Failed 3 times..need HELP/ADVICE!!!

[Nicholaus]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm trying to decide between the 12 week program at UMKC vs the 7 week program at Optima (New Jersey). Can anyone who have taken these review courses please comment on the pro's and con's of each program?

Just for your info; here was my preparation for the 1st three unsuccessful attempts:

Attempt 1: PASS program, self study with Kaplan videos and notes, Goljan, First Aid, UW questions, Qbank questions, and NBME's. Result = 156.

Attempt 2: Live Kaplan 6 week course, self study, Goljan, First Aid, UW questions, and NBME's. Result = 180.

Attempt 3: Kaplan center (videos only), self study, Goljan, First Aid, USMLERx questions, and NBME's. Result = 171.

I am only interested in constructive advice and help. Please keep your negativity to yourself (i.e. "You'll never get a residency", "You'll never become a doctor", etc.).

Kindest regards,
Nicholaus

 

[dizzle69]

Where do you attend school and what were your NBME scores like?

I'm trying to decide between the 12 week program at UMKC vs the 7 week program at Optima (New Jersey). Can anyone who have taken these review courses please comment on the pro's and con's of each program?

Just for your info; here was my preparation for the 1st three unsuccessful attempts:

Attempt 1: PASS program, self study with Kaplan videos and notes, Goljan, First Aid, UW questions, Qbank questions, and NBME's. Result = 156.

Attempt 2: Live Kaplan 6 week course, self study, Goljan, First Aid, UW questions, and NBME's. Result = 180.

Attempt 3: Kaplan center (videos only), self study, Goljan, First Aid, USMLERx questions, and NBME's. Result = 171.

I am only interested in constructive advice and help. Please keep your negativity to yourself (i.e. "You'll never get a residency", "You'll never become a doctor", etc.).

Kindest regards,
Nicholaus

 

[Nicholaus]

Where do you attend school and what were your NBME scores like?

I'm a Carib med student.

Here are my NBME scores:
Form 1: 178
Form 2: 195
Form 3: 166
Form 4: 178

 

[Nicholaus]

45 views and no replies??

 

[doc20]

I would say go with the 7 week program, you would get it through quickly and make sure all your nbme are above passing scores yeah>?

 

[golfpropsychguy]

I'm trying to decide between the 12 week program at UMKC vs the 7 week program at Optima (New Jersey). Can anyone who have taken these review courses please comment on the pro's and con's of each program?

Just for your info; here was my preparation for the 1st three unsuccessful attempts:

Attempt 1: PASS program, self study with Kaplan videos and notes, Goljan, First Aid, UW questions, Qbank questions, and NBME's. Result = 156.

Attempt 2: Live Kaplan 6 week course, self study, Goljan, First Aid, UW questions, and NBME's. Result = 180.

Attempt 3: Kaplan center (videos only), self study, Goljan, First Aid, USMLERx questions, and NBME's. Result = 171.

I am only interested in constructive advice and help. Please keep your negativity to yourself (i.e. "You'll never get a residency", "You'll never become a doctor", etc.).

Kindest regards,
Nicholaus

I really feel for you and I am sure this has been a very difficult time. But trust me when I say this that when you do pass you will look back on it and be so much stronger at taking these types of exams.

If I were you I would take about a 6-7 week course and then focus on the highest yield information and know it backward and forward. then I would do Kaplans Q bank for step 1 by subject everything timed. Dont ever do a block unless you are timed because thats how it is going to be on the real thing. Go over every question afterwards, correct and incorrect questions. Then do the entire qbank again in random question mode, timed of course. Then take all of the nbme's.
This entire process will take some time but I guarantee that you will pass with this method.

Most importantly be head strong and focused on your goal. Dont give in to negative thoughts. your going to become a doctor if you keep pushing. The only way you wont make it is if you decide to give up.

Good luck and PM with your progress. I can't wait to hear the great news on your victory!👍

 

[lord_jeebus]

I don't know if this is an option, but if I was you I'd want to go back and learn the fundamentals again over the span of at least a year. Review courses have not been helpful for you so I think you need to take things to a deeper level.

You will be a better physician for it, and if you've failed the test 3 times it would be nice to have a score that's better than just-passing.

 

[NarayanDaLion]

Nicholaus,

Did u do the Live Pass Program course or did u just watch the videos on your first attempt?

I read about an exam experience on prep4usmle about a carib med student that passed on his 3rd attempt after taking the live Pass Program. Here is the link to his experience:
http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/thread/58372

After you read that, you should look at this post by Masterofnone from this forum. I was definitely impressed and moved...
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=449018

And also this post with people who came back and rocked Step2 after not doing so hot on Step1!
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=5666399#post5666399

Well, I am taking forever taking this exam. I did poorly with on NBME 1 back in Sept (310/166) even though I passed the NBME CBSE exam my school made us take at the end of April. I think i just dragged this thing out too long. I am currently doing the UW questions and taking detailed notes and they are helping me a lot. I've finished Goljan back in april and have been listening to him leisurely and taking more notes. I learn something new from that man regardless of how many times I listen to his lectures.

I don't know much about the UMKC program... i am sure it is good. But, I would also consider the Falcon program. I noticed Dr. Goljan is now teaching with them. Another friend of mine who is a Carib student as well took them in Dallas a year ago and scored 90+ on the first attempt.

Good Luck with your 4th. I am sure you are almost there. After having covered all this material I bet you know all these concepts. You just need some program that can help you find your MoJo once again...

One thing I know for sure is I am not going to take the exam until I can score at least a 420 or 430 on one of the NBME exams. Once I hit that benchmark I am going to see if i can consistently score in the same range on the remaining NBMEs. Which I hope is going to be by the end of this month when I finish my UW questions.

Whatever you do, just pick a program and stick by it! Believe that you made the right decision. You need some sort of a coach like Tony Robbins or something... that dude is mad expensive.. but look for alternate options along those lines!

Again, Good luck and pls let me know if you did the live Pass Prgm.

 

[Terpskins99]

I know one of the instructors at the UMKC program. He was my pathology instructor and he is excellent. The UMKC program seems ok, but I don't think its any better than what you've already gone through. The Falcon program with Goljan is an interesting option (btw, Goljan's own homepage at OSU-COM doesn't mention anything about him participating with Falcon... kinda odd...). Falcon also lists Rosenthal as an instructor (I used his micro cards... loved them!).

Anyhow... you might be better served trying to work out a plan on your own. There's something clearly wrong with your approach if you've already attempted the exam three times following three different board prep courses (e.g. the instructors that Kaplan uses for the 6 week course are outstanding).

At this point, I think your fundamentals almost certainly are down by now (good grief, after 2 years of basic science instruction and 3 sets of USMLE courses... they would have to be). I'm guessing you need to work on your test-taking skills. Timed CBT's are unnerving for everyone, and it takes a lot of practice just to get used to it.

Are you doing enough practice questions? By enough, I mean at least 1,700+ questions. Have you tried USMLE World? Do you do them under simulated testing conditions (timed random topic 50 question blocks)? Do you review ALL your answers afterwards? Do you review your test-taking strategy? How are you with time-management? As someone else mentioned, how many NBME's have you tried?

 

[dizzle69]

I know one of the instructors at the UMKC program. He was my pathology instructor and he is excellent. The UMKC program seems ok, but I don't think its any better than what you've already gone through. The Falcon program with Goljan is an interesting option (btw, Goljan's own homepage at OSU-COM doesn't mention anything about him participating with Falcon... kinda odd...). Falcon also lists Rosenthal as an instructor (I used his micro cards... loved them!).

Anyhow... you might be better served trying to work out a plan on your own. There's something clearly wrong with your approach if you've already attempted the exam three times following three different board prep courses (e.g. the instructors that Kaplan uses for the 6 week course are outstanding).

At this point, I think your fundamentals almost certainly are down by now (good grief, after 2 years of basic science instruction and 3 sets of USMLE courses... they would have to be). I'm guessing you need to work on your test-taking skills. Timed CBT's are unnerving for everyone, and it takes a lot of practice just to get used to it.

Are you doing enough practice questions? By enough, I mean at least 1,700+ questions. Have you tried USMLE World? Do you do them under simulated testing conditions (timed random topic 50 question blocks)? Do you review ALL your answers afterwards? Do you review your test-taking strategy? How are you with time-management? As someone else mentioned, how many NBME's have you tried?

As he stated, he did UW when taking Step I the 1st 2 times and 4 NBMEs. All I can say is that since he is Carib. (only from Ross's perspective though because I have friends who go there and I'm not sure if this is true for all Carib. programs) that he's been allowed to sit for the board exam because his grades must have been high. Ross only allows students who are in the top X% (15 I think?) take the boards to guarantee that "high pass rate." So, apparently if all Carib schools follow this model, then he shouldn't be lacking in fundamentals. However, I stopped with the help offering because I have not taken Step I yet.

 

[ertugrul]

What about your specific percentiles on NMBE exams? Have you low % all of them or you do well on some subject or system while doing not that well on others? And most importantly, what is your opinion about the results? What is your answer to "why" if any?

 

[Terpskins99]

As he stated, he did UW when taking Step I the 1st 2 times and 4 NBMEs. All I can say is that since he is Carib. (only from Ross's perspective though because I have friends who go there and I'm not sure if this is true for all Carib. programs) that he's been allowed to sit for the board exam because his grades must have been high. Ross only allows students who are in the top X% (15 I think?) take the boards to guarantee that "high pass rate." So, apparently if all Carib schools follow this model, then he shouldn't be lacking in fundamentals. However, I stopped with the help offering because I have not taken Step I yet.

That is ridiculous. 😱 Are you sure that's correct? I've never heard of any school setting such limitations for their students.

I don't think theres too much harm with giving advice... just as long as you make it clear that you haven't taken the test yet. Frankly, you'd probably better serve yourself (as well as your fellow examinee's) by asking questions instead of providing (mostly best guess) answers. There are plenty of regular contributors on SDN that have successfully navigated their way past Step I. And they're usually very good at addressing questions promptly.

heheh, I'd like to throw myself into that crowd... but I don't think my board score was high enough. 😉

 

[NarayanDaLion]

As he stated, he did UW when taking Step I the 1st 2 times and 4 NBMEs. All I can say is that since he is Carib. (only from Ross's perspective though because I have friends who go there and I'm not sure if this is true for all Carib. programs) that he's been allowed to sit for the board exam because his grades must have been high. Ross only allows students who are in the top X% (15 I think?) take the boards to guarantee that "high pass rate." So, apparently if all Carib schools follow this model, then he shouldn't be lacking in fundamentals. However, I stopped with the help offering because I have not taken Step I yet.

I am a Ross student. I am not sure about the 15% bit (could be new rules, their rules are always changing), but once you pass the 4 semesters of Basic Sciences and the 5th semester of Advanced ICM, you have to pass the NBME CBSE within 3 attempts with a score of 64% or higher. I think the 64 is supposed to be equivalent to a score of 200 on Step1. I squeaked by with a 65!

 

[Terpskins99]

I am a Ross student. I am not sure about the 15% bit (could be new rules, their rules are always changing), but once you pass the 4 semesters of Basic Sciences and the 5th semester of Advanced ICM, you have to pass the NBME CBSE within 3 attempts with a score of 64% or higher. I think the 64 is supposed to be equivalent to a score of 200 on Step1. I squeaked by with a 65!

Ok, this makes much more sense. And its not unusual either. Most american allopathic programs have a similar policy of minimum cutoffs on the CBSE to be eligible for boards.

Requiring 200 seems a little high, if you haven't begun formal board prep. But its not unreasonable. As I understand it, most island schools' curriculum are specifically tailored to prepare you for boards.

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm trying to decide between the 12 week program at UMKC vs the 7 week program at Optima (New Jersey). Can anyone who have taken these review courses please comment on the pro's and con's of each program?

Just for your info; here was my preparation for the 1st three unsuccessful attempts:

Attempt 1: PASS program, self study with Kaplan videos and notes, Goljan, First Aid, UW questions, Qbank questions, and NBME's. Result = 156.

Attempt 2: Live Kaplan 6 week course, self study, Goljan, First Aid, UW questions, and NBME's. Result = 180.

Attempt 3: Kaplan center (videos only), self study, Goljan, First Aid, USMLERx questions, and NBME's. Result = 171.

I am only interested in constructive advice and help. Please keep your negativity to yourself (i.e. "You'll never get a residency", "You'll never become a doctor", etc.).

Kindest regards,
Nicholaus

Seems to me you want to do the bulk of what you previously did on attempt #2, where you came closest, rather than scrap that whole game plan for another, untested one. You only need a couple more right answers from what you got that time. I thus would go with that version again, but with a bit more intensity. I'd probably dump Goljan and FA in favor of other resources. While they work for most people, you've been through them at least 3 times now and have seemed to reap no real benefit -- so replace those with other board review resources. I'd probably give up on the NBMEs too -- once you've done them several times, there's probably not much more you can get out of them. Be sure to do a ton of problems.

 

[Nicholaus]

First and foremost, I thank you all that contributed and addressed my questions with legitimate advice and suggestions. However, as fate would have it, I just found out this morning that I am being "forced to transfer" from my current medical school to another one. I have exceeded the number of allowed Leave of Absence's studying for the Step 1 during the course of the past 16 months.

Finding a new school to transfer to that will sponsor me to take the Step 1 has become my priority and will remain for the next few weeks.

Once again, I thank you all for your advice and recommenations. I will be back shortly to post more.

Regards,
Nicholaus

 

[ertugrul]

First and foremost, I thank you all that contributed and addressed my questions with legitimate advice and suggestions. However, as fate would have it, I just found out this morning that I am being "forced to transfer" from my current medical school to another one. I have exceeded the number of allowed Leave of Absence's studying for the Step 1 during the course of the past 16 months.

Finding a new school to transfer to that will sponsor me to take the Step 1 has become my priority and will remain for the next few weeks.

Once again, I thank you all for your advice and recommenations. I will be back shortly to post more.

Regards,
Nicholaus

Keep your chin up and hang in there, and let us be informed.
Bonne chance !