Just got hammered on Step II

[Zeffer]

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Wow!!!!!! That is all I can say. This test was much harder than step I. I hope I just past at this point. The H&P's were terrible. They left so many questions unanswered. I know it would take forever if the H&P's were thorough but if you take away all buzz words and start using new descriptions for Physical Exam findings there is nothing left. I wished they tested my medical knowledge rather than testing if I can figure out what they mean by their PE descriptions. If we presented a pt like that to an attending we would never pass our rotations.

It seemed that so many answers were doctored up so you would not recognize it. Many of the questions I had no clue and just said this might sound reasonable. I sit here in total contempt of the NBME. Now I feel much better.

 

[Cristagali]

your anger, contempt factor means you will score a 233!! 😀 I'm sure you did fine...but please tell us your study sources. thanks

 

[Zeffer]

My sources were simple:
1) Boards and wards. If I could have memorized everything in this book the test would have been a breeze.

2)Crush Step II. This book was great to reinforce the concepts from B&W but would not nearly be enought to get you through

3)Kaplan Q-bank. This was representative ~40% of the time. I would look for something better to use.

4)NBME self assessment 1. This was very accurate of what the test was like but these questions seemed much more strait forward than the actual exam.

5)NMS question book. Not very useful. The questions in the book are too direct whereas the questions on the test are generally more vague.

This is how I prepared for Step II and hopefully it is enough to get me the big Pass.

 

[ginger_flower]

question....everyone tells me that the 3rd year shelf exams are often the majority of one's preparation for the Step 2. If say, you're doing only average (which is, what a 70ish raw on the shelfs) then are you predicted to only do about average 210's on Step 2? ARgh.....the shelfs are so frustrating in trying to figure out how to do better on the stupid things. Or, is your performance on Step 2 more predicted by your Step 1 score? Thanks. 😀

 

[Zeffer]

question....everyone tells me that the 3rd year shelf exams are often the majority of one's preparation for the Step 2. If say, you're doing only average (which is, what a 70ish raw on the shelfs) then are you predicted to only do about average 210's on Step 2? ARgh.....the shelfs are so frustrating in trying to figure out how to do better on the stupid things. Or, is your performance on Step 2 more predicted by your Step 1 score? Thanks. 😀

I would say use the shelf exams to determine how well you learned the material during the rotation and use the NBME practice exams 1 and 2 ($45 a piece) to gauge how well you will do on step II. I would say there may be a general correlation between the shelf and Step II such as if you do poorly on the shelf I would not expect to do so great on the Step. I know everyone says that the shelf exams are more difficult than Step II, but I found the opposite. Step II is a very vague test with very few gimmie points. At least that was my experience.