step 3 - what worked for me

[path28]

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I found a lot of helpful info on this forum, so wanted to share what ended up working well for me to pass step 3:

1) CCS cases: Use usmlesteps123.com which is now found at www.studentconsult.com/usmle - 100 cases. True it does not work exactly like the Primum software, as it gives you answers after each order that you enter. Therefore the scoring can end up being highly inaccurate if you happen to not enter an order at the time they have it as an answer. That being said, it is still extremely helpful to go through this program and is much more interactive than just reading cases in FA which I found to be too boring. I went through all cases and re-did the ones that I completely messed up to practice entering the orders in correctly. Also don't be intimated by the cases as many of these cases are much harder than the ones on the actual test.

2) More CCS advice: Memorize order sets for common presentations (i.e. orders for unstable patient, orders for delirium/confusion, orders for dementia, pregnancy test for all non-menopausal women). Also before I started my cases I wrote down on the white board the orders for an unstable patient that should initially be entered (bp monitor, pulse ox, card monitor, oxygen, iv access, normal saline) plus a reminder to do physical exams so that I wouldn't have to think about the initial things to type in. During the case make sure to note behaviors that require counseling (smoking, alcohol abuse, unsafe sex) so that when the case is ready to end you can enter counseling orders for a few extra points.

3) MCQs: Use USMLEWorld. I did all their questions (55-65%ile), then did all the ones I missed (80%ile). The questions are more challenging than the real thing which is good preparation and their explanations are usually very thorough. I took the tests in tutor mode which I found most helpful, to get feedback immediately after reading the question and inputting an answer. Did some of the Kaplan tests in QBook, didn't think these questions were as good. Also read all of Crush and most of FA. Liked FA a little better.

4) My score was 99/244 but I did have 2 months of dedicated time to study (I took 2 years off after graduating from med school to have kids, am starting residency this July so took step 3 in June to get it over with before starting which I could do since I had my degree in hand).

Hope this helps!

 

[NuMD97]

Memorize order sets for common presentations

This is an excellent suggestion. One I've never seen before. Thanks.

 

[FirstMANdown]

What other reading sources did you use besides FA and CRUSH. I am not calling you a liar but its hard for me to believe that you could score a 240+ on Step 3 with 2 years completly off cycle. There just had to be something else to it. Review course... a lot more Q-bank....?? Please respond. 😕

 

[abcabc1]

The story is believable. Step 3 is more of a reasoning/judgement/logic test than a knowledge based test. On the other hand, this doesn't mean that everyone (or even most people) who follow the same study pattern will earn the same score.

 

[sacrament]

What other reading sources did you use besides FA and CRUSH. I am not calling you a liar but its hard for me to believe that you could score a 240+ on Step 3 with 2 years completly off cycle. There just had to be something else to it. Review course... a lot more Q-bank....?? Please respond. 😕

He studied for TWO MONTHS. Most people (maybe not most SDNers, but most people) study for a couple days and don't use half the resources he did. I think it's completely believable.

 

[FirstMANdown]

Ok maybe so. But herin lies the problem. People who study for Step 3 for only a few days to weeks and pass(or do well) usually have 1 to 2 years of residency behind there belt. Based on the previous explanation it seems to me that the 2 month studying was done without any residency back ground. In my opinion(and just my opinion) if you are scoring 240+ on Step 3 you really have to be well read and one hell of a great test taker. Passing I can believe, but 240+.....improbable. But on the other side of the coin luck could have been a big factor too. Any ways I think its great that this Doctor was able to do a 99 with only 2 month preperation while being 2 years out of sequence and only using FA and Crush as main reading sources. Too me it seems that the test has plenty of "Goldie Loches" questions that u just cant get out of a fast review book like FA or Crush. Again, high pass sure, >99 unlikly. But again thats just my opinion. (sorry bout the spelling...tired). 🙄

 

[dragonfly99]

Whatever dude. It's called studying and being a good test taker. Passing these types of tests doesn't have a whole lot to do with taking care of actual patients. It's more of an intellectual exercise.

I studied basically what she is saying she did, and got the same score she did. Of course, I had done an intern year.

A medicine fellow.

 

[FirstMANdown]

Whatever dude. It's called studying and being a good test taker. Passing these types of tests doesn't have a whole lot to do with taking care of actual patients. It's more of an intellectual exercise.

I studied basically what she is saying she did, and got the same score she did. Of course, I had done an intern year.

A medicine fellow.

Ok. I respect that. Maybe its just me. 😎

 

[promethius]

On an unrelated note, my question is for the CCS portion, is it sufficient to just consult surgery (i.e. general, thoracic) if you want a procedure done, or do you still need to specify that you want a laparatomy, craniotomy, etc. after consulting surgery. For example, if you have an aortic dissection case, would it be optimal management to consult thoracic surgery or do you need to consult thoracic surgery and then order a laparotomy?

Seems from the practic CD sample case explanations that either option would be fine, but then I remember that they want you to manage the patient as the primary provider. (I recall that sometimes a pop-up would come up saying that consultants have no current recommendations and that you should continue with current management, but perhaps that's when surgery is not emergently needed?) I am assuming that if a patient has a diagnosed aortic dissection and you consulted surgery, it would be sufficient to conclude that you don't have to order a laparotomy still? Any thoughts on this issue?

 

[lotsahair2]

FA or Crush.

May I please ask what FA and Crush are?
I am not familiar with these names.
probably a newbie question, but I have read through most of the forum and still didn't get an answer.

thank!

 

[maverick173]

i like all your suggestions. But I usmlesteps123, its not an appropriate thing for CCS. Gives erroneous scoring, at least thats what i feel. Any comments?

 

[NuMD97]

May I please ask what FA and Crush are?
I am not familiar with these names.
probably a newbie question, but I have read through most of the forum and still didn't get an answer.

thank!

They are review books: FA = First Aid. Crush has two versions: one for Step 2 and one for Step 3, though many consider the two versions virtually identical.

And now you know. 🙂

Nu

 

[andwhat]

i like all your suggestions. But I usmlesteps123, its not an appropriate thing for CCS. Gives erroneous scoring, at least thats what i feel. Any comments?

stick with it, is my opinion. Nothing else on the market, gives you personalized feedback on your mistakes. I find that key, in preparation for any examination. It is frustrating, because it is not the exact software as the real deal.

 

[fungusflu]

USMLEWorld's CCS component now includes 30 questions in exactly the same format as the real thing. It doesn't score you but tells you what would give you point and what would take away point. It also gives you a suggested sequence of answer. I found it extremly helpul and I did really well on the CCS component thanks to it.

 

[andwhat]

USMLEWorld's CCS component now includes 30 questions in exactly the same format as the real thing. It doesn't score you but tells you what would give you point and what would take away point. It also gives you a suggested sequence of answer. I found it extremly helpul and I did really well on the CCS component thanks to it.

that is AWESOME wish that we could have practiced on something like that... it is key...

 

[cpunlamd]

This is very odd for me to take in, so Im going to recap what I have learned from the OP. For the preparation of Step 3, all we require are the following:

1. FA or Crush
2. USMLE step123 100 cases
3. World questions (mcq + ccs)

Do this within 2 months, and were good to go?

I took the Falcon program for both Step 1 and 2, which lasts (on average) 6 weeks/8hr days of in class lectures + 2 weeks of World questions + FA.

Now all I need for Step 3 is basically the FA and a bunch of online Q&A's? Very odd, can anyone else verify? I want to make sure the pool is deep before I jump head 1st.

 

[tum]

Now all I need for Step 3 is basically the FA and a bunch of online Q&A's? Very odd, can anyone else verify? I want to make sure the pool is deep before I jump head 1st.

I am taking it soon. American MD, 1 year general internal medicine at a very hard place, now in radiology. Did well on previous steps, and on some level this is just a 'pass/fail'. At the same time, it's the culmination of so much so I want to do it right. My last times studying ob/gyn, psychiatry and developmental milestones. 🙂

The advise in this forum so far seems to be what you've stated with the possible addition of UW's CCQ simulations. There are several, several other threads if you want other perspectives or to try and find someone who seems more similar to you.

I think a cliche might answer your question best: do whatever works for you.