Is this legal?

[pharmer]

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I assume we get some type of scratch paper during the Step 1 exam that is provided by the testing center. Does anyone know if the following scenario is OK?: Once we get into the "testing booth" (definitely not before) jot down pathways and flow charts we have memorized onto the scratch paper provided (for easy reference during the exam) while we are going through the tutorial so as to not take away from the time we are allotted for the actual exam portion. 😕 If I could do this it would help out a ton so I didn't have to recreate these stupid pathways in my head during the exam. I know that once the timed portion of the exam begins it is obviously ok to do the above. Anyone know the answer to this?

 

[debvz]

I assume we get some type of scratch paper during the Step 1 exam that is provided by the testing center. Does anyone know if the following scenario is OK?: Once we get into the "testing booth" (definitely not before) jot down pathways and flow charts we have memorized onto the scratch paper provided (for easy reference during the exam) while we are going through the tutorial so as to not take away from the time we are allotted for the actual exam portion. 😕 If I could do this it would help out a ton so I didn't have to recreate these stupid pathways in my head during the exam. I know that once the timed portion of the exam begins it is obviously ok to do the above. Anyone know the answer to this?

Even if is legal, there's not much info you can put on the single 8-1/2 x 11" dry erase board they provide you with - no scratch paper.

 

[Doc Ivy]

I took the practice step 1 at the official prometric center yesterday and the lady literally handed me 3 sheets of plastic, 2 dry erase pens and said "this is for any notes you need during the test". Once you walk into the room, whatever you have in your head that you want to dump on the sheet is fair game.

 

[Idiopathic]

Legal, but silly. How many 'pathways and flow charts' can you meorize right before the test and how much will this help you and what will you have to forget in order to 'memorize' this stuff.

Its certainly not against the rules, though.

 

[RetroMan]

I agree with Idiopathic. You get 3 laminated sheets (you can use both sides). Once you are inside everything is fair game.

 

[mjl1717]

Yes, I was wondering what WOULD be most beneficial to write on those pads?

1)Entire adrenal steroid pathway???

2)That Kaplan chart for ionized/unionized drugs(Ph-pKa)[I could see this!]

3)Arachadonic Acid pathway-(May be reasonable) But that pen they give you is kind of thick and its not a fine point tip as I remember.

4)A few quick formulas on biostat and epidemiology[I think that is halfway reasonable]

Any good thoughts on this? {For something that can be written fast I think it could be worth a few questions}

 

[Doc Ivy]

I think it really depends on you--- everyone has those random things that just won't stick in your head for more than 5 min-- for me it's direct vs indirect hernias and which one is medial vs. lateral--- I have to "relearn" that every time-- so look at it 5min before and when you get in, write it down.

 

[mjl1717]

I think it really depends on you--- everyone has those random things that just won't stick in your head for more than 5 min-- for me it's direct vs indirect hernias and which one is medial vs. lateral--- I have to "relearn" that every time-- so look at it 5min before and when you get in, write it down.

Thx -Check first aid the pneumonic "MDs dont LIe" is helpful with this.

 

[pharmer]

I was going to write down flow charts for the diagnosis of bugs and categories for viruses mainly so when I came to a micro question instead of trying to go through those damn oxidase positive, ferment vs non ferment, rna positive strand w/o envelope vs rna negative crap categories in my head I could look at my sheet in which I already had thrown up all that info and answer the question. I write extremely small typically so I will have plenty of room for every thing. Plus if we need more sheets we just have to ask in between blocks and they will provide more sheets according to my school's testing preperation people. By no means do I plan to write out the complete cycle for glycolysis, TCA, urea cycle, and FA synthesis all on a sheat.

 

[RetroMan]

I was going to write down flow charts for the diagnosis of bugs and categories for viruses mainly so when I came to a micro question instead of trying to go through those damn oxidase positive, ferment vs non ferment, rna positive strand w/o envelope vs rna negative crap categories in my head I could look at my sheet in which I already had thrown up all that info and answer the question. I write extremely small typically so I will have plenty of room for every thing. Plus if we need more sheets we just have to ask in between blocks and they will provide more sheets according to my school's testing preperation people. By no means do I plan to write out the complete cycle for glycolysis, TCA, urea cycle, and FA synthesis all on a sheat.

That's probably ok. However, I don't think that you will get more sheets. At least not at my site. In addition the survey at the end of the exam explicitely says "Did you get 3 erasable boards and 2 markers?" (or something like that)

 

[Pox in a box]

Seems like a waste of time. Instead of having a clear head going in, you're going to panic because you can't remember an obscure formula that you "think" might be on your exam. Chances are out of the thousands of questions offered and only 350 for you to dabble with, you're going to get about 5% use max from your wipe board. Chances are that if you can remember it long enough to write it all out on your board, you can remember it long enough to take the exam. A better idea would be to review the material during the breaks. I plan on leaving a laminated copy of my First Aid outside in the bushes for high yield studying between blocks (laminated just in case it rains that day).

 

[pharmer]

I write EXTREMELY small so I will be able to jot down said charts/diagrams and have plenty of room for anything else I will need to use the sheets for. 🙂

 

[Idiopathic]

Yes, I was wondering what WOULD be most beneficial to write on those pads?

1)Entire adrenal steroid pathway???

2)That Kaplan chart for ionized/unionized drugs(Ph-pKa)[I could see this!]

3)Arachadonic Acid pathway-(May be reasonable) But that pen they give you is kind of thick and its not a fine point tip as I remember.

4)A few quick formulas on biostat and epidemiology[I think that is halfway reasonable]

Any good thoughts on this? {For something that can be written fast I think it could be worth a few questions}

Biostats would by far be the most high yield. I dont think I had a question that needed me to remember anything from 1-3.

 

[jamie]

Seems like a waste of time. Instead of having a clear head going in, you're going to panic because you can't remember an obscure formula that you "think" might be on your exam. Chances are out of the thousands of questions offered and only 350 for you to dabble with, you're going to get about 5% use max from your wipe board. Chances are that if you can remember it long enough to write it all out on your board, you can remember it long enough to take the exam. A better idea would be to review the material during the breaks. I plan on leaving a laminated copy of my First Aid outside in the bushes for high yield studying between blocks (laminated just in case it rains that day).

You are allowed to bring whatever books or notes you like with you -- you just have to leave them in your locker while you are taking the test. You can read whatever you want during breaks (I did look at my First Aid during breaks... no one cares.)