Anonymous
09-23-2004, 12:22 AM
To all those who are taking the exam..............
I graduated in 2000 from India including internship,I have been working in UK for more than 3 years and about to finish MRCP.
As suggested by many, as training in US is more structred I have decided to take USMLE only 3 months ago with a view to try for 2005 match.
I prepared while working, for two and half months.I felt so tired reading this way because of lengthy oncalls.
Coming to my exam............
My exam is mainly clinically oriented.
I had 20-25 questions in Anatomy.Do not nelect this subject.
I had also reasonable no of questions in Bio chem,stressing on Inborn errors of metabolism.I found first Aid quiet helpful.
Some topics like SIADH,ADH were tested 4-5 times.
A lot of importaance is given to second messengers.
I feel exam is 10% easier than Kaplan question bank.
Pharma:I thought questions are being twisted.
Micro I felt bit complicated: a lot of questions on agar plate growing different organisms and questions were surprisingly very lengthy (which I didnt expect)
Read Physiology BRS hard:it will help you give solid foundation.It is a fantastic book. Initially you will feel bored but for the exam it is really helpful.
Pathology is totally your choice,if you have plenty of time go for Goljan lecrures otherwise please dont, they are time consuming ,any standard book should be ok..like BRS.
Coming to pictures I had few CXR's showing pneumothorax,identifying position of pace maker,CT abd, MRI brain.I havent seperately prepared for them i should admit and they are not that difficult either.
I dont regret for not reading Webpath.
Very few immuno questions.
If I summarize, in exam you will find the question paper with 50% familiarity,30% of moderate difficulty and rest as you know.
Few questions on Beh Sciences and Genetics.
I am unable to categorize subjectwise because I havent given that much importance while writing the exam.
I found 100 pages of high yield Goljan useful,i would reckon you to read them couple of days before the exam as found lot of questions from them.
What I read......................
Pathology:Goljan lectures,Kaplan web prep,First Aid
Bio Chem:First Aid
Microbiology:First Aid
Immunology:Web Prep anfd first aid.
Pharma:First Aid.
Genetics and Beh Sciences Web prep.which I feel is not good.
Physiology:BRS.
Kaplan Q bank for all subjects and was getting 70% by the time i have finished 50%,when I stopped timing and just started reading due to time factor.
I hope this is helpful to all those who are taking the exam.
BEST WISHES.
I graduated in 2000 from India including internship,I have been working in UK for more than 3 years and about to finish MRCP.
As suggested by many, as training in US is more structred I have decided to take USMLE only 3 months ago with a view to try for 2005 match.
I prepared while working, for two and half months.I felt so tired reading this way because of lengthy oncalls.
Coming to my exam............
My exam is mainly clinically oriented.
I had 20-25 questions in Anatomy.Do not nelect this subject.
I had also reasonable no of questions in Bio chem,stressing on Inborn errors of metabolism.I found first Aid quiet helpful.
Some topics like SIADH,ADH were tested 4-5 times.
A lot of importaance is given to second messengers.
I feel exam is 10% easier than Kaplan question bank.
Pharma:I thought questions are being twisted.
Micro I felt bit complicated: a lot of questions on agar plate growing different organisms and questions were surprisingly very lengthy (which I didnt expect)
Read Physiology BRS hard:it will help you give solid foundation.It is a fantastic book. Initially you will feel bored but for the exam it is really helpful.
Pathology is totally your choice,if you have plenty of time go for Goljan lecrures otherwise please dont, they are time consuming ,any standard book should be ok..like BRS.
Coming to pictures I had few CXR's showing pneumothorax,identifying position of pace maker,CT abd, MRI brain.I havent seperately prepared for them i should admit and they are not that difficult either.
I dont regret for not reading Webpath.
Very few immuno questions.
If I summarize, in exam you will find the question paper with 50% familiarity,30% of moderate difficulty and rest as you know.
Few questions on Beh Sciences and Genetics.
I am unable to categorize subjectwise because I havent given that much importance while writing the exam.
I found 100 pages of high yield Goljan useful,i would reckon you to read them couple of days before the exam as found lot of questions from them.
What I read......................
Pathology:Goljan lectures,Kaplan web prep,First Aid
Bio Chem:First Aid
Microbiology:First Aid
Immunology:Web Prep anfd first aid.
Pharma:First Aid.
Genetics and Beh Sciences Web prep.which I feel is not good.
Physiology:BRS.
Kaplan Q bank for all subjects and was getting 70% by the time i have finished 50%,when I stopped timing and just started reading due to time factor.
I hope this is helpful to all those who are taking the exam.
BEST WISHES.