My step-3 Experience.

[winner123]

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I appeared in my step-3 exam on 24th and 26th march and took it with the new software .I studied for 2 and 1/2 months.
Studied Premiere Review,Crush,FA,Kaplan Q Bank,U World Q Bank.
Did UWorld Two times.UW Average score 58%.Did Kaplan Q Bank.Kaplan Q Bank Score 58%.
Did 200 Questions from UWorld third time and scored 75%.
Did U World CCS one time.
MCQ's:
First day of the exam was full of very long and vague questions.I even thought of not going for the second day of the exam.I ticked seven questions randomly on my first block,because i was short of time.
On second day the first two blocks were good,but the next two blocks were as vague and as difficult as the first day.Missed 4 questions on the 4th block of second day.Ticked randomly 1-2 questions on second day on the first three blocks.
CCS:
7 CCS cases ended before 15 minutes and two CCS cases did not end at all.
Did not advance clock properly in one of these cases,and ordered superfluous tests on the same case,so it did not end.
Could not get what was going on in another case,so it did not end.
Forgot to order an important test in annother case,but it did end.

Recollected some questions ,and am getting 135 correct out of the recollected 175.I donot know what does it suggest.Can't post anything ,because of irregular behaviour.
Did not get my results yet.
As usual ,like everyboby is ,I m worried too.
Good Luck!

 

[FirstMANdown]

I appeared in my step-3 exam on 24th and 26th march and took it with the new software .I studied for 2 and 1/2 months.
Studied Premiere Review,Crush,FA,Kaplan Q Bank,U World Q Bank.
Did UWorld Two times.UW Average score 58%.Did Kaplan Q Bank.Kaplan Q Bank Score 58%.
Did U World CCS one time.
MCQ's:
First day of the exam was full of very long and vague questions.I even thought of not going for the second day of the exam.I ticked seven questions randomly on my first block,because i was short of time.
On second day the first two blocks were good,but the next two blocks were as vague and as difficult as the first day.Missed 4 questions on the 4th block of second day.Ticked randomly 1-2 questions on second day on the first three blocks.
CCS:
7 CCS cases ended before 15 minutes and two CCS cases did not end at all.
Did not advance clock properly in one of these cases,and ordered superfluous tests on the same case,so it did not end.
Could not get what was going on in another case,so it did not end.
Forgot to order an important test in another case,but it did end.

Recollected some questions ,and am getting 135 correct out of the recollected 175.I donot know what does it suggest.Can't post anything ,because of irregular behaviour.
Did not get my results yet.
As usual ,like everyboby is ,I m worried too.
Good Luck!

I think it is pretty bad when a dedicated student doctor like your self studies as hard as you can acquiring all the important "bread & butter" cases which are so very important in order to be a good physician and to take an exam in which the USMLE gives, what sounds like a majority of "vague" questions just to trip you up. That is wrong at so many levels. I don't think the USMLE realizes how much a student invests in the time for prepping for these kind of exams, and the cost involved has a huge impact on most of us as well.
Well, that is going to change one day. Some one is going to get so pissed off about this mental abuse that there will be some doctors going to there local state and file a congressional hearing on these practices. There is just something unlawful about all of this. Anyone feel the same about this or is it just me???

 

[winner123]

I think it is pretty bad when a dedicated student doctor like your self studies as hard as you can acquiring all the important "bread & butter" cases which are so very important in order to be a good physician and to take an exam in which the USMLE gives, what sounds like a majority of "vague" questions just to trip you up. That is wrong at so many levels. I don't think the USMLE realizes how much a student invests in the time for prepping for these kind of exams, and the cost involved has a huge impact on most of us as well.
Well, that is going to change one day. Some one is going to get so pissed off about this mental abuse that there will be some doctors going to there local state and file a congressional hearing on these practices. There is just something unlawful about all of this. Anyone feel the same about this or is it just me???

Thanks for your reply.
Yes, I studied very hard for this exam only because I cannot ,at any cost, afford another failure.
Otherwise,usually nobody studies so much for step-3.
I already did have a problem in the USMLE Step2CS.That so called failure in USMLE CS devastated my morale and my residency prospects.
I hope God gets me out of this very difficult period.
Good Luck to all of u there.

 

[zinjanthropus]

Thanks for your reply.
Yes, I studied very hard for this exam only because I cannot ,at any cost, afford another failure.
Otherwise,usually nobody studies so much for step-3.
I already did have a problem in the USMLE Step2CS.That so called failure in USMLE CS devastated my morale and my residency prospects.
I hope God gets me out of this very difficult period.
Good Luck to all of u there.

this is not the fault of step 3, there is something in your training making this difficult -which is kinda the point of a general licensing exam...

you either
1. are a foreign grad
2. are an american grad at a foreign school

I maintain that if you are a US grad in your first year of residency, this is an EASY exam - it's just boring to sit through all day and half of another

I'm not trying to be degrading but this is the exam doing it's job. If you had trouble with Step2 CS, you aren't ready for a US residency program.

 

[winner123]

this is not the fault of step 3, there is something in your training making this difficult -which is kinda the point of a general licensing exam...

you either
1. are a foreign grad
2. are an american grad at a foreign school

I maintain that if you are a US grad in your first year of residency, this is an EASY exam - it's just boring to sit through all day and half of another

I'm not trying to be degrading but this is the exam doing it's job. If you had trouble with Step2 CS, you aren't ready for a US residency program.

What u r saying won't hurt me.I take it as a constructive criticism.
Anyways,the damage is already done.
May be u r right that I am not ready for a US residency Program.
If it is so,then let my Step-3 result decide it for me .
Sincerely,

 

[zinjanthropus]

What u r saying won't hurt me.I take it as a constructive criticism.
Anyways,the damage is already done.
May be u r right that I am not ready for a US residency Program.
If it is so,then let my Step-3 result decide it for me .
Sincerely,

winner123-
I sincerely was not trying to degrade or hurt your feelings - just honest about the process and the preparation. I think it's great you are working hard to appropriately prepare. Good luck.

-j.

 

[FirstMANdown]

this is not the fault of step 3, there is something in your training making this difficult -which is kinda the point of a general licensing exam...

you either
1. are a foreign grad
2. are an American grad at a foreign school

I maintain that if you are a US grad in your first year of residency, this is an EASY exam - it's just boring to sit through all day and half of another

I'm not trying to be degrading but this is the exam doing it's job. If you had trouble with Step2 CS, you aren't ready for a US residency program.

I do not agree with your sentiments, I myself am an American citizen and an American graduate of a allopathic medical school here in United States and I too have had problems in the pass with Step exams. I passed my Step 2 CS on my first attempt but this was not a very good indicator on how my residency training would be like. Believe it or not there are some people who have the knowledge but are just not great test takers. It is easy to say that the exam is easy if you have never had any problems with it in the past, but I strongly believe there is a little more to it than having the ability to regurgitate a huge information database of medical knowledge. I know where winner is coming from because I have been down that road myself. I think a big part of it has to do simply with how the exam questions are given and who gets more the "bread & butter" cases.
I think in addition to his reading if he spends more time doing "timed" questions and pace himself his score will no doubtly improve. That is just my thought though.

 

[winner123]

I do not agree with your sentiments, I myself am an American citizen and an American graduate of a allopathic medical school here in United States and I too have had problems in the pass with Step exams. I passed my Step 2 CS on my first attempt but this was not a very good indicator on how my residency training would be like. Believe it or not there are some people who have the knowledge but are just not great test takers. It is easy to say that the exam is easy if you have never had any problems with it in the past, but I strongly believe there is a little more to it than having the ability to regurgitate a huge information database of medical knowledge. I know where winner is coming from because I have been down that road myself. I think a big part of it has to do simply with how the exam questions are given and who gets more the "bread & butter" cases.
I think in addition to his reading if he spends more time doing "timed" questions and pace himself his score will no doubtly improve. That is just my thought though.

You have just said what I wanted to say.But if I would say it earlier it would be looked upon as a senseless lame excuse.
You got it right.I have had some problem with very long questions.I get short of time.I just lose my patience,and hate to concentrate on those long question stems though I believe I have quite a lot of information with me.
I am currently working in an accredited US Hospital as an Observer in internal medicine.I can say with confidence that when it comes to performing on the staff rounds,wards,etc. I can do a lot better than a lot over there.I do have american medical students,graduates working there in the wards.I am quite comfortable there with them discusssing on a wide variety of topics on the bed side.My PGY-3,Attendings are very happy with me.I got three strong LORs.
But, when it comes to performing on the USMLE exams particularly those with long question stems,I just lose patience.
I just want to admit both my weaknesses and my strengths.I believe that once a man knows them,he is on his way to success.
Thanks indeed!

 

[Dermguy]

I do not agree with your sentiments, I myself am an American citizen and an American graduate of a allopathic medical school here in United States and I too have had problems in the pass with Step exams. I passed my Step 2 CS on my first attempt but this was not a very good indicator on how my residency training would be like. Believe it or not there are some people who have the knowledge but are just not great test takers. It is easy to say that the exam is easy if you have never had any problems with it in the past, but I strongly believe there is a little more to it than having the ability to regurgitate a huge information database of medical knowledge. I know where winner is coming from because I have been down that road myself. I think a big part of it has to do simply with how the exam questions are given and who gets more the "bread & butter" cases.
I think in addition to his reading if he spends more time doing "timed" questions and pace himself his score will no doubtly improve. That is just my thought though.

I agree with the sentiment that some people are not great test takers. A lot of my friends that are the best doctors do not have the highest Step scores in the class. Multiple choice tests are a poor, poor indicator of somebody's abilities as a physician.

 

[FirstMANdown]

I agree with the sentiment that some people are not great test takers. A lot of my friends that are the best doctors do not have the highest Step scores in the class. Multiple choice tests are a poor, poor indicator of somebody's abilities as a physician.

I think winner will do fine. Seems to understand his strong and weak points and when it comes down to it at the end of the day, that is really what counts. That makes the best Docs out there in my opinion. What worked for me is doing a lot of timed paced questions. This will get you flowing a little bit better during these timed exams that USMLE gives. Wish you all the best of luck and a strong future! 🙂

 

[winner123]

I think winner will do fine. Seems to understand his strong and weak points and when it comes down to it at the end of the day, that is really what counts. That makes the best Docs out there in my opinion. What worked for me is doing a lot of timed paced questions. This will get you flowing a little bit better during these timed exams that USMLE gives. Wish you all the best of luck and a strong future! 🙂

Thanks a lot!
Let me share with u one thing more.So far nobody ever tried to understand my point.This is the first time anybody has understood me.
I hope to overcome my weaknesses.
Best Regards!

 

[winner123]

I think winner will do fine. Seems to understand his strong and weak points and when it comes down to it at the end of the day, that is really what counts. That makes the best Docs out there in my opinion. What worked for me is doing a lot of timed paced questions. This will get you flowing a little bit better during these timed exams that USMLE gives. Wish you all the best of luck and a strong future! 🙂

I passed.I thank u a lot for understanding me.
I got 187,75.I just passed.
Thanks a lot again!

 

[NuMD97]

I appeared in my step-3 exam on 24th and 26th march and took it with the new software .I studied for 2 and 1/2 months.
Studied Premiere Review,Crush,FA,Kaplan Q Bank,U World Q Bank.
Did UWorld Two times.UW Average score 58%.Did Kaplan Q Bank.Kaplan Q Bank Score 58%.
Did 200 Questions from UWorld third time and scored 75%.
Did U World CCS one time.
MCQ's:
First day of the exam was full of very long and vague questions.I even thought of not going for the second day of the exam.I ticked seven questions randomly on my first block,because i was short of time.
On second day the first two blocks were good,but the next two blocks were as vague and as difficult as the first day.Missed 4 questions on the 4th block of second day.Ticked randomly 1-2 questions on second day on the first three blocks.
CCS:
7 CCS cases ended before 15 minutes and two CCS cases did not end at all.
Did not advance clock properly in one of these cases,and ordered superfluous tests on the same case,so it did not end.
Could not get what was going on in another case,so it did not end.
Forgot to order an important test in annother case,but it did end.

Recollected some questions ,and am getting 135 correct out of the recollected 175.I donot know what does it suggest.Can't post anything ,because of irregular behaviour.
Did not get my results yet.
As usual ,like everyboby is ,I m worried too.
Good Luck!

Congrats, Winner, on having the sequence done. Seems with the new software, there is a delay in reporting. Are the dates you took the exam correct? It was midweek and you had a day inbetween. How is that possible? Isn't the exam sequential unless it is a Saturday, and then the second day is a Monday?

Just curious,

Nu

 

[winner123]

Congrats, Winner, on having the sequence done. Seems with the new software, there is a delay in reporting. Are the dates you took the exam correct? It was midweek and you had a day inbetween. How is that possible? Isn't the exam sequential unless it is a Saturday, and then the second day is a Monday?

Just curious,

Nu

Yes, there was a delay in score reporting with the new software.It was to be declared on 13th may,but they declared it a week earlier.
My exam dates are correct.I was lucky to get day off in between.It was some last minute availability in that particular test centre.May be someone cancelled his/her exam.Yes, the exam is sequential except if it is saturday and monday.

Thanks and Regards!

 

[FirstMANdown]

I passed.I thank u a lot for understanding me.
I got 187,75.I just passed.
Thanks a lot again!

WooHoo! Congrats Winner,

No more holding your breath, from this point on it is easy breathing. Residency will be much more doable to follow through now. Again, I wish you all the best!!!😀👍😛

By the way, how did your individual score bar turn out for your CCS part of the exam since you inferred earlier that this was a potential weak point of your step 3 test???

 

[winner123]

WooHoo! Congrats Winner,

No more holding your breath, from this point on it is easy breathing. Residency will be much more doable to follow through now. Again, I wish you all the best!!!😀👍😛

By the way, how did your individual score bar turn out for your CCS part of the exam since you inferred earlier that this was a potential weak point of your step 3 test???

Ray33, My dear I m ready to help u in all the ways I can.
I can never forget your support,dear.
Please let me know which part of the step-3 is bothering u?
Is it the CCS or MCQs? Let us work it out,friend.
I know it must be really devastating for u.
Please write back.
Good Luck

 

[FirstMANdown]

Ray33, My dear I m ready to help u in all the ways I can.
I can never forget your support,dear.
Please let me know which part of the step-3 is bothering u?
Is it the CCS or MCQs? Let us work it out,friend.
I know it must be really devastating for u.
Please write back.
Good Luck

Huh??????

 

[winner123]

Huh??????

I m extremely Sorry for posting this here.
I was to post this on another forum.But I mistakenly posted it here.
First off,Thanks a lot for your kind support.
The performance on the CCS part of my Step-3 exam is borderline to higher performance.So,the performance is actually better than what I expected.I think it is what helped me pass.
The MCQ's performance is not that great.
So, I think if one does wrong even in 2-3 cases and does very good on the remaining cases,he/she will do good.
For CCS I did UWorld and CCS workshop.com.
Thanks again!
Regards!