NO partner to study for Step 2 CS!!! Do I really need one?

[Doctorisima]

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I just moved to a new city and don't really know people, so I don't have a partner to practice for the Step 2 CS. Any suggestions to how I can prepare efficiently WITHOUT a partner? If Partner is absolutely necessary then... Any body interested in being my partner??? I am in Houston.

 

[guy_incognito]

I think it just really depends upon what your circumstances are. If you are a US medical student who has spent the last year and a half seeing patients, then not too much preparation is needed. If you are an IMG without much US clinical experience and possibly some communication issues, then practice would be much more beneficial. Also most US students have some form of evaluations done by their medical school, either specific to each clerkship and sometimes also a mock CS exam. I think these can be used as a good rough guide as to how much you think you need to prepare.

As a US student, I personally never practiced with anyone, and the handful of people I have talked to did not practice either. All I did was quickly read through the last half of the FA for CS book. By now the diagnoses really aren't very hard to figure out, but reading through the book is mainly to remind you what they want you to ask and do to be completely thorough. Also, they seem to like to list huge differentials and workups, so you can probably trim it down to your top 5.

Oh, and I passed. This is bad to say; but remember, there is no score, just pass/fail, thank goodness.

 

[typhoonegator]

For what it's worth, here are my step by step instructions for those well-versed in the english language who plan to take the Step II CS:

1. Buy the cheapest CS prep-book you can find. Better yet, borrow one.

2. Skim this book while in the car/train/cab/plane/hovercraft on the way to the test. If walking to the test, sit on a bench while reading to prevent personal injury.

3. On arrival, throw the book in the garbage, even if you borrowed it.

4. Enter the pro-metric test facility.

5. Using a zen-like mastery of your own impulses, resist the urge to punch the proctor, secretary, or other test-takers in the face as you contemplate the fact that you could have taken a nice vacation with the money you are spending on this test.

6. Using the formulaic and mindless instructions undoubtedly set forth in the prep-book (which you recall is now in the garbage), complete the test without registering a single independent or creative thought.

7. Leave the pro-metric test facility.

8. Drink heavily in a vain attempt to eradicate the experience from your memory.


This is exactly what I did, and like everyone else, I passed the damn thing.

 

[blackboxmd]

Hi,
I think the single most important thing for CS is time management. When I took the exam, what I found useful is the following -

I used to take a case that I am going to practice (In my case from UsmleSource.com), time it and ask the questions with a little pause allowing for answers.

I also had my family members to act as an SP on a couple of occasions. I went one day ahead to the center and there were people at the hotel who came for the same purpose so I practiced a couple of cases there. If you manage to practice atleast one set of cases timed, you should be OK.

You also need to practice patient note just like in the real exam. BTW, there are a free patient note generators online such as the ones at usmlesource sample cases that you can use to practice any case.

I suggest you try typing it and see if it works. Most people do not realize they can type faster than they can write and it is more legible. All the best.

 

[veo1]

For what it's worth, here are my step by step instructions for those well-versed in the english language who plan to take the Step II CS:

1. Buy the cheapest CS prep-book you can find. Better yet, borrow one.

2. Skim this book while in the car/train/cab/plane/hovercraft on the way to the test. If walking to the test, sit on a bench while reading to prevent personal injury.

3. On arrival, throw the book in the garbage, even if you borrowed it.

4. Enter the pro-metric test facility.

5. Using a zen-like mastery of your own impulses, resist the urge to punch the proctor, secretary, or other test-takers in the face as you contemplate the fact that you could have taken a nice vacation with the money you are spending on this test.

6. Using the formulaic and mindless instructions undoubtedly set forth in the prep-book (which you recall is now in the garbage), complete the test without registering a single independent or creative thought.

7. Leave the pro-metric test facility.

8. Drink heavily in a vain attempt to eradicate the experience from your memory.


This is exactly what I did, and like everyone else, I passed the damn thing.

I second this strategy

 

[Doctorisima]

Thanks!!! I've kind of been doing the timing and pause for response but its a bit weird Since I have to look up the answer and then I would see an answer for something that I didn't ask simply because I didn't know the response of the previous question. But I guess the important thing is to ask the main things. Going to the hotels to practice is a great idea. I may just go there a couple times before my test since I live in Houston.

 

[avicena25]

For what it's worth, here are my step by step instructions for those well-versed in the english language who plan to take the Step II CS:
1. Buy the cheapest CS prep-book you can find. Better yet, borrow one.

2. Skim this book while in the car/train/cab/plane/hovercraft on the way to the test. If walking to the test, sit on a bench while reading to prevent personal injury.
3. On arrival, throw the book in the garbage, even if you borrowed it.
4. Enter the pro-metric test facility.
5. Using a zen-like mastery of your own impulses, resist the urge to punch the proctor, secretary, or other test-takers in the face as you contemplate the fact that you could have taken a nice vacation with the money you are spending on this test.
6. Using the formulaic and mindless instructions undoubtedly set forth in the prep-book (which you recall is now in the garbage), complete the test without registering a single independent or creative thought.
7. Leave the pro-metric test facility.
8. Drink heavily in a vain attempt to eradicate the experience from your memory.
This is exactly what I did, and like everyone else, I passed the damn thing.

Well, it is fascinating to see that somebody passed the frikking test so easily. In my case, I studied like a maniac, saw the CDs, and FAILED.
Now, I feel really below the foundations of the house.
HOW THE HECK DID YOU PASS ?

 

[typhoonegator]

I'm sorry, I was trying to be funny, not flippant about it. Not everyone tests the same way. I was fortunate to have no trouble on Step II, perhaps because of the way my medical school curriculum prepared me for it. That's all. I was certainly not trying to hate on anyone.

 

[Doctorisima]

Typnoonegator, I found your comment funny, it made me feel a bit more relaxed. If all the coments I hear are "this is the hardest test" then I would be going nuts now. I wil need more preparation than that, though. I do know several people that failed because the studied too much and did not practice enough. Its all about practice, right? I am a IMG so in the hospitals that I was we focused more on practicing techniques/procedures and little writing, so... I need to practice!