about how I performed.

Boy do I sounds like an infomercial. Just sign up and get it over with asap.

 

[jmckenna]

My husband took the test in mid August, and we just got the results a week ago or so. Very non-informative - it just said he passed the three sections of the test. As for studying, most med students around here didn't bother and all did fine.

 

[Blade28]

I also took the test in mid-to-late August, just heard last week.

 

[HAM2]

Thanks, I'll buy one of those two and practice w/ a partner. As easy as it may be I dont want to go get there unprepared and have to spend another $1000 + expenses.

 

[Jattdoc]

I'v been using First Aid for the CS on and off during travel time of residency interviews, and its a really easy reading and gives you a good preview of the test, plus I think its cheap insurance, especially since I’m going to be taking $2000 hit for both COMLEX and USMLE CS exams.

I think Kaplan also has a course its like $2500 for 5 day’s in selected cities which includes one day of simulated CS exam, but I think that’s mostly geared towards foreign grads who usually don’t have access to local hospitals or clinics to practice.

I also have the other book on this thread, I got it from a friend of mine, "Mastering the OSCE/CSA:Objective Structured Clinical Examination/Clinical Skills Assessment" by Jo-Ann Reteguiz and Beverly Cornel-Avendano” – I would go with the FIRST AID for CS, its better written and more reflective of the little details and protocols for the USMLE CS.

 

[prominence]

I'v been using First Aid for the CS on and off during travel time of residency interviews, and its a really easy reading and gives you a good preview of the test, plus I think its cheap insurance, especially since I’m going to be taking $2000 hit for both COMLEX and USMLE CS exams.

why the heck would u take both the COMLEX and USMLE CS exams as a DO student, even if you are applying for allopathic residency programs? wont allopathic residency programs allow u to substitute the COMLEX CS exam for the USMLE CS exam?

 

[Jattdoc]

______________
prominence

The reason i'm taking both is because the USMLE CS is required for registration for USMLE III, also if I end applying to internal medicine fellowships, they usually require your USMLE transcripts so I plan to take all the USMLE's along with COMLEX to cover all of my bases, on a side note, i didn't even send my COMLEX transcript to a single allopathic residency programs (Internal Medicine) that I applied to, only my USMLE 1&2 scores and I still got plenty of interviews and was never asked about my comlex score on the interview trail.

 

[prominence]

i didn't even send my COMLEX transcript to a single allopathic residency programs (Internal Medicine) that I applied to, only my USMLE 1&2 scores and I still got plenty of interviews and was never asked about my comlex score on the interview trail.

why would any allopathic program waste their time worrying about your COMLEX scores if they already have your USMLE scores to consider?

 

[Jattdoc]

As D.O's your state license for residency training as well as your permanent license to practice is granted by the state osteopathic board which requires passing all three COMLEX steps. Therefore I don't think you can train without passing the comlex, so passing all three parts of comlex is required to practice medicine and the USMLE's are just an icing on the cake. Thus programs do want to know if you took COMLEX and passed but use USMLE to help them rank candidates.

 

[Shock]

Can anyone recommend me a good book for the Step 2 cs? thanks!

I bought Kaplan Step II CS and it was a good concise book to read. It tells you what they score you on and things like writing the note. I also studied with someone to refresh my memory on the thorough and focused physical exam.

 

[pbmax]

I studied not a lick for this test and passed...although in retrospect, I would have skimmed through although not bought or spent more than 30 minutes looking through First Aid.

Be nice to the SP's and speak well...and register early because getting a test date is the hardest part of this silly, unnecessary exam.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Always try and spend the last 5 minutes of the encounter explaining your findings to the patient, what they may/may not mean, what steps you would like to take next (ie, tests, consult, etc.) and ask if they have any questions. The "holistic" feel from the SP about you and the encounter is important. You must come across as involving the patient in the decision making process.