Failed Step 2 CK with a score of 71%/176 and need help to retake with a goal of >90%

[swosu98]

Hello all, I just failed my CK with a 71%/176 and would like to have some advice on how to study ie. what materials I need, what to do... I am going to withdraw from the Match 2009 b/c of this...So I would greatly appreciate any help if you have advice on how to score with goal of >90%. thank you very much

[dmikaila]

I am too in the same boat, I failed it with a 72%/177, If you want we can arrange to do online studying time. Its really hard to see that we were so close, the hardest thing for me was to cancel my interviews and sit down once again to study for this once more, especially since I did okay for step 1. PM me if you are interested so we can make plans. I'm planning to take this hopefully last week of March or early April at the latest.

[Microscp]

I am too in the same boat, I failed it with a 72%/177, If you want we can arrange to do online studying time. Its really hard to see that we were so close, the hardest thing for me was to cancel my interviews and sit down once again to study for this once more, especially since I did okay for step 1. PM me if you are interested so we can make plans. I'm planning to take this hopefully last week of March or early April at the latest.
What you say was the reason for not passing? is this test harder than step 1? or you took too much time in between the 2 steps, I am asking because I took step 1 in Sept, and started to study for step 2 and the material resembles so much, is that step 2 need to know more of next step of management or diagnosis. What about usmle world, did you do the bank? did it help? I am asking since I am rotating with students from the local medical school here in St. Louis and they are using Kaplan Q bank more, so I am a bit confused.

[dmikaila]

It was a complete unexpected turnout of events. I will PM you with details.

[nicolasita]

I am too in the same boat, I failed it with a 72%/177, If you want we can arrange to do online studying time. Its really hard to see that we were so close, the hardest thing for me was to cancel my interviews and sit down once again to study for this once more, especially since I did okay for step 1. PM me if you are interested so we can make plans. I'm planning to take this hopefully last week of March or early April at the latest.

dmkaila: How is the study comming along? I read your post and I understand your situation. Now what is your strategy, and I ask because I started to review the material and would like to know -in your view what are good books to prep for Step 2. I only have videos and Secrets, and before I invest in anything else please what would you say? I whish you all the best and let us know when you go for those interviews! Have a great day.

[dmikaila]

Great thank you. I am using FA and reading over my compiled UW notes , I did Usmlerx (much MUCH easier than world) but I liked it b/c I gives me a ballpark idea where I stand w/ respect to the average (and I also did it for step 1) and once I am done with the notes, I will buy Kaplan Qbank and schedule a test date.

[sabro]

can u also help me out cuz i also didnt passd ck ......... n dont knw wht change i do made in study so tht i get good score next time

[DonnieSantos]

I passed my exam recently with 227/94. It's my first time taking it. So obviously I am very happy. I'll try to give u my 2cents and hope this is going to help you. After going through this now looking back, I think the key thing is "LESS IS MORE!"
WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT? I did 10% better this time around than my step 1, because this time around i didn't fool around with too many books. I focus on these study materials only. I really think that by concentrating on the right set of books and only them, you can really understand the materials much better and concepts much clear. So dont go crazy on books, pick a set that works for u and go with. Trust me most books have the same materials, it's jz matter of how they present them! So this is personal reference. For me i like to look at flow-chart, this tell me what is the next step in management. So it's better way to study for me. So here is how i did:
1. Kaplan notes/videos=it's a must especially IM section. I only watched IM, OBGYNE, and Ped. This really help me understand how to approach the disease like Conrad ******'s style hahaha. I took a lot of side notes while watching the videos, so it took me along time to finish all the videos.
2. Go cover to cover on Kaplan notes with my own notes.
3. Make my own flashcards with only key points for each subject. This is essential for me looking back! What i mean is I would group awhole 90 pages of cardio (IM) into 15 (4x6) flashcards. I would put in the front of the card like valvular dis, then in the back i would group then MS, MR, AS, AR, etc... Fill then wi only key infos NOT JUNK! This is essential in many ways, but to me it really helps me condensed all the info into what is most important, and it helps me think very fast and those concepts well on the UW. NOW ONCE I MADE FLASHCARDS I DON'T READ OR TOUCH KAPLAN NOTES AGAIN EVER :). Bottomline is flashcards help me from leaking info by that i mean if i finished cardio section and go to PULMO or something like that i don't have to worry about regression or hemorrhaging. I use the flashcards to review very quick before i go on to different subjects.
4. UW (per subject w time everytime) plus my own notes.
5. One month out of the real test: Step-UP step 2 highly recommend over FA CK, because have a lot of chart and some step one info to help w the connection. This is where i do random and time UW to get my timing down in AM, then do flashcards review plus Step-Up reading in PM. So i studied like 10hrs a day w 1hr and 30min break.
I never took NBME, my average UW=60%, and i went to the test with all my heart. Good luck I hope this help.

[Grazie]

Thanks for your great review. May I ask, how long did you take total to prepare for step 2CK?
Thanks again.

[DonnieSantos]

Thanks for your great review. May I ask, how long did you take total to prepare for step 2CK?
Thanks again.
5 months i m a slow learner :).