Failed Step 1 by 2 points

[drc87]

I failed step 1 by two points. I am so overwhelmed. I just began my first rotation of third year (those who fail are allowed to complete this rotation and then must pass step before being able to continue)

I do not even know where to begin again. I used First Aid and completed 90% of uworld questions. Took 10 weeks to study.

My Nbmes ranged from 175-195

I am wondering if I should purchase DIT or kaplan high-yield. I really need some advice.

Thanks guys, and goodluck to all those who are testing and those waiting for scores

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[SpecterGT260]

DIT is very good. Some people who may or may not have used it, may or may not have paid for it. Kapeesh?

 

[Esprit00]

I failed step 1 by two points. I am so overwhelmed. I just began my first rotation of third year (those who fail are allowed to complete this rotation and then must pass step before being able to continue)

I do not even know where to begin again. I used First Aid and completed 90% of uworld questions. Took 10 weeks to study.

My Nbmes ranged from 175-195

I am wondering if I should purchase DIT or kaplan high-yield. I really need some advice.

Thanks guys, and goodluck to all those who are testing and those waiting for scores

Never take any Step if the latest NBME you have is a failing grade or a very low score. I have another colleague who seemed to underestimate the predictive power of NBME's. They're totally objective and will not lie to you. If a few days before your exam, you're not scoring where you want to be, it's not going to jump up in the next few days. Always better to delay in that case. And my advice is that you go through the Kaplan videos. DIT is meant for people with a pretty good basis already. If you have large holes in your medical foundation, DIT won't be enough. Go through all the videos in Kaplan, do the Kaplan qbank and do the USMLE world qbank and take an NBME again.

Best of luck and don't be disheartened!

 

[drc87]

Thanks SpecterGT 🙂

 

[drc87]

Never take any Step if the latest NBME you have is a failing grade or a very low score. I have another colleague who seemed to underestimate the predictive power of NBME's. They're totally objective and will not lie to you. If a few days before your exam, you're not scoring where you want to be, it's not going to jump up in the next few days. Always better to delay in that case. And my advice is that you go through the Kaplan videos. DIT is meant for people with a pretty good basis already. If you have large holes in your medical foundation, DIT won't be enough. Go through all the videos in Kaplan, do the Kaplan qbank and do the USMLE world qbank and take an NBME again.

Best of luck and don't be disheartened!

Espirit00, I understand what you mean and its a hard decision to make when you have pressure from your school etc. I would like to retake it asap before I forget what I covered this summer. If I have about 5-6 weeks what would you guys suggest. I got a 186 so i do have gaps but not in all the areas. should i use kaplan only for the gaps? using kaplan for everything would take months i think. Thanks so much for your reply and advice.

 

[Textbookversion]

Espirit00, I understand what you mean and its a hard decision to make when you have pressure from your school etc. I would like to retake it asap before I forget what I covered this summer. If I have about 5-6 weeks what would you guys suggest. I got a 186 so i do have gaps but not in all the areas. should i use kaplan only for the gaps? using kaplan for everything would take months i think. Thanks so much for your reply and advice.

The goal is not just to pass. Really failing is anything below a 210 in terms of residency prospects. Use those other resources and don't retake until your NBME's are showing a higher score.

 

[Anastomoses]

DIT is garbage. Get the Kaplan.

DIT is literally just reading FA and Guyton to you in bulletpoints. And badly at that.

If you're not passing, you need better concepts. Kaplan.

 

[loveoforganic2]

DIT is garbage. Get the Kaplan.

DIT is literally just reading FA and Guyton to you in bulletpoints. And badly at that.

If you're not passing, you need better concepts. Kaplan.

A friend made a 240 with DIT as primary resource. I don't generally recommend DIT, but for people who need to pick up the basics, it seems to be efficacious.

Above poster is a year away from taking step, fyi OP

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

DIT is garbage. Get the Kaplan.

DIT is literally just reading FA and Guyton to you in bulletpoints. And badly at that.

If you're not passing, you need better concepts. Kaplan.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GqIci7JA8c[/YOUTUBE]

 

[SpecterGT260]

DIT is garbage. Get the Kaplan.

DIT is literally just reading FA and Guyton to you in bulletpoints. And badly at that.

If you're not passing, you need better concepts. Kaplan.

Its a systematic guided review. The benefit is in having something that keeps you on a schedule and constantly checks back for understanding for those of us who tend to space out.

 

[jokerabc]

Like others have said, the predictive power of NBMEs amazes me sometimes. With a barely passing score on the NBME, I think the risk is great to fail.

Now on the other hand, many people with high NBME scores usually do even better on the actual exam...just an observation

 

[drc87]

Like others have said, the predictive power of NBMEs amazes me sometimes. With a barely passing score on the NBME, I think the risk is great to fail.

Now on the other hand, many people with high NBME scores usually do even better on the actual exam...just an observation

I would really like to thank all of you for your help. Your responses alone make me think its still possible to do well. I will keep y'all updated with my progress.

 

[thefritz]

DIT is garbage. Get the Kaplan.

DIT is literally just reading FA and Guyton to you in bulletpoints. And badly at that.

If you're not passing, you need better concepts. Kaplan.

2nd. DIT is in one ear and out the other. It gives you a false sense of confidence because you think you've listened to all the lectures and you know everything. Covering all the material isn't the same as retaining all the material.

 

[Cmaster]

DIT is garbage. Get the Kaplan.

DIT is literally just reading FA and Guyton to you in bulletpoints. And badly at that.

If you're not passing, you need better concepts. Kaplan.

I agree. Watching Kaplan lecture videos will give you a better graps of the fundentals. I had a friend that scored a 170 as his baseline score before starting his 6 weeks of dedicated study period. He ended up with a 220's