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Starting Step 1 in South Africa

15K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  SharStarSingh 
#1 ·
Hi, as per the topic title I am an international medical student (South Africa) and I am currently looking for any/all information regarding the USMLE. I have been reading a lot of the topics here as well as some of the pdf's on the USMLE/ECFMG website. Trying to avoid reading too many more 55 page pdfs so decided to just make a post ^_^

1) Study material
I read the sticky which recommended the "2 methods" namely

Kaplan's notes + FA + videos

or

Individual books that are "the best" in each block ( + review?)

after which you do two different qbanks -> NBME -> take the test

2) Study time

There seems to be a consensus that current students require less time graduates in terms of study time. I'm just not too sure how much this applies to international medical students. Granted we should be covering similar material. What would be a good amount of time to budget for Step 1 during the semester. Should I rather wait until the holidays?

3) Scores
I understand the scores are given as a 3 digit + 2 digit score. As far as I understand, a 75 on the 2 digit score is a pass? It seems the maximum for the 3 digit score is 280? What is the implications of this score. What are "good" scores for Step 1/Step 2/ Step 3 in terms of getting a match for residency

And lastly, can anyone give me a quick run down of what the next steps would be if one was to complete all 3 steps? Are the first 3 steps the easy or are they the hard part :p

Apologies for all these questions, I have literally just started doing research on the tests and I don't think too many people in South Africa has the experience to answer these q's

Thanks in advance :)
Obviously any info/advice at this point would be greatly appreciated
 
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#2 ·
Welcome to USMLE Forums

Yes, as you mentioned the most common two methods that students are following in their Step 1 prep is the one mentioned here
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s.../786-usmle-step-1-preparation-books-plan.html

As for the time needed to prepare for Step 1 then that has been polled here
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s...s/364-time-needed-prepare-usmle-step-1-a.html

I recommend you start your prep as soon as you can and then you'll see your pace and you only can decide how much time is needed.

The maximum three digit score is not known, although most people think of 300. The significance of these scores are that anything above 95 two digit score is considered excellent and the three digit score will only matter when you get 99. Because from 230 and above any three digit score is considered 99 on the two digit scale.

I recommend that you read all threads tagged with "USMLE Scores" and here's the link for that list
USMLE Forums Threads Tagged with USMLE Scores tag

Good luck with your prep and welcome to USMLE Forums
 
#3 ·
USMLE for IMG's

Hi Dr3xus

I came across this thread and was wondering if you ever completed USMLE? My wife is also in the process of writing USMLE Step 1 and we were wondering about a few things. Would be great if you made contact with me and we could discuss - d.eyssen@hotmail.com

Some of the things that other people might be able to help with
1. Is it necessary to take part in the NRMP or is there another way of getting a residency?
2. If you missed the February deadline for the NRMP, is there another matching later the year?
3. Does all the residencies start in June/July or would one be able to start later in the year once Step 2 and Step 3 is finisher?

Thanks everyone
Danie
 
#5 ·
Hi Macy

You can get Kaplan's "medEssentials for the USMLE Step 1" on Kalahari - See below

But I have spoken with a few IMG's attempting to do residencies in the USA and a few US med students and all of them recommended "First Aid - USMLE Step 1" also available on Kalahari - See below

One thing that helped my wife a lot was USMLEWORLD's Questionbank - It does get expensive but it is better than retaking an exam and it prepares you for the exam type questioning, which is apparently a lot different than we are use to in SA

When are you planing on taking Step 1 and also when are you trying to get into a residency?

Contact me at d.eyssen@hotmail.com - quite interested t hear from you

Danie

-http://www.kalahari.com/page_templates/searchresults.aspx?shop=home&navigationid=1&searchText=kaplan+med&t=1#qs=MHxGcmVlVGV4dF9EZWZhdWx0X0VuZ2xpc2h8a2FwbGFuIG1lZCB8fDB8MHwxfDI0fHx8UHJvZFR5cGVfRW5nfEZvcm1hdF9FbmdfRmFjZXR8RGVsaXZlcnlEYXlzfFNvbGRCeXxQcmljZXx8fA%3d%3d

http://www.kalahari.com/page_templa...jZXR8RGVsaXZlcnlEYXlzfFNvbGRCeXxQcmljZXx8fA==
 
#6 ·
Bit of a confusing background

Hi there everyone. I am a South African citizen who has studied in China. I've been reading the USMLE Step 2 CK lecture notes for a while now and I know that you don't necessarily have to take the steps in order (which is why I plan on taking step 2 CK first)
I'm currently in SA completing my clinical elective year. Any advice or tips? I plan to be prepared for step 2 CK by the end of 2016. Is this a realistic goal? Keep in mind that I haven't graduated yet.
 
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