Please advise me. i read about half of Kaplan and watched most of videos, finished FA once and UW once- timed, mixed mode and my overall % was only 38%. i took NBME 15 and bombed with a 139. should i read pathoma or goljan? or are there any other resources i should add. thank you
Low Uworld % and failed with 139 on NBME 15
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Your foundation is not very strong if your scoring low... Id recommend taking a step back. Instead of powering through a certain number of pages/chapters, you should work on learning high yield concepts that relate to each other maybe 10-15 a day. This is an example cause i don't know what you know... but start off with ANS physio with receptors, then ANS Pharmacology, then that leads you to maybe Antihypertensives, Then maybe cardio physiology and on, and on, and on.
I know a lot of people who passively study, i.e. get through 3 chapters today + 3 blocks of Qbank... some can do that. I think the method above keeps you more actively learning.
I know a lot of people who passively study, i.e. get through 3 chapters today + 3 blocks of Qbank... some can do that. I think the method above keeps you more actively learning.
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Not to be an ass....but how did you pass the first 2 years of med school?
That effort shows a severe lack of foundation. I don't know how you can learn the first 2 years when you are supposed to be reviewing. Maybe something like DIT could help. I think they help most when you are really weak.
That effort shows a severe lack of foundation. I don't know how you can learn the first 2 years when you are supposed to be reviewing. Maybe something like DIT could help. I think they help most when you are really weak.
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I understand the frustration of that nbme score very discouraging. Yes, as others have stated your basic knowledge is on the low end. I would advise too postpone your test date and focus on building your. Knowledge base. Goljan RR early chapters in the book the basic pathology (1-8) knowing this can definitely help alongside UFAP to boost your score. Continue using uworld as a learning tool. And whatever spare time use it do recall and watch videos,pause it ask yourself what is the big picture and associations. It's about being super proactive with your studying but also efficient and smart by making sure you understand the big picture and then you can start putting the information together like a puzzle. I hope this helps and keep pushing; others have been through this and passed.. Goodluck!!
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thank u for ur reply doctorknownothing. i agree i need to work a lot on tying all the concepts together,( physio, pharma, patho, etc) . and i am guilty of passively studying. i check off that i did 44 questions a day or that i read 1 chapter today. but a day or two later, i really dont retain much of what i read. i need to go back to the basics. thank u for your helpful advice
you are right J Dub. i have a weak foundation. i failed 1 subject in 1st year. my overall GPA is only 80.5. i tried to get away with just memorization without true understanding of concepts. i will look into DIT. thank you
Thank u RnaPolymerase2 for your advice. i will try Goljan RR. i do have a bad tendency to only look at questions and concepts just as individual things. i need to integrate the various disciplines together so i can actually understand the concept, rather than just relying on rote memorization. by the way, i like your quote about the Lord and strength. thank you and God bless
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I think anything is possible with hard work and dedication.
DIT is for review and Dr Conrad Fischer famously said "You can't review what you never knew".
Also, DIT basically reads First Aid to you with few extras.
I, therefore, suggest a course which starts from the bottom up.
I would recommend Becker eCoach followed by Dr Raymon's integrated cases.
But don't take my word for it and find out yourself if it suits your learning style by attending few of their webinars for free.
http://www.becker.com/usmle/resources/usmle-events
Full disclosure:
1. I have not taken Step 1 yet.
2. I have not used DIT but my impression is based on the feedback on SDN . You can decide for yourself by watching their sample videos on you tube.
3. I am not affiliated with Becker and my recommendations are solely based on the information gathered while attending their free webinars.
DIT is for review and Dr Conrad Fischer famously said "You can't review what you never knew".
Also, DIT basically reads First Aid to you with few extras.
I, therefore, suggest a course which starts from the bottom up.
I would recommend Becker eCoach followed by Dr Raymon's integrated cases.
But don't take my word for it and find out yourself if it suits your learning style by attending few of their webinars for free.
http://www.becker.com/usmle/resources/usmle-events
Full disclosure:
1. I have not taken Step 1 yet.
2. I have not used DIT but my impression is based on the feedback on SDN . You can decide for yourself by watching their sample videos on you tube.
3. I am not affiliated with Becker and my recommendations are solely based on the information gathered while attending their free webinars.
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80.5 at my school is good... That score puts one around average. Do you go to a US school? I recommend a prep course...
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W19: i am an IMG. i go to an asian school that is usually ranked between #20th- #25th in the world over the years. so there are gunners galore at my school. anything below an 82 here and you are considered an unmotivated slacker. high standards- like SDN. LOL .unfortunately we have no prep course or any USMLE help at my school, which is understandable.
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When doing questions, make sure you read every single explanation--even the ones you answer correctly...
youre right. that was one of the ignorant mistakes i made. my Uworld subscription was running out and i tried to rush through it and i didnt read the other 4 incorrect explanations of each question. only now did i realize that i should Uworld as a learning tool rather than a score gauge.
