Firecracker

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Hey all, didn't get a chance to read through the whole thread. Just wondering though, how tough should we be on ourselves when ranking the questions? I feel like some of the questions I know half of the answer, but forget the other half, so is it better to rank that a complete 1 or to rank it a 2 or 3?
 
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MirrorTodd said:
Hey all, didn't get a chance to read through the whole thread. Just wondering though, how tough should we be on ourselves when ranking the questions? I feel like some of the questions I know half of the answer, but forget the other half, so is it better to rank that a complete 1 or to rank it a 2 or 3?
Click to expand...
Those I rank usually a 2 or 3 depending on how well I think I get the overall picture of the questions topic.
 
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mnhockeyfan said:
Those I rank usually a 2 or 3 depending on how well I think I get the overall picture of the questions topic.
Click to expand...
That's what I've been doing too. Sometimes, I think it's too easy to tell myself, "Oh, I would've known that if it were multiple choice."
On a side note, I just switched to legendary mode and my questions increased by like 230. Freaking insane.
 
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MirrorTodd said:
Hey all, didn't get a chance to read through the whole thread. Just wondering though, how tough should we be on ourselves when ranking the questions? I feel like some of the questions I know half of the answer, but forget the other half, so is it better to rank that a complete 1 or to rank it a 2 or 3?
Click to expand...

I'm generally as "hard on myself" as possible. The %mastery really means nothing in the end, especially when you put it on fixed spacing instead of adaptive spacing. I'm always on fixed spacing, so I usually ditch what the 1-5 is supposed to correspond to idea-wise and just think of how many days later I should probably see the question again.
 
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kirbymiester said:
I'm generally as "hard on myself" as possible. The %mastery really means nothing in the end, especially when you put it on fixed spacing instead of adaptive spacing. I'm always on fixed spacing, so I usually ditch what the 1-5 is supposed to correspond to idea-wise and just think of how many days later I should probably see the question again.
Click to expand...
This question is really for anyone who wants to answer:
Do you find you get better results with the fixed spacing?
 
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MirrorTodd said:
This question is really for anyone who wants to answer:
Do you find you get better results with the fixed spacing?
Click to expand...

It's probably a matter of preference and subjective mastery of material. I like the adaptive spacing for FC, but I also use Anki for some of my problem areas, for which I used a fixed algorithm.
 
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kirbymiester said:
I'm generally as "hard on myself" as possible. The %mastery really means nothing in the end, especially when you put it on fixed spacing instead of adaptive spacing. I'm always on fixed spacing, so I usually ditch what the 1-5 is supposed to correspond to idea-wise and just think of how many days later I should probably see the question again.
Click to expand...

If you are doing fixed spacing, isn't your card count ridiculous per day?
 
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Brain Bucket said:
I use fixed for cases in which I want to get at least x repetitions in before a certain date.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I do the exact same thing. Super helpful for when you're only going over certain subjects for a test coming up.

Lafakads said:
If you are doing fixed spacing, isn't your card count ridiculous per day?
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Well I'm doing Firecracker for Step 2 now so my card count is still really low (just started). But yeah when I was an MS2 it was up in the 200-300/day range. I'd usually be about 1000 Q's behind. You'd just prioritize what was most important for your immediate studying needs, and complete the review Q's by subject accordingly.
 
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Dammit. I've got 254 questions to do today and I did 54 this morning. Figured I'd do the rest later, but it reset all the questions I'd saved when I logged back in. That freaking sucks that you have to do them all in one block.
 
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MirrorTodd said:
Dammit. I've got 254 questions to do today and I did 54 this morning. Figured I'd do the rest later, but it reset all the questions I'd saved when I logged back in. That freaking sucks that you have to do them all in one block.
Click to expand...

I've never had this happen before. I do my questions spaced throughout the day all the time.
 
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MirrorTodd said:
Dammit. I've got 254 questions to do today and I did 54 this morning. Figured I'd do the rest later, but it reset all the questions I'd saved when I logged back in. That freaking sucks that you have to do them all in one block.
Click to expand...

That tended to happen when I used to use my cell phone to do some questions and then finish up with my computer. It doesn't happen all the time, but sometime it does glitch when you use two different platforms. Since I noticed it and had to do up to 100 questions over once, I only use my computer now.
 
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DrEnderW said:
It's in beta-testing currently for both iOS and Android.

It just started recently but I'll update when I hear a definite release date.
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As far as I know, only an iPhone app is in beta testing. You sure about Android?
 
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They're allegedly developing both, but like most other things, the iphone app will be out first.
 
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DYT said:
As far as I know, only an iPhone app is in beta testing. You sure about Android?
Click to expand...

Yup, 100% certain an Android app is being tested as well.

Not sure if both will be released concurrently yet though.
 
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Bancrofti said:
That tended to happen when I used to use my cell phone to do some questions and then finish up with my computer. It doesn't happen all the time, but sometime it does glitch when you use two different platforms. Since I noticed it and had to do up to 100 questions over once, I only use my computer now.
Click to expand...
I was using my iPad, so maybe it's a problem with mobile browsers?
 
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Need advice on what to do from anyone who's already taken the step and uses/used FC. 24 days out from the exam and I'm a bit behind on studying... looking to turn it around now that NBA Finals are over and GoT is done 🙂

I have 980 topics flagged and the average card amount for the rest of dedicated is around 170.

I haven't finished my first official read through of FA yet and I have about 30% left of Uworld to go (average = 81%, random timed).

Practice exams so far: (4/20) NBME 7 = 234, (5/2) School CBSE: 248, (5/24) UWSA1: 260


I'm a bit nervous to give it up, because I actually feel that a large reason I'm even in the ballpark that I'm in is because of info I gained from FC. That being said, cutting it out would allow me to get through First Aid and also focus on subjective weaknesses like Pharm and Neuro (ironically, the 1 system I didn't really finish in FC). I'm just concerned that though I might gain an edge in other places, I may fall off with things FC was keeping me fresh on. Help me! As many students Firecracker says use the program, I only know 1 other person who is also using it so it's difficult to get an idea of what may be the right move.

tl;dr
- <4 weeks
- finish FC, risk not seeing Uworld incorrects or finishing FA or using other sources
- drop FC, be able to see Uworld marked/incorrects, finish FA, maybe look at Rapid Review/HY Neuro
- Goal score is somewhere around 260. Probably sitting around mid 240s at the moment.
 
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I tried to switch to fixed spacing instead of adaptive spacing, and even though I set the spacing values, whenever I answer a question automatically has me seeing at again in 1 day, regardless of how I rate it. Anyone else have this problem?
 
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Do you guys recommend using firecracker at the start of MS1? As in reviewing material on FC that corresponds to what I am learning in class. I was going to start off with the free trial to see how well I stay on track. Or would be that too much for an incoming MS1? I also hear that going along FA with class material is helpful in learning the topics better.

I heard picmonic is a nice learning tool to use as well.
 
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Bancrofti said:
Need advice on what to do from anyone who's already taken the step and uses/used FC. 24 days out from the exam and I'm a bit behind on studying... looking to turn it around now that NBA Finals are over and GoT is done 🙂

I have 980 topics flagged and the average card amount for the rest of dedicated is around 170.

I haven't finished my first official read through of FA yet and I have about 30% left of Uworld to go (average = 81%, random timed).

Practice exams so far: (4/20) NBME 7 = 234, (5/2) School CBSE: 248, (5/24) UWSA1: 260


I'm a bit nervous to give it up, because I actually feel that a large reason I'm even in the ballpark that I'm in is because of info I gained from FC. That being said, cutting it out would allow me to get through First Aid and also focus on subjective weaknesses like Pharm and Neuro (ironically, the 1 system I didn't really finish in FC). I'm just concerned that though I might gain an edge in other places, I may fall off with things FC was keeping me fresh on. Help me! As many students Firecracker says use the program, I only know 1 other person who is also using it so it's difficult to get an idea of what may be the right move.

tl;dr
- <4 weeks
- finish FC, risk not seeing Uworld incorrects or finishing FA or using other sources
- drop FC, be able to see Uworld marked/incorrects, finish FA, maybe look at Rapid Review/HY Neuro
- Goal score is somewhere around 260. Probably sitting around mid 240s at the moment.
Click to expand...

thats a pretty impressive percentage. great work. Im still in the midst of prepping using FC so can't really help. Hope you get the answer that best helps you out.
 
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skapoor89 said:
Do you guys recommend using firecracker at the start of MS1? As in reviewing material on FC that corresponds to what I am learning in class. I was going to start off with the free trial to see how well I stay on track. Or would be that too much for an incoming MS1? I also hear that going along FA with class material is helpful in learning the topics better.

I heard picmonic is a nice learning tool to use as well.
Click to expand...
Honestly if i could do it over again thats what i would have done. Done it with classes and kept my % mastered up there with my flagged %.
 
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So with the new updates to the Step 2 material, how many of you guys are planning on using it for 3rd year?
 
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DOC209 said:
thats a pretty impressive percentage. great work. Im still in the midst of prepping using FC so can't really help. Hope you get the answer that best helps you out.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I actually ended up getting a response from someone I PM'd. I knew it would be a stretch to get a response here since most people that view the Firecracker thread are current users.

THH said:
So with the new updates to the Step 2 material, how many of you guys are planning on using it for 3rd year?
Click to expand...
I probably will, especially if can get a good review from someone of the Step 2 material beforehand. I wish I had known about FC during first year, so I don't want to make the same mistake and not be doing what will best prepare me for rotations and Step 2 from the beginning.
 
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THH said:
So with the new updates to the Step 2 material, how many of you guys are planning on using it for 3rd year?
Click to expand...

I want to try.

I don't know if logistically it's possible to keep up with the same level of questions that is possible in M1-M2. Worth trying it out though since I've been such a supporter of the Step 1 material.
 
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skapoor89 said:
Do you guys recommend using firecracker at the start of MS1? As in reviewing material on FC that corresponds to what I am learning in class. I was going to start off with the free trial to see how well I stay on track. Or would be that too much for an incoming MS1?.
Click to expand...

If I could change 1 thing about how I did M1 it would be doing FC from the get go or maybe after the first big anatomy test or something so I knew I was comfortable. I started in Jan. and have pushing 30% banked and really wish I had more done more earlier and worked on some over winter break at minimum.
 
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DrEnderW said:
If I could change 1 thing about how I did M1 it would be doing FC from the get go or maybe after the first big anatomy test or something so I knew I was comfortable. I started in Jan. and have pushing 30% banked and really wish I had more done more earlier and worked on some over winter break at minimum.
Click to expand...


Will it take out a lot of time from my general studying and normal life? Lol


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile
 
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skapoor89 said:
Will it take out a lot of time from my general studying and normal life? Lol


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile
Click to expand...

It depends if you routinely finish all of your questions and how seriously you get after it. I do 1-2 hours a day with 2 being rare. It's not bad during the school year because I did most in down time on campus or in lulls in lecture, etc.

Once I was home for the day, I did max 1hr split up over the evening. It does take a time commitment, no doubt. However, it would be no different than if you reviewed 100 concepts of your own everyday. With the Beta mobile app, I can get even more done during lulls. That will hopefully be released soon.
 
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DrEnderW said:
It depends if you routinely finish all of your questions and how seriously you get after it. I do 1-2 hours a day with 2 being rare. It's not bad during the school year because I did most in down time on campus or in lulls in lecture, etc.

Once I was home for the day, I did max 1hr split up over the evening. It does take a time commitment, no doubt. However, it would be no different than if you reviewed 100 concepts of your own everyday. With the Beta mobile app, I can get even more done during lulls. That will hopefully be released soon.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I'll try it out with the free month and go from there.



Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile
 
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skapoor89 said:
Will it take out a lot of time from my general studying and normal life? Lol


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile
Click to expand...

Totally depends on how fast and consistent you are. I've worked up to ~200-300q's/hour and never spend more than an hour a day, less now that M1 is over. I started banking from the beginning of M1 and have been diligent about flagging new topics and not falling behind on review questions. I'm almost to 70% banked at this point, hoping to flag another topic a day through the summer so I can have most of my M2 time devoted to other resources and keep my daily FC question load low. YMMV.
 
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danse said:
Oh :X. They sent out an email about the beta. I didn't see it soon enough, but I assumed some of you might have the app, especially since they're a few weeks to a month from launching.
Click to expand...
According to their twitter account, they sent the app to Apple for approval a couple of days ago.
 
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danse said:
What do you guys think about the app?
Click to expand...

It's great because of the pure convenience. I get a lot done on the subway/bus/waiting in lines and whatnot.

It's definitely a beta version though... I'm assuming the actual app will be a lot nicer looking. I'm unsure if you'll be able to flag new content yet or not.
 
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DrEnderW said:
It's great because of the pure convenience. I get a lot done on the subway/bus/waiting in lines and whatnot.

It's definitely a beta version though... I'm assuming the actual app will be a lot nicer looking. I'm unsure if you'll be able to flag new content yet or not.
Click to expand...
whee! Does it have push notifications?
 
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for those that have done the Anatomy cards… how well do they prep you for NBME/USMLE questions?
 
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