Step 2 CK help?

[dermaway]

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So I decided on applying derm, I got 250+ on step 1, am not taking step 2 until september so i don't have to submit.

We had the NBME Clinical Knowledge Self Assessment at the end of third year and I only got a 215 🙁

I had honored almost all of my shelf exams and have been a good student overall, but this scared me. I want to go ahead and start reviewing some stuff so I am not screwed over by Step 2 CK. Any suggestions on a source?

I was thinking of Step Up to Medicine, figure that would be the biggest chunk of information. Thanks!

And I know there are some other threads of sources, but I figure I would make the thread to also get comments on whether or not it is even necessary for me to start, or if I am freaking out for no reason. Thanks.

 

[dermaway]

Try my luck one more time. Thanks!

 

[operaman]

Well, I think UWorld for Step 2 CK is generally considered the best, but you may have already been using that for the shelves. IF not, get that and start doing questions.

I think the biggest thing is to figure out why exactly you're having difficulty and treat accordingly. Does your school have very low cutoffs for honors on the shelf exams? If so, that may explain the discrepancy. The degree to which you counted on rote memorization to carry you through each shelf may be playing a part since that knowledge is likely forgotten by now; obviously this is fairly simple to cram back in! If your last clerkship wasn't a comprehensive one like medicine or family, you may have just been a little rusty.

I've found the Kaplan Step 2 videos helpful for content review, and Conrad Fischer's Comprehensive cases are great for learning how to approach those "next step" questions. There are some Goljian step 2 recordings floating around too, though I've never listened to them.

 

[LabMonster]

You're obviously on the right track. Relax. I'd advise finding the Goljan recordings - really awesome 2-3 step connections in disease which aren't made in the classroom. Then practice. And no worries. If you fail in your initial application to derm, you can apply again, and again... You'll be doing repeat internships, but with a 250+, come on. Just practice the stupid test and use all resources - you'll be happy with your results.

If not, there's always real medicine 😉 I kid! Don't flame the kidder!

We need good dermatologists - and if it's what you want, don't let fear separate you from it. Do the work, take the test, crush it and be a dermatologist.