Step II Guidance

[Xina]

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Hey guys,

I am about to start my Step 2 prep but I don't know how to begin and what resources to use. Could you guys give me some advice? What books should I be using?
And for IM/Surg, how much time should I spend on those? My medical school doesn't teach IM/Surg until the next academic year and I am sitting for my Step II this coming Spring so I need to self-teach those two subjects efficiently. I am aware that IM comprises a huge bulk of the exam but I don't know how to study it on my own while doing my rotations. A friend suggested I spend no more than 2 weeks on paeds, psych, and ob/gyn, then dedicate months to IM. What do you guys think is the right thing to do?

Thanks bunches!

 

[OveractiveBrain]

Try a search function. This question may have been asked before. So as to not delay your information any longer than you need to...

Per my usual

First Aid Step 2 or Step Up Step 2

and

Uworld​

Gets you a 230. Average. This has now worked for 15 students that I've tutored. Average to below average medical students at a US allopathic school getting average scores on the Step 2. The way you make this better is by adding something. People have also suggested master the boards by Conrad Fischer. If you are going to use Kaplan, I suggest just using Kaplan's Step 2 materials.

By "add something" I mean add Usmle Secrets or the other book you didnt do in the "or" (if you did FA, also do SU; if you did SU, also do FA). If you have time and opportunity I strongly recommend Kaplan Step 2 online or live lectures. It takes about 6-8 weeks, but is there for augmentation.

When I say "augmentation" what I mean is this. First Aid, Step Up, Secrets, etc. give you the content you are almost guarenteed to see on the exam. It is the content that is worth learning all the time. What they all leave out is the peripheral content. To push above a 240 you have to learn 10 things you wont use for every 1 you will. That's alot of effort. You have to know all the "core" material found in the review books, then a ****ton of more details. Since the questions are random, and all material is fair game, you have to know far more than you will need to get a higher score. The way you get that is with a program designed to give you those details.

I personally got a 258 (246 step 1) doing Uworld, First Aid, and Kaplan's Lecture series. I am not a good multiple choice test taker (I fall for traps and distractors like no one's business) but I consider myself a pretty solid success. Totally worth the effort of the Kaplan Course. I am was an allopathic AMG.

Crush does one thing: reminds you of the things you need to learn. You can read it in a weekend. It will get you no points on the exam. First Aid, Step Up, and Master The Boards are better choices

 

[OveractiveBrain]

New, free, and now on you tube. Check it out: onlinemeded . org

 

[sahinak]

Try a search function. This question may have been asked before. So as to not delay your information any longer than you need to...

Per my usual

First Aid Step 2 or Step Up Step 2

and

Uworld​

Gets you a 230. Average. This has now worked for 15 students that I've tutored. Average to below average medical students at a US allopathic school getting average scores on the Step 2. The way you make this better is by adding something. People have also suggested master the boards by Conrad Fischer. If you are going to use Kaplan, I suggest just using Kaplan's Step 2 materials.

By "add something" I mean add Usmle Secrets or the other book you didnt do in the "or" (if you did FA, also do SU; if you did SU, also do FA). If you have time and opportunity I strongly recommend Kaplan Step 2 online or live lectures. It takes about 6-8 weeks, but is there for augmentation.

When I say "augmentation" what I mean is this. First Aid, Step Up, Secrets, etc. give you the content you are almost guarenteed to see on the exam. It is the content that is worth learning all the time. What they all leave out is the peripheral content. To push above a 240 you have to learn 10 things you wont use for every 1 you will. That's alot of effort. You have to know all the "core" material found in the review books, then a ****ton of more details. Since the questions are random, and all material is fair game, you have to know far more than you will need to get a higher score. The way you get that is with a program designed to give you those details.

I personally got a 258 (246 step 1) doing Uworld, First Aid, and Kaplan's Lecture series. I am not a good multiple choice test taker (I fall for traps and distractors like no one's business) but I consider myself a pretty solid success. Totally worth the effort of the Kaplan Course. I am was an allopathic AMG.

Crush does one thing: reminds you of the things you need to learn. You can read it in a weekend. It will get you no points on the exam. First Aid, Step Up, and Master The Boards are better choices

What do you recommend for someone with a low step 1 score (went through 2 deaths right before and after the exam so totally devastated me) and is an IMG?

Would appreciate any help!
Thanks

 

[RedSoxSuck]

Try a search function. This question may have been asked before. So as to not delay your information any longer than you need to...

Per my usual

First Aid Step 2 or Step Up Step 2

and

Uworld​

Gets you a 230. Average. This has now worked for 15 students that I've tutored. Average to below average medical students at a US allopathic school getting average scores on the Step 2. The way you make this better is by adding something. People have also suggested master the boards by Conrad Fischer. If you are going to use Kaplan, I suggest just using Kaplan's Step 2 materials.

By "add something" I mean add Usmle Secrets or the other book you didnt do in the "or" (if you did FA, also do SU; if you did SU, also do FA). If you have time and opportunity I strongly recommend Kaplan Step 2 online or live lectures. It takes about 6-8 weeks, but is there for augmentation.

When I say "augmentation" what I mean is this. First Aid, Step Up, Secrets, etc. give you the content you are almost guarenteed to see on the exam. It is the content that is worth learning all the time. What they all leave out is the peripheral content. To push above a 240 you have to learn 10 things you wont use for every 1 you will. That's alot of effort. You have to know all the "core" material found in the review books, then a ****ton of more details. Since the questions are random, and all material is fair game, you have to know far more than you will need to get a higher score. The way you get that is with a program designed to give you those details.

I personally got a 258 (246 step 1) doing Uworld, First Aid, and Kaplan's Lecture series. I am not a good multiple choice test taker (I fall for traps and distractors like no one's business) but I consider myself a pretty solid success. Totally worth the effort of the Kaplan Course. I am was an allopathic AMG.

Crush does one thing: reminds you of the things you need to learn. You can read it in a weekend. It will get you no points on the exam. First Aid, Step Up, and Master The Boards are better choices

Why not step up to medicine? Also any significant difference between STEP UP TO STEP 2/med vs first aid step 2 ck?

Thanks!

 

[OveractiveBrain]

Why not step up to medicine? Also any significant difference between STEP UP TO STEP 2/med vs first aid step 2 ck?

Thanks!

What are you studying for? The USMLE Medicine or the USMLE Step 2?

 

[RedSoxSuck]

What are you studying for? The USMLE Medicine or the USMLE Step 2?

LOL.. Good point.