I am at SGU and although I passed step1 on first attempt without putting too much effort into it, I have managed to fail step2ck twice. My score approx the same both times - 157/65. I took the live prep course for step1. I feel like I have good clinical knowledge but when it comes to the exam I get cold feet. I read all the Kaplan notes at least once and did UW mostly timed with a score of 47%. I am thinking about taking the live lecture course now and doing Kaplan Qbank as I have used up the UW Qs and they look familiar. I would really like to hear from anybody with serious suggestions. I used to go to prep4usmle site but decided to join here now and see if youy guys can help.

Hmmm.. seems like you are having difficulties with CONCEPTS. You are probably doing more memorization. You are a unique case. I havent been really active on this forum since my step one period, but I feel for you . I did step two like 2 months ago. Usually I would tell people to just do Kaplan notes and USMLE world and close it up with secrets. But for you, I will suggest something different:

1. Accept that you have issues and accept that you need more work than the average person - this is impt because, a lot of people fail because they say,"oh my buddy only studied one day and he passed..." or " oh my best friend studied one month and got a 99". This is possible but remember that every body is different and stop listening to garbage. You cannot afford to fail again.

2. Get hype, get motivated - understand what is at stake, and take as much time as you need to accomplish it even if it means that you dont get to match on time. Only pick up phone calls from the 3 most impt people in your life. If you are a female, and the guy hasn't given you a ring yet, HE IS NOT IMPT. I am not kidding!!! lol.

3. Buy Kaplan Q bank (yes, i mean kaplan). They have revamped the whole question bank and it is of better quality now ( i did em). Would recommend buying at least 3mths worth.

4. you would need to read the kaplan books again. First start with Int Med. After EACH section do the questions that partain to it on Q bank. So for instance, after you read cards, do cards questions, etc. This will help you reinfrorce what you read and keep you honest in case you subconsciously or consciously overlooked some impt concepts in your reading. Also, the kap qbank questions are similar in content to the books, so it is like you are reading the books twice. Peds is also broken down like this in kaplan, so do it by section as well. OB, surg, and psyc are not broken down, so do question only when you finish reading the books. Remember to understand CONCEPTS, not memorize. If you hate a section of the notes ( i hated the cards section) dont hesitate to read that section in another book (like step up to medicine). It doesnt matter where you read it from, as long as it gives good info. Your reading should take you about 6 weeks ( 2 weeks for int med, 1 1/2 for peds, 1/2 for surg, 1 for OB/GYN and 1 week for psyc). But if it takes longer don't be alarmed. Be disiplined though. Have strict time goals and stick with them. If you were supposed to do 50 pages on friday and you did only 46, wake up earlier on saturday and make up the deficit.

Oh, I forgot... when you do the questions, read the question from top to bottom, and come up with the best answer by ELIMINATION. Get in the habit of not lazily gunning for answers because its too easy or it is too hard. Before you pick an answer know why you are picking it and why the others are wrong. If you dont know the answer get it down to 2 options( at least you would be at 50/50). When you get good, from the first sentence you would be able to generate a wide diff. diagnosis. Eg. 67 y/o M with HTN, DM and chest pain.... u will start thinking MI, angina, prinzmetal, pneumonia, gerd etc.
Do the last 400 questions in timed mode.

5. After you are done with your reading, take a diagnostic PAID NBME to see where you stand. If you have done it before (during your previous 2 failed attempts), do it again. Your score would not be as accurate diagnositically, but it is still good. Make sure you treat it like a real test (timed, early in the morn...etc). Note your score. My goal for you is at least a 400 (~ 192). if it is A LITTLE lower, dont be too alarmed. Reading kaplan alone is not going to raise you score by a whole lot.

6. Buy USMLE world again. By now you should be at least 2 months removed from the last time you used USMLE world. You need to meticulously dissect world like a frog in grade school anatomy lab. I want you to first look at the last one or two sentences of the question, then glance at the answers, THEN go to line one and read down, then eliminate wrong answers. This will help your speed, and help narrow down you differential Dx so you dont waste time on the question. But again, dont focus too much on speed in the beginning. Even if it takes you 1 hr to answer one question, take your time. By taking your time through the question, your brain subconsciously learns other concepts in the name of trying to solve the mystery before your eyes. Later on, you will get quicker. Do all questions in tutor mode (concepts are more impt than speed for now, besides you have the NBME's for speed) . By the way, elimination of answers will help you get rid of some careless mistakes, which might also be one of your problems. Buy a 5 subject notebook and FILL it up with the facts you learnd from the USMLE WORLD questions ( if it is not full, you weren't writing!!). This will be GOLD!!!

7. After 50% of the world questions are done, take another PAID NBME. This should raise your score by at least 10 points.

8. When you get down to the last 400 questions, it is time to do it in timed mode. Get comfortable with time.

9. After you have finished the last question, do another NBME. This should raise your score by 10-15 points.

10. Read secrets ONCE

11. Read your USMLE WORLD notes 2 times. (VERY IMPT)

I designed this specifically for you, or anybody in the same position. It might be overkill for the average person, but you absolutely need it. Take care, good luck and God Bless

P.S I know there are a couple spelling errors, but too tired to read it over!!

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radiology bound

Best advice Ive read in ages. God bless you, Marcus Gunn.
SGUdroncall, best of luck.

Wow, thats really well written!!

thanks. Hey SGUdroncall, feel free to PM me

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radiology bound

That was great advice. Will send you a PM!

Thanks again!

Since you gave such great advice I will have to ask you some more questions if you dont mind. I did not tell you that I was really really short on time on ecah and every block both the times I sat for this exam.

Do you mind if I call you on your cell or something because I have been going crazy looking for somebody's suggestions and I have finally got it.

By the way, I am a 30 y/o male since you mentioned the waiting by the phone thing. hehe

BUt thank you so much again. I'll wait for you to respond and then ask you my Qs.

Cool. no prob

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radiology bound

Thanks Dr. Simple