Step 3 question

[esfh]

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I just finished taking it and I thought it was awful! Did anyone else feel like they failed it? I think I really screwed up parts of those cases too. Anyone know how much you can screw those up and still pass???

 

[Foxxy Cleopatra]

Don't feel bad; I took it in late Feb. (I'm a second year surgery resident) and I felt horrible when I came out; especially since people had said it was going to be easy! It was a ton of outpatient clinical stuff that I just do not do as a surgery resident. I also thought I blew at least one of the patient-stimulation questions. To top it off, I was busy and did not have much time to study- crammed Crush the Boards in and a few A&L + pages out of Swensons, but not nearly as much as I would have liked.

Thank god- I did pass! I just found out this weekend (took 4 weeks to get the scores) and I actually passed with some room to spare. I was seriously afraid that I failed, but I did not (I was underprepared and tired) so most likely, you passed too.

Good luck!

 

[drlee]

Hey Foxy,

How much time did you spend studying for Step 3? I actually think I'm going the opposite. I've been studying pretty hard for the past 4 weeks about 4-5 hrs a day, no weekends (weekends are for play!). I'm on an easy rotation so I have the time. Perhaps I'm overstudying for this exam!

 

[esfh]

I think I screwed up parts of all of the cases, so I hope they give points for what I did right. Thanks for the response.

 

[sean wilson]

seemed to be worded pretty oddly. Some of them just didn't make sense, especially combined with the possible answers. I could narrow them down to two possibilities, but each had a flaw.

The cases were not bad in that with one exception, I think I nailed the diagnosis and took the appropriate steps. However, there were a few in the beginning where it was so obvious what to do (person with chest pain comes to the office) that I just skipped the H&P and got an ECG, and went from there. Hopefully that won't be too big a deal, although it can't be the optimal way to go about the exercise.

 

[Big Lebowski]

I think I screwed up parts of all of the cases, so I hope they give points for what I did right. Thanks for the response.

I just took it myself as well. Like you, it was tougher than I expected. I royally goofed one of the cases (missed the diagnosis, ordered wrong treatment). I felt okay with the other cases, but am sure I missed some appropriate orders or treatments here and there. From what I understand, you do not get scored on diagnosis. They only use it when there are abnormal order patterns entered and they want to know what you were thinking. They basically just look at orders and priority. You get points for getting things right, no points for missing, and I think you lose points if you order something absurd/dangerous or miss obvious management (ie. EKG in MI). So as long as you are ordering some of the right things, you a getting points. I don't know what would be considered passing though. Overall, the MCQ part was tough too. I did not think it was easier than Step 2, but maybe the pass/fail threshold is lower so that's way everyone says it is so easy.

 

[nimboo]

HARD! I have the cases tomorrow. The MCQ questions were weird.

I just took it myself as well. Like you, it was tougher than I expected. I royally goofed one of the cases (missed the diagnosis, ordered wrong treatment). I felt okay with the other cases, but am sure I missed some appropriate orders or treatments here and there. From what I understand, you do not get scored on diagnosis. They only use it when there are abnormal order patterns entered and they want to know what you were thinking. They basically just look at orders and priority. You get points for getting things right, no points for missing, and I think you lose points if you order something absurd/dangerous or miss obvious management (ie. EKG in MI). So as long as you are ordering some of the right things, you a getting points. I don't know what would be considered passing though. Overall, the MCQ part was tough too. I did not think it was easier than Step 2, but maybe the pass/fail threshold is lower so that's way everyone says it is so easy.

 

[MAC10]

This may be considered the "easiest step" but its still killer. So many people told me not to even study for it 😱 I sure am glad I did! I really felt like i could have failed it coming out of there. The MCQs were TRICKY, the diagnosis was usually obvious but the questions were usually managment and there were always two answers that looked good. I thought the cases were pretty easy, luckily I played with the software the night before....I hope these count a good %tage.. My score report was mailed out yesterday 😱 😱 😱

 

[p53]

This may be considered the "easiest step" but its still killer. So many people told me not to even study for it 😱 I sure am glad I did! I really felt like i could have failed it coming out of there. The MCQs were TRICKY, the diagnosis was usually obvious but the questions were usually managment and there were always two answers that looked good. I thought the cases were pretty easy, luckily I played with the software the night before....I hope these count a good %tage.. My score report was mailed out yesterday 😱 😱 😱

I hope the cases are easy. You have already studied for the SAME clinical cases at least 3 times before step 3 i.e. Step 1, Step 2, Medicine Shelf Exam.

Guys, step 3 isn't rocket science. You already know all the clincal information by now. Repetition is the foundation of medicine. If Step 3 isn't a piece of cake, you might need to do some soul searching. All you should need is a #2 pencil.

2 months for step 1, 2 weeks for step 2, and a #2 pencil for Step 3.

What do you guys do when you walk around in the wards? Are you TRULY paying attention to the management of the diseases during other people's presentations? Even the hospital janitor is able to pick up information here and there. I recommend paying more attention and ASK more questions to your attending.

 

[bigfrank]

Maybe not everyone is as wonderfully brilliant as YOU, p53.

You know, you have really impressed us all on here!!!

Perhaps before imparting more of your wisdom regarding Step III, you should attempt to PASS Step ONE.

 

[MAC10]

I hope the cases are easy. You have already studied for the SAME clinical cases at least 3 times before step 3 i.e. Step 1, Step 2, Medicine Shelf Exam.

Guys, step 3 isn't rocket science. You already know all the clincal information by now. Repetition is the foundation of medicine. If Step 3 isn't a piece of cake, you might need to do some soul searching. All you should need is a #2 pencil.

2 months for step 1, 2 weeks for step 2, and a #2 pencil for Step 3.

What do you guys do when you walk around in the wards? Are you TRULY paying attention to the management of the diseases during other people's presentations? Even the hospital janitor is able to pick up information here and there. I recommend paying more attention and ASK more questions to your attending.

Spoken like someone that DOES NOT know what they are talking about. Since you are so smart please dont study for step III, im not not sure what you would do with a #2 pencil since the test is COMPUTERIZED. You are right even the hospital janitor could breeze through it. I reccomended that you #1 take your head out of your azz #2 ACtually take the test and then mabey you will have something intellegent to add. 👍

If an average medical student listened to Goljan 10 times, and just memorized everything he mentioned in his audio would that be enough to pass USMLE Step 1?

In your case probably not

 

[drlee]

p53, I've got a challenge for you. Since you're so smart, how about you listen to your little Goljan audiotape once and then take Step I. I'll buy you a lifetime supply of Guinness if you pass.

 

[musicman1991]

I got my step 3 coming up..

Are the questions the same style as Step 2. I find the Step 2 and Step 3 study books are pretty much the same.

 

[drlee]

I got my step 3 coming up..

Are the questions the same style as Step 2. I find the Step 2 and Step 3 study books are pretty much the same.

To my recollection, the question format is exactly the same as for Step 2. The question stems are tediously long and the usual questions are phrased
"What would be the next most appropriate step?" However, time was definitely limited for Step 3 compared to Step 2. I needed every single minute for each block. If you don't know the answer for a questions, you'll just have to guess/mark it and move on. I used the same source for Step 3 as I did for Step 2, USMLE Step 2 Secrets. I thought this book was right on for both...

 

[Big Lebowski]

I got my step 3 coming up..

Are the questions the same style as Step 2. I find the Step 2 and Step 3 study books are pretty much the same.

There are similarities between Step 2 and Step 3, though I felt Step 3 was much more primary care based than Step 2 and less focus on specialty medicine.

I think part of the frustration on this board is everyone says Step 3 is so "easy" and then of course you go into it with that expectation. But from speaking with others who have taken it, the consensus seems to be that most feel that might of failed it until they get their scores back and realize they passed. I thought I bombed it right after taking it. It is not "easy" per se, but maybe just easy to pass. Don't take it lightly, however. People do fail. I think that the pass rate is similar to Step 2.

 

[Finally M3]

There are similarities between Step 2 and Step 3, though I felt Step 3 was much more primary care based than Step 2 and less focus on specialty medicine.

I think part of the frustration on this board is everyone says Step 3 is so "easy" and then of course you go into it with that expectation. But from speaking with others who have taken it, the consensus seems to be that most feel that might of failed it until they get their scores back and realize they passed. I thought I bombed it right after taking it. It is not "easy" per se, but maybe just easy to pass. Don't take it lightly, however. People do fail. I think that the pass rate is similar to Step 2.

I think the 1st time US grad pass rate was around 97%...

Taking it Tuesday/Wed. Same prep as Step 2, except in 1 month time; Boards for Wards, breezed through Crush, QBook questions.

Maybe I'm overstudying, but I sure would feel like an idiot losing my PGY2 spot for not passing the 'easiest' of the Steps (we need to have passed step 3 before starting)

 

[musicman1991]

I think the 1st time US grad pass rate was around 97%...

Taking it Tuesday/Wed. Same prep as Step 2, except in 1 month time; Boards for Wards, breezed through Crush, QBook questions.

Maybe I'm overstudying, but I sure would feel like an idiot losing my PGY2 spot for not passing the 'easiest' of the Steps (we need to have passed step 3 before starting)

I used First Aid for Step 2, Crush Step 3, and Kaplan Qbook for Step 3.

Qbook is BRUTAL!?!?

 

[Arch Guillotti]

I just finished taking it and I thought it was awful! Did anyone else feel like they failed it? I think I really screwed up parts of those cases too. Anyone know how much you can screw those up and still pass???

According to a representative at the NBME, the cases are worth "very little". This is a direct quote. I had the misfortune of the computer going into vapor lock while doing a case, and it delayed me for about 45 minutes at least. turns out the computer screwed up another one of the cases as well even though I didn't realize it. About a week and a half after the test, a representative called me to inform me that per policy, my test had been hand scored. She also informed me that I had the option to retake the test if I wanted to since the 2 cases that the computer crashed on were dropped and not included in my final score. Since I passed, I obviously declined.

 

[MAC10]

I PASSED... boooyyyaaaka 😀

 

[p53]

You know, you have really impressed us all on here!!! PASS Step ONE.

That's nothing. I can't compare to your feat, (cough....) BS. Little Frank, your thumb with the 267 (via photoshop) has impressed everyone shopping for USMLE stuff on EBAY. Then again, your reputation is already dubious on SDN by bragging everytime you score a "99 percentile" on EVERY single shelf exam.

Maybe we are not as wonderfully brilliant as YOU, BraGFrank.

As for the rest of the people on this thread, I didn't mean to come across as a know it all. After reading my initial post, that is what it sounded like to me TOO.

Still, there is nothing wrong with the message, just the delivery. As for the passing Step 1 reference (below). It just reinforces my belief that an M.D. doesn't have to be INTELLIGENT (such as form or follow a logical argument), as long as they have a strong work ethic.

In your case probably not

Also, for the record I would never call myself a "super intern". Then again, I was the one that beat up these dorks/nerds in high school.

 

[MAC10]

Also, for the record I would never call myself a "super intern". Then again, I wa the one that beat up these dorks/nerds in high school.

It was such a nice redemption until 😱

Im feelin pretty super right now. You are an MS1 the only thing you should be called is scrub. And hey..nobody asked you.

 

[p53]

It was such a nice redemption until 😱

Im feelin pretty super right now. You are an MS1 the only thing you should be called is scrub. And hey..nobody asked you.

That's alright. I won't make the same mistake as doing poorly on Step 1 like yourself.

 

[MAC10]

That's alright. I won't make the same mistake as doing poorly on Step 1 like yourself.

Psychiac and smart. you are impressive you will go far in life. 😀

Now please give this forum back to those who want to discuss Step 3

 

[p53]

Psychiac and smart. you are impressive you will go far in life. 😀

Now please give this forum back to those who want to discuss Step 3

My original post was about Step 3, then you are the one that went off on a tangent. Anyways, my original post mentioned that the cases on Step 3 should be easy to understand due to repetition (since you mentioned the cases are "pretty easy", this was a subtle way to pat yourself on the back when in reality it isn't much to brag about), notice I didn't say the questions on Step 3 are easy. There is a difference.

As for the #2 pencil reference, if you have never heard of that reference, you must be a hermit. If you want to be technical about it, you used a #2 pencil to jot down stuff during the exam.

 

[MAC10]

As for the #2 pencil reference, if you have never heard of that reference, you must be a hermit. If you want to be technical about it, you used a #2 pencil to jot down stuff during the exam.

👎

Actually i used a felt tip maker to jot suff down with during the exam. Genius. Youre right you know it all buddy.

 

[p53]

👎

Actually i used a felt tip maker to jot suff down with during the exam. Genius. Youre right you know it all buddy.

Last word....

That's what this is about isn't it? Pretty pathetic a licensed M.D is threatened by a medical student to keep replying. Can you say confidence problem?

BTW, I know how to spell psychic and I know the proper usage of contractions in the english language. I bet you are jealous.

Can we end this game? All you are doing is giving legs to the fact that you feel threatened by a medical student.

 

[bigfrank]

p53, I'm just still impressed that you continue to use words such as "dork" and "nerd."

Let us know how Goljan works out for ya, OK? 😉

P.S. It really hurts that you didn't get your facts straight before accusing me. As it turns out, I made the 98th percentile on the Psych. Shelf.

 

[p53]

As it turns out, I made the 98th percentile on the Psych. Shelf.

Thanks BraGFrank for supporting my argument. For someone that scored a 267 on Step 1, you fell right into that trap so EASILY! Gotcha!

By the way, bragging about your high test scores exposes your weakness. Frank, don't try so hard to convince us you are smart by bragging about every single shelf exam score, alright. For someone so "smart" you sure have a very strong psychological need to validate yourself.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=169387&page=4

P.S. How about scanning your thumb with your Psych Shelf score for the non-believers. 😀

 

[drlee]

Last word....

That's what this is about isn't it? Pretty pathetic a licensed M.D is threatened by a medical student to keep replying. Can you say confidence problem?

BTW, I know how to spell psychic and I know the proper usage of contractions in the english language. I bet you are jealous.

Can we end this game? All you are doing is giving legs to the fact that you feel threatened by a medical student.

p53, you're still in your basic sciences years and you're patronizing us on how easy Step 3 should be? I suggest you think before you write such B.S. or perhaps improve your proofreading skills.

 

[p53]

p53, you're still in your basic sciences years and you're patronizing us on how easy Step 3 should be? I suggest you think before you write such B.S. or perhaps improve your proofreading skills.

Seniority in the medical totem pole is a moot point in my argument. I will not kiss anyone's butt just because they are an M.D. If he or she is wrong, I will call them out.

 

[drlee]

Seniority in the medical totem pole is a moot point in my argument. I will not kiss anyone's butt just because they are an M.D. If he or she is wrong, I will call them out.

So since when did INFERIORITY surpass seniority in the medical totem pole?

 

[p53]

So since when did INFERIORITY surpass seniority in the medical totem pole?

You have a problem understanding logic. My argument was that clinical cases SHOULD be easy due to repetition. Your feeble attempt to engage in a debate is cerebrally flawed because I am not questioning the legitimacy of a medical hierarchy, just that the medical hierarchy is irrelevant to my original premise.

If this is over your head, it is understandable because you have been trained to memorize information, and follow predetermined medical algorithms. Logical thinking is not selected nor reinforced in medical education.

 

[bigfrank]

You have a problem understanding logic. My argument was that clinical cases SHOULD be easy due to repetition.

I mean, like, yea, if I, like listen to Goljan repeatedly, I'll like totally kick ass on the Step I, right? Yea, that's my plan, everybody, please, like validate me, 'K? And, like this makes me an expert on Steps I-III and the third year, like, right?

And, like, I'm so jealous of bigfrank's accomplishments that if I, like, tell myself it's not true then I'll, like, feel better about posting here 24/7 instead of studying for the Step I by, like, listening to Goljan.

(paraphrasing from prior p53 posts)

 

[bigfrank]

Logical thinking is not selected nor reinforced in medical education.

P.S. I'd check out the use of modifiers here, smart guy.

(8th grade review: neither/nor, either/or) 😛

 

[p53]

I mean, like, yea, if I, like listen to Goljan repeatedly, I'll like totally kick ass on the Step I, right? Yea, that's my plan, everybody, please, like validate me, 'K? And, like this makes me an expert on Steps I-III and the third year, like, right?

And, like, I'm so jealous of bigfrank's accomplishments that if I, like, tell myself it's not true then I'll, like, feel better about posting here 24/7 instead of studying for the Step I by, like, listening to Goljan.

(paraphrasing from prior p53 posts)

BraGFrank, I have to admit I find immense pleasure in knowing that I got underneath your skin. Once I found your weakness, it was easy. Your response was a classic ego retaliation. How does it feel like to be CONTROLLED like a puppet? I have to admit it is rather fun to push your buttons. You are so easy for such a smart guy. You are so predictable and easy to CONTROL, BigFrank. Thanks for letting me waste your time, knowing your weakness, it was easy to control your thoughts. I found this to be very gratifying. Was it good for you, too? 😀

Now, let's give this thread back to Step 3. If you have something to say, PM me.

P.S. I would have to have a lower score to be jealous, and I don't see that happening.

 

[drlee]

BraGFrank, I have to admit I find immense pleasure in knowing that I got underneath your skin. Once I found your weakness, it was easy. Your response was a classic ego retaliation. How does it feel like to be CONTROLLED like a puppet? I have to admit it is rather fun to push your buttons. You are so easy for such a smart guy. You are so predictable and easy to CONTROL, BigFrank. Thanks for letting me waste your time, knowing your weakness, it was easy to control your thoughts. I found this to be very gratifying. Was it good for you, too? 😀

Now, let's give this thread back to Step 3. If you have something to say, PM me.

P.S. I would have to have a lower score to be jealous, and I don't see that happening.

Is that how you judge your self-worth? Well, I hope you get a score high enough to have a chance for a urology spot. Then, you could compensate for the true cause for your low self-esteem.

 

[bigfrank]

Agree; I'm finished with this jealous loser.

 

[p53]

Agree; I'm finished with this jealous loser.

Let's use logic. How can I be jealous of you if I haven't taken Step 1 yet? If this is too deep for you, take a deep breath and think again.