Hello to all readers. I had a great pleasure to learn from other people experiences and would like to return with my own story regarding the preparation for a CS exam. I reserved 4 months between Step 2 CK and CS exams. I was able to go over First Aid casebook twice and Dr.Sherazi’s notes once thoroughly and once quickly just a day before the exam. I did not have a study partner. I have a full time job. I was able to squeeze in the studies before and after work and before going to sleep.
A week before the exam I ran one case over with a friend of mine (a case of HTN management from FA book) just to get confident. I was not able to memorize any of mnemonics in the former except (SAFE GARDS, DEATH SHAFT, FEVERCUDSAD and THENFRCSPUBSADID along with PAMHFOSS and PAMIFBIGDEAL).
Chicago notes (Sherazi’s) and FA casebook are complementary. Chicago notes present with an opportunity to develop your own pattern if you have time to practice more. FA case book helped me learn how to type the patient notes. I timed myself with FA’s cases than typed them on a patient note window. Then re-typed as they were presented in the book (50 cases times 2 times 2 = 400 times). This engraves the template in your memory. Keyboard type does not matter but a regular one with sculpted keys helps achieve good speed.
I did not have a study partner. The first encounter is shocking. However, you can always fall back to THENFRCSPUBSAD to get back on your feet. Just survive the first 3 cases, get on a break for 10 minutes, catch a breath and sip coffee. You regain the confidence, awareness as the cases go by, and after the last break you just want to get it done and be out.
If you were able to over all cases in FA book in allocated time (15 minutes for encounter and 10 minutes for typing a patient note) you should be OK with time management.
I've got my results today. CIS and ICE cross borderline area. SEP is no problem.
Here are things I should have done differently. I should have taken the exam earlier (at least 2 days earlier and not on July 17 and not in Philadelphia). I should have taken a commercial course and simulation exams. The reality hits you as an 18 wheeler truck. Simulations should have taken care of that. I should have practiced with a partner and not an imaginative one. I should not have been an old grad with 15 years away from clinical practice... Just kidding. Life is good but I felt I was flying under the seat of my pants.
All the best,
x
A week before the exam I ran one case over with a friend of mine (a case of HTN management from FA book) just to get confident. I was not able to memorize any of mnemonics in the former except (SAFE GARDS, DEATH SHAFT, FEVERCUDSAD and THENFRCSPUBSADID along with PAMHFOSS and PAMIFBIGDEAL).
Chicago notes (Sherazi’s) and FA casebook are complementary. Chicago notes present with an opportunity to develop your own pattern if you have time to practice more. FA case book helped me learn how to type the patient notes. I timed myself with FA’s cases than typed them on a patient note window. Then re-typed as they were presented in the book (50 cases times 2 times 2 = 400 times). This engraves the template in your memory. Keyboard type does not matter but a regular one with sculpted keys helps achieve good speed.
I did not have a study partner. The first encounter is shocking. However, you can always fall back to THENFRCSPUBSAD to get back on your feet. Just survive the first 3 cases, get on a break for 10 minutes, catch a breath and sip coffee. You regain the confidence, awareness as the cases go by, and after the last break you just want to get it done and be out.
If you were able to over all cases in FA book in allocated time (15 minutes for encounter and 10 minutes for typing a patient note) you should be OK with time management.
I've got my results today. CIS and ICE cross borderline area. SEP is no problem.
Here are things I should have done differently. I should have taken the exam earlier (at least 2 days earlier and not on July 17 and not in Philadelphia). I should have taken a commercial course and simulation exams. The reality hits you as an 18 wheeler truck. Simulations should have taken care of that. I should have practiced with a partner and not an imaginative one. I should not have been an old grad with 15 years away from clinical practice... Just kidding. Life is good but I felt I was flying under the seat of my pants.
All the best,
x