Having a lot of difficulty with shelf exams M3 year

[S23B550]

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Hello SDN,

I'm averaging around a 60 (raw score) on all my the shelf exams I've taken my M3 year. So far I've taken all the M3 courses except IM, which I'm on right now. No matter how much I study, I just can't seem to do well on these exams. Anyway, I'm just worried about passing the Step 2 exam. If we assume that I'm going to do similarly on the Step 2 as I've been doing on the shelf exams (more time to study but more material), will I be able to pass it?

Thank you.

 

[evilbooyaa]

60 raw score? what is that in terms of scaled score (what shows up on your medical school's gradebook)? I'm not sure what my raw score has been at any point during M3. That being said, I think that based on the large amount of studying that you do, you should be identifying weaknesses (based on UWorld questions and shelf exam higher vs lower scoring reports) and working on them. I don't have an answer for you in terms of how you'll do on Step 2. How'd you do on Step 1? If you passed comfortably (> 210 or 220) I think you would be capable of passing Step 2 CK.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Hello SDN,

I'm averaging around a 60 (raw score) on all my the shelf exams I've taken my M3 year. So far I've taken all the M3 courses except IM, which I'm on right now. No matter how much I study, I just can't seem to do well on these exams. Anyway, I'm just worried about passing the Step 2 exam. If we assume that I'm going to do similarly on the Step 2 as I've been doing on the shelf exams (more time to study but more material), will I be able to pass it?

Thank you.

Step 2 is markedly easier than the shelf exams. If you take it seriously, you should do fine.

 

[rueby25]

Hello SDN,

I'm averaging around a 60 (raw score) on all my the shelf exams I've taken my M3 year. So far I've taken all the M3 courses except IM, which I'm on right now. No matter how much I study, I just can't seem to do well on these exams. Anyway, I'm just worried about passing the Step 2 exam. If we assume that I'm going to do similarly on the Step 2 as I've been doing on the shelf exams (more time to study but more material), will I be able to pass it?

Thank you.

How are you studying for shells? Qbanks? Qbooks? Reading? A lot of step 2 is knowing the best treatment or next step, and that comes with doing questions on these topics and/or reading diagnostic and treatment algorithms. My shelf scores were all over the place, but 2 were in the 60s and none was above 84, and I managed a 253 with a dedicated prep course.

 

[siliso]

My experience, and I'm pretty sure there is Ed-psych research to back it up, is that high-quality practice questions with thorough explanations are the #1 most productive way to study. That's active engagement with the material, and you can use reading to expand your understanding of the things you don't get on first pass. Do hundreds, or thousands. Pre-test has 500 for each of the core shelves, and there are other resources too.

 

[evilbooyaa]

How are you studying for shells? Qbanks? Qbooks? Reading? A lot of step 2 is knowing the best treatment or next step, and that comes with doing questions on these topics and/or reading diagnostic and treatment algorithms. My shelf scores were all over the place, but 2 were in the 60s and none was above 84, and I managed a 253 with a dedicated prep course.

Dedicated prep course? Did you do DIT/Kaplan or some other review course?

 

[rueby25]

Dedicated prep course? Did you do DIT/Kaplan or some other review course?

DIT plus about 25% of UWorld focusing on weak areas and all 4 NBMEs for tracking progress (first one predicted 210, last predicted 252). Didn't want to specify course for fear of it sounding like an ad. I liked it a lot, though.

 

[tco]

DIT plus about 25% of UWorld focusing on weak areas and all 4 NBMEs for tracking progress (first one predicted 210, last predicted 252). Didn't want to specify course for fear of it sounding like an ad. I liked it a lot, though.

Thinking more and more about using DIT right before the exam. Do you feel that is the best plan? Just do it a couple weeks before the test?

 

[rueby25]

Thinking more and more about using DIT right before the exam. Do you feel that is the best plan? Just do it a couple weeks before the test?

I took a month of vacation (hence "dedicated" study plan). Studied about 3 weeks. Wasn't as intense as step 1, but results were even better. It will definitely help your score, but you have to review like it says. The premise of the program is the active learning and reiteration. I quickly lost details for material I didn't review.

Questions are also your friend, especially if shelfs give you trouble. Is time an issue? Do you read the question and answers first? Some work on technique (by examining why you miss the questions you do) will go a long way.

 

[rueby25]

I took a month of vacation (hence "dedicated" study plan). Studied about 3 weeks. Wasn't as intense as step 1, but results were even better. It will definitely help your score, but you have to review like it says. The premise of the program is the active learning and reiteration. I quickly lost details for material I didn't review.

Questions are also your friend, especially if shelfs give you trouble. Is time an issue? Do you read the question and answers first? Some work on technique (by examining why you miss the questions you do) will go a long way.

Oops, just realized you aren't OP.

I think the course is good in general. It stands to help just about anyone who uses it, IMO.