Thanks vdt2009! It was very hard, but doable. It just needed a little commitment and dedication and the right material to study from.
I studied for about 7 months. But honestly, I was only doing 2-3 hrs a day during the week and 4-5 hrs a day on weekends. I also forgot to mention that I was working part-time throughout this whole period.
I used to read other peoples comments about studying 10 + hrs a day for more than 8 months and I used to freak out because I couldn't commit to such hours with my kids and my 2 jobs. I started the last 2 months studying about 4 hrs a day during weekdays and 6-7 hrs a day during weekends. As I got closer to the test, I started putting in more hours a day and focusing more and more. The last month I started studying 8 hrs a day, then the last 2 weeks when my husband was able to take time off to help me with the kids, I was studying almost all day long!
I just need to tell you all something very important. It doesn't matter how many hours you study and for how long. It all matters on how determine you are to get a good score even if you have the worst circumstances. I was very scared because I was not studying enough hours a day after I used to read comments on SDN, but what I had that was very important was determination. I was determine to defy all odds and prove to myself that I can still make it even though I had so much other things on my mine.
The materials I used were very simple and nothing complicated. I did buy a lot of textbooks before I started studying, but then realized that I don't have time to go through them if I want to finish and review all the material.
For Anatomy, I used First Aid NBDE and dental decks only. I also used a text book just for reference and illustrations.
For Physiology, I used First Aid NBDE and dental decks only
For Biochemistry, I used Kaplan review notes, First Aid USMLE , and dental decks(Awesome book!! I read it all more than twice!! A MUST HAVE)
For Pathology, I used Kaplan review notes, First Aid USMLE and First Aid NBDE and dental decks.
For Micro, I used ONLY First aid NBDE & First Aid USMLE
For Dental Anatomy, I used dental decks and Kaplan review notes.
I read dental decks 2 and a half times. Didn't have time to finish it the third time. I also did ASDA released exams but didn't go furthur than 1989. I read them once 3 weeks before my exam, then another time very briefly 2 days before my exam.
The most important thing is to have basic knowledge of all the materials, because that is what will help you on your test. Make sure you get lots of sleep and rest before the exam. I was very tired in s the second half of the test and couldn't focus because I was studying like crazy the last week trying to cram my head with information and was not able to sleep well the night before the exam. I am sure if I had slept well, I would have done better on the second half of the test.
Anyway, best of luck to all of you out there getting ready for your test and be confident with your knowledge, because you all worked very hard to prepare and will hopefully see a great result soon to come!
