NBME Shelf Prep and Step II

[SirCuneus]

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Our school just implemented shelf exams for EVERY core rotation in the 3rd year, except for our cardiology rotation. So my question is this: how well does Qbank prepare you for the shelf exams compared to UW? I thought I'd ask this question here since you've all taken the shelfs.

I've found a variety of opinions on UW and Qbank for step 2, but how good are they for the shelf exams? And should I use one over the other for step 2?

Thanks.

 

[SirCuneus]

Does anyone have any input on my question?!!

 

[joe6102]

Here's my opinion. UW is good for medicine, terrible for surgery, and just ok for obgyn, peds, and psych. If you want to crush shelf exams just read Casefiles twice (every subject is great), then a question source if you have time.
I discovered Casefiles after my first two rotations and my shelf scores went up 10 points.

 

[Dr McSteamy]

uw is good to gauge how much you know.

that said, i did very average on uw and the real shelfs

 

[climbingdocs]

I thot qbank was good for surgery, some peds, not good for OB, or Psych. I would suggest doing it anyway. More questions the better. I used pre test and case files for my shelfs and did qbank for all of them as well. For medicine MKSAP for students is a must.

 

[ERJunkie]

What is everyone using to study for Surgery? I used Casebook and Essentials during the rotation. Is it worth my time to read Casebook over or will studying medicine and doing UW be enough, since there was so much overlap between the 2 shelf exams?

 

[SirCuneus]

I'll definately read casefiles, thanks for the input.