Step 3 Prep Advice

[MedSobe]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello Everyone:
I am planning to take Step 3 to improve my chances of getting back in residency program. Did PGY1 (IM) 2001, had to go back home to take care of family, now planning to re-apply for 2010. I know I don't much chances of getting back into program but I want it to give it try.
I would really appreciate recommendation/advice about prep. courses/books. Was planning to take Kaplan courses but after reading the forum, not sure about about spending $ 2700. I really need score high on this test to show that I still have good clinical knowledge. If I fail, it will disastrous and would close the training doors for me forever. I am very motivated and want to study hard full time. Please advice:
Thank you in advance and good luck to everyone in their career pursuits.

 

[vtdo07]

Since you have been out of the game for quite a while, I was wondering if you have continued to work in a related field or clinical environment. The reason I ask is because it will make a huge difference as to how your current level of clinical knowledge is perceived.

Also, what type of specialty are you trying to pursue... I.M., Family, Peds...? This needs to be known before anyone can give you good advice on how to proceed.

Your Step III score is important but at this point it is secondary to the things I mentioned.

 

[dieulafuoy]

I agree with vtd07. I think step 3 has a less priority from a program director's perspective. Try to find some contacts who can recommend you or try to do research or observership. You should highlight your one year PGY1 experience strongly in your personal statement and should briefly narrate the circumstances that prevented you from continuing the training. Like vtd07 mentioned, what you have done in the last 9 years counts a lot. So, if this was related to clinical medicine, highlight it in your personal statement saying that you have never been out of contact with medicine as such during all these years. Above all, have faith and in this country, persistence is always rewarded.
For step 3 preperation, you can use Kaplan notes, Master the boards, Archer lecture notes and Kaplan Qbank as well as UW qbank. If Kaplan live course is very expensive for you, there are very affordable excellent online live courses out there like Archer Step 3 review. For CCS, take ********** Workshop and practice UW CCS cases. These sources cover most important stuff that is tested on the exam. Make sure to pass your exam on first attempt. Best of luck

 

[andwhat]

I agree with vtd07. I think step 3 has a less priority from a program director's perspective. Try to find some contacts who can recommend you or try to do research or observership. You should highlight your one year PGY1 experience strongly in your personal statement and should briefly narrate the circumstances that prevented you from continuing the training. Like vtd07 mentioned, what you have done in the last 9 years counts a lot. So, if this was related to clinical medicine, highlight it in your personal statement saying that you have never been out of contact with medicine as such during all these years. Above all, have faith and in this country, persistence is always rewarded.
For step 3 preperation, you can use Kaplan notes, Master the boards, Archer lecture notes and Kaplan Qbank as well as UW qbank. If Kaplan live course is very expensive for you, there are very affordable excellent online live courses out there like Archer Step 3 review. For CCS, take ********** Workshop and practice UW CCS cases. These sources cover most important stuff that is tested on the exam. Make sure to pass your exam on first attempt. Best of luck

steer clear of Kaplan. They have no clue what is tested on step 3. I would refocus on what you read for step 2 ck, read it not as thoroughly as you did for the actual examination.
After this, do USMLE World and Premier Review. Premier Review is a bit skimpy on some topics, such as Ob Gyn, that is why I say supplement with Kaplan.
The Kaplan step 3 course is just way off in my opinion, and not even close to the level of detail required.

 

[winner123]

steer clear of Kaplan. They have no clue what is tested on step 3. I would refocus on what you read for step 2 ck, read it not as thoroughly as you did for the actual examination.
After this, do USMLE World and Premier Review. Premier Review is a bit skimpy on some topics, such as Ob Gyn, that is why I say supplement with Kaplan.
The Kaplan step 3 course is just way off in my opinion, and not even close to the level of detail required.

I think Kaplan's new 2009 edition for step-3 has been improved a lot.Master the Boards is also very popular these days.Yes,using only premiere review is not a wise decision at all.

 

[FirstMANdown]

I think what works more well rounded is reading all of step 2 ck Kaplan material, then know premier review cold for step 3, also do UW and Kaplan qbank step 3 questions. Master the Boards is great too, but does not cover as complete as premier and Kaplan step 2 ck books combined. Just advice, if you really want to cover most topics that can be asked on the Step 3 examination. This covers the ck portion. For the CS portion, UW CCS, Archer review for ccs and USMLE consult combined is the best way to master the CCS.
I know all of this is huge to cover but it is better to take a while to prepare and cover all the material if you are planning to score high on Step 3. Step 3 can be pretty tricky. 10 years ago it was easier to pass but now they are making the questions more difficult because medicine has become much more competitive do to the high influx of foreign grads to this country. Anyways, hope this helps. Good luck!!!

 

[MPR]

I agree Kaplan CK notes + PR new notes after 2007 (I took the live course have 2009) seem to be a good combo....because PR notes have stuff from CDC & US task force & other fields organization like peds and ob/gyn.....so it gives what is recommended to do

PR seems good for IM😎

In OB/GYN, PEds----go over ck also👍

For psych.--not sure is master of boards enough? or section from FA or crush 3?🙄

For Surgery--not sure...whats good?

 

[dieulafuoy]

I agree Kaplan CK notes + PR new notes after 2007 (I took the live course have 2009) seem to be a good combo....because PR notes have stuff from CDC & US task force & other fields organization like peds and ob/gyn.....so it gives what is recommended to do

PR seems good for IM😎

In OB/GYN, PEds----go over ck also👍

For psych.--not sure is master of boards enough? or section from FA or crush 3?🙄

For Surgery--not sure...whats good?

Yes, kaplan step 2ck is good way to start. I would supplement this with Master the boards. If you are some one who could learn by listening, I would do Archer Step 3 Review lectures. These are very comprehensive and explainatory with lot of guidelines and recommendations. I did UW Qbank after listening to Archer videos and my averages shot up by 15%. I would recommend doing q banks after adequate preperation to see if these preperation sources are really helping you.

For CCS portion, UW CCS and ********** Workshop is an awesome combo. Precisely, in my view, the best and affordable Step 3 combo would be : kaplan step 2ck + Archer step 3 videos + master the boards + UW CCS & qbank + ********** Workshop.

 

[dieulafuoy]

as i continue to read, i am finding lot of great points in archer lectures and master the boards. golden guidelines for practicing as a doctor as well especially if you are in internal or family medicine

 

[FirstMANdown]

as i continue to read, i am finding lot of great points in archer lectures and master the boards. golden guidelines for practicing as a doctor as well especially if you are in internal or family medicine

Hey Dielafuoy,

Now thinking about your most recent post, I wonder if the 2009 PR coupled with Masters of Boards with Archer videos would be the Ultimate Review for Step 3 ck portion? Sounds like a good educated gamble to take for those looking to score big with no previous residency training. Have you seen PR notes? What do you think of them?

 

[arthopod]

Hey Dielafuoy,

Now thinking about your most recent post, I wonder if the 2009 PR coupled with Masters of Boards with Archer videos would be the Ultimate Review for Step 3 ck portion? Sounds like a good educated gamble to take for those looking to score big with no previous residency training. Have you seen PR notes? What do you think of them?

i just saw your recommendation and this is exactly what i am doing. Archer reviews are undoubtedly very helpful for answering several questions. Best way is to add PR notes and master the boards to it as an ultimate review for Step 3. I would not use kaplan step 3 or step 2ck.

 

[dieulafuoy]

Hey Dielafuoy,

Now thinking about your most recent post, I wonder if the 2009 PR coupled with Masters of Boards with Archer videos would be the Ultimate Review for Step 3 ck portion? Sounds like a good educated gamble to take for those looking to score big with no previous residency training. Have you seen PR notes? What do you think of them?

The fact is that I did not feel I needed more as I was averaging very well on Qbanks after I read Kaplan and listened to Archer lectures. But may be you are right since you seem to be very experienced...I will look at the notes, may be worth adding it to my prep. Actually, I listened a few Premier MP3 in a friend's house and i did not quite like them. I probably should look at the notes. Thank you much for the suggestions

 

[FirstMANdown]

The fact is that I did not feel I needed more as I was averaging very well on Qbanks after I read Kaplan and listened to Archer lectures. But may be you are right since you seem to be very experienced...I will look at the notes, may be worth adding it to my prep. Actually, I listened a few Premier MP3 in a friend's house and i did not quite like them. I probably should look at the notes. Thank you much for the suggestions

Once you had time to look them over, let me know what you think about them (PR notes). 🙂

 

[TopSecret]

Hello Everyone:
I am planning to take Step 3 to improve my chances of getting back in residency program. Did PGY1 (IM) 2001, had to go back home to take care of family, now planning to re-apply for 2010. I know I don't much chances of getting back into program but I want it to give it try.
I would really appreciate recommendation/advice about prep. courses/books. Was planning to take Kaplan courses but after reading the forum, not sure about about spending $ 2700. I really need score high on this test to show that I still have good clinical knowledge. If I fail, it will disastrous and would close the training doors for me forever. I am very motivated and want to study hard full time. Please advice:
Thank you in advance and good luck to everyone in their career pursuits.

I bought used copies of Crush and First Aid from the Internet for dirt cheap. You should be able to answer 95% of questions with those two resources alone.

 

[dieulafuoy]

Once you had time to look them over, let me know what you think about them (PR notes). 🙂

Just started looking at Premier review notes and I find it useful as well, there are some valuable points in there. I think it should be used as a supplement rather than as a single source.
Thank you

 

[FirstMANdown]

Just started looking at Premier review notes and I find it useful as well, there are some valuable points in there. I think it should be used as a supplement rather than as a single source.
Thank you

Thanks for the review dielafuoy. You can can catch me on usmleforum.com aka-redmouser. Hope to see you there.😀

 

[dieulafuoy]

Thanks for the review dielafuoy. You can can catch me on usmleforum.com aka-redmouser. Hope to see you there.😀

is it a good forum? just looked at it, SDN appears much more quiet and decent

 

[FirstMANdown]

is it a good forum? just looked at it, SDN appears much more quiet and decent

I like it. very interactive, can learn and read a lot of good info from other peoples post.

 

[echinoderm]

hearing a lot of good things about premier review and archer... are both of these audio files? video files? books? where do you all recommend getting an affordable copy?

 

[rev2013]

I can sell you my Premier Review Notes and Audio that I used for my Step III in February for $200 or best offer -- just email me at [email protected] if interested.

 

[dieulafuoy]

hearing a lot of good things about premier review and archer... are both of these audio files? video files? books? where do you all recommend getting an affordable copy?

echinoderm, I just answered the message you sent me. Sorry for the delay. I am using Archer videos, Master the boards and Premier notes

Archer videos have powerpoint streaming video files which is actually accessible from their website. With the video lectures, they also send the notes by e-mail but I feel pdf will be more convenient, I converted them to pdf by myself. But the lectures are very effective than just reading the Archer notes.
http://www.ccsworkshop.com/Pay_Per_View.html

 

[salsterz]

I am currently enrolled in Kaplan's Step 3 video lecture course. Its the new revised course that just came out. I have completed all the videos once and am in a decent position to say that IM, OBGYN and Surgery are very superior. Peds videos are the weakest..Dr.Pino is a nice guy but does not have the art of imparting knowledge well. Psych is ok. As far as the books are concerned All lectures notes are very very good. The have notes plus clinical cases. The videos go through topics via a clinical case so you get ccs practice as well through the lectures. I am fairly satisfied as i needed this added motivation. I am doing UW questions and Kaplan q banks as an aid to my prep...and also master the boards which lines up major disease with a very good breakdown of best initial and best second step in management. I will be supplementing with a pharm book as I feel its essential to know the side effects of drugs and route of administration. This is what I am doing. I hope this helps anyone who is planning on starting their study. I will take the nbme at the end of my prep and only if it indicates superior performance will i sit for step 3!
good luck!

 

[KeratinPearls]

I am currently enrolled in Kaplan's Step 3 video lecture course. Its the new revised course that just came out. I have completed all the videos once and am in a decent position to say that IM, OBGYN and Surgery are very superior. Peds videos are the weakest..Dr.Pino is a nice guy but does not have the art of imparting knowledge well. Psych is ok. As far as the books are concerned All lectures notes are very very good. The have notes plus clinical cases. The videos go through topics via a clinical case so you get ccs practice as well through the lectures. I am fairly satisfied as i needed this added motivation. I am doing UW questions and Kaplan q banks as an aid to my prep...and also master the boards which lines up major disease with a very good breakdown of best initial and best second step in management. I will be supplementing with a pharm book as I feel its essential to know the side effects of drugs and route of administration. This is what I am doing. I hope this helps anyone who is planning on starting their study. I will take the nbme at the end of my prep and only if it indicates superior performance will i sit for step 3!
good luck!

Looks like a lot. How long do you plan to prep for this beast?

 

[salsterz]

I know i am doing a lot and the reason is poor scores on steps 1 and 2 so need a step 3 score in the 90s to beef up my application for residency. I am also considering adding swansons family medicine review (its 2200 questions) broken down into various topics i.e geriatrics, sports medicine all in viginette form. But that will depend if i do poorly on the mock..and by poor i mean less then 470.

 

[dieulafuoy]

I know i am doing a lot and the reason is poor scores on steps 1 and 2 so need a step 3 score in the 90s to beef up my application for residency. I am also considering adding swansons family medicine review (its 2200 questions) broken down into various topics i.e geriatrics, sports medicine all in viginette form. But that will depend if i do poorly on the mock..and by poor i mean less then 470.

If you are aiming for 90s, make sure you do very well on the CCS and make sure you go through all good courses because no course is complete. I suggest UW and ********** for complete CCS prep and Archer video lectures + Master the boards for your complete and quick Step 3 theory prep. If you can manage, make sure to listen to Archer videos at least once as they seem to have covered many puzzling topics that are big on step 3 in a descriptive way and giving criteria for each step in management.

 

[pineyard]

If you are aiming for 90s, make sure you do very well on the CCS and make sure you go through all good courses because no course is complete. I suggest UW and ********** for complete CCS prep and Archer video lectures + Master the boards for your complete and quick Step 3 theory prep. If you can manage, make sure to listen to Archer videos at least once as they seem to have covered many puzzling topics that are big on step 3 in a descriptive way and giving criteria for each step in management.

Thanks for the advice. Very helpful recommendation.

 

[hashimato]

what will I need to attend ********** webinar?
thanks

 

[dieulafuoy]

what will I need to attend ********** webinar?
thanks

you need computer, internet and microphone.
GL.

 

[nukeguy]

do you know if there are free demos for Archer review or premier?? where can I find them?

 

[nukeguy]

echinoderm, I just answered the message you sent me. Sorry for the delay. I am using Archer videos, Master the boards and Premier notes

Archer videos have powerpoint streaming video files which is actually accessible from their website. With the video lectures, they also send the notes by e-mail but I feel pdf will be more convenient, I converted them to pdf by myself. But the lectures are very effective than just reading the Archer notes.
http://www.ccsworkshop.com/Pay_Per_View.html

sorry I just noticed your link, found demos for Archer videos.
do you have link to free demos of premier cours?