my experience taking step 1 on dec. 17

[Anonymous]

I had signed up for Step 1 twice and didn't take it either time, out of fear and lack of preparation...total waste of money (I know!!!!) I moved on and decided to take the kaplan review course and live lecture, another HUGE expense, and used ONLY the kaplan material to study for Step 1. After a thorough review of the material once more after the live lecture...and completing 70% of the qbank and scoring in the mid-60's range consistently, I deciced it was time!

I was nervous as all can be...but I contained myself! I entered prometric the morning of the 17th and was taken to my cubicle that was assigned to me for the duration of the exam. I was feeling ok. Then I clicked on the 1st block and the horror began. All my fears came true and were true. I knew nothing...I didnt' recognize the questions and what they were asking. The level of the molecualr biology was ruthless...I was pounded by one question after another...no path, regular biochem, anatomy, even physio...just insanely unjustified molecular biology questions. These problems were not even covered in Kaplan, which was my MAIN source of study material. I trecked through the exam and took breaks when completely dazed and prayed that God give me the strength to pull this through...and at this point I just wanted to be done with it already. The difficulty level of my questions were unfair. I did not get a break at all. My brain was on over-drive and I was spilling over...bigtime! I was totally numb and horrified by the end of the final block. I left prometric dazed and confused...sat in my car and just cried and cried and cried! I dont know what went so wrong. I am sure I failed. I thought I knew something but it turns out I knew nothing! Maybe the worst part of it was that I relied on Kaplan too much. I should have read through First Aid. I feel terrible and its a week later and just writing this is making me nauseous all over again...my friends and family have been encouraging and they all think I should wait it out until the official scores are sent before I hang-up my towel.

I hope to God that I pass. I can't imagine doing this again. Where do I start? What do I study this time around? Maybe I will just stick to First Aid and seek out some current molecualr biology review books.

Does anyone out there know if the voided step 1 attempts will be counted as the number of times the exam was taken OR that the ones taken and scored are counted in the attempted times...this is for residency?

And if anyone out there has had a similar experience I will be grateful if you share it with me because it would mean alot to hear back from a collegue with a similar journey)

Thanx*

[Anonymous]

i feel your pain. good luck

[Anonymous]

I took the kaplan live lecture and did about 50% of Qbank; scored in the low 60s+. Nothing on the test resembled Kaplan in any respect and I failed by just a few points. This time around I used Goljan and first Aid and any question I could find. I retake it next week.

I sympathise.

[zales]

I failed step 1(73) and step 2(68 ). I am a old graduate(2000).2 mnths passed and I am unable to read. Thinking of taking up kaplan live lectures.
i know the feeling!

[zales]

Hi Anon
can you tell me where can I avail the Goljan notes.
thanks

[Anonymous]

Give me your email.

[raffayk]

hi,
im sorry to hear ure exam experience wasnt that great...but dont give up hope, alot of ppl come out of the exam thinking theyve flunked. i pray u do well.
i do have a few questions though...how different were the molecular biology questions from kaplan? if u could go into a little more depth about those itd be very helpful...if u could give me ure email address ,id like ure help.
thank you.
boggs.

[Anonymous]

sorry to hear that.

[Anonymous]

ANON, how can I privately give you my e-mail address?

How do I pm you? Thanks,

Good luck

Mark

[Anonymous]

Kaplan notes latest version 2002 are updated by live lecturer. Kaplan teachers have written notes in new Road Map series with latest clinical vignettes from exam- Books are out in Phys, Pharm and Gross Anatomy
HY and FA not enough