OMFS resident trying to pass usmle step one!

[omfs44]

---

Members don't see this ad.

does anyone have any experience with usmle step one recently? any thoughts? basically, my program doesn't have any 1st and 2nd year medschool classes whatsoever, finished my intern year this june, and took step one in july and failed. Going to take it one more time next month....if i don't pass this time, im out of my program for good...sucks!!! just want to hear if anyone has taken it recently how they studied? thx in advance!

 

[TX OMFS]

does anyone have any experience with usmle step one recently? any thoughts? basically, my program doesn't have any 1st and 2nd year medschool classes whatsoever, finished my intern year this june, and took step one in july and failed. Going to take it one more time next month....if i don't pass this time, im out of my program for good...sucks!!! just want to hear if anyone has taken it recently how they studied? thx in advance!

I read the physiology, path, and biochem grid books cover to cover. Also read most of the pharm grid book. Did first aid. Read key chapters in physiology, pathology, and pharm text books. Did Q-bank. We got one month off work to do nothing but study. I also studied probably four hours a week for the USMLE for four months prior to that exam. All this netted me a 193.

 

[Yah-E]

OMFS44:

Welcome to SDN and you may just found yourself a lifesaver by finding this website. Although there are a number of OMFS residents that are frequently on SDN Dental Forums now, including MD program OMFS residents, you should definitely browse the USMLE Step I, II, III Forums. Just browsing through that particular forum for two minutes, you'll find materials to use, how to study, how much time to study, etc., etc. Medical students post their experiences and their scores.

As usuall, students on SDN were super human beings as you will find many 240+ scores in the USMLE forums. Good luck and study hard!

 

[omfs44]

thx for you guys inputs....sigh, so stressful!!! this test is giving me nightmares every nite. just need to pass so i can freaking move on to medschool and have a easy life for 2 years before i do general surgery. time to go back studying!!!

 

[omsres]

thx for you guys inputs....sigh, so stressful!!! this test is giving me nightmares every nite. just need to pass so i can freaking move on to medschool and have a easy life for 2 years before i do general surgery. time to go back studying!!!

That blows man. We had several from my med school class that didn't pass. Not quite the set back you're hit with, but it goes to show that even 2 years of med school immediately prior to this test sometime aren't good enough.

I would echo TX OMFS, I didn't use text books, but I found micro made ridiculously simple very helpful. You've got to master pathology and pharm. I think a good score on those sections can pull up areas like biochem that seem impossible on that test. Hopefully you'll have adequate time to prepare, and coming off just studying for it you've got a head start. I think you've got a better chance of passing the second time around. Good luck.

 

[omsres]

This is to any OMS hopeful:

Be very careful if you decide to choose a 6/5 year program that requires the USMLE to move on. This test is hard as hell to pass. You have to accept the fact that even though you match to one of these programs, you are not 100% "in" until you pass that stupid test. It will hang over your head for 1 year untill you get those passing results. It will wear you out. But seriously, that is the hardest part of the whole process. Med school is easy, you learn a ton of things about medicine and patient management you couldn't just pick up doing a single degree. I'm all for the dual degree, but a four year program will be far less stressful in this respect.

By the way, TX OMFS is the first Dental Hygiene grad to ever match directly into into an oral surgery program from Hygiene school and successfully pass the USMLE, so you might want to listen to his advice.

 

[Yah-E]

You two co-residents are too funny!

Two interesting, but unproven info about USMLE and MD OMFS residencies:

1)
Listen, I've heard that since passing the USMLE Step I has been a problem for many MD OMFS residencies that some MD OMFS residencies will allow you to take the USMLE Step I before you start your intern year.

Meaning as soon as you matched into a MD OMFS residency in January of your Senior year in dental school, the MD OMFS residency will certify you to take the USMLE Step I before you graduate dental school. In this way, you'll know if you passed the Step I or not either before you start your intern year or during your intern year. The key thing here is to give you more time to prepare if you need it (if you failed the first time).

Good idea or bad idea?

2)
Further, I've also heard that if a dental student who is an OMFS hopeful, if somehow someway (s)he had already passed the USMLE Step I, MD OMFS residencies are more incline to select that particular person as their top choices for matching. If a dental student can take the USMLE Step I while (s)he is in dental school and pass the exam, then when that person applies to the MD OMFS programs, that person will have a HUGE foot in according to MD OMFS program director's eyes. This route is obviously extremely difficult because for one to take the USMLE Step I, (s)he must be a medical student and the NBME will confirm to see if you're a medical student. But if you can somehow bypass this "certification" process by the NBME and take & pass the USMLE Step I, then your chances of being matched will increase tremendously!

I can see a medical student finished his 2nd year of medical school and passed his USMLE Step I, then decided that medicine is not for him. That same student applied to dental school and got accepted and decided to specialize in MD OMFS. This applicant will have an upper advantage because he already has the USMLE Step I under his belt.

Fact or Fiction?

 

[omfs44]

yeah, totally agreee with omsres, u r not really in/feel like u r in the program until u pass this freaking hard exam. oh, i guess hypothetically speaking, u r right yah-e, if you pass step one when u r applying to omfs residency, it'll be more than huge to match into an omfs progam, especiallly to those programs where they only do 3rd and 4th med like LSU, Alabamba, UConn, etc. cuz program directors are very concerned that residents might not pass the exam. i heard miami changed it back to 4 year because too many residents failed the exam (not sure if it's a rumor???) The thing i don't understand is that i can score like a mid 90s on my part one dental board but can't even PASS this stupid test? what does that mean? im too dumb to be a MD??? maybe im stupid or something....sigh....i just have to blame to the fact that i was working more than 100 hours a week during my intern year....

 

[adamlc18]

What is the minimum score you need to pass? I checked out the USMLE board but everyone talks about how well they did...not what it takes to pass.

 

[north2southOMFS]

You have to accept the fact that even though you match to one of these programs, you are not 100% "in" until you pass that stupid test.

thanks a lot, my own co-resident telling me I'm not "in" the program yet. It hurts man, really.....it hurts. It wouldn't have been so bad if it came from the dental hygene graduate, but from you. Darn.

 

[DcS]

That's right because we are MEDICAL students, the cream of the crop, not DENTAL students, the chaff.

and you are reading a dental board because

 

[Yah-E]

What is the minimum score you need to pass? I checked out the USMLE board but everyone talks about how well they did...not what it takes to pass.

Adam:

The minimum passing score for USMLE Step I varies from year to year, I believe this past exam was around 182. Here's the link to some recent statistics:

http://www.usmle.org/scores/2003perf.htm

That's right because we are MEDICAL students, the cream of the crop, not DENTAL students, the chaff.

Listen, I don't want this thread to be another med students vs dental students, which very well can be with the way you type. What I meant about the "super human beings" is the fact that student on SDN only post high scores usually and just as the same with us dental students, when we have high DAT or NBDE Part 1 scores, people tend to post. I didn't want omfs44 get intimated when he browses the USMLE forums. I highly suggest that you delete your post and get back on your sh1tty high horse and get the **** out of our thread.

One more negative post out of your sarcastic @ss, I'll report you to the G-man to request to have you ban from posting!! Got it? 👍

 

[north2southOMFS]

Dude, your a little anesthesia resident. Now I get it, the only reason your over here is because in the medical resident forums they would taunt your ass over your easy lifestyle and cush residency.


Like I said before, enjoy your billing by the hours lifestyle with medicaid and medicare while most of the dentists in this area will be making as much or more than you working 4 days a week and having to go to less school to get it. Oh and did I mention that their insurance is cheaper also. Still feel cool?

I have friends where i am doing my residency that are in their anesthesia residency and they are cool as hell. I'm sure they would love to know that one of their own is out making them look bad by talking tough.

Or maybe your some kinda ousted geek and nobody at the hospital likes you so you spend your time acting cool in front of a bunch of dental students. In which case go back to popin your nerd zits......poon.

Dude, nurses do your job these days.

 

[Yah-E]

G-man:

Get rid of this guy, would ya? 👍

 

[omfs44]

As a lowly dentist? If you tell me that, son, I'll throw your ass out onto the street and have you scrambling for some other hospital thats desperate enough to employ your ass. Now get back to drillin' dem der teeth!

throw me out onto the street? please...i will throw you out of the OR before you open your mouth.... i'll be more than happy to replace you with an anesthesist.....

 

[Sensei_Sevo]

i'll be more than happy to replace you with an anesthesist.....

And settle for mediocre care of your patients? Yeah, thats real ethical. Then again you are only a dentist so I don't expect you to realize the same standard as a physician.

 

[Sensei_Sevo]

Dude, your a little anesthesia resident. Now I get it, the only reason your over here is because in the medical resident forums they would taunt your ass over your easy lifestyle and cush residency.

Actually, they ARE extremely jealous of my cush lifestyle and residency. Who wouldn't be. Don't criticize me for making an excellent choice for a career.

Like I said before, enjoy your billing by the hours lifestyle with medicaid and medicare while most of the dentists in this area will be making as much or more than you working 4 days a week and having to go to less school to get it. Oh and did I mention that their insurance is cheaper also. Still feel cool?

I do still feel cool as a matter of fact. As a hospital employee, I make well over $300k/yr (and this is right out of residency ) and do NO BILLING, so that is a non-issue. So, you DO NOT make more than me, and believe me, I work a lot less. As for the lesser amount of schooling.......you're working on teeth, Einstein! I'm surprised they have you go to school the amount of time you go.

Dude, nurses do your job these days.

You're right, they do! And I get paid........now who's the smart one? Hmmmm 🙂

 

[omfs44]

And settle for mediocre care of your patients? Yeah, thats real ethical. Then again you are only a dentist so I don't expect you to realize the same standard as a physician.

well, the pt is still better off with an anesthesist than you in the OR...what can i say?

 

[Sensei_Sevo]

And how do you respond to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who has both a DDS degree and an MD degree? Does that not matter, because to me it would seem to trump your one degree and make you the bitch.

"Idiot! Why did you waste your time and money getting two degrees to my one."

But then I'm only a dentist.

A sad fact you'll have to deal with for the rest of your life.......... 😱

 

[Sensei_Sevo]

well, the pt is still better off with an anesthesist than you in the OR...what can i say?

That you're wrong? 🙄

 

[OMS hopefully]

"Idiot! Why did you waste your time and money getting two degrees to my one."

So you can look like an uneducated girl.

Why don't you stick that gas up your ass and keep workin on poppin those nerd zits.

 

[OMS hopefully]

Don't you EVER dare suppose that you can ever talk to a physician in that disrespectful manner.

ohhhhh.

 

[Yah-E]

Isn't it funny that it takes one tool to ruin a totally good thread topic?

 

[omfs44]

afterall, i was only talkin to some DO resident.....no need to talk further.

 

[TX OMFS]

By the way, TX OMFS is the first Dental Hygiene grad to ever match directly into into an oral surgery program from Hygiene school and successfully pass the USMLE, so you might want to listen to his advice.

omsres beat me by three points, despite the fact that he finished dental school and I only finished hygiene school. What does that say? BTW, the only pt I needed in hygiene school was Mrs. Omsres, her mouth was fould enough for all my clinical work.

 

[TX OMFS]

thanks a lot, my own co-resident telling me I'm not "in" the program yet. It hurts man, really.....it hurts. It wouldn't have been so bad if it came from the dental hygene graduate, but from you. Darn.

north2southOMFS, don't talk to your superiors like that. Five nights of call a week as a fifth year is really going to hurt.

 

[TX OMFS]

"Idiot! Why did you waste your time and money getting two degrees to my one."

So I could double your knowledge base? I mean, way to open the door for that one. Besides, the years of salary I lose still won't keep me from out earning you. Now, be a good boy and get behind that curtain. Don't talk to me again until I tell you to extubate, or until your boss the hospital administrator asks you something. I love my boss, wait, my boss is me!

 

[Jediwendell]

You know, Mr. Sensei, I was an OMS resident that was actually very good and did well on the boards. My anesthesia faculty loved me and actually asked me to stick around and do their residency. My decision was to drop out of the OMS residency, not to do a medical residency, but to do orthodontics. Medicine is a load of crapola. You can visit this board and beat up on the OMS guys all you want, but the bottom line is that the best anesthesia interns on ANY anesthesia service are the OMS guys. Maybe you are jealous, but me and my co resident spent three months picking up the slack for your sorry MD only bretheren. I suppose you know the truth and that hurts. You think that general dentistry is mistreating patients? Why don't you try killing somebody sticking a couple of chest tubes in somebody even if they are satting 100% and have good breath sounds. Yep Anesthesia resident. *****.

 

[lnn2]

Guys, just ignore this fool, don't waste your breaths. If I'm not mistaken then this is what I know about this guy:

1. Stop refer to him as a M.D. (you don't want the MDs to be offended!) He's just a DO from KCOM. I'm not sure exactly what DO means but I think that it stands for Dumb Ox.

2. I firmly believe that this SOB is trying to overcompensating for his mandhood 😀 just let him be

3. Check out his posts, this fool has nothing good to say about anything. He doesn't know **** from ****.

And settle for mediocre care of your patients? Yeah, thats real ethical. Then again you are only a dentist so I don't expect you to realize the same standard as a physician.

1. There's a fine line bw trying to make yourself feel good, boosting your low self esteem. Stop calling yourself "a physician" Physicians are not dumb like you.
2. May I suggest adding RK to your title? making it D.O.R.K 👍 It truely fits you
3. I sincerely feel bad for u! somebody didn't get a lot of hugs growing up, did he?! I thought a DO like u should be so grateful for that you didn't have to drag your @ss overseas to go to med school. You're so lucky to be accepted to a US school, what a f-ing waste. Did u have to do any personal favors to the Admin. guys to get this far? oh, I bet you did. That's OK, I'm happy for u.
4. Stop feeling so bitter and insecure. Go tell your mom "yeeaahh, I've made it mom" you'll feel much better.
5. Wake up, fast, before reality kicks you in the @ss. Or I'll be happy to do it for free, just for u check out the MD vs DO posts, it'll help putting your @ss into perspective

"On top of a pile of cash" "$300K/yr" "Administering anesthesia in the dojo of life " my hairy @ss

and remember: once a DORK, always a DORK It doesn't matter how u look at it.

What does Sensei_Sevo means in English anyway? wait, don't tell me! I know, my hairy @ss 😀 😀 😀

Now this is where u r supposed to put your tail bw your legs and run away. Dont forget to take the knee pads with u. What a freaking numbnuts

 

[TX OMFS]

What is the minimum score you need to pass? I checked out the USMLE board but everyone talks about how well they did...not what it takes to pass.

This year it was 183.

 

[aphistis]

Gee, another troll claiming to to be an anesthesiologist, bragging about his lifestyle & income while going out of his way to belittle dentists & especially oral surgeons. I wonder, whoever could it be?

Gas_Man/Brachial Plexus/Sensei/whatever, you should at least try to change up your script a little in the future. Your unoriginality is starting the weigh down the fun of spotting you every time you're banned and crop back up. 😴

 

[toofache32]

Gas_Man/Brachial Plexus/Sensei/whatever, you should at least try to change up your script a little in the future. Your unoriginality is starting the weigh down the fun of spotting you every time you're banned and crop back up. 😴

If I remember correctly, add "MacGyver" to that list. I can call any of those names next time I need someone to adjust my lights for me in the OR.

 

[toofache32]

"Idiot! Why did you waste your time and money getting two degrees to my one."

How is it I can get your degree in 18 months when it took you 4 years?

 

[ItsGavinC]

A couple of users have been banned and won't be returning.

Just a friendly reminder that responses, even to trolls, shouldn't violate the TOS.

 

[toofache32]

Back to the original post....I used First Aid, QBank, Physiology grid book, Path grid book, and Micro Made Ridiculously Simple. I started out around 50% on QBank and was averaging 65% by the end. My overall was 59%, but that may have been skewed because I did more questions at the beginning before I really studied. This landed me one point above the USMLE national average.

My advice is to use First Aid as an outline...take each of those subjects and expand on them as you need to.

Also, I shelled out around $40 for the NBME practice test at www.nbme.org/programs/sas.asp . They say it's not meant to be a predictor, but that's just there lawyers talking CYA. The questions are drawn from the same pool of questions and put together by the same govering board. Most people (myself included) say they saw at least 2-3 repeats on the real test. My score correlated perfectly with my real USMLE score, and I've heard a good correlation from others. I thought it was well worth the $40.

OMFS44, private message me if you want to. I'll give you my phone number if you want more details and how I would have done it differently, because I have more thoughts than I fell like typing. I'll be glad to help out my OMFS brethren any way I can.

 

[MAXFAC]

How did you do on NBME tests as compared to your USMLE score.

Back to the original post....I used First Aid, QBank, Physiology grid book, Path grid book, and Micro Made Ridiculously Simple. I started out around 50% on QBank and was averaging 65% by the end. My overall was 59%, but that may have been skewed because I did more questions at the beginning before I really studied. This landed me one point above the USMLE national average.

My advice is to use First Aid as an outline...take each of those subjects and expand on them as you need to.

Also, I shelled out around $40 for the NBME practice test at www.nbme.org/programs/sas.asp . They say it's not meant to be a predictor, but that's just there lawyers talking CYA. The questions are drawn from the same pool of questions and put together by the same govering board. Most people (myself included) say they saw at least 2-3 repeats on the real test. My score correlated perfectly with my real USMLE score, and I've heard a good correlation from others. I thought it was well worth the $40.

OMFS44, private message me if you want to. I'll give you my phone number if you want more details and how I would have done it differently, because I have more thoughts than I fell like typing. I'll be glad to help out my OMFS brethren any way I can.

 

[toofache32]

I actually took both versions of the NBME test. The first one was when I started studying and got around 350. The second was a week before the USMLE and I got a 510, which correlated my 217 on the USLME. The NBME is scored on a scale of 200 to 800 with a mean of 500 and standart deviation of 100. If you take the USMLE mean around 216 with a SD of 20, a 182 (usually passing) is not quite 2 standard deviations below the mean. This correlates to around 320 on the NBME test. This is all just my mathematical guessing, I'm really no good at stats.

 

[aphistis]

A couple of users have been banned and won't be returning.

Just a friendly reminder that responses, even to trolls, shouldn't violate the TOS.

Thanks, Gav, for addressing the individual/s in question, and furthermore for not closing an otherwise valuable thread.

 

[TX OMFS]

I just learned how to do this, so I thought I'd retrospectively apply this picture to SensaiSteve. I wonder who this fool on the car is anyway? Looks like a loser.

 

[adamlc18]

I don't know if I am the only one, but I cant see the picture you posted.

 

[TX OMFS]

I don't know if I am the only one, but I cant see the picture you posted.

Try this

 

[TX OMFS]

I read the physiology, path, and biochem grid books cover to cover. Also read most of the pharm grid book. Did first aid. Read key chapters in physiology, pathology, and pharm text books. Did Q-bank. We got one month off work to do nothing but study. I also studied probably four hours a week for the USMLE for four months prior to that exam. All this netted me a 193.

I was thinking more about his last night b/c I'm a loser and I thought I would add to my post. I read about each organ system in the grid books/textbooks, then read about the organ in first aid. After that I would quiz myself on Q-bank. The week before the test I re-read First Aid.

 

[omfs44]

thx for everyone's advices...i think the reason why i failed the first time was because i only used first aid and qbank. this time, i'm using the grid books for physio and path and clinical micro made ridiculously simple. So Im just hoping for the best...i figure if i don't pass, i'll post match somewhere next year Jan for a 4 year program. Sigh...try not to think about that now. 5 more weeks to go!!!! thx again...everyone's been very supportive, this forum kicks ass!