Looking for some advice

[zedpol]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I would really appreciate any constructive comments about anything besides my grammar and spelling, although i know how much that tickles some of you, so if you must...feel free. Ok, so here is my situation.
I am a 2nd year Ross student. Our school gives us shelf exams and so far I have done pretty well on those. National mean is supposed to be around a 70 with a SD of 8. My scores were as follows, 77 histology, 80 biochem, 82 neuroanatomy, 83 anatomy, 86 physiology, 89 behavioral science and 89 in pathology. This last semester they switched from giving us a shelf in all classes to only one...stupid i know, but that is why i don't have shelf scores in micro or pharm. I haven't purchased qbank yet but i do have Rapid Review, LWW Board Simulator, and appelton and lang's alert step one deluxe. I have been scoring between 64% and 88% on randomized 50 questions blocks. The tests on the lower end have been big on biochem, anatomy, and neuroanatomy. I do the best on tests with a preponderance of physio and pharm. Sorry this is so long winded, I promise I am almost done. I have noticed that my pathology scores are fairly weak...around 60-75% normally and a little bit weaker in the Rapid Review series. So my question is should i bother all that much with anatomy, neuro, and biochem or really concentrate on pathology? Regardless i need to do "some" work on biochem et al, but I am wondering if i should go through lipincott again. My resources are as follows. First Aid, BRS pathology, Constanza physio, HY micro, BRS behavioral, HY neuro, and a couple of pre-test books. I plan on buying qbank as soon as i get around to it. I will be taking the step in December.

Thanks for taking the time to read all that drivel.

peace

zedpol

 

[JMK2005]

So my question is should i bother all that much with anatomy, neuro, and biochem or really concentrate on pathology? Regardless i need to do "some" work on biochem et al, but I am wondering if i should go through lipincott again. My resources are as follows. First Aid, BRS pathology, Constanza physio, HY micro, BRS behavioral, HY neuro, and a couple of pre-test books. I plan on buying qbank as soon as i get around to it.
zedpol

From what I remember, Neuro was something I wished I had studied more on. I only used High Yield, but maybe should have used something else.

The gross anatomy in First aid was pretty good. Plus, the general anatomy questions on qBank will reinforce those concepts. I had the BRS Anatomy, but that was completely useless for board review.

Biochem stuff is good to study. I was a little paranoid about that subject, so studied it hard. Studied the First Aid Biochem section in detailed, and went over Lippencott pretty thoroughly as well. Did well on that section of the Step 1.

As for pathology, are you using Big Robbins?. BRS pathology is essentially and outline of Big Robbins, so I used those two together.

But, qBank will serve you well. Make sure you go give yourself time to go through all the questions. The no substitute for doing as many questions as you can.

 

[doc05]

go with kaplan q-bank, do every single question, and review every single explanation.

 

[zedpol]

go with kaplan q-bank, do every single question, and review every single explanation.

Thanks for the replies. You guys think it is too early for me to start qbank, seeing that i don't take the test for a few months yet? Next 9 weeks I have classes, from Novemeber until December 15th I will have no responsibilities except to study.
😎

Peace

 

[JMK2005]

You guys think it is too early for me to start qbank, seeing that i don't take the test for a few months yet? Next 9 weeks I have classes, from Novemeber until December 15th I will have no responsibilities except to study.

It's probably not too early. Some people like to "save" questions to do at the end. I did that with the released questions from the NBME. But give yourself plenty of time to finish the qBank.

From your first posts, it seems like you have other resources to pull questions from. Doing a block of 50 questions takes more than an hour if you considering the time you put into understanding why you got it wrong... and for that matter, for the questions you got right, to understand why the wrong answers were wrong.

JMK

 

[zedpol]

anyone want to comment on pathology mastery vs neuro and biochem?

 

[Idiopathic]

My assertion is that with a very solid working knowledge of pathology, 70% of the questions can be answered. This includes understanding pathological endocrinology, neuroanatomy, etc. but usually most things can be answered from pathology. I would say that for the USMLE, pathology, pharmacology, physiology mastery before all others. I know that the 'three Ps' are always mentioned as the highest yield subjects, but I still think they are understudied.