Good luck all. I have my exam end of March and hope to be the 1st one to post here for 2010.
We all know our limits and some like to get started earlier. There's no problem with that. Just remember, the best prep for step 1 is doing well in your classes. That's why IMG's don't do as well as US med students. They have the same resources and certainly the same intelligence but the main difference is their school experience. That being said, enjoy your last year of college or spend it searching this thread. There's a ton of good information on what books to use for what. I think this post is mainly for those that are 2 years your seniors.
I cant log into my NBME exam services site anymore as of today. It sends me directly to a page about registering for Step 2. Did this happen to anyone else? Maybe it means they took the site down while they get the scores ready.
hey guys, stupid question, say in the middle of the block, you really have to go- I dunno, you have diarrhea or something- can you run out to use the bathroom and still have the clock running for that block, or are you finished? thanks
mine was like that when i tried to log in earlier today, but now it's back to normal.
I guess they wouldn't let you register for step 2 if you didn't pass step 1, so maybe it is an ok sign.
hey guys, stupid question, say in the middle of the block, you really have to go- I dunno, you have diarrhea or something- can you run out to use the bathroom and still have the clock running for that block, or are you finished? thanks
Here's my study plan, for those who are interested:
I read FA for the first time two months before the test. Then read BRS with FA. I also listened to Goljan on my daily runs. This was during classes, so I did what I could when I wasn't studying for my other exams. When second year ended, I had exactly three weeks to study. Anyway, this is what I did:
1. BRS Physiology: I read this thing at least four times, straight through. Early on, I read a chapter from this, then read the corresponding FA section. I'm a huge fan of this little book, it's great for solidifying concepts.
2. RR Path: Um...not a fan of the outline format. I listened to Goljan audio 1.5x, but didn't read the book much. I tried, but gave up.
3. FA: I'd say I read this thing five times, maybe more. I tried to memorize it. I also tried to read it once more completely through the weekend before my exam, and was so determined to get through it that I was still reading it at breakfast in the McDonald's 30 minutes before the test started. I got through it and lo and behold, there were questions straight from FA I never would have remembered if I hadn't done that final review. So hey, if you want to study right up until the start of the test, go for it. I certainly did.
4. UW: I only had time to get through 80% of it. I tried annotating early on, then gave up on that due to time constraints. I just did the best I could to understand what was wrong/right/whatever. I read every explanation very thoroughly, including questions I got right. I did two blocks of 48 everyday during those three weeks.
So that's it. I'd say FA + UW got me to a good score. I was scoring mid 50s on UW when I started, and high 70s by the end (random, untimed, no repeats). I took one practice test, which was UWSA2 six days out, score was 234. I was so discouraged that I pushed my test back a few days. I didn't have time to take any more practice tests. I had three weeks to cram all this info and I didn't want to waste a few precious hours on NMBE tests that had no answers. So that's all I did. I wish I'd never taken a practice test. It killed my confidence. Just read, read, read. Or listen. Or however it is you study best.
For what it's worth, I'd say I'm a good test taker but a lazy student. I go to a "top" school on the East Coast, although I never went to class or labs or whatever, so that's probably not too relevant. I read textbooks for med school and that's how I passed exams (I always scored about average on tests, maybe a bit above). I really studied hard for this beast, though. I'd say I put in 14-16 hrs per day during my intense study period, with very few breaks (exercised every day, but listened to Goljan while doing so). I really believe it is MUCH better to nail a few, limited resources (ie. FA, UW), than to know esoteric details from many random books.
Anyway, that's my take. I forgot quite a few basic things on the exam, and yeah, an extra week or two might have helped. That's the kind of test it is. Do what you can with the time you have, and don't get discouraged. It takes a few read-throughs, but don't worry, you will get those concepts down. I really felt like I was starting from absolute zero when I opened FA for the fist time (I was too afraid to take a baseline practice test - I knew I'd be somewhere in the 180s range), but it all comes together eventually.
Good luck to everyone! PM me if you have any questions.
In such a situation, it wouldn't be a bad idea to just, uh, let it go, if you think about it. No "unplanned breaks" or nothing, and you're right on pace with your questions.
A large number of score reports will be released on Wednesday, July 14. Examinees may experience some delays in accessing their score reports on this date. If you encounter a delay or an error message, please close the window and try again later that day or night
I've been told that scores will post at midnight on Wednesday. Does anyone else know if that is true?
I've been told that scores will post at midnight on Wednesday. Does anyone else know if that is true?
I've been told that scores will post at midnight on Wednesday. Does anyone else know if that is true?
I heard that people who took it before the 21st of June will get their scores on july14 and others will get it on july21. Can anyone else corroborate?
I heard that people who took it before the 21st of June will get their scores on july14 and others will get it on july21. Can anyone else corroborate?
where did u get this info? the website just says "through late june" will get it july 14.
i hope what you said isnt true because i took it june 22
I took it on the 23rd. I don't think I have the stomach to wait another week after all the anticipation for the 14th. The NBME should do a reality TV show on the 14th.
Hello,I'm a medicine graduate,planning to write my step 1 USMLE. I wish to apply for 2011 admission.When will I have to complete all my 3 steps to be eligible for consideration?
I took it on the 23rd. I don't think I have the stomach to wait another week after all the anticipation for the 14th. The NBME should do a reality TV show on the 14th.
That's pretty much what we did last year:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=645746
You guys should do the same. And pack some benzos - it's gonna be a long 2 days.
That's pretty much what we did last year:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=645746
You guys should do the same. And pack some benzos - it's gonna be a long 2 days.
haha, I had the exact same psychological process while reading that thread as youThat thread just cracked me up
Well it was funny till the reports started being posted. That's when I noticed some of the unfortunate outliers who did quite poorly compared to their practice tests...which got me back to the state I was in before viz.
So there's no point in staying up till midnight EST even if I will be getting mine through ECFMG I guess...
I'm on service from like 5 am to 7:30 PM so I don't have time to worry about step even if I was concerned haha. I guess I'll check my score when I have a free moment on Wed maybe.
I'm sure you will find a spare moment! I will be constantly checking on my phone😳
Maybe, I'm on labor and delivery wed... Haha maybe I can check and deliver a baby at the same time 😉
I'm sure you will find a spare moment! I will be constantly checking on my phone😳
Have you tried to access the website from your phone yet? I tried today, and it gave me an error message about security. I have an iphone. This is frustrating, because I'm rounding on Wednesday morning and will have to wait several hours if I can't check with my phone.
come on ecfmg even the spanish have won their first world cup ever since their first appearance in 1934 and you're making it seem like we're past 90 already.
Hey! Who's up for killing their last few minutes this way?
r i p the boss
Holy cow. I can't believe this day has come.
Thanks! Worked like a charm.Yeah it is working fine on a blackberry. Try emailing the the login link to yourself and accessing it through the link.
https://apps.nbme.org/ciw2/prod/jsp/login.jsp
I hope you mean well with this comment
haha, I had the exact same psychological process while reading that thread as you
I took it on the 23rd. I don't think I have the stomach to wait another week after all the anticipation for the 14th. The NBME should do a reality TV show on the 14th.
I took mine on June 25th, and I'm hoping my score will be up tomorrow!!! It looks like on last year's thread, some of the "last Friday" people didn't get scores. Gosh... another week would be torture. 😱
It also looks like the west coast people got their scores at 8 am... so maybe I'll at least know whether or not they're coming early in the day!
I took mine on June 25th, and I'm hoping my score will be up tomorrow!!! It looks like on last year's thread, some of the "last Friday" people didn't get scores. Gosh... another week would be torture. 😱
It also looks like the west coast people got their scores at 8 am... so maybe I'll at least know whether or not they're coming early in the day!
took mine on the 25th too. contrary to what you observed, i noticed everyone who took it on the 26th last yr got their score on the 15th date. so i think we have a shot! prayers, prayers, prayers.
NBME's website is now letting me request documents...and score report is an option, but no scores on the site yet...i can feel my stomach auto-digesting 🙁