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I have been a more quiet member of this forum and have learnt a great deal reading other experiences and advice for examinations. Here is a brief paragraph regarding my experience for the benefit of those like me who were/are preparing for this beast.
I failed CK in March with a 157/65..48%UW average. At that time I had a 149 on NBME 2 so I guess you could say it was rather foolish to venture forth with the exam. Like many...i too didnt believe that NBME gave a fair correlation as I had known people go into CK exam with a failing score on NBME and doing 30-40 points higher.For those who believe that nbme scores are not correlated to the actual level of knowledge and preparation of an individual...Think again please.
Anyways..I studied till the first week of october using Kaplan notes, UW questions again, Kaplan video lectures..and did those thoroughly. I scored a 56% on UW, 63% kaplan simulaed exam and scored 400 on the actual nbme 2 this time.
The exam was although similar to NBME...it was way tougher. Simple diseases were presented in twisted scenarios..like 13 year old boy having pancreatitis...sure it could happen but we have learnt time and again that its the typical 60 year old who gets it!! Anyways...The break down to material was IM for the majority followed by PEDS, OB/GYN, PSychiatry and finally surgery. Though please dont get me wrong...you cant do selective study for this exam...you must know all disciplines well cause they could ask you anything. The exa, coered most major topics fairly well. very few easy questions...most were questions which required you to think very carefully. Some questions were simply impossible...choose your favorite alphabet and move on. i had 3 audio clips...a few pictures...3 easy ekgs. Time management was the most difficult aspect for me...I ran short of time on at least the last 2 to 3 questions on 4 of the 8 blocks...so try to increase your reading speed some how. I have always been a very slow reader...so that was more of a personal handicap.
Over all the most helpful was Usmle world...it gets you to think the way they askyou questions on the actual exam. I think Kaplan notes along with the video lectures were excellent.
I really dont know how I have done...it could go either ways...there were many educated guesses...many bringing it down to 2 and picking the most sensible answer..only time will tell but I surely would HATE to take this son of a gun exam again. If you guys have any specific questions regarding preparation for the exam...feel free to ask. I thank you for your time and sincerely wish each and everyone of you success on this exam. It is a doable exam but only for those who have very throughly reviewed and rereviewed thier kaplan notes and USMLE world notes.
Please remember that this exam is difficult but NOT larger then life. **** happens...life goes on........
I failed CK in March with a 157/65..48%UW average. At that time I had a 149 on NBME 2 so I guess you could say it was rather foolish to venture forth with the exam. Like many...i too didnt believe that NBME gave a fair correlation as I had known people go into CK exam with a failing score on NBME and doing 30-40 points higher.For those who believe that nbme scores are not correlated to the actual level of knowledge and preparation of an individual...Think again please.
Anyways..I studied till the first week of october using Kaplan notes, UW questions again, Kaplan video lectures..and did those thoroughly. I scored a 56% on UW, 63% kaplan simulaed exam and scored 400 on the actual nbme 2 this time.
The exam was although similar to NBME...it was way tougher. Simple diseases were presented in twisted scenarios..like 13 year old boy having pancreatitis...sure it could happen but we have learnt time and again that its the typical 60 year old who gets it!! Anyways...The break down to material was IM for the majority followed by PEDS, OB/GYN, PSychiatry and finally surgery. Though please dont get me wrong...you cant do selective study for this exam...you must know all disciplines well cause they could ask you anything. The exa, coered most major topics fairly well. very few easy questions...most were questions which required you to think very carefully. Some questions were simply impossible...choose your favorite alphabet and move on. i had 3 audio clips...a few pictures...3 easy ekgs. Time management was the most difficult aspect for me...I ran short of time on at least the last 2 to 3 questions on 4 of the 8 blocks...so try to increase your reading speed some how. I have always been a very slow reader...so that was more of a personal handicap.
Over all the most helpful was Usmle world...it gets you to think the way they askyou questions on the actual exam. I think Kaplan notes along with the video lectures were excellent.
I really dont know how I have done...it could go either ways...there were many educated guesses...many bringing it down to 2 and picking the most sensible answer..only time will tell but I surely would HATE to take this son of a gun exam again. If you guys have any specific questions regarding preparation for the exam...feel free to ask. I thank you for your time and sincerely wish each and everyone of you success on this exam. It is a doable exam but only for those who have very throughly reviewed and rereviewed thier kaplan notes and USMLE world notes.
Please remember that this exam is difficult but NOT larger then life. **** happens...life goes on........
