Official 2014 Step 1 Experiences and Scores Thread

[900829]

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. . . and may the odds be ever in your favor.
WE GOT THIS!

 

[NeuroLAX]

Any tips to get through UWorld blocks faster? It's taking me 2.75-3 hours to get through a block of 46. I cut it down to not annotating unless I missed the question or I saw something in the explanation that I thought was really important (clarifying a misconception that I had). I'm still reading the explanations for EVERY question on tutor mode by section.

Are you all taking the time to read the explanations for every question, or just the ones you missed?

That's a habit of mine as well. I think I need to start skimming the ones I know I got right, but I don't want to miss something important. Occasionally there will be a question I know I got right but the explanation will mention something that I had not considered/didn't know.

 

[EazyE1907]

I'm also having the same problem, but as far as saving time goes i don't think there's any way around it. I'll read the explanation regardless if i've gotten it right or wrong, then annotate into my FA. It's a painstaking process, as it takes allllll day, but the explanations really make it stick. For ex, If it's a pathophys concept like why radial traction would be increased in patients with restrictive lung dis, then yeah, i'll spend some time on it and annotate, but if it's some marker/cytokine or an easy concept i'll skim it, look for something i don't know and move on. I also think the repetition factor of reading each explanation helps with keeping things fresh in your head. Yeah, It gets redundant but at least you won't forget.

 

[Phloston]

On the NBMEs, you generally have to make some inferences, but just having a general idea is enough. Knowing that 200 is when PCP comes in (and above that is Strep pneumo) is definitely important. I've also definitely seen questions about myco avium @ 50.

The other one is that CMV colitis comes in below CD4+ of 50. I believe that was also tested in one of the UWSAs.

 

[Phloston]

I'm about to start dedicated and had a good pace going until schoolwork caught up with me over the last few weeks.
· USMLE Rx: 65% avg
· Kaplan qbank (random-timed): 66% avg
· Kaplan Simulated Exam 1 (3/10): 69%
· UWSA1 (4/13): 238
· Free 150 (4/18) : 87%
· NBME 13 (5/1): 245
· Finished UWorld (random-timed) (5/4/14): 73% avg

I'm probably going to take UWSA2 tomorrow and NBME 12 this weekend. I plan on doing a NBME every few days throughout dedicated. I also need to get through a COMLEX question bank at some point, but those questions are not nearly as time-intensive.

My question to you all: Would my time be better spent doing another full pass of UWorld, or would you only focus on incorrect/marked questions? I plan on splitting my days between UWorld, Anki pharm decks of FA, and doing another pass of FA.

At this point, I am worried that my score has plateaued around a 240 and my time crunch means that I need to be extra-efficient, so I appreciate any input you all have.

The second pass of UWorld is over-rated. Focus your efforts on what you're getting wrong and memorizing FA.

 

[Phloston]

My stats so far:
CBSE (9 weeks out): 255
NBME 7 (4 weeks out): 249 (91%)
UWorld 1st pass completed (in blocks, NOT random / timed / 3.5 weeks out): 81%
NBME 11 (3 weeks out): 251 (91.5%)
NBME 12 (2 weeks out): 262 (95%)

I'm only posting this to try and help anyone who is considering doing what I did between NBME 11 and 12: Pure FA. I ditched the QBanks, and just devoted every hour of studying to FA. I'm about halfway through 2nd run, trying to get at least 2.5x reps in.

If you feel like you're plateauing (I did) or have done enough Q's that you personally feel like you're approaching max benefit (I did), then it's something to consider. The studies saying Q's are the most important thing for your score do suggest a point of diminishing returns exists.

Believe it or not that's probably more chance than anything else. I jumped from 252 on NBME6 to 266 on NBME12 in just 6 days, and it wasn't any resource-use that had made a difference; it was just having been more well-rested, getting minutiae questions I coincidentally knew, and not making stupid errors. Once you're above 255, what nobody wants to come to terms with is that it's pretty much just the individual's test-taking skills and intuition that will make the difference.

I'm not saying that to try and contradict what you found helpful. I'm just putting it out there that 1) there isn't such a strong causality attributing to raw performance gains like people think, and 2) sleep is by far the most important tool anyone has on test day.

 

[Apoplexy__]

Believe it or not that's probably more chance than anything else. I jumped from 252 on NBME6 to 266 on NBME12 in just 6 days, and it wasn't any resource-use that had made a difference; it was just having been more well-rested, getting minutiae questions I coincidentally knew, and not making stupid errors. Once you're above 255, what nobody wants to come to terms with is that it's pretty much just the individual's test-taking skills and intuition that will make the difference.

I'm not saying that to try and contradict what you found helpful. I'm just putting it out there that 1) there isn't such a strong causality attributing to raw performance gains like people think, and 2) sleep is by far the most important tool anyone has on test day.

Ah...I definitely made far fewer stupid mistakes and was in a more optimal mental state on the last NBME. Then again, I wasn't jet-lagged or anything on my previous NBME's. Hopefully that jump still implies genuinely gained ground. I guess I'll find out next NBME.

 

[addy]

The second pass of UWorld is over-rated. Focus your efforts on what you're getting wrong and memorizing FA.

Yeah, the thousands of people who have done it with successful outcomes are the crazy ones!

More than one way to skin the cat, homie.

 

[kagman]

Ebv iinfects b cells leading to a rise in cd 8+cells causing the mononucleosis. So basically if a question is asked about whixh region of a lymph node or spleen would be enlarges in infectious mono then the answer would be para cortex or pals due to T cells right?
Sounds obvious but just wanted to confirm if there is just a t cell rise..

 

[addy]

Ebv iinfects b cells leading to a rise in cd 8+cells causing the mononucleosis. So basically if a question is asked about whixh region of a lymph node or spleen would be enlarges in infectious mono then the answer would be para cortex or pals due to T cells right?
Sounds obvious but just wanted to confirm if there is just a t cell rise..

Yup. It's right there in Pathoma, bhai sahab.

 

[orchitisphlebitis]

Yeah, the thousands of people who have done it with successful outcomes are the crazy ones!

More than one way to skin the cat, homie.

True, but who's to say they wouldn't have done better if they did what Pholston was saying? As long as you get your score, it doesn't matter. But truly putting thought behind strategies has got to, imo, lead to figuring out that some strategies are better than others.

Personally, I'm in the Uworld one and done camp. Time is just better spent elsewhere at that point. I am also, however, a big advocate of being thorough in your first pass. Don't go too crazy with the annotations, but read every answer choice and explanation. That repetition really serves to pound things into your head. As long as you're not too slow about it, I think it'll help in the end.

 

[Polymyxin]

The second pass of UWorld is over-rated. Focus your efforts on what you're getting wrong and memorizing FA.

Personally, I'm in the Uworld one and done camp. Time is just better spent elsewhere at that point.

I think this makes sense, there will be diminished returns from a COMPLETE second pass of UWorld...I'm gonna likely just re-do my incorrect.
Question: once you finish UWorld once, I gather you advocate focusing on hammering in FA/Pathoma. But, I imagine, you still need to stay sharp with practice questions. What do you use for that..... NBME, sign up for Kaplan's Qbank, redo UWorld (but only for practice)?

 

[Vexare]

I think this makes sense, there will be diminished returns from a COMPLETE second pass of UWorld...I'm gonna likely just re-do my incorrect.
Question: once you finish UWorld once, I gather you advocate focusing on hammering in FA/Pathoma. But, I imagine, you still need to stay sharp with practice questions. What do you use for that..... NBME, sign up for Kaplan's Qbank, redo UWorld (but only for practice)?

Agreed, a second complete pass of UWorld says less about your ability to think through and answer questions than it says about your recognition of questions, whether that recognition is conscious or unconscious. Of course, this assumes that your first pass was thorough and you really thought through not only why the right answer was right, but how the others could've been eliminated.

In regards to your question, UWorld ideally should be finished with enough time to hammer through some NBMEs (3 in the final week seems to be the most predictive) and focus on your weaknesses. For some people this means looking through images for anatomy/neuro, blasting through embryo/micro/pharm/biochem or simply revisiting concepts in FA that seem volatile. No matter how you choose to handle shoring up those weaknesses, taking NBMEs is essential. You must be able to get in the mindset of the NBME question writers and calibrate to their question style. As helpful as UWorld, Kaplan or USMLERx may have been while learning the material the first time, NBMEs are previous step 1 questions and it's not uncommon for questions testing near identical concepts to appear on your exam. Getting attuned to how those concepts are tested would seem to be the most productive approach. Again, this means looking up questions you got wrong and addressing those weaknesses instead of using it simply as a predictive tool with no other benefit.

As a side note, if you do have a glaring weakness such as anatomy or microbial genetics, some have found that extra questions just for those subjects, possibly from Kaplan's QBank, have been helpful. But this has more to do with personal preference and perceived weaknesses than anything else, so you'll likely find varied opinions on its usefulness.

 

[Polymyxin]

UWorld ideally should be finished with enough time to hammer through some NBMEs (3 in the final week seems to be the most predictive) and focus on your weaknesses.

Thanks for that! I hadn't thought of this approach.

 

[1dayatatime]

I see what ppl are saying about reading first aid being really imp but for some reason I feel like I'm not getting much out of it. I tried to read it for 4-6 hrs yesterday and feel like I'm not sure I gained anything? Any tips on how to make urself focus? I tried highlighting and striking thru wth black marker.

 

[Phloston]

What I felt I had gained from having done a second pass of UWorld was probably more placebo than anything else. To that effect, the last five months of my year-long prep were mostly placebo. If you're already that far into your prep that you've finished UWorld (because you're best off saving that QBank for last), what comes after is more potential energy and reassurance rather than purely contributory to score augmentation.

 

[freddysbycicle]

I see what ppl are saying about reading first aid being really imp but for some reason I feel like I'm not getting much out of it. I tried to read it for 4-6 hrs yesterday and feel like I'm not sure I gained anything? Any tips on how to make urself focus? I tried highlighting and striking thru wth black marker.

Read a chapter then do the Rx qbank on that chapter. Highlight or underline the key concepts as they come along. For example, the characteristics that help distinguish thyroid carcinomas from one another, and then make a little chart on it in that page or w/e.
Doing the questions after finishing the chapter will really help making things stick! Annotating after finishing the block will help you further. Dont go crazy though!! save some space for the UWorld annotations

 

[Apoplexy__]

I see what ppl are saying about reading first aid being really imp but for some reason I feel like I'm not getting much out of it. I tried to read it for 4-6 hrs yesterday and feel like I'm not sure I gained anything? Any tips on how to make urself focus? I tried highlighting and striking thru wth black marker.

Blegh, I really dislike the black marker idea. There are so many things I fool myself into thinking I know, or have down cold then forget a month later...I would screw myself over big time if I did that.

 

[guitarguy23]

Does anyone study the systems based off their UWorld percentile for each section? I'm ~60% through UWorld and there are a few subjects that I'm scoring lower in on average than others. I've got ~6 wks and I want to get through UWorld twice, so I feel like I have time to look over the hard things later.

Is it a good idea to focus on my weak systems at this point, or wait about ~2 weeks after I've covered everything?

 

[Fox800]

I had registered for the practice USMLE at Prometric under the impression that the practice questions would be unique. The NBME says that there are no new questions on the Prometric practice USMLE: "All test items are drawn from the practice materials that are available for free download on the USMLE website. NO NEW SAMPLE TEST MATERIALS ARE PRESENTED AT PRACTICE SESSIONS."

However, people posting back in 2012 said that there are new questions on it. Has anyone taken it recently? Is it the same questions as the Free 150? If so, I'm gonna cancel my registration and get some more study time.

 

[Fox800]

What's the popular opinion about going through UWorld twice? I have 7-8 days left at the end. I can either do that or spend my time elsewhere.

Also, how about the spacing of NBMEs? I've heard some people recommend taking multiple NBMEs in the week leading up to the exam, while others say that will only serve to freak you out. At the moment I'm planning to take one per week, on the same day each week, until the exam.

 

[Selector]

I'll offer the system I used/am using regarding the number of UWorld passes since, although it is subjective, there is a lot that can be said about tried and tested methods being mention by the members here:

I went through UWorld during the first half of my second year (which I'm currently finishing up and am going to start my dedicated period June 1st) and either highlighted the main educational objectives in FA, or annotated them in if they were missing and highlighted those annotations. So now I know that if something is highlighted in a certain color, it's the HY of the HY.

I do think that the process of writing helps with retention, but I felt that the time I would gain by not having to annotate while going through UWorld my first 'real' time would be more of a benefit as I could spend that time actually reading FA while doing a few blocks a day. After my first pass, I plan to redo only my marked/wrong questions.

In the meantime, I have been doing Rx and Kaplan Q's, and I think that'll help to erase any memory of UWorld questions that I could possibly remember (which is a slim possibility in the first place since I didn't really pay full attention during my annotation pass of UWorld, and a significant amount of time has passed.)


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

[001100010010011]

The second pass of UWorld is over-rated. Focus your efforts on what you're getting wrong and memorizing FA.

Thanks, man. I'm going to follow Kirby's advice and yours, and go through my weak spots in FA again and will probably try doing another NBME this weekend.

It has taken me forever to get through biochem again, but I definitely needed it. Micro too.

For anyone who's keeping track of my plan/progress and thinking about following it, here it is with UWSA2 and NBME 12 added:

· USMLE Rx: 65% avg
· Kaplan qbank (random-timed): 66% avg
· Kaplan Simulated Exam 1 (3/10): 69%
· UWSA1 (4/13): 238
· Free 150 (4/18) : 87%
· NBME 13 (5/1): 245
· Finished UWorld (random-timed) (5/4/14): 73% avg
· UWSA2 (5/9): 252
· NBME 12 (5/11): 245

 

[freddysbycicle]

How would you guys rate biostat questions on the STEP and NBMEs? Are they as complicated as some of the UWorld questions?

 

[Ionian]

How would you guys rate biostat questions on the STEP and NBMEs? Are they as complicated as some of the UWorld questions?

Complicated meaning a biostats questions that doesn't simply ask you to apply specificity/sensitivity?

lol.

 

[freddysbycicle]

Complicated meaning a biostats questions that doesn't simply ask you to apply specificity/sensitivity?

lol.

haha perhaps I shouldve explained myself better. The FA section on biostats sucks. A few of the questions (maybe like 3-4) on UWorld seemed to test your problem solving IQ rather than a firm grasp on biostats. Not that they are impossible, but they are kinda time draining.

 

[AlmostAnMD]

One of the NBME's had a Q that basically just asked me to calculate how many calories a woman needed to lose a few pounds a week with her diet. They gave you all the data you needed (how many calories walking is for X time, etc) so you didn't need any medical knowledge to answer the question.

I got it right but it still irritated the piss out of me because

1) This doesn't test ANYTHING that belongs in med school it's just testing basic math. At least biostats is...well...I don't really like that either but you have to at least KNOW what "specificity" is in order to calculate it. This crap belongs on the MCAT, not step!!

2) it was clearly just put in there as a time sucker. As someone with average math skills adding up all the activities options to come out with the right number took me like 2 minutes.

It would have made just as much sense for them to ask me to translate french and give me a dictionary. Has nothing to do with anything, just kills time. I really, really hope I don't get time sucking questions like this on the real thing. I'll take sensitivity/specificity any day over this.

 

[YeahNoMind]

I'm specifically asking you to not get sensitive about this. Don't let it irritate the specipissity out of you, biostats is not going to make or break your hopefully very high score

 

[kagman]

I'm specifically asking you to not get sensitive about this. Don't let it irritate the specipissity out of you, biostats is not going to make or break your hopefully very high score

Rofl !

 

[swoopyswoop]

i literally had a question on the real exam that was just calculating a mean.

 

[Bancrofti]

Had a question on my CBSSA that asked you to find compare the mode between groups... When I saw it I was like nice, cake points... but then group B had 2 different numbers that could have been the mode. Mind = blown, never in my history of arithmeticing has that ever happened.

 

[Apoplexy__]

haha perhaps I shouldve explained myself better. The FA section on biostats sucks. A few of the questions (maybe like 3-4) on UWorld seemed to test your problem solving IQ rather than a firm grasp on biostats. Not that they are impossible, but they are kinda time draining.

I haven't found them to be significantly easier than UWorld, but I think UWorld may be a little tougher. This little extra practice question for Biostats+Epidemiology really helped me a ton:
http://www.usmleworld.com/Step1/step1_subjectreview.aspx

Had a question on my CBSSA that asked you to find compare the mode between groups... When I saw it I was like nice, cake points... but then group B had 2 different numbers that could have been the mode. Mind = blown, never in my history of arithmeticing has that ever happened.

...What do you do in that case?

 

[541266]

Solid. I'll put some time into recognizing them then. Thanks for the help.

I made a mnemonic that'll help.

CD4<50 -> MAC
MAI (Myco Avium-Intracellulare)
CMV
Cryptococcus

CD4<100 -> THC
Toxoplasma
Histoplasma
Candida - Esophagael

CD4<200 -> C's
Cryptosporidium
JC Virus
PCP (Pneumocystitis Jiroveci)

 

[Ionian]

I made a mnemonic that'll help.

CD4<50 -> MAC
MAI (Myco Avium-Intracellulare)
CMV
Cryptococcus

CD4<100 -> THC
Toxoplasma
Histoplasma
Candida - Esophagael

CD4<200 -> C's
Cryptosporidium
JC Virus
PCP (Pneumocystitis Jiroveci)

Dude thats awesome I made the exact same one!

200 I made that the 3 P's...
PCP
PML
Parvum

1oo as Toxo Histo

50 for the 3 C's
CMV
Crypto
MAC

 

[541266]

Dude thats awesome I made the exact same one!

200 I made that the 3 P's...
PCP
PML
Parvum

1oo as Toxo Histo

50 for the 3 C's
CMV
Crypto
MAC

Niiice. I created a whole bunch for micro.

On the top of my head:

Strep B: Baby PMS
Pneumonia
Meningitis
Sepsis

Encapsulated Bacteria (SHiN SKiS): TIE your SHiN
Transformation
IgA Protease
Encapsulated Polysaccharide capsules

Produce Biofilm: SHiPS
S. epidermidis
H.influenza
Pseudomonas
S.viridans

Acid Fast Organisms: Cry No More
Cryptosporidium
Nocardia
Mycobacteria

Silver Stain: HeLP
H.pylori
Legionella
PCP

Rx for H.Pylori: CAMP
Clarithromycin
Amoxicillin
Metronidazole
PPI's

That's all I can think of for now. Enjoy!

 

[Shadowmoses]

In reviewing some FA, how far in depth do we need to cover amino acids? Is FA amino acid section enough? Should we know which ones are hydrophobic/hydrophillic?

 

[Witobb]

I haven't found them to be significantly easier than UWorld, but I think UWorld may be a little tougher. This little extra practice question for Biostats+Epidemiology really helped me a ton:
http://www.usmleworld.com/Step1/step1_subjectreview.aspx

http://www.usmleworld.com/Step1/step1_subjectreview.aspx

Nice!! How long is it? or how long did it take you to get through?

 

[Bancrofti]

...What do you do in that case?

Still not sure honestly. I looked it up after the exam and came across an explanation that said when you have multiple numbers that can be the mode, they are both the mode. I've accepted that, but it still left me a little unsure of the answer. Put simply, the question stated:

Group A values: 1, 2, 3, 12, 12
Group B values: 1, 2, 2, 12, 12
What is the relationship between the modes of groups A and B?
Answer choices along the lines of: mode of A > B, mode of B > A, modes are equal... I think it was an A-E question, but I can't remember what the other 2 choices were.

I remember it being tough to work out logically (at the time not knowing you can have 2 modes), the highest number being the mode in B was = to the mode of A. I though oh maybe you need to average the two modes like you do if there is even number integer set and you're asked to find the median, but whatever the answer would have been if the average was taken for group B wasn't an answer choice. I'm probably missing details that would make this sound more familiar to anyone who's seen a similar question, but that's the general gist of it.

 

[AlmostAnMD]

That is terrible

 

[urbanclassic]

Hey everyone, I need some advice. I have about 4.5 weeks until my step exam. My *goal* for step 1 is 260.
On CBSE:215 (End of March)
NBME 11: 234 (End of April)

I've gone through FA about 2x. I've done pathoma 2x. I'm about to finish Uworld in the next few days. I've been doing DIT for the last two days, and while some of it has been helpful, I feel like it's not going over things certain things in FA like I thought it would. Maybe I'm too quick to judge.
I plan to do Uworld and pathoma again. I'll also do Microcards about 1 hour a day, and some random anki cards that I made to memorize things that aren't sticking. Is it worth staying with DIT or should I just go over FA myself? Thanks.

 

[EazyE1907]

Niiice. I created a whole bunch for micro.

On the top of my head:

Strep B: Baby PMS
Pneumonia
Meningitis
Sepsis

Encapsulated Bacteria (SHiN SKiS): TIE your SHiN
Transformation
IgA Protease
Encapsulated Polysaccharide capsules

Produce Biofilm: SHiPS
S. epidermidis
H.influenza
Pseudomonas
S.viridans

Acid Fast Organisms: Cry No More
Cryptosporidium
Nocardia
Mycobacteria

Silver Stain: HeLP
H.pylori
Legionella
PCP

Rx for H.Pylori: CAMP
Clarithromycin
Amoxicillin
Metronidazole
PPI's

That's all I can think of for now. Enjoy!

wow these are absolutely awesome!! def going to steal some. Oh and i also came up with the same " Baby PMS" one for s.agalactiae lol

 

[EazyE1907]

I got this world question on listeria and the explanation mentions something about Listeriolysin O, A type of pore-forming endotoxin that listeria uses in evade phagosomes.

My question is, is this something worth knowing/annotating into FA. I mean, i have NEVER heard/read of it and it's not in FA. But world has it bolded and it's one of their newer questions. I'm guessing it's not in bold for no reason right?

 

[dyspareunia]

I got this world question on listeria and the explanation mentions something about Listeriolysin O, A type of pore-forming endotoxin that listeria uses in evade phagosomes.

My question is, is this something worth knowing/annotating into FA. I mean, i have NEVER heard/read of it and it's not in FA. But world has it bolded and it's one of their newer questions. I'm guessing it's not in bold for no reason right?

It's how listeria avoids antibody. Listeria is facultative intracellular -> gets phagocytosed -> listeriolysin O to escape phagosome -> swims cell to cell with actin filaments.

It's in Kaplan lectures.

 

[Timma!]

We had that in our classes. It's in Robins pg361. I only know that cuz I read it last night and said "Oh Ya, I remember that, why isn't that in FA? Better write that in... no wait, its name tell me what I need to know Listeri -o- Lysin. I'm not gonna use the brain power to write that in FA. It's sure is a nice day? Looks windy outside. I wander how fast the wind has to blow to make the trees bend that much.... wikipedia:tree wind speed....."

 

[Vexare]

Hey everyone, I need some advice. I have about 4.5 weeks until my step exam. My *goal* for step 1 is 260.
On CBSE:215 (End of March)
NBME 11: 234 (End of April)

I've gone through FA about 2x. I've done pathoma 2x. I'm about to finish Uworld in the next few days. I've been doing DIT for the last two days, and while some of it has been helpful, I feel like it's not going over things certain things in FA like I thought it would. Maybe I'm too quick to judge.
I plan to do Uworld and pathoma again. I'll also do Microcards about 1 hour a day, and some random anki cards that I made to memorize things that aren't sticking. Is it worth staying with DIT or should I just go over FA myself? Thanks.

DIT is an incredible time commitment that won't offer any gains score-wise that you couldn't make on your own in half the time by simply reading FA. Seeing as how you're already at a 234, you're likely to benefit even less from it than those with a weaker understanding of the basics. Instead, consider hammering FA, or do what I did and pick up USMLERx. Not only will you have a fresh set of questions under your belt, you'll also solidify FA in the process - a much more practical, time-saving and less costly alternative to DIT.

 

[dyspareunia]

It's how listeria avoids antibody. Listeria is facultative intracellular -> gets phagocytosed -> listeriolysin O to escape phagosome -> swims cell to cell with actin filaments.

It's in Kaplan lectures.

Oh and also don't forget that Shigella does the same thing with actin polymerization.

 

[Polymyxin]

or do what I did and pick up USMLERx. Not only will you have a fresh set of questions under your belt, you'll also solidify FA in the process - a much more practical, time-saving and less costly alternative to DIT.

I recall you had earlier commented on not doing UWorld twice. Are you planning on doing Rx after UWorld to hammer in FA concepts. I might like this approach bc I have a hard time reading FA (I have a short attention span...questions keep me engaged).

 

[EazyE1907]

We had that in our classes. It's in Robins pg361. I only know that cuz I read it last night and said "Oh Ya, I remember that, why isn't that in FA? Better write that in... no wait, its name tell me what I need to know Listeri -o- Lysin. I'm not gonna use the brain power to write that in FA. It's sure is a nice day? Looks windy outside. I wander how fast the wind has to blow to make the trees bend that much.... wikipedia:tree wind speed....."

Hmm, i didn't realize it took brain power to annotate into FA. i must be doing something wrong 🙁

 

[1dayatatime]

stupid q prob but can nerves be white (calcified) on an Xray? no right? only arteries can? I guess ligaments can too? I had a q about Diabetics and i always get confused if it's their arteries or their nerves that are messed up. I think both but have trouble telling apart.

 

[Bojack Horseman]

stupid q prob but can nerves be white (calcified) on an Xray? no right? only arteries can? I guess ligaments can too? I had a q about Diabetics and i always get confused if it's their arteries or their nerves that are messed up. I think both but have trouble telling apart.

I don't know about calcification, but I believe diabetic nerve damage is the result of microvascular glycosylation. The nerves die because they lose their blood supply. There may be some osmotic component to the nerve damage too, can't remember the details right now though.

 

[Enzymes]

I did some google searches and what not, and I cannot figure out what in heck the Free 150 is. I found some free practice questions on the Step 1 site, but there are like 138...where/what is this glorious free 150 that you all are talking about. Thanks friends.