UW advice

[Sir Gillies]

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Hi guys,

I'm an IMG and I have just finished the first round of UW gone over MTB2/3 once. I have averaged 66% with the final 2 weeks scoring between 65-80% (+ 1 abnormal 95% : ) Now I have 3 weeks to go before the exam.

OBGYN and psych are my weaknesses so I'll go through those again on MTB. As I do that, I also wanted to go through UW again.

Questions:
1) Does that sound a reasonable plan? - I will also do UWSA and an NBME
2) How would you go through the questions - marked (approx 250) first and then all OR all questions? Timed vs Tutor mode?
3) Do I have to restart the UW system? how do it?

Thanks a lot in advance for your advice!

 

[Ronin786]

Hi guys,

I'm an IMG and I have just finished the first round of UW gone over MTB2/3 once. I have averaged 66% with the final 2 weeks scoring between 65-80% (+ 1 abnormal 95% : ) Now I have 3 weeks to go before the exam.

OBGYN and psych are my weaknesses so I'll go through those again on MTB. As I do that, I also wanted to go through UW again.

Questions:
1) Does that sound a reasonable plan? - I will also do UWSA and an NBME
2) How would you go through the questions - marked (approx 250) first and then all OR all questions? Timed vs Tutor mode?
3) Do I have to restart the UW system? how do it?

Thanks a lot in advance for your advice!

That sounds like a reasonable plan. I'd advise adding MTB for Step 3 for OBGYN material, just for completions sake. MTB 2 is very good for Psych in conjunction with UWorld.

With regards to questions 2 and 3, it depends on what subscription you have in Uworld. If you have a 6 month subscription you can reset the qbank. Otherwise, in order to not keep repeating the same questions I think you're going to have to do the marked questions, then when they're all done, start doing random tests and marking everything. That way when you start a new test you won't get those questions repeated.

Unfortunately, I don't remember if UWorld offers the option to exclude unmarked questions or not. So if it doesn't I'm not sure if theres a way to not keep repeating the same questions.

 

[Sir Gillies]

Thank you so much for the prompt reply!

Sorry I meant I'll go through OBGYN on both (I've combined the notes in all subjects).

For psych I'm finding that FA step 1 is incredible. Most UW qs can be answered from there. Anyone else agrees with me?

Re UW. I just wrote to UW for options. I see what you mean about marking them. Unfortunately I don't seem to have an option on the qbank to do "unmarked" qs. The options I have are: all, unused, incorrect, marked, and custom.

Any suggestions?

 

[CDI]

So its, MTB 2 for IM AND Psych; MTB 3 for ALL else. Got it.

 

[Sir Gillies]

I've used MTB 2 as a back bone for everything and added pages and notes from MTB3 for completeness.

I agree that IM was much better covered in MTB 2. Psych I just love FA step 1 - I guess I've read so many times those bloody pages (especially the drug section) that it appears easier to remember. Also UW seems to love 2 things for psych: drug side effect and immature responses. Both very well covered in FA.

FA step 1 is also pretty good for biostats, micro and biochem diseases. Not sure if anyone else agrees. Would be great to get feedback from someone that has done the test.

 

[Ronin786]

I've used MTB 2 as a back bone for everything and added pages and notes from MTB3 for completeness.

I agree that IM was much better covered in MTB 2. Psych I just love FA step 1 - I guess I've read so many times those bloody pages (especially the drug section) that it appears easier to remember. Also UW seems to love 2 things for psych: drug side effect and immature responses. Both very well covered in FA.

FA step 1 is also pretty good for biostats, micro and biochem diseases. Not sure if anyone else agrees. Would be great to get feedback from someone that has done the test.

Micro and Biochem is not worth it to go through Step 1. Too low yield for the info thats available in First Aid, especially biochem. Can't remember anything on my test that FA for Step 1 biochem/micro would have helped me answer.

Biostats on the other hand wouldn't be too bad, but I felt Step 2 Secrets with UWorld was enough. Definitely make sure you know the biostats info, those are gimme points on the test.

I'm trying to think of how you can redo UWorld without purchasing another subscription. Since I knew I was going to redo UWorld, I marked all the questions during my first pass and then I just did marked the second time around. Only thing I can think of is if you were to go through all your previous tests and mark all the questions. It would take a few hours of work, but assuming you've probably taken around 50 tests it wouldn't be an impossible task.

 

[Transposony]

I've used MTB 2 as a back bone for everything and added pages and notes from MTB3 for completeness.

I agree that IM was much better covered in MTB 2. Psych I just love FA step 1 - I guess I've read so many times those bloody pages (especially the drug section) that it appears easier to remember. Also UW seems to love 2 things for psych: drug side effect and immature responses. Both very well covered in FA.

FA step 1 is also pretty good for biostats, micro and biochem diseases. Not sure if anyone else agrees. Would be great to get feedback from someone that has done the test.

I don't recommend reading anything from Step 1 material except Biostats.
I would rather spend that time knowing IM (especially ECG, Heart sounds), OBGYN & Peds cold.

 

[Transposony]

I'm trying to think of how you can redo UWorld without purchasing another subscription. Since I knew I was going to redo UWorld, I marked all the questions during my first pass and then I just did marked the second time around. Only thing I can think of is if you were to go through all your previous tests and mark all the questions. It would take a few hours of work, but assuming you've probably taken around 50 tests it wouldn't be an impossible task.

I did that few blocks at a time and it wasn't that hard.

 

[CDI]

I did that few blocks at a time and it wasn't that hard.

It's pretty stupid that UW doesn't allow us to run through the questions again by resetting if we feel the need to. We're paying a monthly subscription. I don't see what the real issue is on their end.

 

[Transposony]

It's pretty stupid that UW doesn't allow us to run through the questions again by resetting if we feel the need to. We're paying a monthly subscription. I don't see what the real issue is on their end.

They do allow resetting but only after 6 months of subscription.

 

[CDI]

They do allow resetting but only after 6 months of subscription.

Yeah, but whats with the arbitrary 6 months? Is that the time it takes for you to forget UW material?

 

[Transposony]

Yeah, but whats with the arbitrary 6 months? Is that the time it takes for you to forget UW material?

No. It's all about $$$ 😉

 

[naseeha]

I don't recommend reading anything from Step 1 material except Biostats.
I would rather spend that time knowing IM (especially ECG, Heart sounds), OBGYN & Peds cold.

Can you recommend any good websites that can help with ECGs and heart sounds. Also for CT/MRI/X-rays. Thanks.

 

[FuF]

No. It's all about $$$ 😉

No, it is to make sure that no one buying a 1 or 2-month subscription shares/resells it to someone else.

 

[Sir Gillies]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to give an update. UW replied to my query and they suggested exactly what Ronin said: mark everything again.

Anyway, thank a lot for your replies!

 

[Ronin786]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to give an update. UW replied to my query and they suggested exactly what Ronin said: mark everything again.

Anyway, thank a lot for your replies!

Sweet. I didn't know they would recommend something like that over buying a new subscription. Kudos to them.

I've got to say, UWorld and Pathoma are easily the most cost-efficient resources throughout these Step exams. Worth the investments a 100%.

 

[QuackaDO]

I've got to say, UWorld and Pathoma are easily the most cost-efficient resources throughout these Step exams. Worth the investments a 100%.

👍 Anyone who doesn't use these during 2nd year and in board prep are definitely doing themselves a disservice.

 

[RedSoxSuck]

Sweet. I didn't know they would recommend something like that over buying a new subscription. Kudos to them.

I've got to say, UWorld and Pathoma are easily the most cost-efficient resources throughout these Step exams. Worth the investments a 100%.

Is there pathoma for step 2 or were you referring to the one used for step 1?

 

[Ronin786]

Step 1. Unfortunately, there is no Pathoma for Step 2.