Qbank Mixed or Random?

[LADoc84]

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[blz]

I used USMLERx subject based then switched over to random kaplan qbank when i finished going over the material one time. Be careful with using qbank subject based because when you start doing "random" questions, they won't be that random because you will be less likely to get questions from subjects you've covered already. for example, if I tried to do a random question on USMLErx i would probably not get a single microbio or biochem question because I did them all already. So my 'random' set will be skewed. if you're using more than one question bank, I would use one for subject based review and one for random questions. Ideally, USMLErx is pretty decent for subject based review because it just checks to see if you know FA well. USMLEWorld is probably a better option to do as well if you've got time.

also, i found doing random questions after I haven't reviewed the topics as a waste of time because I had to spend so much time going over questions. it's a lot easier to review questions once you've already been over the material once.

 

[ginger60]

[FONT=PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif]In contrast to blz, I found it very helpful to do random questions on Qbank early on. I did some subject specific questions after my class exams, only .[FONT=PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif]about 50-100 per subject, and then switched to random during dedicated study time. I think it depends on your study schedule--I didn't finish going through everything once until the days before the test, so I didn't have the option of waiting to do random tests til after I had reviewed everything like blz. Also, I think Qbank it not the best for assessing knowledge but can be a great learning tool, and so I really liked learning about things in increments with Qbank--a Qbank question or two before I had studied it formally, formal study, and then a few more questions from Qbank and/or NBMEs. You do feel kind of like an idiot at first, but Qbank managed to make me feel like that even if I had studied the subject, and you can see your progress. Most importantly, I think doing random questions while studying other subjects gives you little reminders of subjects you studied a while back or haven't studied yet, and at least for me I needed all the little reminders to cement that much information in my memory. So, it depends on you--if you have enough time after reviewing everything to do a lot of questions and/or want to use Qbank for assessment definitely go with blz's advice, but if you won't have much time after reviewing everything and/or want to use Qbank as a learning tool try doing random questions now..

 

[Arctic Char]

so, blz - you might be a good person to ask for this then:

i have the time (8 weeks), for one good strong review + Q', and time afterward to do a full Q source in random blocks. right now, i plan on doing USMLERx in subject based blocks for review, then i'll do the NBME 1 & 2, then do USMLEWorld - 150 Q's per day, in random blocks.

would you recommend using these banks in that order? might swtching them be better? i'm curious what you think . . .

oh, and i also have Qbook to do with subjects, but that just a "if i can fit it in"

thanks mate

 

[Scottish Chap]

[FONT=PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif]In contrast to blz, I found it very helpful to do random questions on Qbank early on. I did some subject specific questions after my class exams, only .[FONT=PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif]about 50-100 per subject, and then switched to random during dedicated study time. I think it depends on your study schedule--I didn't finish going through everything once until the days before the test, so I didn't have the option of waiting to do random tests til after I had reviewed everything like blz. Also, I think Qbank it not the best for assessing knowledge but can be a great learning tool, and so I really liked learning about things in increments with Qbank--a Qbank question or two before I had studied it formally, formal study, and then a few more questions from Qbank and/or NBMEs. You do feel kind of like an idiot at first, but Qbank managed to make me feel like that even if I had studied the subject, and you can see your progress. Most importantly, I think doing random questions while studying other subjects gives you little reminders of subjects you studied a while back or haven't studied yet, and at least for me I needed all the little reminders to cement that much information in my memory. So, it depends on you--if you have enough time after reviewing everything to do a lot of questions and/or want to use Qbank for assessment definitely go with blz's advice, but if you won't have much time after reviewing everything and/or want to use Qbank as a learning tool try doing random questions now..

I agree with this. At our school, MSII is so integrated that I activated Qbank several weeks ago and committed to doing random, timed questions everyday. It has really helped me, and I think it's good prep. for the boards. We're definitely going to see 'unstudied material' and we'll have to figure it out then. Better to practice this skill now, IMHO, even if that means lower practice scores.

After doing 60% of Qbank, I caved and bought USMLEWORLD. My Qbank scores are not bad but I simply got tired of seeing the same questions asked over and over and its over-emphasis on picky little details and the memorization of trivialities. I love USMLEWORD. My scores are a bit higher - even though it's harder than Qbank -and the explanations are amazing; like reading a textbook. Also, the 'uncertain feeling' that I have doing each 50 question block on USMLEWORLD is identical to the feeling I had when taking the NBME pathology shelf so I have to believe that this is what Step 1 is going to feel like since it's the same people writing that exam. Qbank was the gold standard but, depending on how you learn, it's definitely not the best. I don't work for USMLEWORLD....before someone asks. 🙂

 

[blz]

so, blz - you might be a good person to ask for this then:

i have the time (8 weeks), for one good strong review + Q', and time afterward to do a full Q source in random blocks. right now, i plan on doing USMLERx in subject based blocks for review, then i'll do the NBME 1 & 2, then do USMLEWorld - 150 Q's per day, in random blocks.

would you recommend using these banks in that order? might swtching them be better? i'm curious what you think . . .

oh, and i also have Qbook to do with subjects, but that just a "if i can fit it in"

thanks mate

that's a good plan. i did usmlerx until i finished the material, nothing too crazy just like 50qs per subject to make sure i had FA down. the questions are easy but they make sure you atleast know what's in first aid. then i switched over to kaplan random questions. i'm switching over to usmleworld this weekend to finish off my last 2.5 weeks before the big day. so far this study schedule has worked for me (really intense though!) and im already within 10 points of my goal score and i still have to memorize pharm (ive just been sacrificing those questions, it's so annoying to just sit down and memorize dumb drugs). I'm hoping these last two weeks of usmleworld, intense review, and goljan lectures will push me over my goal score.

 

[blz]

[FONT=PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif]In contrast to blz, I found it very helpful to do random questions on Qbank early on. I did some subject specific questions after my class exams, only .[FONT=PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif]about 50-100 per subject, and then switched to random during dedicated study time. I think it depends on your study schedule--I didn't finish going through everything once until the days before the test, so I didn't have the option of waiting to do random tests til after I had reviewed everything like blz. Also, I think Qbank it not the best for assessing knowledge but can be a great learning tool, and so I really liked learning about things in increments with Qbank--a Qbank question or two before I had studied it formally, formal study, and then a few more questions from Qbank and/or NBMEs. You do feel kind of like an idiot at first, but Qbank managed to make me feel like that even if I had studied the subject, and you can see your progress. Most importantly, I think doing random questions while studying other subjects gives you little reminders of subjects you studied a while back or haven't studied yet, and at least for me I needed all the little reminders to cement that much information in my memory. So, it depends on you--if you have enough time after reviewing everything to do a lot of questions and/or want to use Qbank for assessment definitely go with blz's advice, but if you won't have much time after reviewing everything and/or want to use Qbank as a learning tool try doing random questions now..

i agree with ginger. if you got about 7-8wks you could consider what i suggested.