Confused on how to exactly use a qbank

[BlueElmo]

I'm a MS2, and I just bought a Qbank (USMLERx) to supplement my FA review until the end of my school year on May. Test is probably late June.

My question is, do I just take a block of qustions (48 questions) and take it like a test? Or do I turn on the Tutor Mode and don't even answer the question, but instead study the answer explanations for each individual question? And look up releveant facts in FA that the question refers to.

I'm getting pwned by these qbank questions, which is pretty depressing, so I was wondering whether to treat these blocks of questions like a mini-test or use them as a pure studying material similar to FA?

Thanks!

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[ipizzy]

I'm a MS2, and I just bought a Qbank (USMLERx) to supplement my FA review until the end of my school year on May. Test is probably late June.

My question is, do I just take a block of qustions (48 questions) and take it like a test? Or do I turn on the Tutor Mode and don't even answer the question, but instead study the answer explanations for each individual question? And look up releveant facts in FA that the question refers to.

I'm getting pwned by these qbank questions, which is pretty depressing, so I was wondering whether to treat these blocks of questions like a mini-test or use them as a pure studying material similar to FA?

Thanks!

I think it clearly depends on how you learn best. If you haven't been already, maybe you could try studying a section in FA then using USMLERx to test your recall?

What works for me: I've been doing Kaplan qbank on untimed tutor mode - I read the question and submit my best attempt at an answer, then immediately read the explanation that comes with it (for all questions, not just the ones I get wrong). I try to do 20-40 questions per day so it's not too overwhelming. Recently I've found it helpful to read up on a subject in BRS phys + RR path, then do 10-20 questions for that subject in Kaplan each day for the following few days to cement things.

 

[sineapse]

I'm a MS2, and I just bought a Qbank (USMLERx) to supplement my FA review until the end of my school year on May. Test is probably late June.

My question is, do I just take a block of qustions (48 questions) and take it like a test? Or do I turn on the Tutor Mode and don't even answer the question, but instead study the answer explanations for each individual question? And look up releveant facts in FA that the question refers to.

I'm getting pwned by these qbank questions, which is pretty depressing, so I was wondering whether to treat these blocks of questions like a mini-test or use them as a pure studying material similar to FA?

Thanks!

Timed unused. Read through every explanation for every question, annotate as required in your FA.

 

[zebalong]

I'm a MS2, and I just bought a Qbank (USMLERx) to supplement my FA review until the end of my school year on May. Test is probably late June.

My question is, do I just take a block of qustions (48 questions) and take it like a test? Or do I turn on the Tutor Mode and don't even answer the question, but instead study the answer explanations for each individual question? And look up releveant facts in FA that the question refers to.

I'm getting pwned by these qbank questions, which is pretty depressing, so I was wondering whether to treat these blocks of questions like a mini-test or use them as a pure studying material similar to FA?

Thanks!

If you feel you're getting pwned and getting overwhelmed (which is completely normal when starting to use qbanks) then I think its best to just stick to one subject at a time. First browse through some review books quickly (maybe FA and rapid review) then just hammer out the questions for those subjects in tutor mode. What you get one wrong look up in FA or annotate if it isn't there - then just move on, don't dwell on it. I think you'll quickly gain some confidence and start to have a feeling for how they ask questions. I echo the statement above - i'd keep the number of questions/day to like 20 until you start feeling more confident with answering the questions and just make sure you really review the answers they give to you. Doing a ton of questions and getting a ton wrong everyday is disheartening and imo this early a little un-necessary. As time goes on you'll start doing more and more q/day.

 

[missmedschool]

Timed unused. Read through every explanation for every question, annotate as required in your FA.

Ditto.

 

[iheartmints]

You have lots of time. Use this qbank however it works best for you personally. When you get to UWorld during crunch time, I would go timed untutored but don't waste your time w/ that right now if it's not for you

 

[elektroshok]

For me with rx'r i usually do tutor mode specifically on whatever subject I studied that day so i can see the explanations right away and see if my reasoning was wrong right at the moment since at the end of a test you might not remember exactly how your thought process went down on a particular question.

Closer to the real test I would second what others said and go timed test mode.

 

[Food]

What's up elmo!!! remember me?! can't believe it's step 1 time already.

 

[BlueElmo]

What's up elmo!!! remember me?! can't believe it's step 1 time already.

Yo, holy crap! It's been a long time man. PM me and update me on your adventures.🙂

 

[BlueElmo]

Thanks all for helpful replies!

 

[alternatego]

I found this useful on how to study for uw q bank http://usmleforums4u.com/showthread.php?66-How-to-study-UsmleWorld-Q-bank-for-Step-1

can anyone tell me better strategy other than this one...am preparing for my step-1 and cs together

I'm laughing my ass off at the accent of that guy narrating the video

 

[usmlejourney]

I'm laughing my ass off at the accent of that guy narrating the video

Accent may be different from different locations of the world...so its better we just understand the idea behind the author but not looks or accent...can you tell me any better strategy (for UW q bank) for my step-1 exam in next 6 months..thanks

 

[dyeguy21]

I do 40q a day on untimed tutor in the section I'm currently studying for class. It helps in two ways: I get to do board studying while learning about stuff that I'll be tested on and I get exposure to the types of questions they expect to answer on my school tests. So far it helps because some of the "gotcha questions" (for instance: everything points to appendicitis in a young female and then ask the best test to perform and it's a B-hCG test NOT the imaging study) are just rote after going through the questions on Rx.

Look at question > best guess> explanation > annotate or highlight idea in FA since it gives you the exact pg numbers

This seems to help with the feeling that I don't know anything as some things I go oh I just haven't studied that yet but I will now.

When I get closer to the test and have all the systems under my belt I'll do random timed blocks of uWorld and NMBEs to get more used to the real experience.