p53's USMLE Preparation Diary

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p53

p53

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Day 1.
It sure is nice to back from my mini sabbatical. I will post a tell all diary of what subjects I studied for each day until my exam. At the end of each day I will post, some of the things that I reviewed.
Today's goal is to review Behavioral Science. My resources are Rapid Review Behavioral Science and Lange's Behavioral Science in Primary Care.
Don't consider it disrespectful if I don't respond to your post. The purpose of this thread is to give future USMLE testtakers a glimpse/insight of how a student prepares for this beast, not as a pseudo-social or veiled solicitation of sympathy that predominates 90% of the threads in here.
 
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Idiopathic said:
Look I took the test too, you know. I had about three questions that could not be answered from a cursory knowledge of GA. I cannot imagine more than ten legitimately difficult GA questions on one exam is all.
Click to expand...

Unless you were sitting on p53's shoulder, your experience is invalid. I'm not trying to be harsh but that's just the nature of the exam. It really is a crapshoot. Assuming you passed on your first attempt, it (your personal Step 1 exam) is the only experience you can rest your hat on.

I had a lot of neuroanatomy on my exam. I told someone in my class I had at least 25 questions of pure neuroanatomy (usually involving imaging) and got ridiculed and called a liar, stating I was performing recall bias. Whatever. I was there. This person was not. I was charged with "only remembering what I missed." Why would I overstate it, especially when I believe I got most of the questions right? Each med student's (again assuming he/she took the exam only once) experience is only one and can only be judged as such.
 
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Pox in a box said:
Even though p53 is a pompous toolbag at times, he/she actually posts legit information in regards to actual Step 1 studying. I don't recall seeing anything that hasn't checked out. This post by p53 is actually pretty good. I did a lot of p53's strategy but a lot different as well. As soon as my surgery rotation is over, I'll post what I did for the future generation of test takers.
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No offense but what good does a study plan do anyone without a score to go with it. A person shooting for a 240 may want to use a different study plan than someone going for a 220. If you are in the 230's I would shy away from your study plan in favor of my own. Not trying to be offensive here but I can't see the point of giving directions to a destination that people may not want to reach.
 
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dynx said:
No offense but what good does a study plan do anyone without a score to go with it. A person shooting for a 240 may want to use a different study plan than someone going for a 220. If you are in the 230's I would shy away from your study plan in favor of my own. Not trying to be offensive here but I can't see the point of giving directions to a destination that people may not want to reach.
Click to expand...
Agreed. A study plan without a score is usless. It should be ignored.
 
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bigfrank said:
Agreed. A study plan without a score is usless. It should be ignored.
Click to expand...
I double that agreement. Someone from the class of 2006 was giving me advice on step 1, and told me he did pretty good on it with only 4 weeks of studying. Later on I found out he got 230 something, which is a good score, but not what I was aiming for, so I ignored his advice and book recommendations.
 
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bigfrank said:
Agreed. A study plan without a score is usless. It should be ignored.
Click to expand...

I agree. A study plan with a false score is equally useless. So is recommending books or study methods before taking the exam or offering advice on exams in years after your own. Come on guys.
 
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Pox in a box said:
I agree. A study plan with a false score is equally useless. So is recommending books or study methods before taking the exam or offering advice on exams in years after your own. Come on guys.
Click to expand...

Agree with the first two. Disagee with the last.
 
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dynx said:
Agree with the first two. Disagee with the last.
Click to expand...

I was being facetious. A lot of people are so hung up on scores that they look at the scores as a measure of knowing the material. In essence, a score does nothing to help future test takers besides showing that the person actually performed at that level. It says nothing of a study plan, motivation, study habits, or past performance in medical school. I agree that a score plus all of these factors would be very helpful.
 
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p53 said:
383. the mechanism of action of sibutramine?
appetite suppression,blocking central serotonin,norepinephrine reupatake
[snip]
Click to expand...

just curious, where are these questions from?
 
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p53... if you wanted to drudge up this ego-fest of yours, you could have just used the word "bump" instead of pretending to answer the last post in the thread, which is dated 8 months ago... sheesh
 
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p53: What did you get on Step 1?

Your posts are actually extremely helpful, and I find your attitude entertaining (don't mean to actually encourage you here).

Just curious. Anyone know?

DrPak said:
p53... if you wanted to drudge up this ego-fest of yours, you could have just used the word "bump" instead of pretending to answer the last post in the thread, which is dated 8 months ago... sheesh
Click to expand...
 
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nrosigh said:
p53: What did you get on Step 1?

Your posts are actually extremely helpful, and I find your attitude entertaining (don't mean to actually encourage you here).

Just curious. Anyone know?
Click to expand...
No, that's a secret.........

Or, at least, being kept secret..............

🙂
 
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DrPak said:
p53... if you wanted to drudge up this ego-fest of yours, you could have just used the word "bump" instead of pretending to answer the last post in the thread, which is dated 8 months ago... sheesh
Click to expand...
:laugh:
 
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I guess the moral of the story is the one shouldn't forget to study "hubris" as well.....

What about idiopathic? He's another one that's always offered helpful advice, and I hear people talking that he scored amazingly, but I didn't come across his score.

Are you the record-holder, bigfrank?

bigfrank said:
:laugh:
Click to expand...
 
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nrosigh said:
I guess the moral of the story is the one shouldn't forget to study "hubris" as well.....

What about idiopathic? He's another one that's always offered helpful advice, and I hear people talking that he scored amazingly, but I didn't come across his score.

Are you the record-holder, bigfrank?
Click to expand...

Somebody posted an unverified score > 267 in this year's ***Official Results thread****
 
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It seems likely they repeat concepts, but modify the questions. IMHO, the best way to prepare for the exam is to take NBME forms A-D in slow mode and understand the way the test writers ask the question, and to see which concepts are high yield.

The most inefficient use of time for studying Step 1 is to learn EVERYTHING in the review books. Majority of us are guilty of this. We pick one book for each subject and read from page 1 to the index. Step back to think for a moment. What have you really accomplished by doing this? I can argue that reading First Aid 10 times is inefficient without a compass.

Memorizing information is one thing, KNOWING when to retrieve the concept is what truly matters. This is where you learn best by doing questions ad nauseam. However, you must pick the right questions to use.

The best source for Step 1 prep is NOT first aid, goljan, or robbin's question book. The best source for Step 1 prep are the $45 NBME exams. Pay $180 for all 4 exams. It is not time to be cheap and say $180 is too much money.

I know many third years right now wishing they had a higher step 1 score so they can have a chance for a very competitive specialty, program, or certain location. Step 1 scores are used by program directors in medicine, pediatrics, surgery etc to move applicants to various application piles. For competitive programs such as Ortho, Derm, ENT, Optho, and Radiology, they have Step 1 cutoff scores to determine if you are interview worthy.

If you think a 250+ Step 2 is going to bail you out, you are very naive. Not everyone has a Step 2 score when they apply and interview for a residency. Thus, you can't compare Step 2 scores. Step 1 scores are the only objective criteria in the whole residency application that are used to compare EVERYONE. Wanna know how important step 2 is for residency? Let's put it this way, there are some people that take Step 2 after they Match. Nuff said.

I recommend that you go through 800 NBME practice questions (NBME forms A-D) just before you start Step 1 prep. If you do this the majority of the battle for studying Step 1 is already done. You can even take "notes" during the slow mode to look up the concepts for all 800 questions. The point is that the forest of knowledge would be minimized to a manageable amount to master in a finite amount of time.

After this exercise, you can open up your First Aid and high yield topics will "jump out" and that is what you should focus for you Step 1 prep. And if you don't understand the info in first aid, then you can read up on the concepts in BRS Pathology, Goljan Pathology, Katzung Pharm, Micro Ridiculously Simple etc.

The alternative is to read BRS Pathology, First Aid, Goljan Pathology, Katzung Pharm, and MMRS first. Then you take the NBME form exams and realize that there are holes in your knowledge base. In actuallity, you have cluttered your brain with low yield concepts.
 
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nrosigh said:
Are you the record-holder, bigfrank?
Click to expand...
no way. Several people beat me during my year, but they're not necessarily regulars on here.
 
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Idio, am I wrong, or do I recall 258 for you. In fact, I recall your post:

258 -- dammit Jalby!!!!
 
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To p53..I saw your review of Robbins atlas of pathology....the dobble robbins ..isn't webpath better? am using Goljan high yield notes and audio...together with updated 2006edition of kaplan lecture notes on pathology. Just starting the Robbins question book.
I have STARS pathology by Goljan and the old BRS pathology..Very rarely use STARS ,prefer outline format.
Everyone say RR Pathology (Goljan) more integrative and conceptual...considering buying RR path.can't wait for the latest edition which wil be released in November 06.
I have checked out webpath,pathguy.com as well as the website Goljan mentions in his audio.Is it really necessary to buy this Robins Atlas of pathology? Or to just buy the RR pathology or boards and wards pathologyor both? OR just go for your advice on Amazon.com and purchase the ROBINS ATLAS OF PATHOLOGY?
what do you suggest since you have done your exams aleady..guessed you were one of the top scorers.
 
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The reason I like Goljan is because he touches on Pathophysiology and ties concepts to Clinical Medicine. If you listen to him you will have a strong background to reason out new information on Step 1. His "you will see this on Step 1" is not to be taken verbatim, rather the concepts keep repeating.

Secondly, the name that you want for Pathology Questions for Step 1 is Edward C. Klatt, MD.

Why?

Because he is the person that selects pathology questions for Step 1. I have extensively searched the www.nbme.org website and found all of the physicians responsible for drafting Step 1 questions. For pathology, Dr. Klatt is the main person responsible for question harvesting.

With that said. The reason Robbins' Question book and Webpath is very similar to Step 1 questions is because.................drum roll please...................


Dr. Klatt wrote questions for Robbins and Webpath.

Physicians are humans too. They are creatures of habit. The best way to predict the future is to study the past. If you UNDERSTAND the concepts in Robbins Question Book and/or Webpath. You will likely understand the pathology concepts drafted by Dr. Klatt for Step 1 pathology questions.

P.S. Yes, I tend to overanalyze but guess what. I knew all of the people that drafted questions for Step 1 before I stepped into the exam.

Did you know there is a committee responsible for drafting Cell Biology Questions and Clinical Medicine Questions for Step 1?

This is why many people on here complain about tough molecular and Cell biology questions such as (HOX, Integrins, receptor mediated endocytosis) as well as complain that some Step 1 questions were clinical questions such as indications for using ultrasound for a 18 year old girl with RLQ abdominal pain or transesophageal echos to diagnose mitral regurgitation. Step 1 questions ask diagnostic questions. This is why I have recommended Pretest Physical Diagnosis Questions to know S3, S4 for heart questions and increased tactile fremitus and egophony to distinguish pulmonary effusion vs pneumonia. If you know clinical signs (they will describe psoas sign rather than tell you psoas sign) the questions will jump out because you will already know the diagnosis.

One more thing. Know BUZZWORDS

What I mean by that is be able to know what the buzzwords mean. On Step 1 and Step 2 they will likely not say "reed sternberg cells" but rather describe the cells. Another one, they will not say "Codman's Triangle", it is too easy, but they will describe elevation of the periosteum. A good rule of thumb is if you have the time, look up buzzwords and see how it is described.

felicia2001uk said:
To p53..I saw your review of Robbins atlas of pathology....the dobble robbins ..isn't webpath better? am using Goljan high yield notes and audio...together with updated 2006edition of kaplan lecture notes on pathology. Just starting the Robbins question book.
I have STARS pathology by Goljan and the old BRS pathology..Very rarely use STARS ,prefer outline format.
Everyone say RR Pathology (Goljan) more integrative and conceptual...considering buying RR path.can't wait for the latest edition which wil be released in November 06.
I have checked out webpath,pathguy.com as well as the website Goljan mentions in his audio.Is it really necessary to buy this Robins Atlas of pathology? Or to just buy the RR pathology or boards and wards pathologyor both? OR just go for your advice on Amazon.com and purchase the ROBINS ATLAS OF PATHOLOGY?
what do you suggest since you have done your exams aleady..guessed you were one of the top scorers.
Click to expand...
 
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Your obsessive mastery over all things step 1 is impressive, p53. Why don't we do a deal and develop a structured preparatory program and market it to all of the pathologic MS2s out there?

We can make a lot of money...so let me know.
 
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Thanks a lot.What is the best question source for cell and molecular biology

Is LIPPINCOTT'S MICROCARDS together with Kaplan microbiology and immunology lecture notes combined with Kaplan dvd live lectures (WITH FIRST AID),as well as rapid review microbiology CD questions enough for the subject?
Did you use Appleton and Lange's question bookNMS Qbook/blueprints step one Qbook,pretest clinical vignettes step one,Rapid review series questions CD for mixed as well as individual subjects??
What is the best question source for physiology?Is it worth doing physiology questions in BSS?
if you were to do your exam again,what would you do better and why?if you had 10weeks to study for your exam,what schedule or study plan would you create and utilise?
IS TUTOR MODE THE BEST WAY TO DO THE NBME FORMS?IS IT ADVISABLE TO DO IT GOING THROUGH FIRST AID ?What would you suggest?



p53 said:
The reason I like Goljan is because he touches on Pathophysiology and ties concepts to Clinical Medicine. If you listen to him you will have a strong background to reason out new information on Step 1. His "you will see this on Step 1" is not to be taken verbatim, rather the concepts keep repeating.

Secondly, the name that you want for Pathology Questions for Step 1 is Edward C. Klatt, MD.

Why?

Because he is the person that selects pathology questions for Step 1. I have extensively searched the www.nbme.org website and found all of the physicians responsible for drafting Step 1 questions. For pathology, Dr. Klatt is the main person responsible for question harvesting.

With that said. The reason Robbins' Question book and Webpath is very similar to Step 1 questions is because.................drum roll please...................


Dr. Klatt wrote questions for Robbins and Webpath.

Physicians are humans too. They are creatures of habit. The best way to predict the future is to study the past. If you UNDERSTAND the concepts in Robbins Question Book and/or Webpath. You will likely understand the pathology concepts drafted by Dr. Klatt for Step 1 pathology questions.

P.S. Yes, I tend to overanalyze but guess what. I knew all of the people that drafted questions for Step 1 before I stepped into the exam.

Did you know there is a committee responsible for drafting Cell Biology Questions and Clinical Medicine Questions for Step 1?

This is why many people on here complain about tough molecular and Cell biology questions such as (HOX, Integrins, receptor mediated endocytosis) as well as complain that some Step 1 questions were clinical questions such as indications for using ultrasound for a 18 year old girl with RLQ abdominal pain or transesophageal echos to diagnose mitral regurgitation. Step 1 questions ask diagnostic questions. This is why I have recommended Pretest Physical Diagnosis Questions to know S3, S4 for heart questions and increased tactile fremitus and egophony to distinguish pulmonary effusion vs pneumonia. If you know clinical signs (they will describe psoas sign rather than tell you psoas sign) the questions will jump out because you will already know the diagnosis.

One more thing. Know BUZZWORDS

What I mean by that is be able to know what the buzzwords mean. On Step 1 and Step 2 they will likely not say "reed sternberg cells" but rather describe the cells. Another one, they will not say "Codman's Triangle", it is too easy, but they will describe elevation of the periosteum. A good rule of thumb is if you have the time, look up buzzwords and see how it is described.
Click to expand...
 
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DwyaneWade said:
:laugh::laugh:

Damn that guy was good. Seems like a tool, albeit an intelligent tool.

Besides the obvious lack of humility, what was bigfrank's beef with this guy??
Click to expand...

They had it out for each other b/c both were aiming to be SDN Step 1 Kings that year. Both were prolific posters on SDN (BF still posts sometimes but more so in the Rads forum).

BF won at the end. p53 never posted his score and eventually stopped posting altogether.

And that was the end of an amazing era on SDN Step 1 forum.
 
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DOCTORSAIB said:
They had it out for each other b/c both were aiming to be SDN Step 1 Kings that year. Both were prolific posters on SDN (BF still posts sometimes but more so in the Rads forum).

BF won at the end. p53 never posted his score and eventually stopped posting altogether.

And that was the end of an amazing era on SDN Step 1 forum.
Click to expand...

Now let us usher in a new era! 😎

I hereby claim the most honorable title of SDN Step 1 King! Let all challengers rise now or forever ye must holde your peace.




:laugh:
 
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DwyaneWade said:
Now let us usher in a new era! 😎

I hereby claim the most honorable title of SDN Step 1 King! Let all challengers rise now or forever ye must holde your peace.




:laugh:
Click to expand...

you'll have to be the new p53, he didn't post his score 😉

i'm just messing with you DW, you da man.

i'll be holding my peace...that came out wrong :meanie:
 
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p53 said:
Day 1.
It sure is nice to back from my mini sabbatical. I will post a tell all diary of what subjects I studied for each day until my exam. At the end of each day I will post, some of the things that I reviewed.
Today's goal is to review Behavioral Science. My resources are Rapid Review Behavioral Science and Lange's Behavioral Science in Primary Care.
Don't consider it disrespectful if I don't respond to your post. The purpose of this thread is to give future USMLE testtakers a glimpse/insight of how a student prepares for this beast, not as a pseudo-social or veiled solicitation of sympathy that predominates 90% of the threads in here.
Click to expand...

So what did you score p53?
 
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