Are there any specific tips you have for these exams? I found myself pressed for time as the question stems were pretty long. I always read the last sentence of the question stem first, as I did for step 1; however, it seemed to me that reading the whole stem was often necessary, unlike step 1. How do you guys excel on these exams?
Shelf exam strategy?
- Thread starter SandP
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Only taken 3 shelves so far, but reading the last sentence right away seems to really help. There are questions you can figure out without reading the entire stem, and this helps save time for questions that you do have to read the whole thing. Also, doing lots of practice questions helps too.
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First sentence, last sentence.
Many times that’s all you need. Sometimes you’ll have to dig through the meat, but most the time the ‘meat’ is unnecessary info.
Most of the labs are worthless as well. Use your first/last technique, then look at the specific lab that would aid the diagnosis. I.E. if you suspect b12 anemia, ignore all the cbc w/ diff + cmp and just look at the MCV.
Many times that’s all you need. Sometimes you’ll have to dig through the meat, but most the time the ‘meat’ is unnecessary info.
Most of the labs are worthless as well. Use your first/last technique, then look at the specific lab that would aid the diagnosis. I.E. if you suspect b12 anemia, ignore all the cbc w/ diff + cmp and just look at the MCV.
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I would say study, study, and study board relevant material. Most questions you should be able to get or take a really good guess right after reading the stem.
Time management: If you’re running out of time it means you are probably spending too much time thinking about a particular question. Make your best educated guess, mark it for review, and move on.
Time management: If you’re running out of time it means you are probably spending too much time thinking about a particular question. Make your best educated guess, mark it for review, and move on.
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Questions questions questions. I did so many questions for each clerkship that by the time I took the shelf I would read half the question and I knew the answer they were looking for in many cases. That saved me lots of time to focus on harder questions. I would also listen to the Emma Holliday videos the week before each shelf.
last sentence, if its one of those risk factor questions about "which risk factor would be best for her to cut out to decrease her chance of MI in the future" you can just skip to answer choices and click on Smoking or whatever, then first sentence
i took a nap during the middle of my IM shelf and finished on time
i took a nap during the middle of my IM shelf and finished on time
