step3 help!!

[eastexplorer]

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Hello residents!!
what should be the strategy for taking step3? i mean before or during residency? do u really get time for it during residency?i`m planning taking it before joining residency.

 

[stubby]

I just took my step three, about 10 months into my IM residency. Most people take it towards the end of their intern year or early second year. That is what I would reccomend. Step 3 is a lot of questions regarding management. I think a year or so of taking care of patients in residency really helps you think through a lot of the questions. Also, there is a whole section of interactive cases. If you are not familiar with admitting patients, that section will be harder. At the same time, you'll still be somewhat close to remembering what the "steeple sign" or to give mag sulfate to a hypertensive pregnant lady. You can get the days off to take the actual test. You can schedule it during an ambulatory or non-call month so you can study a few weeks before hand. I definately would not ruin your last weeks of freedom by worrying about Step 3. Holla if you have questions...

Hello residents!!
what should be the strategy for taking step3? i mean before or during residency? do u really get time for it during residency?i`m planning taking it before joining residency.

 

[signomi]

I would recommend taking it early during your second year of residency. Internship experience (admissions, assessments, plans, etc) really helps, especially with those case studies. Plus there is a Blueprints-CCS that I HIGHLY recommend you read 3-4 times before Step 3. If you want I can recommend some good study aids. I scored a 99 on it. 😀 By the time you start third year you need to be sleeping with MKSAP, so you won't want to study for Step 3 that late.

 

[Hysty]

I would recommend taking it early during your second year of residency. Internship experience (admissions, assessments, plans, etc) really helps, especially with those case studies. Plus there is a Blueprints-CCS that I HIGHLY recommend you read 3-4 times before Step 3. If you want I can recommend some good study aids. I scored a 99 on it. 😀 By the time you start third year you need to be sleeping with MKSAP, so you won't want to study for Step 3 that late.

hmm step3--->99...
tell abt all the study aids u uused...rather give us some formula or study pattern to follow to get 99 in step3

 

[signomi]

I was atypical in that I set aside a one month period when I was on elective and studied 2-3 hours per day. I studied Boards & Wards (as did another guy in my program who did very well). It seems like a pretty bulky book, but they really nailed what the essentials of each field were. I also eyeballed Crush Step 3 and Blueprints CCS. If I had to recommend areas to emphasize...internal medicine and pediatrics. The questions on ob-gyn, surgery, psych, etc where generally "softballs."
I had the advantage of being a medicine resident to begin with.

 

[lateness]

I would recommend taking it early during your second year of residency. Internship experience (admissions, assessments, plans, etc) really helps, especially with those case studies. Plus there is a Blueprints-CCS that I HIGHLY recommend you read 3-4 times before Step 3. If you want I can recommend some good study aids. I scored a 99 on it. 😀 By the time you start third year you need to be sleeping with MKSAP, so you won't want to study for Step 3 that late.

did u have simialr scores on step 2?

 

[quidnunc]

On a similar note, what kinds of things have you guys heard from the Frontruner's review books (Q/A, mnemonics, nail the boards, etc.) for Step 3 and the IM boards? Thanks.