Step Cs: Post Your Experiences

[liquid magma]

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I don't know about the rest of you, but I am still mad at the NBME for pushing through this new exam without adequately justifying its exorbinant costs, use of resources, time, and lack of proof for need, or even the validity of the test.

That being said, I assume that there are only a limited number of clinical scenarios they test. Therefore, I would humbly ask that students who have taken the exam to please post the sorts of questions you think might be high yield.

--Liquid

 

[kas23]

Hi, I just took it today. The hardest part of the day was thinking about how much money I wasted signing up for it. I really don't want to get into the cases I had, but they were all very simple and easy. But, to dispell some myths; you do not have to do a breast exam on a woman, you do not check for inguinal hernias, you do not do a rectal, and you do not have to do a pelvic exam. And unfortunately, you are not allowed to test the cornea reflex on the pts. Otherwise, don't sweat the cases. In fact, I think there is a download somewhere around this board with the possible cases.

I think the most exciting part of the day was when the fire alarm in the building went off. We all had to evacuate the building and stand out in the 90 degree weather for 30 minutes. Fortunately, they had to drop 1 of the 12 encounters, so we only completed 11. Just hope you are so lucky.

 

[lindyloohoo]

I think the most exciting part of the day was when the fire alarm in the building went off. We all had to evacuate the building and stand out in the 90 degree weather for 30 minutes. Fortunately, they had to drop 1 of the 12 encounters, so we only completed 11. Just hope you are so lucky.

Now how is this standardized?!

 

[Scooby Moo]

I think the most exciting part of the day was when the fire alarm in the building went off. We all had to evacuate the building and stand out in the 90 degree weather for 30 minutes. Fortunately, they had to drop 1 of the 12 encounters, so we only completed 11. Just hope you are so lucky.

Wow, this makes me feel even better about shelling over all of that money to have the honor of taking this exam.

 

[Amy]

Wow, TWELVE encounters?! I didn't realize it was that many. It's only half a day, right?

I get more annoyed about this test everyday. 😡

 

[kas23]

Sorry Amy, this will make you even more annoyed; the test is ALL DAY. I got to the center at 7:30am. We were then forced to wait in the downstairs lobby of the building (where there are no chairs). It seems like the sort of lobby out of the Matrix. There is just a front desk and it is very modern looking. You get a 30 minute break after 5 cases, then go in for another 4 cases, another 15 minute break, and then finish with 3 cases. You will end up waiting in line for the toilets too during these breaks, as there are only 3 of them - one of which did not flush. With the fire drill, I left at exactly 4:00pm. Without the fire drill, you will probably be out between 3:30-3:45pm. Good Luck!!

 

[Kosmo]

It actually sounds a lot like the clinical skills exam we had at the end of year III. 12 encounters (8 or 10 minutes per encounter, I don't remember.) And all were quite straightforward. Some of them didn't even require you to do a physical exam (e.g., there was a 'phone' encounter.)

My take is that this exam will not really evaluate any 'clinical skills' other than being able to speak competently to a patient. The only aspect of our physical exam that will be graded is whether we did it or not, rather than being able to elicit any findings.
That said, don't forget to wash your hands before every patient contact! 🙂

 

[Jaded Soul]

I took the PIPE a few months ago and got an abbreviated feedback form in the mail yesterday. Basically a performance profile (like on the Step 1 score report) for information gathering, professionalism and interaction skills, and English proficiency. Looks like the way they are going to score the real thing.

 

[Amy]

Man, this test is a pain in the ass (and a waste of time and money). Why when we scheduled the exam are there AM and PM slots? That's why I thought it was half a day.

Congrats to those who are already done. I didn't think it was starting until September...?

 

[Scooby Moo]

Is Philadelphia still the only site that's open?

 

[bigfrank]

It's just P/F (no score reported, so I've heard), so it's not a huge deal.

 

[DeLaughterDO]

Bigfrank,

how is 1000 simoleans, not to count the travel and lodging not a big deal?

Oh, you mean the test..... got you...

jd

 

[doglover]

kas23 - Where did you take it? Just curious.

 

[kas23]

Philly.