Kaplan didn't cut it for me.. So, this is what helped.

[sooncome]

For those of you that have finished Kaplan, or are about to take it. I advise you read this. I took it the second to last semester it was offered in Miami (Fall) and thought it was pretty good, very long and intense, but a great introductory course for the step1. Kaplan just had trouble helping me focus on the important areas for the exam (and it burnt me out). After the course was done, kaplan persuaded me to take the exam saying I would get 220!.. I took the NBME's (which are the BEST predictor of your step1 score). Here are my results from my first attempt at the step1. (by the way I don't believe the 95% pass rate either, I know of 6 or 7 that failed in my class)

Step1 179/72

Kaplan Diagnostic: 52
Kaplan Qbank: 60%, (70% completed)
Kaplan Simulated 58%
UW: 54%, (70% completed)
NBME 3: 190
NBME 2: 175

I had to take it again, I was pretty irritated with the situation. I shopped around and ended up doing a course with Dr. O. He really got the job done, and it only took 20 days of his course and 3 weeks of studying after it. He has his own notes (which I still use) and really wanted us all to pass. I was skeptical of the course, but let my scores do the talking.

Step1 (second attempt) 211/87!!

USMLEWorld: 98% completed / 62%avg
USMLE CD: 32,39,39 (5 days before exam)
NBME1: 206 (3 weeks out)
NBME2: 211 (2 weeks out)
NBME4: 201 (1 week out)

Yeah I went up 30 points.. pretty awesome..

I am not saying this is for everyone, some people just have a difficult time passing these types of exams, I have plenty of friends that took the course and loved it, and also plenty that I wouldn't even recommend it to. It just depends on how confident you are and how your NBME scores look.

Anyway, I figure I should get the word out there about his class, because it is shorter than most review classes (there was no way I could sit through another course like Kaplan), focuses in on what the step actually tests, and leaves out all the other stuff, and our school should really try to get a 95% pass rate. Maybe we could get cali then..

Drop me a Private Message and I'll get you in contact with him.

[camryllionareMD]

Wow, congratulations on not giving up and passing! It's good to read these experiences coz different things work for different pple. Some pple have taken PASS in addition to Kaplan and liked that too (I'm guessing that's not the one you took?)

[Future MD | DM erutuF]

I'm not sure who Dr. O is. Are you talking about the Doctors in Training course? I have heard that the average score from students in that class was >230. Apparently that course uses FA as the backbone of study. Is Dr. O's course online or is it classroom-based?

Either way, many congrats! I'm impressed that you took the Kaplan course in Spring, took the Step once, studied again, took it again and passed with a solid score, all before I take my exam. (BTW, I'm in the same class)

[sooncome]

This is not the PASS program.. Very different, more personal setting.. My class was only 6 people, I hear they are a bit larger now because he is becoming more well known.

[sooncome]

Ahh my fault Future MD.. I was in the 2nd to last class in Miami.. I forget, it was so long ago.. I'll go edit the post now.

I took Kaplan in fall, took the step, didnt do so hot, then took the course for 20 days and studied for 3 weeks.. and sat for it again.. and blew it up.. Right now I am done with Family Practice waiting on more cores. PM me for more info

[camryllionareMD]

How much was the cost? You can PM me if you don't wanna post on here. My class is pretty large so if others want to go the extra step after Kaplan we'd want to know the cost.

[gschneid]

I can't wait to take step 1. I wanna get it done before all this stuff leaves my brain.

[the_punisher]

For those of you that have finished Kaplan, or are about to take it. I advise you read this. I took it the second to last semester it was offered in Miami (Fall) and thought it was pretty good, very long and intense, but a great introductory course for the step1. Kaplan just had trouble helping me focus on the important areas for the exam (and it burnt me out). After the course was done, kaplan persuaded me to take the exam saying I would get 220!.. I took the NBME's (which are the BEST predictor of your step1 score). Here are my results from my first attempt at the step1. (by the way I don't believe the 95% pass rate either, I know of 6 or 7 that failed in my class)

Step1 179/72

Kaplan Diagnostic: 52
Kaplan Qbank: 60%, (70% completed)
Kaplan Simulated 58%
UW: 54%, (70% completed)
NBME 3: 190
NBME 2: 175

I had to take it again, I was pretty irritated with the situation. I shopped around and ended up doing a course with Dr. O. He really got the job done, and it only took 20 days of his course and 3 weeks of studying after it. He has his own notes (which I still use) and really wanted us all to pass. I was skeptical of the course, but let my scores do the talking.

Step1 (second attempt) 211/87!!

USMLEWorld: 98% completed / 62%avg
USMLE CD: 32,39,39 (5 days before exam)
NBME1: 206 (3 weeks out)
NBME2: 211 (2 weeks out)
NBME4: 201 (1 week out)

Yeah I went up 30 points.. pretty awesome..

I am not saying this is for everyone, some people just have a difficult time passing these types of exams, I have plenty of friends that took the course and loved it, and also plenty that I wouldn't even recommend it to. It just depends on how confident you are and how your NBME scores look.

Anyway, I figure I should get the word out there about his class, because it is shorter than most review classes (there was no way I could sit through another course like Kaplan), focuses in on what the step actually tests, and leaves out all the other stuff, and our school should really try to get a 95% pass rate. Maybe we could get cali then..

Drop me a Private Message and I'll get you in contact with him.


just wondering... why did you decide to take your step 1 if your NBME told you that you wont pass?

[sooncome]

Kaplan, specifically one person, really pushed me to take it. It was a mistake.. Things happen, I moved on.. Kaplan told me that I would get at least a 220 and pushed me to be one of the first to take it in my class..

[I<3NY]

Can u give me the info to get in touch with Dr. O?

[Godschosenone]

Kaplan, specifically one person, really pushed me to take it. It was a mistake.. Things happen, I moved on.. Kaplan told me that I would get at least a 220 and pushed me to be one of the first to take it in my class..




kaplan tells everyone they will score a 220
its called advertising.

[sooncome]

yeah I know.. but my grades at SMU were pretty good (only 1 C I think).. and everything else looked decent, except my NBME's.. Little did I know they were what really matters. and I was really fed-up with studying.. but I have a different look on how to study for that exam now..

Also D.H. at Kaplan/Larkin (whom is now fired) was the one really pushing me and telling me to stop being such a .... (insert womans anatomy here).. and take the exam. Whatever though, no worries right?

I think someone needs about 6-8 weeks of proper studying/prep in order to pass the Step1.

[smu79]

I took 2-3 weeks after Kaplan, during 5th semester, and aced step 1: 98. Every one is different. Your Kaplan Diagnostic, Kaplan Qbank, Kaplan UW, NBME, and NBME were all to low for you to take the exam.
Don’t put blame on others….it wouldn’t matter if the president of the school had preasured me to take the exam, if I was not ready I wouldn’t have taken it. You didn’t due your due diligence before taking the exam…as mentioned bellowed, your scores were WAY to low.
I am happy that you passed the exam…but you are the only one at fault here for listening at wrong advice.
p.s. I knew of a guy in my class who took an NBME and scored a 184. He knew was short but he still took…he got a 185 and barely passed…some people get lucky while others don’t.

[docforlife]

For those of you that have finished Kaplan, or are about to take it. I advise you read this. I took it the second to last semester it was offered in Miami (Fall) and thought it was pretty good, very long and intense, but a great introductory course for the step1. Kaplan just had trouble helping me focus on the important areas for the exam (and it burnt me out). After the course was done, kaplan persuaded me to take the exam saying I would get 220!.. I took the NBME's (which are the BEST predictor of your step1 score). Here are my results from my first attempt at the step1. (by the way I don't believe the 95% pass rate either, I know of 6 or 7 that failed in my class)

Step1 179/72

Kaplan Diagnostic: 52
Kaplan Qbank: 60%, (70% completed)
Kaplan Simulated 58%
UW: 54%, (70% completed)
NBME 3: 190
NBME 2: 175

I had to take it again, I was pretty irritated with the situation. I shopped around and ended up doing a course with Dr. O. He really got the job done, and it only took 20 days of his course and 3 weeks of studying after it. He has his own notes (which I still use) and really wanted us all to pass. I was skeptical of the course, but let my scores do the talking.

Step1 (second attempt) 211/87!!

USMLEWorld: 98% completed / 62%avg
USMLE CD: 32,39,39 (5 days before exam)
NBME1: 206 (3 weeks out)
NBME2: 211 (2 weeks out)
NBME4: 201 (1 week out)

Yeah I went up 30 points.. pretty awesome..

I am not saying this is for everyone, some people just have a difficult time passing these types of exams, I have plenty of friends that took the course and loved it, and also plenty that I wouldn't even recommend it to. It just depends on how confident you are and how your NBME scores look.

Anyway, I figure I should get the word out there about his class, because it is shorter than most review classes (there was no way I could sit through another course like Kaplan), focuses in on what the step actually tests, and leaves out all the other stuff, and our school should really try to get a 95% pass rate. Maybe we could get cali then..

Drop me a Private Message and I'll get you in contact with him.
please send me info's about Dr O review
I need it really bad..thanks

[the_punisher]

i'm also happy for you that you passed... it's over with... just for other people who are reading it... i personally think that you should not take the test when you know that you are not ready... you may never know when you are ready... but you will know when you are NOT READY(by looking at your NBME Scores)

[camryllionareMD]

Basically what I'm gathering here is- whatever the course is, if your scores on diagnostics are too low- don't take it coz ya ain't ready!

[sooncome]

i'm also happy for you that you passed... it's over with... just for other people who are reading it... i personally think that you should not take the test when you know that you are not ready... you may never know when you are ready... but you will know when you are NOT READY(by looking at your NBME Scores)

agreed. Expecially NBME.. My World was ok.. good enough to pass.. but I completely agree.

[rokshana]

agreed. Expecially NBME.. My World was ok.. good enough to pass.. but I completely agree.

even your UW was crappy the 1st time around (over 60% is generally a sign of pass for the real deal), but your NBMEs were VERY telling...

did you not look at the step estimator at least? plug those 1st numbers in and i'm sure it would have given predicted scores below passing...

just remember this when you sit to study for CK...

[the_punisher]

even your UW was crappy the 1st time around (over 60% is generally a sign of pass for the real deal), but your NBMEs were VERY telling...

did you not look at the step estimator at least? plug those 1st numbers in and i'm sure it would have given predicted scores below passing...

just remember this when you sit to study for CK...

ok now, take it easy.... atleast this guy didnt give up like most of the other people or didnt just wait for a year or two to take his exam again... he fell down... got rite back up... brushed the dust off his shirt and went rite back at it.... what matters in the end is that this student made it thru.