Do I Really Need UW MCQS AND CCS for Step 3?

[moecow]

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Hi All-

Do most people get UW MCQS only or CCS as well? I'm an IM resident, and I just don't want to pay for more than I need.

Let me know,
Thanks

 

[ScopeHound]

I would say no, you don't need them. If you did well on step 2, then you can probably walk into step 3 and pass. Any review course can help in some ways, particulary with practice of taking questions and getting used to the software, but I know lots of people who have not taken any course and done well. I did usmleconsult and although I felt it helped me, I didn't think it was critical.

 

[FirstMANdown]

I would say no, you don't need them. If you did well on step 2, then you can probably walk into step 3 and pass. Any review course can help in some ways, particularly with practice of taking questions and getting used to the software, but I know lots of people who have not taken any course and done well. I did usmleconsult and although I felt it helped me, I didn't think it was critical.

I think this is a true statement. A lot of these reviews, whether it be for ck or cs part of the step 3 exam are more for those folks who are not the greatest test takers who are looking to pass or on the other hand of the story, those folks who are really looking to "blow there step 3 scores out of the waters". There is an advantage with scoring high on step 3 for those who are considering a highly competitive fellowship program. It seems that everybody's situation is different than the next in some aspect. I think it comes to what you want out of it. Thats just my opinion though. In any rate I wish our 1st year IM resident good luck! 👍

 

[TruTrooper]

After just taking the test last week, I would encourage you to get the USMLE CCS cases. Kudos to those who have done well on the CCS portion by only practicing on the USMLE CD that is sent after you register for the exam but I was so glad I had spent time with the USMLE CCs getting comfortable with that FRED software. I don't think I would have felt as comfortable with dealing with the 9 cases on the exam with just the USMLE CD. But, I must admit, I was disappointed that out of the 47 cases that I practiced on the USMLEworld CCS cases, not one was similar to the 9 cases I actually had on the exam. Not one! Just my luck, I guess but knowing how to move around the software was key.

 

[FirstMANdown]

After just taking the test last week, I would encourage you to get the USMLE CCS cases. Kudos to those who have done well on the CCS portion by only practicing on the USMLE CD that is sent after you register for the exam but I was so glad I had spent time with the USMLE CCs getting comfortable with that FRED software. I don't think I would have felt as comfortable with dealing with the 9 cases on the exam with just the USMLE CD. But, I must admit, I was disappointed that out of the 47 cases that I practiced on the USMLEworld CCS cases, not one was similar to the 9 cases I actually had on the exam. Not one! Just my luck, I guess but knowing how to move around the software was key.

USMLE/NBME can be cruel like that. I am sure you did just fine. What did you do total to prepare for the great Step 3 examination and in how much time did you study for it TruTrooper???

 

[TruTrooper]

USMLE/NBME can be cruel like that. I am sure you did just fine. What did you do total to prepare for the great Step 3 examination and in how much time did you study for it TruTrooper???[/QUM


My prep definitely was not ideal. If I had the chance to do it again, I would have studied at least an additional 3 weeks and read Crush Step 3 or something on top of that. Instead, I studied four 4 weeks about 3-4 hours in the evening while on service at the hospital. I mainly did USMLE qbank and CCS and only got through 70% of the questions in Qbank. I read a few random chapters in First Aid which I felt was not helpful since the topics covered were very skeleton.

I thought the exam was challenging since many questions were indeed vague and the exam should be taken seriously. One will do themselves a favor by ignoring all of "just bring a number 2 pencil" and "just spend a solid weekend or two preparing" suggestions. Those days are probably long gone.

 

[FirstMANdown]

USMLE/NBME can be cruel like that. I am sure you did just fine. What did you do total to prepare for the great Step 3 examination and in how much time did you study for it TruTrooper???[/QUM


My prep definitely was not ideal. If I had the chance to do it again, I would have studied at least an additional 3 weeks and read Crush Step 3 or something on top of that. Instead, I studied four 4 weeks about 3-4 hours in the evening while on service at the hospital. I mainly did USMLE qbank and CCS and only got through 70% of the questions in Qbank. I read a few random chapters in First Aid which I felt was not helpful since the topics covered were very skeleton.

I thought the exam was challenging since many questions were indeed vague and the exam should be taken seriously. One will do themselves a favor by ignoring all of "just bring a number 2 pencil" and "just spend a solid weekend or two preparing" suggestions. Those days are probably long gone.

Hey Tru Trooper,
I totally know where your coming from. Anyone who suggest that step 3 is easier than step 2 are a little bit out of touch with reality. But, then again everbody's situation is different too. Does not sound like your randomized questions were "nice" or "easy" blocks like so many other test takers get lucky enough to have. I don't know why USMLE/NBME likes giving vague questions. Whatever happen to just testing you strictly on how you manage bread & butter cases. Because when it comes down to it isn't that whats important in the real world??? Personally I think most of the folks who generate these questions are not even MD's and if they are they got to be the most maniacal of the bunch. Funny thing is, if they sat in for the boards they probably would get frustrated too. Anyways, If you did well on Step 2 the odds are that you will do about the same on your step 3 or maybe slightly less. They seem to make it that way most of the times which I think is pretty weird in itself. I still believe a congressional hearing could open up a bag of worms on these issues. Wish you the best, I'm sure It ain't all that bad. 🙂

 

[Reaganite]

USMLE/NBME can be cruel like that. I am sure you did just fine. What did you do total to prepare for the great Step 3 examination and in how much time did you study for it TruTrooper???[/QUM


My prep definitely was not ideal. If I had the chance to do it again, I would have studied at least an additional 3 weeks and read Crush Step 3 or something on top of that. Instead, I studied four 4 weeks about 3-4 hours in the evening while on service at the hospital. I mainly did USMLE qbank and CCS and only got through 70% of the questions in Qbank. I read a few random chapters in First Aid which I felt was not helpful since the topics covered were very skeleton.

I thought the exam was challenging since many questions were indeed vague and the exam should be taken seriously. One will do themselves a favor by ignoring all of "just bring a number 2 pencil" and "just spend a solid weekend or two preparing" suggestions. Those days are probably long gone.

I think it all depends on what your expectations for the exam are. If you are just looking to pass, and you did reasonably well on step1 and 2, then I do think the old "just bring a number 2 pencil" adage is spot-on (as long as you familiarize yourself with the CCS software). If you are looking to score highly, then I do think you should study something, although I honestly have a hard time believing that there is a good study source for this exam out there. Unlike step1, there just aren't a lot of great books for step 3 or step 2 for that matter.

 

[FirstMANdown]

I think it all depends on what your expectations for the exam are. If you are just looking to pass, and you did reasonably well on step1 and 2, then I do think the old "just bring a number 2 pencil" adage is spot-on (as long as you familiarize yourself with the CCS software). If you are looking to score highly, then I do think you should study something, although I honestly have a hard time believing that there is a good study source for this exam out there. Unlike step1, there just aren't a lot of great books for step 3 or step 2 for that matter.

ya, sounds reasonable to me for the most part. One thing for sure, I think if you have residency training before taking the step 3, it is definitely an advantage even if it is not a traditional IM or FM program.😎