If I studied these sources throughly , what would I likely get?

[Regallo]

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Hi , I am an Img student . I am preparing for stepI and i have a question for you.
I've watched most of the fellow members of this forum recommending FA for most subjects and Goljan for pathology and any conveneint source for pharma.
My question is , i've decided to take KAPLAN course , totally depend on it , I am one of those people who don't like it to scattre their efforts on many sources. So my plan is simple , I will put all of my weight on KAPLAN , studing it word by word, letter by letter and bit by bit (in Q bank i would rather do UW).

In your opinion , is there a chance for this plan to work? and what is the maximum score I might reach with it? should I take it of my mind and replace it with a multi-source approach?

Thanks in advance to anyone that replies.

 

[MaxMoonMD]

Hi Regallo,

seriously, there are so many factors contributing to your performance in the actual test that no one can tell you how you will perform.
For example, one who has a strong and fresh background in the subjects tested on Step1 may be able to squeeze out a much higher score just out of First Aid than someone who is a bit out of shape regarding those subjects, may it be because he´s an IMG or just lazy (or both) 😀, and using tons of sources.

I haven´t taken the actual exam and am still preparing for it, so all I can tell you is that I found Kaplan Biochemistry Lecture Notes very useful and that UW is an excellent tool for approaching familiar topics through different perspectives (i.e. ways they can ask it, phrase it etc.) and retain learned stuff.

Personally I think it´s very advisable to stick to a manageable amount of ressources rather than having e.g. 3 books for pathology.

I suggest to read the USMLE Experience and Score threads, you´ll find them very useful.

If you want to monitor your progress, you can still take the NBME forms.

 

[Law2Doc]

seriously, there are so many factors contributing to your performance in the actual test that no one can tell you how you will perform.

Agreed. Most of us know folks who have used the exact same resources for the boards and some have done great while others did horribly. No one can estimate how much of the material will be usefully in your brain come exam time, nor predict how effectively you will be able to assimilate the material once it's in there. And things like timing, reading comprehension, and the random difficulty questions you see on your actual exam probably play a role.

All we can tell you is that there have been folks who have done well on the test using Kaplan, and there have been folks who have done well using the FA, World, RR types of books. Both approaches have their failures as well, I suspect. No one can assure you that you will do well if you do X, Y and Z.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

I'm gonna go ahead and just make an estimate. If you're a reasonably intelligent individual and you go through kaplan live prep in detail plus U world you'll score at least 225-245.

 

[doctortwindad]

Regallo,
I found this website which gave advise about step 1 prep.Its a amateur site.But tells students what to do for step 1..compare your effort/resources, with what the site advises.Dont be offended by the sites hard language, its a cover to sneak in GOOD Solid info.This site was reccomended by a IMG, who passed with 99,he told me that a Indian IMG had posted it to help fellow IMGs.
The link in below
www.thekrishnatriumph.bravehost.com
To the Mods-this is not spam, but if you feel so, pls remove the link.

 

[blz]

Regallo,
I found this website which gave advise about step 1 prep.Its a amateur site.But tells students what to do for step 1..compare your effort/resources, with what the site advises.Dont be offended by the sites hard language, its a cover to sneak in GOOD Solid info.This site was reccomended by a IMG, who passed with 99,he told me that a Indian IMG had posted it to help fellow IMGs.
The link in below
www.thekrishnatriumph.bravehost.com
To the Mods-this is not spam, but if you feel so, pls remove the link.

lol that link was the dumbest thing ive ever read. you should probably delete it for that reason.

 

[Regallo]

Thanks to all those who have replied.

the non-spam site was bizzare yet kicks ass . I have decided to watch the Kaplan DVD five times following his advice!

 

[doctortwindad]

lol that link was the dumbest thing ive ever read. you should probably delete it for that reason.

Why?
He says what USMLE veterans swear by.He takes the mickey out of USMLE,why is it dumb?

 

[acpl]

probably because his suggestions cannot be applied in the 4-6 weeks that US grads get.