Please give me some advice...I failed!

[musiclover1]

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Dear SDNers,

I found out today that I failed for the 2nd time with 69/172. This has truly been a trying experience.... I have been crying all day and feel really numb. I was a mediocre student in medschool, but studied really hard for this exam (abt 3 months).

My sources were the following:
Physio - Kaplan
Micro - FA, medessentials
Pharm - micro, medessentials
Path - golgian rapid review
Biochem - FA + KAPLAN
Anatomy/embryo - FA

I did FA, Golgian RR and Kaplan medessentials twice...I was scoring about 55 - 60% on Qbank and about 60%+ on Uworld closer to the exam...I completed both qbanks before doing the exam. I feel so frustrated!! I don't even know where to start studying...I was taking a look at the scores of sdners and I am encouraged and proud of all your scores...but pls advice me on how to improve my score? I plan to do step 1 again in 6-8 weeks, but have to do really well this time as it is my 3rd attempt.... I feel really discouraged...guys pls advice me on what I should do differently and what worked for you guys that allowed you to get all the 90s Im seeing on here...thanks in advance for your support!

 

[Knicks]

EDIT: editing because apparently my response was "lame" 🙄


My apologies to the OP (if necessary/required).

 

[2cr8tive]

did u take any nbmes?

 

[musiclover1]

yes I did take some NBMEs (I dont remember my scores on them), but I did pass NBME 2 taken 2 days before the exam..

 

[ladybuggy]

I can totally understand how you feel as I also failed this exam. It completely sucks. I have been depressed all day and hiding from people because I kept on getting phone calls of everyone bragging on how well tehy did, and trying to compare their scores to mine (which I flat out lied and changed the subject quickly). I felt really embarassed. But, as hard as it is, I chose to try again. Are you a DO or MD student?

Maybe you should try Kaplan courses? I know they have that Kaplan camp or whatever it is. It is very costly, but I hear good reviews. I mean, obviously, the old method is not working for you. So, perhaps try a drastic change? Can anyone offer a good course review program that has shown good results? I would sure like to hear about that too.

 

[gouda]

Have you had a history of problems with standardized tests before?

 

[alpha06]

Been there, done that.

It's not the end of the world. Just pick up were you left off, strengthen your weaknesses and go from there.

You can just check my experience in the "official experiences and scores threads for step 1 2008".

Basically, I failed twice, but eventually passed on my 3rd try. You can to. You just have to find what works with you and run with it.

In the meantime,

(1) Which NBMEs did u take and what did u score on those? Did u just take 2.
(2) What did it show as your weak areas?

 

[alpha06]

As far as review programs...

I'd recommend the PASS Program if they weren't soo expensive. And Kaplan was good to. If your school offers the program, I'd say go for it.

Overall tho, I really don't like review programs. It's great that they tell u what's going to be on the boards. Little tricks or pneumonics they might have picked up. Ways they broke down information, charts, diagrams, etc. But you really have to internalize it all. I'm not saying don't use their stuff but you really have to make an effort to find out what really works for you.

For me in the end, what really helped me more than any other review program was finding someone who was also studying for step 1 and we would just test each other back and forth. We would be strengthening our knowledge by testing our weaknesses. This really helps enforce those difficult concepts can it can open up into a discussion which further strengthens your knowledge.

 

[Lany]

i wouldnt go on about a drastic change in terms of sources but definitely with studying habits and schedules. Work on strengthening your weaknesses where you have so much room to improve. Making weakest subjects into better than your strongest now could easily put you in the 185-200 range and working on your already strongest could make it even go higher.

Depending on how much time you have.. review what you have covered frequently. ie. if did biochem (supposedly weakest) first week and second week is for micro (supposedly avg), on that second week allocate bit of time for biochem again.. and on third week covering path (supposedly strongest) allocate time for biochem and micro again.

just like internalizing concepts while studying recall is just as important. If you're socially comfortable discuss concepts with another person to bring out what you know and if you dont prefer that.. do more questions and talk it out with yourself.

Whats more important than anything else is dont dismiss what you already do know.. getting the score that you did get means you have done some studying. Have a plan to kickass on pharm and since its mostly either you know it or you dont, learn 10 drugs/day 6 times a week and on 7th day cover em all again with more time for pharm that day. This is apart from time allocated for pharm in the schedule which should be near the end thus becomes overall review. I know its easier said than done but definitely doable and have been done by others so make sure you become one of them. g'luck.

you can pm your schedule and study habits if you need second opinion.

 

[zoomzoomzoom]

It really sucks that you failed and while I don't have a magic answer to your question, I did score >240 so hopefully I can try and help you out.

First of all, did you get really nervous during the test? I know everyone gets nervous, but some people such as myself can get absurdly nervous because you've put so much time into studying for this test and you know that every answer you put down matters so your brain just freezes up (the first question on my test was some easy question about renin and I actually couldn't remember what renin did. So I skipped the question, answered the next couple, calmed myself down and then went back and answered it with ease). If this is so, maybe you should see a psychiatrist about having anxiety. I know a few people that actually took a beta blocker the day of the test to calm themselves down and in their opinions it helped them reach their potential.

Secondly, look at your score report and figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are and FOCUS ON YOUR WEAKNESSES. If you did well on micro and bombed endocrine, focus on endocrine and don't worry so much about micro.

Thirdly, if you've read RR path and understood it, do a bunch of questions on that topic in the Robbin's Q Book. It's a really good book and I found that it's not enough to simply know what cirrhosis is, you need to be able to recognize it in a clinical scenario and the best way to do this is through questions.

Fourthly, don't try and memorize everything in FA, I found there to be an absurd level of extraneous info that actually detracts from what's important about a disease (for instance I think for polyarteritis nodosa FA mentions neuropathy, something that I've never read anywhere else, and if it's not in RR path it's almost certainly unimportant).

My test was really testing the big diseases and presented them in the classic scenario. I think the biggest mistake a student can make when studying for this test is trying to learn/memorize EVERYTHING instead of trying to get a good, solid, grasp of the big concepts. I feel like to do well on Step I you need to have a well rounded knowledge base (ie a solid understanding of bio chem, path, pharm, physio, etc), it isn't a minutiae test like the Kaplan Q bank would lead you to believe, so you're better off knowing how RSV presents rather than focusing on whether it's single or double stranded.

Lastly, the test is NOT trying to trick you. I think it's important to remember that this test is designed to pass a lot of students and not a nefarious scheme to perpetuate the physician shortage. As a result, if a question seems to be absurdly easy, it probably is that easy, so don't over think it.

Good luck

 

[Ice dude]

Dear SDNers,

I found out today that I failed for the 2nd time with 69/172. This has truly been a trying experience.... I have been crying all day and feel really numb. I was a mediocre student in medschool, but studied really hard for this exam (abt 3 months).

My sources were the following:
Physio - Kaplan
Micro - FA, medessentials
Pharm - micro, medessentials
Path - golgian rapid review
Biochem - FA + KAPLAN
Anatomy/embryo - FA

I did FA, Golgian RR and Kaplan medessentials twice...I was scoring about 55 - 60% on Qbank and about 60%+ on Uworld closer to the exam...I completed both qbanks before doing the exam. I feel so frustrated!! I don't even know where to start studying...I was taking a look at the scores of sdners and I am encouraged and proud of all your scores...but pls advice me on how to improve my score? I plan to do step 1 again in 6-8 weeks, but have to do really well this time as it is my 3rd attempt.... I feel really discouraged...guys pls advice me on what I should do differently and what worked for you guys that allowed you to get all the 90s Im seeing on here...thanks in advance for your support!

That's pretty much of stuff u used for preparation, relax, pick out ur weakest areas n while takin test don't overthink the scenarios( i lost marks becoz of that ), i would say go with the gut feeling n things that seem pretty much obvious. And Goodluck.

 

[Chutku]

wow, God forbid.


The sources you're using seem to be the "popular", useful sources too.


I'm looking forward to reading the advice you get from people who already took it and passed, as anything can happen in life and others (including myself) MAY be in your shoes one day (God forbid!).


(I can't offer any advice; I have not taken the test yet).

Knicks- that is a pathetic answer. You are trying to provide "help" to this person through a truely difficult time and the best thing that you do is allude to yourself. Just hope and pray that nobody has to cross that bridge.
I never have commented on other responses before but this response was just outright lame. I hope that you can nurture some empathy in due time.

 

[Blesbok]

I don't think your sources are the problem. In fact, if anything I would narrow down your sources and focus on the drugs in FA, etc.

Give us a little info on your study methods and habits and see if we can help you there

 

[45408]

I did FA, Golgian RR and Kaplan medessentials twice...I was scoring about 55 - 60% on Qbank and about 60%+ on Uworld closer to the exam...I completed both qbanks before doing the exam.

What happened during the test? You obviously have the knowledge base to pass, because I had a 62% on UW (random, timed, unused) and landed a good score. Did you have some kind of anxiety attack? Do you usually have trouble during standardized tests? It seems very unlikely that you actually need to study any more or learn anything more in order to pass.

 

[ironmaidenrules]

DOC for performance anxiety are beta blockers. Ask any professional golfer. Or alcohol.

You used good study material. Maybe info overload. Try just sticking to first aid and maybe goljian high yield notes.

Good luck

 

[Chutku]

MUSICLOVER1
That is a tough spot to be in. I am taking the test in August and am studying for it right now. I am a non traditional student so the best advice that I can provide is from life experiences.

1. Take at least 5-7 days OFF. Spend some time with people you trust - those who will not judge you. Think about what you think you did wrong. be as critical as you can objectively be and please dont think that you are not smart enough. You were selected into medical school because you made the cut.

2. Assess your life situation - do you have family, kids which demand time - if that is a concern then you need to figure out a game plan.

3. I have found that doing questions everyday is helpful. U World is the best recommended source in my opinion. If you want you can do Kaplan also- a lot of people use it.

4. Dr. Goljan's RR Pathology is a fantastic book. It can be used as a primary source along with FA, Physiology book of your choice, Pharmacology etc. BRS works for me. RR Path can get too detailed at times considering the it is being as a review book but see what you can get out of it. Dr. G is right on the money I have been told. ( on a side note a friend of mine used FA Only - memorized it cold - page for page and did about 500- 1000 questions --> score 210)

5. The sources that you are using are great. Make sure that you know them FA COLD - when you apply the knowledge from these in the practice tests tat is what application is.

6. Dont stress out - it is not the end of the world. It is just a test. I can imagine that it gets intimidating if it becomes an impediment, but belittle it -it is just a test.
When you pass it you can provide advice to other SDN members how you overcame this abstruse obstacle.

7. based on you experience figure out a timetable for study - usually 6 weeks is the limit for most people that I know. But for that time you have to study for a decent amount of time daily. As I found out make sure that you have some time for R&R daily(an old MASH term - rest & recreation)

These are just my thoughts - everyone has their opinion. Read them and you can formulate what works for you.
Good luck.

Best.
A 👍

 

[UCLAstudent]

Knicks- that is a pathetic answer. You are trying to provide "help" to this person through a truely difficult time and the best thing that you do is allude to yourself. Just hope and pray that nobody has to cross that bridge.
I never have commented on other responses before but this response was just outright lame. I hope that you can nurture some empathy in due time.

Agreed.

 

[pencilfloor]

You guys are awesome!! I love the fact that everyone is supportive. I will be repeating my second year of medical school in about 3 weeks. I was having a diffiuclt time learning in a PBL curriculum. However after the depression and anxiety during the first three months off from school I started watching Kaplan DVD'S and the PASS program dvd's. I also kept in touch with old buddies from school who helped me to realize that I wasn't stupid, I just needed to find a method of studying that works for me. This year I will start UW in August, and Kaplan Q in January. Every friday I will review things from first year like biochem or neuro as well as intro chapters to pharm and physio. I am trying to stay positive but it always brings me down when I see people working so hard and then still not making it.

 

[Knicks]

Knicks- that is a pathetic answer. You are trying to provide "help" to this person through a truely difficult time and the best thing that you do is allude to yourself. Just hope and pray that nobody has to cross that bridge.
I never have commented on other responses before but this response was just outright lame. I hope that you can nurture some empathy in due time.

Nothing I said in my post was aimed at being pathetic or lack any empathy. You say you've never commented on other response before mine,,,,, you should've kept it that way, Judge Judy. 🙄

I apologize to the OP (and anyone else) who might have been "offended" by my response.

EDIT: wow, if it really touched a nerve with you, I'll go edit my post; and maybe you should edit the quote in YOUR post so noone has to see that "lame" response.

 

[Knicks]

.........it isn't a minutiae test like the Kaplan Q bank would lead you to believe, so you're better off knowing how RSV presents rather than focusing on whether it's single or double stranded..........

But isn't it important to know these double/single stranded facts, as they can trick/test you with them?

 

[Law2Doc]

i wouldnt go on about a drastic change in terms of sources ...

I would. If the resources you used did not resonate for you, lose them. Try all new stuff. Read CMMRS for micro, it sticks in some people's heads better. In general use totally different resources, so you cover the material a bit differently and maybe find words that stick. And don't read passively. You have to be writing the whole time -- summarizing, taking notes, making cards, something.

 

[ZonaRidicularis]

z

 

[PenguinHead]

Dear SDNers,

I found out today that I failed for the 2nd time with 69/172. This has truly been a trying experience.... I have been crying all day and feel really numb. I was a mediocre student in medschool, but studied really hard for this exam (abt 3 months).

My sources were the following:
Physio - Kaplan
Micro - FA, medessentials
Pharm - micro, medessentials
Path - golgian rapid review
Biochem - FA + KAPLAN
Anatomy/embryo - FA

I did FA, Golgian RR and Kaplan medessentials twice...I was scoring about 55 - 60% on Qbank and about 60%+ on Uworld closer to the exam...I completed both qbanks before doing the exam. I feel so frustrated!! I don't even know where to start studying...I was taking a look at the scores of sdners and I am encouraged and proud of all your scores...but pls advice me on how to improve my score? I plan to do step 1 again in 6-8 weeks, but have to do really well this time as it is my 3rd attempt.... I feel really discouraged...guys pls advice me on what I should do differently and what worked for you guys that allowed you to get all the 90s Im seeing on here...thanks in advance for your support!

I feel for you. I'll give a shot at giving some advice, but take it however you want.

It's tough to know for sure, but I think if I were in your shoes I would cut down on the resources. Personally, I would use just FA (you've probably added enough notes in it by now) and lots of questions.

If you've used all those sources previously I would bet you have a broad knowledge base. You need to nail down the specific, high yield info needed to pass. Spending the majority of you time memorizing and understanding FA and doing another run through UW (reading all explanations) should help you be confident enough on the high yield info to get a passing score.

I would also recommend taking more NBMEs in a testing environment to cut down on stress level on the real deal. I wouldn't take one closer than 5 days to the real thing though, as those days are some of the most important for cramming the short term memory stuff. If you're not where you want to be 5 days before, push it back again.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[ZonaRidicularis]

z

 

[Knicks]

Oh yea one more thing... rent Pursuit of Happyness. Even though I hate Will Smith that movie was very uplifting.

😱 Blasphemy!




😛

 

[lord_jeebus]

Be aware that some states require that you pass Step I within 3 tries for licensing. I don't mean to scare you, but failing a 3rd time could have serious career consequences if you want to live in one of those states.

Look up your state here (I don't know if it is up to date): http://www.healthcarelicensing.com/state_requirements.htm

You cannot risk failing again if you live in or want to work in one of those states. If I were you, I would find a way to take a year off ("research" or something) and comprehensively relearn the fundamentals and details of the basic science of medicine.

 

[GMDMD]

No advice here, I just wanted to wish you the best of luck. Don't let yourself get too discouraged.

 

[R_C_Hutchinson]

Hi musiclover,

first off, im sorry about your test. it sounds like you worked hard and deserved to do better.

my only advice to you is to do questions, and do boatloads of them. this was the advice given to me by upperclassmen who'd done well and seems to be ringing true for those of my classmates who have got their scores back.

best of luck the next time you take it; i'm sure you'll do much better.

 

[mudphudwannabe]

I do hope that in addition to asking for advice here, that you are talking to an advisor in person (at your medical school, if you are in school right now) who can help you evaluate your weaknesses and build a comprehensive study plan. Since you have already failed twice, you probably have some major deficits either in concepts, test taking skills, or both, so be prepared for a major overhaul. 6-8 weeks doesn't sound like enough.

 

[Musashi450]

Hey Op,
First off I think its really cool that you had to courage to come and post your situation on here and ask for advice. I'm sure this is a stressful time and I feel for you. I know of someone who didn't pass and don't even know what to say to them because I feel so bad for them. I was going to pass along "what I would have done" but frankly PenguinHead said it all. Furthermore what I would have done isn't necessarily the right answer because everyone learns differently.

I THINK the best advice here is cut down the resources. If you've used these before you atleast have a good knowledge base to build on and now its just time to work on practicing the test. What I found to work (which may not work for you so take this with a grain of salt) was doing questions to nausea. Every week at 8AM in a testing setting do the NBME's that you haven't done. I loved USMLEworld's explanations and made it a point to not only read the questions I got wrong, but also the questions I got right. Many times I got questions right for the wrong reason. I really think spending the time with the questions was the single best thing I've done. If you do 75 questions a day and spend atleast 3 weeks. Please keep everyone informed, we would love to help you celebrate when you pass this next one.

 

[alpha06]

Anybody seen the OP? With all this advice and encouragement being posted, I would hate for them to miss out...

 

[alpha06]

Look up your state here (I don't know if it is up to date): http://www.healthcarelicensing.com/state_requirements.htm

Excellent link. I've been looking for this.

 

[bikedoc1021]

music lover...you are not alone in this situation. i failed the exam as well, 171/68. after working extremely hard for 6 weeks and feeling sure that I had passed after finishing the exam. i was shocked for the first few hours but if i have any advice to give, it's this...talk to people you trust to help with your confidence. i've spoken to my close friends, my academic dean, my current clerkship director, and my girlfriend and they have been invaluable in this tough time. i think i've begun to realize that it's not the end of the world. i know this stuff. i will be a good doctor. if you can get yourself to believe this also, you are on your way. as far as studying goes...i'm switching from kaplan qbank to UWorld, going to try to know FA cold, and using Goljan path. i think trying to keep the sources to a minimum is great advice from the other folks on here. i wish you the best of luck, and the same goes to everyone else on here who has failed as well.

 

[Resolve]

have you considered taking a prep course? i personaly don't know which one is good, but kaplan seems to be too impersonal, and they just teach you 8 hours/day. that won't be helpful.

i am not advertising for any of the following, but this what i got so far.

falcon program now has Goljan teaching their pathology part, that seems to a plus for that program.

Pass program has a good reputation for teaching people who failed it before, from what i read, it has a good reputation.

i am also planning to take this test again.

 

[g6pddfishnc]

.

 

[fever106]

To the OP, I am sorry that you have taken such a tough hit. I can imagine that this is a really tough time, especially since you have to listen to your colleagues talk about their scores. I think you need to pick one solid source for each subject and stick to it when studying again. I used relatively unconventional methods, but they worked for me. Fact is, everyone uses different stuff, and there is no real magic recipe. You just have to figure out what sources fit your learning style. Here is what I did...

Anatomy/embryo: rapid review
Histo: rapid review
phys: BRS
biochem: First Aid (only thing I used it for)
Neuro: High yield
Behavior: BRS
Path: BRS
Micro:class notes
Pharm: class notes
I had really good notes from my micro and pharm courses, so even though most people say not to use course materials, I wanted to uses sources I was familiar with. Board review is not a time to pick up brand new texts and try to adjust to their style...you have to stick with what you are comfortable with. I answered 100% of Q bank as well....crucial. In fact, if nothing I would say focus on doing hundreds and hundreds of questions. If you passed second year, you are likely to have the foundation needed to pass step 1, you are just lacking the flair for taking the actual test. By looking up your wrong answers, you are cementing the knowledge in your head.

Mock NBME taken prior to studying: 205
Q-bank average: 70%
NBME 3 taken after 2 weeks of studying: 238
Took real test after 4 weeks of studying: 247/99