HELP! with test taking strategy

[Premedico]

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Hey everyone,

I expect to be pretty decent in my knowledge base for step by the time the date comes around. What about strategies?

I've noticed that I usually hit a plateau when it comes to standardized tests and more factual knowledge will not necessarily help.

Any ideas what am I doing wrong here? Is there any such strategy at all?

 

[Rollo]

I know what you mean about hitting a plateau.

My strategy is to just do tons and tons and tons and tons of practice questions. You start to pick up patterns soon and you will figure out how to look for key facts that point to the intended question well before you read the actual question at the end of the stem. You will also start to gather which facts or clinical pearls to hold on to or discard as you read the question along.

Another thing I try to do is come up with the answer on my own before looking at the choices. So far, it hasn't worked that well because I don't really know a whole lot. However, that strategy works for me during class exams.

Hope that helps.