Hey bro, lets realize what ICE is before we go forward...
ICE is your ability to collect data and present it. So history, examination, and the PN.
So that means the use of mnemonics of the symptom given is really important to figure out those tricky differentials.
The examinations vary from time to time, not all patients warrant an extensive physical. For example when it came to me, I never did chest / cardiac examination when it wasn't warranted, same with HEENT etc. If the patient had leg pain, I'd only do examinations related to the limb, it would give me time to do some special tests if the patient isn't in too much pain, but if the patient was in pain, i'd avoid the special tests (unless if its like the knee joint and Anterior drawer etc is needed).
Regarding the notes you write down, if they affected your PN, then its an issue, otherwise i dont think it is because i dont think anybody else in the room except me would be able to understand/ read what i wrote down, and I would have to recall things based on my history sometimes when i can't read it myself, I wouldn't make stuff up.
MY PN was probably the briefest of them all when it came to the diagnosis and findings. Most of my findings were from the history, from the physical examination i'd have none or probably one supporting finding.
I passed ICE with one star in the gray zone, so I'll tell you what i did, Started with Diagnosis , diagnostic studies, History, Physical examination (My weakest part of the PN, i'd only have Vitals, alert and oriented, and whatever findings i Looked for, which were most of the time, normal.
I feel your pain, my plan B was basically do research for a year, book the step 2 cs as soon as possible, and not rush the CK unless I'd get like a 270+ on my NBME since i'd have an extra year to prepare.
