I paased...all moms plzz read..

[mom]

Hi All, I would first like to thank 2 extremely important and helpful people in this forum who have been my moral support and shall be ever grateful to them......04:52 PM *****chappell and md90 ..It was a blessing for me to have their guidance at the most critical time of my test.

I was doing ok with my studies and got 350 on nbme form 2 (2 months before my exams ) and then 15 days before my test my todler fell sick and was in ER twice, then 7 days before my test I took nbme form 1 and scored 370 and was totally devastated... then I took usmle cd and got 32, 34, 38 on it and decided to go for it no matter....I dont know yet my score but I did the oasis trick and all the screen was red....saying I had passed...It was the toughest time i went thru...and without the support of these two..I wouldnt have done in my last days....

If I can do it all moms can.....God luck to all .

[wam_256]

congrats mom!!!! your journey just started!!! wishing you the best!!:-happy

[deoriveraMD]

A BIG CONGRATULATION TO YOU!!!!!would you mind posting your study habits/resources etc...im a fulltime working dad of a 1 year old daughter...thank you vr much!!!!;)

[mom]

I am an avg student full time working mom, but I read Kaplan only, except for path, I read it 3 times and read goljan 500 pages and took all imp notes in FA for path so that during my last days I read only FA and Goljan 100 pages . the biggest mistake was not to study with a partner. i did not have time for that.

also i did Kaplan q bank not like a test but like a study tool took notes from it and re did iit again, by the end of my exam i had almost memorised the q bank it was verrry helpful...initially i made mistake of reading all answers but second time only the coorect anwer and whatever was new information I put in FA, and the q book to did it as a study tooll., did it 2 times both q bank and q book and also did physio q bank separately..750 qs....if ur a beginner do the physio q bank like a study tool and then read kaplan to get concepts clear because i was finding hard understanding physio, I did this in last 2 months..and was very helpful...they ask a lot about physio..but not me..aslo for pharmac I did read kaplan but in last 2months i stuck only to FA but did ANS and general pharm from Kaplan, I had tons of pharm questions mostly from ANS, my biggest mistake was not to practise problems...and i was weak inn math u have to know all formula and practise to problems.....
I got lots from Path, which I was very comfortable due to Goljan,,,,500 and 100 pages, and mostly got micro.....Dont use q bank as a test...redo redo q bank until u r at a stage that u almost know the anwere looking at the question....I did this on advice of other people....my biggest mistake was to do stats from high yield, I redid from Kapln in last 10 days, for anat yes i did high yield and believe me but during my first read i was totally lost but with second read i took all notes for my self only new information.and which i thought i might forget and is important..because i knew i might not be able to read all these book in last days..so i read only the notes.......and but First aid is best book ..but u have to read it from beginning to know what is high yield...but I read it in last 2 months..but might have helped me if i had read from beginning...now for next exam i will definately go thru FA to know what is HY.

hope it helps.

[lacarthic]

Congrats mom!!

[wcb22]

good job, very inspirational.

[deoriveraMD]

again a big CONGRATULATION!!!THANK YOU VR MUCH!!!;)

[md90]

:-smiley7 congratulations mom!!!!! Best of luck to you in your medical career...

[mom]

Thans all , but I got my score yesterday and is less than 80% :cry: ..I dont know how to make it up for step 2...feeling totally lost now...amgst all 80-90.But ifeel very happy that in my condition I passed...i would have quit the race had I flunked....Thns md90 and *****chappel...for all help again.

[jameslynton]

Hi Mom Congrats - you passed - work hard in clincals and study hard for the Step2's. You will make it and get a good residency. You have had to go thru the worst to get there and you made it!!!!

[wam_256]

Mom, you are a step closer to residency....keep your head up and be proud, you are doing a great job!!!!
Wishing you the best!!!

[md90]

Thans all , but I got my score yesterday and is less than 80% :cry: ..I dont know how to make it up for step 2...feeling totally lost now...amgst all 80-90.But ifeel very happy that in my condition I passed...i would have quit the race had I flunked....Thns md90 and *****chappel...for all help again.

the bottom line is that you passed... since I have not gotten my results and don't know how they present it to you... if there is a performance profile, look at it and see where your weaknesses are, and concentrate on making those areas stronger. Your goal is now to pass Step 2.. which is an extension of step1 (is how I see it)... you not only have to know the basic sciences but the diagnoses, treatment, preventative care.... Review those areas that were weak for you, and concentrate on doing well in clinicals. Every disease/condition that you see in clinicals, come back and learn about it... from the anatomy to the pathology... Medicine is always reviewing the information and knowing the latest... we NEVER stop studying/learning....

You will do fine... stay positive and focused... :D :p

[yonzan]

I was thinking of giving up. did not know how to cope exam with new born baby. But reading ur posting now I feel I can do. will start studying all again.

[md90]

today, my attending told me: medicine is of three areas... physiology, pathology, and pharmacology; we have the normal, then something happens and we have the pathology, then we give pharmacology to correct that pathology to bring it back to the normal or close to it....; Now this is the "real" situation.. whereas in the exams, we must look at the "ideal" situation...; Think about this as you study for the boards....

[md90]

I was thinking of giving up. did not know how to cope exam with new born baby. But reading ur posting now I feel I can do. will start studying all again.

Don't let any negative thoughts into your head... Stay focused and positive... YOU CAN DO IT!!!! :D :p

PS: Congrats on your newborn baby!!!!

[yonzan]

thanks md 90!

[dsv]

hi,
would you have any clue of when to expect my results? took step 1 on sept 8.
advice....better do not rethink your answers as i have changed at least 7 easy ones from right to wrong. have nightmares about those...
lots of pharma and behavioral/ethics.
thanks

[mom]

I feel very proud to have all so much of support. i thank you all once again...Yes i will definately study hard for my second part.

[Mayor]

I can feel the pain of all the moms out there studying for Step 1 or 2. I am a stay at home dad (caribbean school), while my wife works full-time to support our family until I can get into residency. I have taken step 1 5x and have not passed. My main problem is that I tend to put family ahead of my studies and haven't really gotten into the zone as far as studying. I do have some inside tracks into residency at a few FM programs, and they keep telling me just to pass this exam and the rest will be taken cared of. I am taking this exam one last time on October 31st. I really need a plan of attack to nail it this time. I have unfortunately resolved myself to getting only 5hrs of sleep for the following month in order to pass this time (there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything, if you know what I mean). I have the following at my disposal: Goljan audio and notes, all 200 hours of Kaplan videos and all of the lecture notes, first aid, all of the brs's and the complete PASS video library and notes, Qbank, Pretest Clinical Vignettes, and Pretest Physical Diagnosis (as you can tell I also have a book buying sickness). I am not planning on using all of this material, but I am not sure of which ones to trust. I CANNOT POSTPONE THIS EXAM ANY LONGER. If I fail this time, I am kicked out of school. Thanks moms and others for all of your advice-I really do look up to persons like yourselves who are able to balance family and Step 1-CONGRATULATIONS.

Mayor

[mom]

After taking the exam I realized that if i had done only FA and Golyan 100 pages 2-3 times throughly in last 1 month..i would have been much higher on score...But due to circumstances I just managed to read kapln notes ...only HY stuff and FA..I wish I could do Golyam=n ..i think is all u need to pass....i had FA of 2003 initially but I got of 2006 4 months before my exams..i dont know how much differnce it made..but its for sure enough to pass..take it easy...good luck...

[crackmle]

goodluck mom what is impt is that u hv passed the exam inspite of ur busy schedule...hats off to u...goodluck on step 2...!im also about to start prep for step 1.well i wud appreciate ur response to my question-1st-->as u hv mentioned importance of study partner cud u plzz tell me in what sense astudy partner can be of help as i tired two females they both juz quit b4 we cud actually start study and always tried to keep my moral down...they were repeaters and now have disappeared...huh?but i also think if i u get someone to share ur study with and share ur thoughts with while preparing these exams(we usually get distressed) is blessed combo....plzz tell me how u feel why one should have study partner???
and 2nd question is that u juz mentioned in ur previous post i.e "I wish I could do Golyam=n ..i think is all u need to pass" and in very 1st line of this post u wrote"i had done only FA and Golyan 100 pages 2-3 times throughly in last 1 month" plz share what do u want to say?im lil confused i find ur pieces of advice a very helpful
god bless you!

[mom]

I know i did sound a bit confusing about golyan....I am sorry abt it...i did read golyan in last 1-2 months...but was doing it with other subjects..I used to give it..like 2-3 pages in day... ..but problem with me that happened was in last 20 days..when my todler was sick and my NBME was 370...that last 7 days i did not get a chance to go thru a single page of golyan..which if i would have done would have defiantely got me little more on my score..all that i did in last 3-4 days was FA and only highly hy stuff from KP notes...i definately feel last 3-4 days r very critical as to what u read..causse thats what u remember the most.

I got a very good study partner in my last 2 months of step 1 but she was on and off..but those feww days of study had my concepts crystal clear on some difficult topics...because we discussed abt it..and she was among 90 s score....and besides it keeps u motivated....but they should be of same level as ur..i think...

i have been looking for step 2 partner and found few friends who r studying for ck first,,but my friends suggested i should have a partner who has already cleared step 1 ...not that it matters but ur partner is also as oriented as u r..and am thankful to God have found 2 wonderful partners...one studies from 9-11 and other one from 11-3am...9pm-3am is the only time i get to study...
shall be happy to anwer more.

[AoneDr]

Dear friend, I am in the same position ,struggling between studies and family.can u please tell me if u took took K a plan course too.
also how did u manage with the day being awake in the first half of the night.hats off to u my friend.good luck for step 2.

[crackmle]

Thanks mom!i agree and very good point that study partner should of same level as of urs and 2nd thing same exam order mmm.:) hope i get good study partner as well.and thanks for highlighting impt of last 3-4 days review...and i must say u really work hard..thats really inspiring!i really wish u tons of goodluck!
have gr8 step 2 prep!

[mom]

Hi i dont knowhow i managed with 9-5 work, toddler and exam..its very hard...but keep studying...dont think abt it...and keep faith in God...the most imp thing...He is seeing your struggle and will give u sucess.

Good Luck to all of you and thns for the best wishes.

[crackmle]

hi mom i have one more question to u..can u plzz tell me order to study subjects which will give best productivity.??plz will appreciate!:)

[mom]

Hi I dont know its a very difficult qs...and personally it depends on you..try to hit hard on the sub u think u dont understand well and need s more time..

i always worked more on path...physiol..and genetics and mol biol because i never understood it well.....and anat was tough for me...cause it had multiple sub units...as for phar /micro i did it little evryday and besides they volatiile too..and may be on weekends read beh science like a story...excluding stats and immuno.. and take NBME 4 weeks early an d then hit on sub u show poor performance...
So i would finish hard one before, do voltaile ones everyday and easy one o n wekends...for change...so ur well prepared with tough one and will remember volatile subjects if u do everyday.
Hope it helps...

[crackmle]

thanks mom i really appreciate ur quick replies :) i agree evryone has his/her own style n its very geniune taht we do hard subjects 1st.i wud like to share either i dont find any subject difficult or all are difficult for me i mean i dont know how to approch i have done biochem and now started histology and wished i hv done histo/anatomy/neuroa/embro 1st then bio,micro pharma etc wud have been more easy task for me so thot to ask someone who has already gone thru all subjects cud help me which subjects i do 1st anyway i liked ur style.i will raed ** as story at weekends;).thanks for helping me!
regards