Step 2 CK study resources

[ussdfiant]

I know that I could try to comb this site looking for relevent posts, but since I have ZERO time, I thought I would just ask: What are some good books to use for Step 2 CK? After my Step 1 fiasco, I thought I would start studying concurrently with rotations. I heard that Crush Step 2 was good, but the reviews on Amazon are mixed (and the bad reviews are REALLY bad)! Any thoughts?

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[Stax]

I combed this site earlier this year before taking the test in December '04. What I came up with and read is below, and I feel that I did just fine on the Step IICK:

Crush the Boards Step 2 (more of outline/paragraph format)
Step 2 Secrets (Crush in Q & A format more or less)
Boards and Wards
Advanced Life Support for Step 2 (easy quick read)
Kaplan QBank
NMS Step 2 Question Book

I would say for heads up during the rotations that Boards and Wards/Crush would be great. I remember reading Boards and Wards as last reviews before clerkship shelfs, and I found it to be helpful for condensing down what really is important...

Hope this helps!
Stax

 

[neilc]

1. boards and wards
2. kaplan q-bank (start a few weeks out from the test date)
3. first aid for step 2

if you read during your rotations, and learn about your patients, as well as cover the above material, you should be in good shape for step 2CK.

i think crush the boards is a waste of money...it was much more superficial than the other sources. good info, but not deep enough (ie covered many of the topics, but not a lot of the "what would you do next" type info was covered). i had it, looked at it, then when i started doing practice q's i saw that it really was not that helpful.

 

[ussdfiant]

bump

 

[12R34Y]

Boards and Wards, Secrets, MKSAP2, that's about it. I figure after 6 NBME shelf test who needs more questions?

good luck

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I just used Crush Step 2 and Kaplan Qbook. I ended up doing just fine.

I knew some friends who used Boards and Wards and read this book carefully while on their 3rd year rotations. This book is much more detailed and complete than Crush Step 2 so I hear. If you comb through this book during M3 year, then you should have no problems just flipping through the book when it comes to reviewing for step 2.

 

[Santiago]

Agree with Milo.
You can't go wrong with Crush and Kaplan questions.

 

[ORS]

I used crush, Q-bank and a few sections from first aid. Study for about 5-7 days and you will do fine. I think a good indicator of how well you wil do is the shelf exams (do not worry, Step II is less detailed, but more intergrated)

 

[KerleyB]

I used ONLY usmleworld qbank, and looked up topics as they came up in my questions. My MSIV attention span prevented me from actually reading a text cover to cover. Got a GREAT score. good luck

 

[RipVanWinkle]

How much time did you guys set aside for studying? I am sure it is less than the month or so we spent for Step 1, but I am unsure of how much time to set aside for this one.

-RIP

 

[Hercules]

How much time did you guys set aside for studying? I am sure it is less than the month or so we spent for Step 1, but I am unsure of how much time to set aside for this one.

-RIP

Unless you're trying to blow the test away (250's and up), you can spend 3-5 days studying.

 

[neilc]

if you read during rotations, 2 weeks prep is plenty. i think it was enough time to get very comfortable with the material, yet not so much that i got bored and peak early.

 

[KerleyB]

Agree with above... I cut a vacation in Florida short, in order to get back and study - bad choice. Gave myself 19days, and was just about outa my mind by the end. My logic was, taking the exam in on March 1 of my 4th year, after a long/lazy year IV, I needed the extra time. Truth - the exam is pretty basic, and you could pass with a week of review. Beyond a week and you are getting bigger scores. Good luck!

 

[Gulliver]

bump