Step I Sharing USMLEworld and/or Qbank

[TrapperJohnMD]

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A classmate and I have been thinking about splitting the cost of some online question banks. Has anyone ever done this before? I would think they would have some security in place (otherwise one student could buy and split with whole class). I know, I know, we're cheap but hey --I had no income last year (what med student did?) and am digging further and further in debt every day 👎

 

[Cards21aceking]

interesting question....would love response from anyone. Figure I'll bring this back up to the top.

 

[ertugrul]

A classmate and I have been thinking about splitting the cost of some online question banks. Has anyone ever done this before? I would think they would have some security in place (otherwise one student could buy and split with whole class). I know, I know, we're cheap but hey --I had no income last year (what med student did?) and am digging further and further in debt every day 👎

It's probably not legal to share the question bank, moreover it probably won't allow more than a one person to login same time.

 

[osli]

Well, it is an interesting thought if by share you mean each of you completes roughly half the question bank. I do wonder if they have an official policy on this or if there are specific statutes or laws that cover the legality of this? Is it OK for someone else to look over your shoulder as you go through UW or Qbank? What about after you have finished and are reviewing the information again?

I would think any attempt to both go through the question bank completely would be not only illegal but immoral. Broke is broke, but wrong is also wrong. For example, you taking it once and then your friend logging on and retaking the questions again (I don't think it would let you randomize or use only unused questions the second time, but whatever) would not exactly be kosher.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

I'm about 100% sure you would be in violation of your contract with Kaplan and USMLEWorld if you did this, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they had all sorts of checks for this, which would probably negate any value you get from this deal. As mentioned above, you probably both couldn't be logged in at the same time, which would be a huge pita when you guys hit the real crunch time.

Anyway, I know debt sucks and all, but it's a relatively small expense in the big scheme of things.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

I don't see why people insist on being cheap for things as important as board prep. Don't they realize this test may determine what they do for the rest of their careers? So buy food from costco, never eat out, sell your TV, use dial up, but please please don't skimp on board prep.

 

[Law2Doc]

It's probably not legal to share the question bank, moreover it probably won't allow more than a one person to login same time.

Agreed. It's a violation of the licensing agreement you sign when you join such a question bank. Not smart to contemplate unlawful activities on a public board either.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

I don't see why people insist on being cheap for things as important as board prep. Don't they realize this test may determine what they do for the rest of their careers? So buy food from costco, never eat out, sell your TV, use dial up, but please please don't skimp on board prep.

Took the words right out of my mouth. OP, please take Pinkertinkle's advice.

This is NO time to be cheap. Get your priorities straight!

G'luck.

 

[Terpskins99]

Yes, it is possible to share accounts.
Yes, people do it all the time.
No, you're technically not supposed to.
No, they probably don't have any way of knowing unless you attempt to log into the same account on two computers simultaneously (people installed UWorld onto a couple computers at my school lab and everybody logs into it with different accounts).

Seriously, people... stop being all pretentious and acting as if you walk this higher path. 🙄

 

[Law2Doc]

Yes, it is possible to share accounts.
Yes, people do it all the time.
No, you're technically not supposed to.
No, they probably don't have any way of knowing unless you attempt to log into the same account on two computers simultaneously (people installed UWorld onto a couple computers at my school lab and everybody logs into it with different accounts).

Seriously, people... stop being all pretentious and acting as if you walk this higher path. 🙄

Um, breaching a contract in this way is not a "technical" violation it is a volitional one. It is not "walking on a higher path" to tell folks not to act unlawfully, any more than if someone asked advice on how to steal. Which is exactly what this is. Seriously, Terpskins99, you are out of step on this one.

 

[smq123]

A classmate and I have been thinking about splitting the cost of some online question banks. Has anyone ever done this before? I would think they would have some security in place (otherwise one student could buy and split with whole class). I know, I know, we're cheap but hey --I had no income last year (what med student did?) and am digging further and further in debt every day 👎

Yes, it is possible to split the cost of online question banks. I know people who did it - they agreed that Person A would use QBank ONLY between the hours of 8 AM to 3 PM, and Person B would use QBank ONLY between the hours of 4 PM to 11 PM. That way, they "never" overlapped...until the week of the test, when they were both trying to use it as much as possible.

Moral ambivalence aside, I don't recommend this approach. QBank and UWorld track your statistics, and let you re-visit questions that you got wrong, as well as let you opt to do questions that you haven't done before. If you split the account with other people, you won't be able to use this feature, which sucks. I spent the last week before Step 1 doing the questions that I had gotten incorrect on UWorld. It really helped.

OP - You just need to be smart about how you spend your money. Research your options in terms of question banks (both in books and online). While doing questions is very good prep, you don't necessarily need a 6 month subscription to QBank. Maybe a used question book will tide you over for a couple of months, and then you can switch to a 2 month subscription of QBank. UWorld is also very reasonably priced, particularly the one month subscription.

Pinkertinkle is right - you can turn off your cable for a couple of months (you won't be watching that much TV, anyhow, and the last thing you should be doing on your day off is spending MORE time staring at brightly lit screens.) There are definitely better ways to save money that don't involve ripping off test prep companies.

 

[Law2Doc]

Pinkertinkle is right - you can turn off your cable for a couple of months (you won't be watching that much TV, anyhow, and the last thing you should be doing on your day off is spending MORE time staring at brightly lit screens.) There are definitely better ways to save money that don't involve ripping off test prep companies.

The movie The Paper Chase (about Harvard Law students) had a nice scene where the main characters checked into a low rent motel, had them remove the phone and TV, and just studied 18 hours a day with no distractions for an upcoming exam. This is harder to do when you require computer access for qbanks, but the notion is the same. Eliminate your distractions, use the right resources, and put in the time. Saving a few dollars is not the goal -- you are already spending six digits on your education and it can be somewhat wasted if you tank this test. Getting the best score you can is what matters now.

 

[Terpskins99]

Um, breaching a contract in this way is not a "technical" violation it is a volitional one. It is not "walking on a higher path" to tell folks not to act unlawfully, any more than if someone asked advice on how to steal. Which is exactly what this is. Seriously, Terpskins99, you are out of step on this one.

Out of step?

He asked a question, and all he gets in return is a bunch of goody two shoes preaching him to obey the law. I mean, wtf? Just say yes or no, and be on your way. Or... lock the thread. Problem solved.

 

[It'sElectric]

Out of step?

He asked a question, and all he gets in return is a bunch of goody two shoes preaching him to obey the law. I mean, wtf? Just say yes or no, and be on your way. Or... lock the thread. Problem solved.

You should re-read your post, and you'll quickly realize why you were "out of step". No one was walking a higher path, they were simply informing the OP that it is not only unethical, but also ILLEGAL. It's these "small" infractions that predict a person making future "big" infractions.

 

[Terpskins99]

You should re-read your post, and you'll quickly realize why you were "out of step". No one was walking a higher path, they were simply informing the OP that it is not only unethical, but also ILLEGAL. It's these "small" infractions that predict a person making future "big" infractions.

Oh PLEASE. And how many people on SDN have used Goljan's audio? I don't know... maybe everyone? Ever download an MP3 using Napster or Morpheus? Look, I never once advocated violating any laws or whatnot. I just didn't dodge his question.

 

[osli]

Oh PLEASE. And how many people on SDN have used Goljan's audio?

Good point. We all seem to draw our lines differently, and often arbitrarily. In my case if I can't reasonably purchase something I'll look to see if it is available "underground." But on the other hand, I can't reasonably purchase a Ferrari... so maybe I can find one of those underground too?

 

[Law2Doc]

Oh PLEASE. And how many people on SDN have used Goljan's audio? I don't know... maybe everyone? Ever download an MP3 using Napster or Morpheus? Look, I never once advocated violating any laws or whatnot. I just didn't dodge his question.

That you and others on here may be guilty of copyright infringment doesn't really make everyone else on this thread wrong in telling someone not to violate a licensing agreement. I think folks who advised the OP that he was contemplating acting unlawfully were doing the opposite of dodging his question -- they were addressing it in the most uncertain terms. That it's not permitted. Saying "hey, everyone's guilty of something" has never been a particularly effective or accepted defense.

 

[Law2Doc]

Good point. We all seem to draw our lines differently, and often arbitrarily.

It's not an issue of where we draw the lines -- the lines are drawn, the law is pretty clear. It's where some folks choose to step across those well demarkated lines that is perhaps arbitrary. Doesn't make it right. And certainly doesn't make it something you should encourage others to do.

 

[osli]

It's not an issue of where we draw the lines -- the lines are drawn, the law is pretty clear. It's where some folks choose to step across those well demarkated lines that is perhaps arbitrary. Doesn't make it right. And certainly doesn't make it something you should encourage others to do.

Do lawyers always have to argue semantics?

So the law draws one line. Many people choose to step over it. How far? Wherever they stop, they draw their own line (the world can contain more than one line, you know?). Call it whatever you want, my point was very clear and didn't need semantic masturbating. And I certainly didn't encourage anything.

 

[It'sElectric]

Nevermind, I'd prefer to avoid a pissing match.

 

[TrapperJohnMD]

Thanks for the input everyone. I didnt intend to start a feud here in SDN, arent there enough ridic ones already?? All things considered it seems like it would just be better to buy and use dif. accounts. I understand that sharing is illegal, but hey, as it was pointed out --how many people use goljan audio? If you've never downloaded anything that would be considered illegal, then when was the last time you came to a complete stop at a stop sign (um, drivers ed --YOU SINNER, LAW BREAKER, SCOFF-LAW! HOW DARE YOU!). I dont see how talking about doing something like this on a public board could get me into trouble....I could talk about robbing banks, if anyone had done it, and how to go about getting away with it all day long, its not against the law. Now if I actually told you that I did and what bank and how -that might be a different story admitting guilt like that on a public board.


Also, I'm not just trying to find ways to skimp in my board prep. I am fully aware of how very important this test is to the residency app. I just realize that this stuff is expensive and I'm interested in knowing if there is a way for my study partner and I to get around it --trying to be frugal and efficient with my money (is it unethical or illegal for us to have split the cost of the robbins review book? I doubt many would say so. How is that different?).

Anyway thanks for the input again and good luck to all!

 

[smq123]

I dont see how talking about doing something like this on a public board could get me into trouble....I could talk about robbing banks, if anyone had done it, and how to go about getting away with it all day long, its not against the law. Now if I actually told you that I did and what bank and how -that might be a different story admitting guilt like that on a public board.

Actually, I think it IS a violation of the terms of service for SDN. That's why even just asking where you can download Goljan is frowned upon. Even if you're asking "just because you're curious."

Also, I'm not just trying to find ways to skimp in my board prep. I am fully aware of how very important this test is to the residency app. I just realize that this stuff is expensive and I'm interested in knowing if there is a way for my study partner and I to get around it --trying to be frugal and efficient with my money (is it unethical or illegal for us to have split the cost of the robbins review book? I doubt many would say so. How is that different?).

Well, the people who published Robbins never say that sharing this book with your friends is a violation of copyright law. And they allow you to borrow it from the library. UWorld, Kaplan, and Goljan, however, did not - sharing these things is clearly a violation of copyright law.

I also was very frugal and tried to be efficient while studying for boards. None of us are made of money, and the test is pretty darn expensive on its own.

That said, there are ways to save money. That are completely and totally legal. I have used Kaplan Question books, and other question books for Step 1. If you want to buy them off of me at a discounted price (and then sell them to somebody else when you're done), let me know via PM, and I can discuss these books with you further. But trust me - definitely "safer" ways to save money.

 

[Law2Doc]

UWorld, Kaplan, and Goljan, however, did not - sharing these things is clearly a violation of copyright law.

Just for clarity, I don't think it's the copyright law at issue for users of UWorld or Kaplan if you don't copy it -- it's a violation of the licensing agreement. Which actually might have even worse repurcussions for you because you probably agreed to heavy penalties for violating such agreement by accepting the terms when you started using it. Copying Goljan, something that was never released publically and is copyrighted, is certainly a violation of copyright law.

 

[Law2Doc]

Do lawyers always have to argue semantics?

Most lawyers have seen huge amounts of money won or lost not only on word choices but even on placement of a single comma. So yes, semantics and word choice precision is important. When you get to the point in your career when you are signing partnership agreements, equipment leases, etc, you will pay big money for folks with this skill.🙂

 

[osli]

Most lawyers have seen huge amounts of money won or lost not only on word choices but even on placement of a single comma. So yes, semantics and word choice precision is important. When you get to the point in your career when you are signing partnership agreements, equipment leases, etc, you will pay big money for folks with this skill.🙂

That's nice, but inserting your own interpretation of a common phrase to the exclusion of any other is not exactly a skill that has value.