Should I Still Use DIT?

[tco]

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I'm currently studying for Step I (June 30th test date). We just received our basic science exam score, and I did reasonably well. I had an 87, which translates to approximately a 240 on the Step exam, from what I can tell. I feel like I have what I need to study the most narrowed down to certain areas of pathology, pharm, and reviewing first year. My question is: since I basically know what I need to study, is DIT still worth it for me? I suppose I'm asking the people that have taken the program what they honestly think of it. Were there subjects that you knew well that DIT further reinforced, or should I ask for a refund now, and do my own studying for the exam?

Also, FYI, my start date for the program is on the 27th of May.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you may provide.

 

[Ovariantesticle]

You already have the ability to get a 240, which is good enough to get into most residency programs, I'd save your money. Just study your weak areas.

 

[da8s0859q]

You already have the ability to get a 240, which is good enough to get into most residency programs, I'd save your money. Just study your weak areas.

Agree. I am not doing DIT, but from what I've seen / been told about it, there is absolutely no reason anyone needs to do DIT -- that's something you do if you want the structure of it. I can see the appeal there.

Their "230+ average" statistic is skewed based on who shares their numbers, and the "we add the other 30% not in FA" neglects the fact that the vast majority of us use UW / Goljan / etc. in addition to FA.

I've had a few people say that the DIT quizzes are pretty good for later review, but if you're getting ~240 on the CBSE and have a month and a half to "improve" (in quotation marks because you're already soundly above par for the course and for most specialties), I don't think it's worth your time at all.

 

[tco]

Agree. I am not doing DIT, but from what I've seen / been told about it, there is absolutely no reason anyone needs to do DIT -- that's something you do if you want the structure of it. I can see the appeal there.

Their "230+ average" statistic is skewed based on who shares their numbers, and the "we add the other 30% not in FA" neglects the fact that the vast majority of us use UW / Goljan / etc. in addition to FA.

I've had a few people say that the DIT quizzes are pretty good for later review, but if you're getting ~240 on the CBSE and have a month and a half to "improve" (in quotation marks because you're already soundly above par for the course and for most specialties), I don't think it's worth your time at all.

First of all, thank you both for your rapid responses.

When I signed up for DIT, I did so mainly for the structure of the course and because I didn't think I would be as prepared as I apparently am...honestly, I don't feel that prepared. Nevertheless, I also thought that his explanations would be beneficial, since much that you read in FA is along the lines of, "I remember this, but I don't know why."

From what my classmates are saying, the lectures are very long...I've been thinking that my time could be better served listening to goljan while reading RR or reviewing pharm, my two weakest subjects by far.

Again, thank you. Your advice will definitely be considered.

 

[tco]

Here's my plan if I dump DIT:

First, thoroughly review the main things I don't know to learn them well (currently doing this)
Work on USMLE World questions organ system by organ system (currently doing).
Slowly work through FA and first year materials (physio, biochem, anatomy, and embryo) while doing the above two.
Once I'm finished with my "learning," move on to devoting all of my time to USMLE World and FA review
Complete a practice exam.
Once finished with USMLE World, move to Rx questions.

Repeat.

I feel that this could be potentially better than spending 5 hours/day on their FA lectures (especially since I feel completely spent after 7 hours of studying), but I would like to know what people who did the program think. I really didn't know that the lectures would be so long, or I likely would not have signed up for the program. I suppose I'm hesitant to drop it because I haven't given it a chance on my own yet. Maybe I should see if someone in my class would mind me sitting in while they view one of their lectures before I make a decision? Like the OCD medical student that I am, I'm also afraid that there's some concept that I may be omitting by not doing it (kinda like how in undergrad you may have had a dream where you woke up and went to take a final in an insignificant class that you didn't know you were enrolled in).

 

[lilspark]

I am having the same exact problem. Should I be doing questions, and continue reviewing on my own, or should I do DIT and use up to 6 hrs a day to listen to the lectures. I just keep thinking about how many more questions and review I could be doing during the time that I am using to listen to him.

Anyone else has any input on this one?

Here's my plan if I dump DIT:

First, thoroughly review the main things I don't know to learn them well (currently doing this)
Work on USMLE World questions organ system by organ system (currently doing).
Slowly work through FA and first year materials (physio, biochem, anatomy, and embryo) while doing the above two.
Once I'm finished with my "learning," move on to devoting all of my time to USMLE World and FA review
Complete a practice exam.
Once finished with USMLE World, move to Rx questions.

Repeat.

I feel that this could be potentially better than spending 5 hours/day on their FA lectures (especially since I feel completely spent after 7 hours of studying), but I would like to know what people who did the program think. I really didn't know that the lectures would be so long, or I likely would not have signed up for the program. I suppose I'm hesitant to drop it because I haven't given it a chance on my own yet. Maybe I should see if someone in my class would mind me sitting in while they view one of their lectures before I make a decision? Like the OCD medical student that I am, I'm also afraid that there's some concept that I may be omitting by not doing it (kinda like how in undergrad you may have had a dream where you woke up and went to take a final in an insignificant class that you didn't know you were enrolled in).

 

[RadOncRocks]

I faced a similar dilemma! I decided to go with DIT. I haven't taken the test yet so I can't vouch for whether or not it was the right decision 🙂

Make no mistake, listening to the lectures DOES take a long time. However, I have enjoyed that it really forces me to look at every word in First Aid without glossing over and skipping things that I don't like.

Could I get through a TON of questions in the same amount of time? Absolutely. I'm fairly disciplined so I almost went the "Taus" way of things with reading and questions, but in the end opted for DIT. I'm just about to finish week 2 and so far I am happy with my decision.

 

[deleted387928]

tco, I'm in a very similar situation to you.

I started DIT but ditched it after a few days.

The videos were just too slow and time consuming for me. I liked the quizzes but I think my time would be spent better doing higher quality questions.

So I'm just doing FA + RR + UW for the next 3 weeks.

 

[torontodoc]

tco, I'm in a very similar situation to you.

I started DIT but ditched it after a few days.

The videos were just too slow and time consuming for me. I liked the quizzes but I think my time would be spent better doing higher quality questions.

So I'm just doing FA + RR + UW for the next 3 weeks.

Ya, I stopped watching DIT after a few days as well. Personally, I think the guy just reads off FA and supplemental course material. Nothing against the lecturer but I feel I could get through FA at a much faster pace than watching the DIT videos. I started picking up on his mistakes as well and it was just downhill from that point on.
However, a classmate of mine loved DIT videos and watched it 3 times. We both did reasonably well on our step, so it all comes down to personal preference and liking. However, one thing I did like about DIT was their HY supplemental book with quizzes. Definitely learned a few things in that book that were on the exam.

 

[tco]

Ya, I stopped watching DIT after a few days as well. Personally, I think the guy just reads off FA and supplemental course material. Nothing against the lecturer but I feel I could get through FA at a much faster pace than watching the DIT videos. I started picking up on his mistakes as well and it was just downhill from that point on.
However, a classmate of mine loved DIT videos and watched it 3 times. We both did reasonably well on our step, so it all comes down to personal preference and liking. However, one thing I did like about DIT was their HY supplemental book with quizzes. Definitely learned a few things in that book that were on the exam.

I, personally, HATE lectures. I fear that I will not be able to get through them just because I hate sitting around, listening to someone tell me what's important. I'm leaning more towards canning the program, unfortunately.

I just received my supplemental book a couple of days ago. I suppose I could cancel the program, and keep the book, as they suggest, but I feel like I'd be cheating them out of something.

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

 

[RadOncRocks]

I, personally, HATE lectures. I fear that I will not be able to get through them just because I hate sitting around, listening to someone tell me what's important. I'm leaning more towards canning the program, unfortunately.

I just received my supplemental book a couple of days ago. I suppose I could cancel the program, and keep the book, as they suggest, but I feel like I'd be cheating them out of something.

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

Don't worry they keep around 70 bucks so technically you are just paying 70 dollars for the study guide. 🙂

I am finishing up Day 10 of DIT today and I like it so far. If you already know most of it, as in did well the first two years, then it is great because it allows to to sit there and just make connections. I'll post more reviews of the course once I see how it actually helps with some NBME's...

Edit: To add that so far it seems that going through the study guide without doing the course wouldn't be all that helpful. They skip around quite a bit, one of the things I like, to group together topics. So it may be difficult to follow along in the study guide. I am taking NBME 12 this weekend so I will be able to see how much difference 2 weeks of the course has made!

Also, I think its a shame that people stop after just a couple/few days because its second week that really starts to show how great it is. The first week is mostly Micro and BS, and honestly there isn't a ton to add to First Aid. However, it seems that this week they have added quite a bit!

 

[beyondbethany]

I am finishing up Day 10 of DIT today and I like it so far. If you already know most of it, as in did well the first two years, then it is great because it allows to to sit there and just make connections. I'll post more reviews of the course once I see how it actually helps with some NBME's...

Just wrapped up day 5 lectures myself. I agree with you - I started after I did a first pass through FA and a good portion of UW before my finals and it is nice to make the connections and additional annotations in FA. It's also nice to not have to just sit and read from morning to night - they keep you moving through material and keep you engaged.

 

[fahimaz7]

I had a 83 (233 or so) on the CBSA and I'm doing UW+FA x2 for this test. I also did a 3 day kaplan pharm review (live) that was offered at our school.

Good luck!

 

[fahimaz7]

I had a 83 (233 or so) on the CBSA and I'm doing UW+FA x2 for this test. I also did a 3 day kaplan pharm review (live) that was offered at our school.

Good luck!

 

[JPanda]

I'm on day 8 of DIT and im thinking of ditching it as well. The videos are 6 hours a day - and it is hard to justify spending that much time when i have a good grasp of first aid already- and im not entirely sure the course is as high yield as the owner is claiming. I think what i will end up doing is just use DIT to review the subjects i am not strong in and ignore everything else.

 

[SirGecko]

I, personally, HATE lectures. I fear that I will not be able to get through them just because I hate sitting around, listening to someone tell me what's important. I'm leaning more towards canning the program, unfortunately.

I just received my supplemental book a couple of days ago. I suppose I could cancel the program, and keep the book, as they suggest, but I feel like I'd be cheating them out of something.

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

If you hate lectures then DIT is NOT for you. I actually am a big fan of recorded lectures. They help slow me down and keep me on pace at the same time. On my own I tend to both procrastinate and skim too much. (I think the tortoise and the hair is a good analogy here) I also can't stand live lectures because I fall asleep. I like videos because I can move around while watching them. (stand on my chair, do pushups, lie on the floor etc) Weird I know.

That said DIT is not that different from just knowing first aid when it comes to pure content. A lot of what they teach you is in the book. (and yes they do sit there are just read some sections of it) You are paying for someone to sit there are direct you around the book. Some students don't need this. Others (like me) do.

To be honest the subject of what DIT does and does not do right is something I am pretty interested in. I feel like they have good instincts (the skits and such are going in the right direction, they just need to actually make them funny next year) but there is definitely some room for improvement in their course.

Oh and as the other guy said you are already paying 70 bucks for that book so if they don't want it back don't feel too bad. (also the answers are in the video so you'll just have to look them up in first aid)

 

[tco]

Don't worry they keep around 70 bucks so technically you are just paying 70 dollars for the study guide. 🙂

This isn't true, and I was kidding about the study guide:


If you have already received your study guide – your refund request will be processed once the study guide has been returned and received by Doctors In Training. To receive a refund:
If you have NOT received your study guide in the mail - please call 817.870.2730 to request your refund.
If you HAVE received your study guide in the mail – please complete the refund request form below and mail it, together with your study guide, to Doctors in Training.com, LLC, 1701 River Run, Suite 703, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, Attn: Refund Request.
REFUND REQUEST FORM

 

[RadOncRocks]

This isn't true, and I was kidding about the study guide:


If you have already received your study guide

 

[quepatho]

Idk, if you HATE lectures then I don't see why on earth you would do DIT. That is kind of what the whole program is all about - lectures...I mean, people have been making 260+s for years without it and for the love of all that is holy do it the least painful way possible (right?). (This is not to be rude, I'm just saying...why would you put yourself through it if you think it's going to be ineffective AND unpleasant).

Personally, I think I have forgotten how to read since my school never assigns reading assignments, so I will personally have to stick with DIT lectures. I am certainly nervous about doing DIT, because I don't have a lot of time to focus on my weaker areas while I do the program.

But it's a risk I'm going to take.

 

[tco]

Idk, if you HATE lectures then I don't see why on earth you would do DIT. That is kind of what the whole program is all about - lectures...I mean, people have been making 260+s for years without it and for the love of all that is holy do it the least painful way possible (right?). (This is not to be rude, I'm just saying...why would you put yourself through it if you think it's going to be ineffective AND unpleasant).

Personally, I think I have forgotten how to read since my school never assigns reading assignments, so I will personally have to stick with DIT lectures. I am certainly nervous about doing DIT, because I don't have a lot of time to focus on my weaker areas while I do the program.

But it's a risk I'm going to take.

That's how I feel right now. Looking through the study guide, it looks like it could be an excellent way to review the areas that I was going to review anyway, but I'm afraid that the pace will be too slow for me to cover the things that I really need to work on.

I'm still torn. Blah. Thanks for your input, everyone.

 

[justaregularmed]

That's how I feel right now. Looking through the study guide, it looks like it could be an excellent way to review the areas that I was going to review anyway, but I'm afraid that the pace will be too slow for me to cover the things that I really need to work on.

I'm still torn. Blah. Thanks for your input, everyone.

DIT is best used to really find out what you know and what you don't know because unless you actively try to delude yourself you'll be able to find out everything you need to study. Sure you learn a little, and you get to apply a little, but finding out what you are weak on is probably its best quality. In the end First Aid (and DIT by proxy) are *some/most* of the time terrible sources for things you really need to work on and should not be used as such.

So my recommendation is if you are REALLY struggling (low nbme/really bad grades, poor indicators) you should be doing a kaplan course or pass or some other intense training course.
If your a normie on your indicators DIT will help you find out what you need to know, and probably teach a little on the way.
If your a typical SDN / Gunner / One in a million non-pathological smart person DIT is not for you. Keep on gunning away, you should be pretty proficient at it by now anyway.

 

[tco]

DIT is best used to really find out what you know and what you don't know because unless you actively try to delude yourself you'll be able to find out everything you need to study. Sure you learn a little, and you get to apply a little, but finding out what you are weak on is probably its best quality. In the end First Aid (and DIT by proxy) are *some/most* of the time terrible sources for things you really need to work on and should not be used as such.

So my recommendation is if you are REALLY struggling (low nbme/really bad grades, poor indicators) you should be doing a kaplan course or pass or some other intense training course.
If your a normie on your indicators DIT will help you find out what you need to know, and probably teach a little on the way.
If your a typical SDN / Gunner / One in a million non-pathological smart person DIT is not for you. Keep on gunning away, you should be pretty proficient at it by now anyway.

Haha...I love this advice.

 

[justaregularmed]

Haha...I love this advice.

While I got a bit snarky DIT is really a Niche product. Literally if you are average its going to help point out what you should put a bit of work on and your going to review everything else you already knew. It's going to point you to what you need to look at in robbins or goljan or brs phys etc, if you happen to REALLY suck at something.

The course can be used in many ways but its really really designed for the middle of the road folks.

 

[justdoit31]

I'm starting day 4 tomorrow- so far I like it because while I'm not a lecture person (didn't attend lectures in school but did listen to their audios) I like that I don't have to read FA all day every day by myself and I'm an auditory learner, plus it forces me to listen to topics I don't like and tend to ignore. Plus the worksheets and quiz pages really help me to see if I really know it or just think I do.

In addition to DIT I did a USMLE biochem lecture series offered at my school by someone who taught for a national prep-company before joining our faculty this year.

I'm hoping between these 2 things and UW that I get a score improvement from the 185 that I was at on my last CBSE up to around 215 (I know not off the charts but I'm not a test person and just want into a solid pediatric residency)

 

[tco]

While I got a bit snarky DIT is really a Niche product. Literally if you are average its going to help point out what you should put a bit of work on and your going to review everything else you already knew. It's going to point you to what you need to look at in robbins or goljan or brs phys etc, if you happen to REALLY suck at something.

The course can be used in many ways but its really really designed for the middle of the road folks.

It seems like it could be a structured way to review the things that you may have forgotten, as well.

I don't consider myself "middle of the road," but I feel that it could have its benefits for me. I will need to review biochem, physio, etc. and it should provide an entertaining and, as I already mentioned, structured way to go about it. The study guide seems like it might be something good to go through a couple of days before the exam to highlight high yield topics.

Thanks for your opinion though. It's still a decision that I'm (and others are) contemplating.

 

[RadOncRocks]

I'm not "middle of the road" either, and after two weeks of DIT, I've gone from Uworld percentages around 60% to around 80%. How much of that is DIT and how much is just the bajillion hours I'm studying including U world I don't know, but either way I'm happy with the results so far!

 

[quepatho]

I'm not "middle of the road" either, and after two weeks of DIT, I've gone from Uworld percentages around 60% to around 80%. How much of that is DIT and how much is just the bajillion hours I'm studying including U world I don't know, but either way I'm happy with the results so far!

Really? Cause I've been at 63% Uworld percentage for the last week and a half and I am really starting to get irritated (I started DIT at the beginning of last week and I am now 10 days through). I was at about 56% or so when I started so I am super bummed that the program doesn't seem to be helping me. 9% is not a huge increase.

I'm gonna finish it cause I *feel* like it is helping, but the numbers so far do NOT bear me out.

 

[justaregularmed]

Really? Cause I've been at 63% Uworld percentage for the last week and a half and I am really starting to get irritated (I started DIT at the beginning of last week and I am now 10 days through). I was at about 56% or so when I started so I am super bummed that the program doesn't seem to be helping me. 9% is not a huge increase.

I'm gonna finish it cause I *feel* like it is helping, but the numbers so far do NOT bear me out.

The big problem is how the course is designed and where you are weak. You just might not have hit what you're super weak on, or you just need more practice with questions.

The test is about your ability to take tests v. what you know. DIT for the lion share helps you build on what you know (and a little on your thought process for tests), questions are the only thing for the former (and the latter).

 

[justaregularmed]

It seems like it could be a structured way to review the things that you may have forgotten, as well.

I don't consider myself "middle of the road," but I feel that it could have its benefits for me. I will need to review biochem, physio, etc. and it should provide an entertaining and, as I already mentioned, structured way to go about it. The study guide seems like it might be something good to go through a couple of days before the exam to highlight high yield topics.

Thanks for your opinion though. It's still a decision that I'm (and others are) contemplating.

Take a look back at what people say about DIT in the past. The biggest gripe is "it takes too long to get through" and "I can do it faster" "I hate Dr. Jenkins face, etc." These people generally scored 1+ sd above the mean (as they reported). So we could say the normies are like 205-240. Gripes ensue much above 240, even in the high 230's.

 

[quepatho]

Take a look back at what people say about DIT in the past. The biggest gripe is "it takes too long to get through" and "I can do it faster." That's the biggest reason why I think the people in the middle are better off (as opposed to the 250ers), but its more of a continuum which I originally had but was not super clear. I agree as I initially said they'll drag you through almost everything so you can really find out whats what.

Yeah and now I know I'm really bad at cardio and anatomy and GI (actually I knew that before, sort of)...and I don't know that I'll really have enough time to fix it the way I need to. 🙁

But I think the OP has a lot of time (IIRC?), so maybe having the roadmap from DIT is not so bad for her.

 

[tco]

If anyone's interested, I found this just now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-lzUmFm-Go

Disclaimer: I've been told this is one of the better DIT lectures.

 

[beyondbethany]

I don't consider myself "middle of the road," but I feel that it could have its benefits for me. I will need to review biochem, physio, etc. and it should provide an entertaining and, as I already mentioned, structured way to go about it. The study guide seems like it might be something good to go through a couple of days before the exam to highlight high yield topics. .

I don't consider myself middle of the road either and I am happy with the program so far. Plenty of successful students (240-250+) at my school used it last year. I think people at all levels can benefit from it. It all comes down to how you learn. I never went to lecture but always watched the recordings, so this works for me.

You have a lot of time before your test - enough to go through all of the lectures and with plenty of time to address your weakest areas after that.

 

[winkleweizen]

Really? Cause I've been at 63% Uworld percentage for the last week and a half and I am really starting to get irritated (I started DIT at the beginning of last week and I am now 10 days through). I was at about 56% or so when I started so I am super bummed that the program doesn't seem to be helping me. 9% is not a huge increase.

I'm gonna finish it cause I *feel* like it is helping, but the numbers so far do NOT bear me out.

9% is pretty big. Didnt he say that the average student goes up 5% on his qbanks scores each week. So you are right along that lines.

Wait 56-63 is 7%? haha wtf

 

[quepatho]

9% is pretty big. Didnt he say that the average student goes up 5% on his qbanks scores each week. So you are right along that lines.

Wait 56-63 is 7%? haha wtf

haha, yeah so math. Um, yeah.

Hahahaha. Also I made the increase in the first two days of DIT and nothing since then.

I'm making all kinds of really STUPID mistakes on tests lately. Very depressing. Silly math errors, reading errors.

 

[winkleweizen]

haha, yeah so math. Um, yeah.

Hahahaha. Also I made the increase in the first two days of DIT and nothing since then.

I'm making all kinds of really STUPID mistakes on tests lately. Very depressing. Silly math errors, reading errors.

Keep plugging away. it will go up 😉