Failed Step 3 by a few points

[madcowpig123]

Step 1 and 2 scores were 220 and 235 respectively, last took step 2 in March 2014.

I'm currently in IM residency. Did UWorld one time, went over about 30 CCS cases once, about 1 month of studying. Nothing else because I heard this is pretty much all you need. I studied harder for the previous exams. I felt like I crammed questions for this test, was studying until the night before the exam, pretty much felt burnt out and sleep deprived when I took the exam

Took Step 3 in Dec 2016, failed by 2 points. I've heard rechecking the score is useless. Very disappointed in myself. Scores reflected the scope of practice I'm exposed to. Did not do well on Peds, Obgyn, and GI. I'm pretty sure I messed up on the CCS portion, remember struggling through about 4-5cases on specific cases such as the obgyn and GI cases.

My action plan is to brush up on these specific subjects, read MTB, Archer videos for CCS, go through the CCS cases more thoroughly, and questions banks.
Any other question bank recommended? Do UWorld again?
Any other recommendations? How long should I really wait to take the exam again?

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[ramzax]

Sorry man. waiting for my score. how do you know your CCS portion brought you down. Did it say borderline for all of them?

 

[madcowpig123]

Attached score report. I remember struggling through CCS, but looking over my score report, it looks average.

Did terrible on MCQs on the secondary day - the ACM, I don't remember these problems being that difficult, but the ones I remember having trouble most on were with answers saying nothing had to be done now.

Thinking over what I may have done differently during this test vs previous ones. As far as answering MCQs, what I did differently was read the question and answers first, then look at the question stem. Not sure if this is the best strategy for me, maybe looking at the answer before reading the stem messed up my train of thought. I usually answer questions by skimming the stem from beginning to end, answer the question, and if I have further questions, go back to the stem.

 

[madcowpig123]

Also, our program doesn't have any requirement on taking step 3 by a certain date, there's third years that don't take the exam until a few months from finishing residency. Will my program director be notified of this failure? Or do they have to actually look up my scores.

I'm embarrassed, don't understand how I dropped 43 points from step 2.

 

[Oktoberfest15]

Also, our program doesn't have any requirement on taking step 3 by a certain date, there's third years that don't take the exam until a few months from finishing residency. Will my program director be notified of this failure? Or do they have to actually look up my scores.

I'm embarrassed, don't understand how I dropped 43 points from step 2.

Sorry to hear your first time around didn't go well! Were you able to retake your exam? You didn't mention if you took a practice exam prior to your first attempt. Did you? Have you taken Step3 again since?

 

[madcowpig123]

I took the UWorld practice exam 3 days before taking the exam, scored a 203.

Didn't retake the exam yet. I don't think I properly studied for it, Uworld was my only resource, and may have rushed it just to get it over with. Who knows. I'm studying more, thoughtfully, reading through MTBs and Crush Step 3, going over my weak subjects, going through flashcards as well. I'm currently doing UWorld a second time, averaging 79% right now and more than half way through the qbank on timed random no tutor. Recommendation for other qbanks? Will take a NBME soon. I've been spending about 30 minutes to 2 hours a day reviewing something.

Haven't scheduled another date yet. Finding time to take it residency while mentally rested can be tough, planning to take it on a vacation block.

 

[playingfrombehind]

Unfortuante situation but I passed step 3 with lower step 1,2 scores then you on first try.

Here is my Rx:
Unfortuantely UWORLD IMO is not enough - may be for some for vast majority not enough

For questions (day 1,2)
Biostats - UWORLD step 1,2,3 + First AId Step 1 Behavioral sciences chapter + Any other biostats qbank questions
Qbanks
UWORLD step 3
MKSAP 17 - your in IM you should know the value of this
Kaplan qbank
USMLERx qbank
+/-UWORLD step 2
ideally NBMEs but time consuming

For CCS
UWORLD step 3 CCS - not enough, too straightforwards
UWORLD step 3 CCS readout cases - more difficult, closer to the real deal - personally didn't get "complicated cases" like HIV+TB as seen
Crush Step 3 CCS - very quick read, bare bones not complete, but gives you good idea especially peds+OBGYN cases
-hint hint number of peds+OBGYN cases showed up on my real deal from Crush Step 3 CCS
-develop your own skeleton for general approach of step 3 CCS cases

Reading (focus on above)
-MTB step 3 - do questions first and refer to this book after question instead of reading cover to cover
-board basics - nuff said
-First AId step 1 behavioral science - must read for biostats

Night before - good sleep, relaxation

Don't take day 1 + 2 back to back - for me was pooped needed at least 1-2 days to reover from first day- would take step 3 one week apart

Again all above resources can be obtained for free except for UWORLD step 3 CCS actual software

At the end of the day step 3 is all about being able to read questions quickly, process info, make an informed guess. Topics on Step 3 are very general and vast. Practice practice practice is what its all about.

 

[Dog_luver]

Unfortuante situation but I passed step 3 with lower step 1,2 scores then you on first try.

Here is my Rx:
Unfortuantely UWORLD IMO is not enough - may be for some for vast majority not enough

For questions (day 1,2)
Biostats - UWORLD step 1,2,3 + First AId Step 1 Behavioral sciences chapter + Any other biostats qbank questions
Qbanks
UWORLD step 3
MKSAP 17 - your in IM you should know the value of this
Kaplan qbank
USMLERx qbank
+/-UWORLD step 2
ideally NBMEs but time consuming

For CCS
UWORLD step 3 CCS - not enough, too straightforwards
UWORLD step 3 CCS readout cases - more difficult, closer to the real deal - personally didn't get "complicated cases" like HIV+TB as seen
Crush Step 3 CCS - very quick read, bare bones not complete, but gives you good idea especially peds+OBGYN cases
-hint hint number of peds+OBGYN cases showed up on my real deal from Crush Step 3 CCS
-develop your own skeleton for general approach of step 3 CCS cases

Reading (focus on above)
-MTB step 3 - do questions first and refer to this book after question instead of reading cover to cover
-board basics - nuff said
-First AId step 1 behavioral science - must read for biostats

Night before - good sleep, relaxation

Don't take day 1 + 2 back to back - for me was pooped needed at least 1-2 days to reover from first day- would take step 3 one week apart

Again all above resources can be obtained for free except for UWORLD step 3 CCS actual software

At the end of the day step 3 is all about being able to read questions quickly, process info, make an informed guess. Topics on Step 3 are very general and vast. Practice practice practice is what its all about.

I agree totally w the good rest night prior. Test is exhausting and endurance is essential. A lot of this test is about quick reading and guessing correctly. There are a ton of wth questions.

 

[gujuDoc]

Attached score report. I remember struggling through CCS, but looking over my score report, it looks average.

Did terrible on MCQs on the secondary day - the ACM, I don't remember these problems being that difficult, but the ones I remember having trouble most on were with answers saying nothing had to be done now.

Thinking over what I may have done differently during this test vs previous ones. As far as answering MCQs, what I did differently was read the question and answers first, then look at the question stem. Not sure if this is the best strategy for me, maybe looking at the answer before reading the stem messed up my train of thought. I usually answer questions by skimming the stem from beginning to end, answer the question, and if I have further questions, go back to the stem.

For Biostats use the biostats qs in uworld step 1, 2, and 3 as others have mentioned and get the 25 dollar UWorld biostats review to reteach it to you. I think that is even better than the FA review on biostats.

For everything else it is A. about knowing how to take the exam (what is tested and what is not high yield which MTB 3 does a good job of doing and if necessary go back to MTB 2 notes). For CCS I've heard crush ccs and going through ALL of UWORLD CCS is good. Conrad Fischer also has 4 books but you don't have time for that. MTB 3 lectures are helpful to me but again don't know if you have time for that. Try to understand how to think like Uworld and the exam when you are doing questions. Study your weak sections from MTB 3. Do weak areas with extra questions from Kaplan qbank or something if u need another qbank. In off time use some sort of online app with flashcards to go over topics you've forgotten.

 

[CoatedAcrobat]

Sorry to hear that buddy. Did my 4th attempt in March, waiting for the score so I can re-apply to residency. I was let go because I didn't pass it within 3 tries. I think this last attempt was good so hopefully all goes well.

 

[Dog_luver]

Sorry to hear that buddy. Did my 4th attempt in March, waiting for the score so I can re-apply to residency. I was let go because I didn't pass it within 3 tries. I think this last attempt was good so hopefully all goes well.

You were let go from residency? Sorry to hear that.

 

[CoatedAcrobat]

You were let go from residency? Sorry to hear that.

Yeah I was. Completed 2 years of OB/GYN residency and here in Texas there's a 3 strikes you're out rule. It's unfortunate since everything besides that was golden, but that's what happened. Now, I'm just waiting for my score to get back (thanks score delay) so I can re-apply to OB/GYN positions.