Step 2 experience
Study
I spent three dedicated weeks studying for the test. I began, however, reading step 2 secrets before the end of my last rotation. I used predominantly uworld, but also spent some time with first aid for step 2, master the boards step 2, pestana for surgery, and goljans lectures for step 1.
For uworld I had done all surgery and psychiatry questions, 1000 of the imed, and 50 each of peds and obgyn throughout the year so I had approximately 800 or so questions remaining. I did all question in timed test mode and took extensive notes on each question on anything I was unfamiliar with from prior study. I first did all but 50 questions of obgyn and pediatrics, then did random of the remaining obgyn, peds, and imed. I began doing the incorrect questions after finishing the qbank, but found this was unproductive because instead of learning to know what is right and then trust my intuition I would have an impression and always second guess myself because I knew my impression had been wrong when I took the questions the first time. So instead I just reviewed the explanations on all questions I got wrong.
First aid I used predominantly for obgyn and pediatrics, which I had had early in the year and had an with which i had an insufficient hospital experience.
Master the boards I found randomly and was really torn between it and first aid. I ended up reading most of it during afternoons when I was tired of questions. The book is formatted in a "this is how they ask the questions.." on each topic, which I found helpful.
Goljan is a stud and his lectures are entertaining. I think what people underestimate is that if you cannot make the diagnosis you cannot answer virtually any question on step 2, and goljan is a good review for most of the diagnoses on the exam and how they present both in labs and in the vignette. I listened to him whenever I was driving anywhere and whenever I worked out or went for a walk to get away from studying.
Pestana I went through again because surgery is all recognition and response. Penetrating wound below the nipple and patient is stable with a negative fast? Ex lap anyways. Things you just need to have reflexively in your mind. Very cookbook.
I ended up with 75% on uworld. I took nbme 4 (262) and 2 (267). 4 was taken at the beginning and 2 at the end of three weeks. I was surprised by how easy they were compared to uworld. I thought about taking uwsa but I was so sick of questions by the end I couldn't handle them. By the end I would read the entire vignette and then realize I didn't remember any of it.
The weekend before I reread secrets and reviewed my uworld notes (I had reviewed them once or twice before).
Test day
First four blocks nonstop, felt good. Took 20 minutes for a light lunch, did another two sections, another 20 minute break, then finished.
Some blocks are tough, and I marked up to 10 on one, with five in a row on the last block. All of my marked questions I knew what was going on, but what to do about it was debatable in my mind, so I had trouble. I missed several extremely stupid questions because I didn't keep it simple and over thought the problem. Some questions were complete left field, such as drugs with adverse effects that I have never heard about and aren't even on Epocrates/medex. Some were just poorly worded and used words that were ambiguous instead of providing imaging, which would have made the question basic.
In terms of approach to blocks I have found that if you have trouble with a question it is best to assume it is an experimental question and that you do not need to worry about it. You must also think like a surgeon during the first pass through questions in each block, "sometimes wrong, never in doubt." this will ensure that you get through the block with time to spare. I also did any drug ad questions last because I tend to scrutinize every portion of them unnecessarily.
As a last bit of advice, make sure you don't check out when you are studying the most difficult topics, like endocrinology, or the topics that just require memorization like pap smear decision trees. You will be asked them and will wish your had forced yourself to focused.
All in all, better experience than step 1 think, but I'm not sure I did any better.
I'll post my score in a few weeks.
I don't know if I want my score back. =/
