I asked this in the appropriate forum but got NO answers; so trying here now.

[Knicks]

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And within the appropriate forum, I posted it in the appropriate thread as well (So, I tried, OK?), but go NO responses, and I need quick[er] responses.

So DON'T pretentiously move this, mods 🙄 (re-read the thread title and the 1st line of this post if need be (ie: having trouble comprehending why I had to post this here)).


ANYway,

I need your input about books to use for the Step 2 CK:

I went through Secrets and made notes of necessary info (ie: things I didn't know and/or things I needed to brush up on).

Did the same with the Kaplan notes.

Also went through all of UW.

Didn't touch FA, though.

I will be taking this test again unfortunately and I was wondering, should I get Step Up to Medicine or should I get Step Up to Step 2?

another question:

As aforementioned, I didn't touch FA; Should I? Is it worth doing so?


Thanks, and looking forward to your responses.

 

[MeRLin443]

Isn't there are forum specifically for this?

 

[Rendar5]

I don't recommend asking MS1's and 2's for advice on Step 2. You should close this thread and move it to clinical rotations forum.

 

[Knicks]

^^People who have taken the Steps frequent this forum, though.

blah, whatever.

 

[Knicks]

lol, so which brilliant mod couldnt understand the OP and moved this?

 

[Golding]

lol, so which brilliant mod couldnt understand the OP and moved this?

No need to criticize the mods for doing their work correctly -- it's more pretentious to demand that the mods bend the rules for you, than it is for the mods to put threads where they belong. Not getting an immediate answer doesn't justify posting something out-of-scope somewhere else. Be realistic, were you getting the answer you wanted from the alternate board you posted on? Rendar was right that you're actually worse off taking Step 2 advice from MS1 and MS2 students.

Regarding the original issue you're facing, though:

I was hesitant to answer your thread initially because if you did indeed go through Secrets, Kaplan, and UWorld, took notes and failed the test, your problem may not be about what book you're reading. You ought to assess why you didn't pass (Were you not reviewing the questions that you missed? Were the notes you took not sinking in; if not, then why?). Adjusting your strategy in that regard might do you more favors.

But to be fair, Kaplan's book series is only so-so, and their medicine book does result in confusion a little more than it does clarity. Realistically, Step Up to Medicine and Step Up to Step 2 are both high quality books that you would probably do well with. Same author, so the concepts are similar. Step Up to Step 2 is my personal preference, only because I was able to get my hands on a copy easier.

First Aid is a good resource, but the problem with it is that it's very heavy. I found myself having to build up my knowledge just to be able to read it and keep anything in. It may be a good idea to use Step Up to Step 2, and then supplement it with some extra things you notice while flipping through First Aid. That's the stage of studying I'm currently in.

Whatever you do, I hope that your luck improves this next time around.

 

[Depakote]

I never used Secerets, but a number of my friends did and reported that it was very high yield. If I was going to do this again, it's the text I'd use.

UWorld was an amazing resource. It is probably the best prep out there. I'd go ahead and go through it again.

I used Step Up to Step 2 and found it a little light. When annotating my Uword wrong answers into it, I couldn't find appropriate sections to place the info in.

First Aid is reportedly too heavy.

Lots of people like Step Up to Medicine, but it doesn't have Peds/OBGyn and the test doesn't skimp on those sections.

 

[fergustsi]

you need to use step up to step 2 and not medicine. otherwise youll need to supplement, for peds, ob/gyn, trauma/surg, psych. how long until the exam?

 

[Knicks]

No need to criticize the mods for doing their work correctly -- it's more pretentious to demand that the mods bend the rules for you, than it is for the mods to put threads where they belong. Not getting an immediate answer doesn't justify posting something out-of-scope somewhere else. Be realistic, were you getting the answer you wanted from the alternate board you posted on? Rendar was right that you're actually worse off taking Step 2 advice from MS1 and MS2 students.

Huh?

Do you even know where this thread got moved from? The Allopathic forum; a forum where step-related questions often get asked.

LoL, talk about being 'pretentious'.


But anyway, thanks for your input.

 

[Knicks]

I never used Secerets, but a number of my friends did and reported that it was very high yield. If I was going to do this again, it's the text I'd use.

UWorld was an amazing resource. It is probably the best prep out there. I'd go ahead and go through it again.

I used Step Up to Step 2 and found it a little light. When annotating my Uword wrong answers into it, I couldn't find appropriate sections to place the info in.

First Aid is reportedly too heavy.

Lots of people like Step Up to Medicine, but it doesn't have Peds/OBGyn and the test doesn't skimp on those sections.

you need to use step up to step 2 and not medicine. otherwise youll need to supplement, for peds, ob/gyn, trauma/surg, psych. how long until the exam?

Hmmm, one of you says step up to step too is light, and the other recommends it. But I guess I'll go with that one since Step up to medicine is lacking in the other disciplines.

MUCH thanks for your input, guys.

 

[Golding]

Huh?

Do you even know where this thread got moved from? The Allopathic forum; a forum where step-related questions often get asked.

LoL, talk about being 'pretentious'.


But anyway, thanks for your input.

Seems like you knew pretty well that you were posting in the wrong place, given the urge you had to try to guilt any moderator from moving it. Seems also like everyone who replied knew you were posting in the wrong place too, judging from the replies.

But enough of that. I just wanted to @ implying that I'm the pretentious one now, for pointing it out. So be it. Best of luck in your studies, whichever book you choose.

 

[Knicks]

Ur right; im wrong.

 

[rahulb]

i gently read the following books during 3rd and 4th year in decreasing frequency:

step up to IM
first aid for CK (less than half the book)
mass gen pocket medicine (only on floors)
HY obgyn (150 pages - took 3 days)
EKG in emergency diagnoses
washington manual of surgery
gross anatomy text
and a few others not mentioning bc they are extremely low yield (echo manual, radiology, anesthesia, etc)

tbh i spent most of my free time doing questions. it was really brutal doing a 12-16 hour shift and trying to read at home. random blocks of questions felt less like studying and kept me more alert. i did all of kaplan, mksap, and uworld

i got a 247 on my step1, a 209 on CK nbme3 in june, and a 245 on CK nbme4 last week. don't want to beat the horse anymore but my score only jumped when i started doing 4+ blocks a day.

taking the real deal tomorrow.

 

[fergustsi]

Hmmm, one of you says step up to step too is light, and the other recommends it. But I guess I'll go with that one since Step up to medicine is lacking in the other disciplines.

MUCH thanks for your input, guys.

So step up to step 2 is a little light as a sole book when compared to FA or uworld. BUT i think its more complete than step up medicine. SUTS2 will be a little light on general medicine compared to SUTM. But if you use SUTM you'll have to read another book for peds, ob/gyn, surgery/trauma, psych. So do you want to read 5 books or one smaller book and supplement with uworld. If you have enough time maybe consider DIT?

I did DIT, SUTS2, the new secrets, Uworld to prep for step 2.

 

[Knicks]

So step up to step 2 is a little light as a sole book when compared to FA or uworld. BUT i think its more complete than step up medicine. SUTS2 will be a little light on general medicine compared to SUTM. But if you use SUTM you'll have to read another book for peds, ob/gyn, surgery/trauma, psych. So do you want to read 5 books or one smaller book and supplement with uworld. If you have enough time maybe consider DIT?

I did DIT, SUTS2, the new secrets, Uworld to prep for step 2.

Point taken 😉

Thanks for your input again.

 

[Knicks]

btw, here's an example of pretentious mods nit-picking which threads to move or not:

A step 1 book-related thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=754843

Why is that thread still there? Many threads were moved from the Allopathic thread this morning, but the link I provided has been there for at least 2 days. And that's only ONE example.

Mine was a step 2 book-related thread (this thread), yet it got moved after I provided a logical explanation that even a new-born monkey could understand as to why I had posted this in the Allopathic forum.

Butt-hurt mods with double-standards,,,,, FTL.

That pretentious mod has some explaining to do. Planning to bring this up with the site admin.

 

[rahulb]

 

[Golding]

Please keep us informed on how that works out for you. 🙄

 

[Knicks]

^ I won't. Sorry. I understand you're feeling pretty silly right now after I've proven you and the mod(s) wrong, that's natural.

Any other witty 'come-backs'? (to which I won't bother replying)


EDIT:

Awesome picture.

 

[jackieMD2007]

I'm going to need some more information before I try to address what you might need to do.
Okay...so a few questions:
1-How were you doing UWorld? How many Q/day? (Timed, tutor, incorrect, what)
2-Were you running out of time on your test sections or completing them with lots of time remaining (did you have a pacing issue?)
3-Did you take any practice NBMES? How did that go?

 

[Golding]

^ I won't. Sorry. I understand you're feeling pretty silly right now after I've proven you and the mod(s) wrong, that's natural.

Any other witty 'come-backs'? (to which I won't bother replying)

Trust me, my day is not impacted by the status of your silly little quarrel with online moderators.

 

[Knicks]

I'm going to need some more information before I try to address what you might need to do.
Okay...so a few questions:
1-How were you doing UWorld? How many Q/day? (Timed, tutor, incorrect, what)
2-Were you running out of time on your test sections or completing them with lots of time remaining (did you have a pacing issue?)
3-Did you take any practice NBMES? How did that go?

Thanks for your questions.....

1-Not so hot, ~ 45%. Tried doing ~ 3-4 blocks a day, all tutor mode.

2- No pacing issues.

3- Didn't take any NBMEs.

 

[NRAI2001]

What do you guys think of Case Files or NMS case book??