What should I do next?

[shreypete]

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I'm an IMG from Europe preparing for Step 1. I'm hoping to take it sometime in September but I might postpone it.

I've finished the following so far:
FA (2x) doing the 3rd time now
UWorld (1x) - cumulative 78% (annotated important points in my FA)
USMLERx - around 1073 qs done (around 69%; did this when I was doing Kaplan, so my scores were lower)
Robbins Review of Pathology q's - around 576 q's

Study sources I used:
Kaplan (for all except anatomy)
Pathoma (1x)
BRS Behavioral Sciences
HY Anatomy

I still have to do:
- FA (finish 3x and 4x)
- UWorld review (2x)
- DIT
- UWorld Biostats q's
- UWSAs 1 & 2
- Might finish USMLERx and Robins Review of Path if I get the time.

I am planning to take an NBME after I finish FA (3x), but I don't know which one to start off with? I don't want to do one that's extremely tough as that'll shake my confidence. What would you recommend?

I'm planning to take an NBME on the 27th of June.

From the 1st of July, I'll do UWorld review (1 month) and then in August, start DIT + FA review (4x).

Do you think I should go through Pathoma again? I tried annotating the important stuff into my FA, so that's the only stuff I remember.

Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[J ROD]

Wow a lot of stuff here. First, DIT should be done to get you familiar with FA. Not at the end.

Then, do FA and Rx together to make sure you are learning FA actively. Then, add in Uworld.
Go over Pathoma as well. Couple of months should be plenty of time from the start.

Since you are already well into your studies, I do not see a problem with the September date. I think I would be completely burned out at that point.

Main thing to do to me right now is see where you are. DO a NBME! You have already done FA twice and all of UW with a high percentage. Do not be afraid to take a NBME. They are for practice and learning where you are at.

Personally, I think you would probably be ready now. I would expect a 240+.

I do not know what score you want but you probably can get a good score in July based on what you have already done and presented but it is all guess work until you take a NBME.

 

[BearAttack]

I agree with J DUB. You sound like you are doing really well right now and I think you could easily take the exam in July or August. If I were you I'd be worried about burning out by September. Take an NBME and get back to us!

 

[aspiringmd1015]

how many kaplan reads did you give?

 

[shreypete]

@ J DUB and Bear attack: thanks, I guess I shall do an NBME then. I'm really a bad test taker in general so I have to do everything possible to calm my nerves down (even for an NBME). I'll start with NBME 11.

To be honest, I'm would just like something >230. I'm not really one of those exceptional students, so I'm certainly not aiming for anything very high.

aspiringmd: I did just one Kaplan read except for Pharm (twice), Biochem (twice but only the important stuff), and I skipped Kap Pathology all together just coz it was pretty useless.

 

[aspiringmd1015]

sounds good, just keep nailing down first aid and uworld concepts and you should be good. Also, after watching kaplan vids, you still want to watch DIT? not advising against it just seeing if its useful or not, and with RX you used it with your first read of first aid? or when did you start implementing RX

 

[shreypete]

I was doing Rx along with Kaplan and the first read of FA. But didn't really finish it. I might get back to it if I have the time (which I don't think I'll have.)

I did UWorld after the 2nd read of FA.

 

[J ROD]

@ J DUB and Bear attack: thanks, I guess I shall do an NBME then. I'm really a bad test taker in general so I have to do everything possible to calm my nerves down (even for an NBME). I'll start with NBME 11.

To be honest, I'm would just like something >230. I'm not really one of those exceptional students, so I'm certainly not aiming for anything very high.

aspiringmd: I did just one Kaplan read except for Pharm (twice), Biochem (twice but only the important stuff), and I skipped Kap Pathology all together just coz it was pretty useless.

Neither am I. But, you have to take the test. And practice tests do not count. I have learned when you are not a good standardized test taker the best thing you can do is practice and work at that as a skill. I find that actually gets me higher scores than material. I know the material and can prove it when asked. I just can not produce it as well on MC tests.

 

[notbobtrustme]

wtf, if anything, you should be paring down your resources not adding more.

I used Uworld, RR Path + Pathoma and selected portions of FA (not even the full thing) and I'm pretty confident I'll hit my practice score range.

 

[shreypete]

Well I've paired most of my resources thank you very much. If you'd have actually read my post, you'd have seen that most of my future resources will include nothing more than UWorld, FA, and DIT. I did mention Robbins Review of path and Rx but that was if I had the time to spare. And besides, I already did around 40% of Rx and the general path section of Robbins Review, so it's not like I'm adding a new resource altogether.

Oh and please spare me the "wtf" reaction when you haven't actually gone through my post properly. I've been performing relatively well in my UWorld blocks but I was just here to ask other folks as to which NBME would be the best to start off with, and if DIT was worth it.

 

[aspiringmd1015]

dude leave him, many trolls on this website, just have to ignore them.

 

[shreypete]

You're right.

 

[Psai]

You're very obnoxious for someone who is looking for advice. We aren't trolls, we are medical students that have taken the exam with much less dedicated preparation time than you international grads. We don't owe you anything.

 

[shreypete]

Suit yourself. I must say, you're really mature for a medical student. Be proud mate.

 

[Psai]

Nice attitude from someone who's trying to come to America for the pay. Oh wait I mean the patients.

 

[Prince090]

Suit yourself. I must say, you're really mature for a medical student. Be proud mate.

Having this attitude won't really get you any recommendations/advice/opinion.

His" wtf "was not a personal insult. Just an emotional reaction because most America graduates usually limit themselves to few best resources. Try to understand each other's point of view instead of arguing which will lead you to no good.

 

[Brain Bucket]

You're very obnoxious for someone who is looking for advice. We aren't trolls, we are medical students that have taken the exam with much less dedicated preparation time than you international grads. We don't owe you anything.

Yeah, because the interwebs belongs to america and the only people helping anyone on SDN are americans. Also, 2 years of high yield textbooks / notes, and shelf exams written by the same people who write the USMLE in no way prepares you for the USMLE. The same goes for 8+ years of multiple choice questions compared to essay based tests.

Nice attitude from someone who's trying to come to America for the pay. Oh wait I mean the patients.

Clearly you're becoming a physician out of the goodness of your heart. Your posts are shining examples of the milk of human kindness. Don't even get me started on coming to america for a better life - the biggest ****ing crock of hypocrisy.

 

[Psai]

This forum is about step 1, it's not a soapbox for your agenda.

 

[Brain Bucket]

Agreed, maybe you should follow your own advice.

 

[Brain Bucket]

That's what I thought.

 

[shreypete]

the pay? LOL real nice. Just remember it was you who said that and not me. Oh and I do know some AMGs who entered the profession for financial reasons.

Grouping all IMGs in the same box is as good as saying every medical school in the US prepares its students for the steps and therefore, students are forced to take it in short period of time (may be true to a small extent, but that's about it.) You sound narrow-minded and frustrated (which you probably are but then I'm not here to comment on your personality).

Financial motive? nah, not so much, as I'm pretty happy with my prospects here, and have never needed to feel so desperate to make money my primary motive (thanks to my generous parents.) If I would have, then I should have continued law school instead. Now if I have to be honest (which probably won't matter to you because according to you, all us IMGs only want money), I'd like to get trained there mainly because it's well structured, comprehensive and is also concise in terms of the duration of residency (as opposed to programs in Europe, which can be rather long.) Besides, I grew up in the US myself so it would also be nice to get back to my family.

brb while I hit myself on the head for having to explain all this to someone who thinks all IMGs (US- or nonUS-IMGs) come to the US for one and only one reason - money. We're all sooo poor and desperate to come to the States. God help us.

I'm glad the AMGs I met there were nothing like you. I guess they just knew or were raised better?

 

[shreypete]

Having this attitude won't really get you any recommendations/advice/opinion.

His" wtf "was not a personal insult. Just an emotional reaction because most America graduates usually limit themselves to few best resources. Try to understand each other's point of view instead of arguing which will lead you to no good.

prince090, it's not really a question of attitude. I hope you read the post posted by "psai" (which sounded rather derogatory) before you did my reply. I don't see how any sane person could construe that as being advice/recommendation. I'm very open to constructive criticism, and for this very reason, I thanked users J DUB and Bear Attack as they were genuinely helpful (especially J DUB as he slightly boosted my confidence in taking an NBME.)

Also if the other user (the one who doesn't really know how to give advice or even talk for that matter of fact, and I don't mean user notbobtrustme) were half as nice as you (in clearing up any misunderstanding), then I'd be having no problem whatsoever.

 

[Prince090]

prince090, it's not really a question of attitude. I hope you read the post posted by "psai" (which sounded rather derogatory) before you did my reply. I don't see how any sane person could construe that as being advice/recommendation. I'm very open to constructive criticism, and for this very reason, I thanked users J DUB and Bear Attack as they were genuinely helpful (especially J DUB as he slightly boosted my confidence in taking an NBME.)

Also if the other user (the one who doesn't really know how to give advice or even talk for that matter of fact, and I don't mean user notbobtrustme) were half as nice as you (in clearing up any misunderstanding), then I'd be having no problem whatsoever.

You are right. I read psai 's posts and they are derogatory , especially the low jab at IMGs.

 

[Prince090]

View attachment 182414
What's the matter? Afraid of showing the world what a colossal arrogant ignoramus you are? Don't PM me. Take it to the lounge so everyone can see me spank you silly.

You should report his comments.

 

[Prince090]

the pay? LOL real nice. Just remember it was you who said that and not me. Oh and I do know some AMGs who entered the profession for financial reasons.

Grouping all IMGs in the same box is as good as saying every medical school in the US prepares its students for the steps and therefore, students are forced to take it in short period of time (may be true to a small extent, but that's about it.) You sound narrow-minded and frustrated (which you probably are but then I'm not here to comment on your personality).

Financial motive? nah, not so much, as I'm pretty happy with my prospects here, and have never needed to feel so desperate to make money my primary motive (thanks to my generous parents.) If I would have, then I should have continued law school instead. Now if I have to be honest (which probably won't matter to you because according to you, all us IMGs only want money), I'd like to get trained there mainly because it's well structured, comprehensive and is also concise in terms of the duration of residency (as opposed to programs in Europe, which can be rather long.) Besides, I grew up in the US myself so it would also be nice to get back to my family.

brb while I hit myself on the head for having to explain all this to someone who thinks all IMGs (US- or nonUS-IMGs) come to the US for one and only one reason - money. We're all sooo poor and desperate to come to the States. God help us.

I'm glad the AMGs I met there were nothing like you. I guess they just knew or were raised better?

I know that you already know this but just to remind you. Most AMGs are friendly and non-discriminatory but you will meet some arrogant ones who won't be able to see an IMG getting ahead of them or scoring high.

Then , out of their sheer hatred. They will use your IMG status as weapon against you.

There is a guy , Pholston who is an IMg and has contributed significantly to this forum. You might as well contact him as he would be able to relate to your circumstances.

 

[shreypete]

Thanks for your reply, and you're right! I'm sure I'll come across such individuals in the future who will have this attitude as well. So I guess there would be no point arguing with such folks in the first place. This does after all, happen in every other country as well.

I read most of Phloston's posts, all of which were invaluable and resourceful. He has in fact used a plethora of resources, and has done a great job tackling this beast!

 

[Psai]

🙂

 

[Brain Bucket]

You should report his comments.

Not my style. I don't believe in censorship, especially online. If people aren't permitted to share their honest views and receive honest feedback in turn, how is anyone supposed to learn and grow? I am not exempt from this, and I learn more everyday.

 

[J ROD]

In the end we are all just trying to make it through this bitch.......so let's just be helpful and pay it forward.

Trust me as you get older you realize we do not all need to be "benching like crazy" on internet forums. I surely did my share on here in the lounge. In the end, it means nothing and usually makes you look more like an ass.

 

[Brain Bucket]

In the end we are all just trying to make it through this bitch.......so let's just be helpful and pay it forward.

Trust me as you get older you realize we do not all need to be "benching like crazy" on internet forums. I surely did my share on here in the lounge. In the end, it means nothing and usually makes you look more like an ass.

I agree with the sentiment, but I disagree with the idea that it means nothing. Everything you think or do shapes you. That was my point. If you're not permitted to be who you are, you can't change yourself for the better. Like you said, you grew out of it. I assume a big part of that was based on how people responded to you.

 

[Prince090]

Not my style. I don't believe in censorship, especially online. If people aren't permitted to share their honest views and receive honest feedback in turn, how is anyone supposed to learn and grow? I am not exempt from this, and I learn more everyday.

I like your approach.

 

[J ROD]

I agree with the sentiment, but I disagree with the idea that it means nothing. Everything you think or do shapes you. That was my point. If you're not permitted to be who you are, you can't change yourself for the better. Like you said, you grew out of it. I assume a big part of that was based on how people responded to you.

Not really. Just see how stupid I look after it is done. There is a good debate or making a point and then a point where it gets pointless. That is the part I am talking about. When it is just best to let it go and move on.