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Help? Advise needed

945 views 6 replies 2 participants last post by  Jacobus 
#1 · (Edited)
Advise needed, I think I am doing this all wrong? Or I suck at taking exams?

Good day to All.

A little background of my situation.. I am an IMG, YOG 2013,preparing for the Step 1 examination.. I had post graduate internship for 1 year 2013-2014, then took my country's licensure exam 2015 ( prepared for it mid 2014). Now, I started preparing around May 2016, for the Step 1 examination. I am currently in residency training in my home country.

Well, I am needing advise on how to approach this prep since, I am struggling to increase my NBME scores. I am gunning to take the Step 1 exam around February 2nd of this year 2017. Hence, I have around 2 weeks left.

I have read/revised FA x2 , Pathoma x2, Kaplan Behavioral, Biochemistry, Anatomy/Neuroanatomy and immunology and microbiology once, and BRS physiology once. I have also done 1 full run of DIT.

I am currently ave. 40-50% on Uworld first pass. Already took 3 NBMEs

Around May took NBME 13 scored a measly 20(126), Took another at last Early November scored 160, and took earlier this month NBME 12 scored 155.

I am confused and struggling now feeling depressed on if I should continue or just give it a big last push. I plan on taking another NBME this weekend. And will be taking UWSA 1 as well early next week.

Any advise on how to approach this situation?

On a side note, how do I increase memory as well, I am noticing a decline in concentration and memory due to my medications, I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism late last year as well, taking my maintenance meds until now. My latest labs now are showing hypothyroidism, my endocrinologist is now tapering my methimazole dosages.
 
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#3 ·
Be strooooong

Hi ;)

I just went through your post and thought you might need a little cheer up!
I understand it must be difficult right now for you...

It's hard to tell other people what to do and how... But have you ever asked yourself why your score wouldn't go up? Have you tried and identified your weaknesses and what was going wrong? I think it's easier said than done but it might be worth it!

In my opinion, studying with few resources is better than having tones of books, etc. If I were you now, I would only concentrate on FA and Qbanks, really trying to understand the concepts, not just learning by heart.
For example: don't learn "sensitivity = a/(a+c)" but learn: Sensitivity is the proportion of sick people who had a positive test and the positive predictive value is the proportion of patients with a positive test who were actually sick.
I know its sound childish but I really think that's how you make a different. Plus you'll enjoy studying much more.

Anyhow, I'm sure you'll find a way to make it work, and I wish you the best of luck !!
 
#4 · (Edited)
Thank you for the reply. I am just doing all FA and Uworld now. And reading Uworld Explanations. What I am planning is to first read ALL weak subjects then reading the good subjects I have.


I will do what You advised me and do what ever I can do to improve as well. given my time frame Do you think It is doable to get a score possible 230 with a time frame of Feb 2, or a week after that??
 
#5 ·
Hi again! If your last NMBE was 155 at the beginning of this month I would suggest you write a new NMBE/UWSA quickly to see if your score has improved or not... I don't want to be a pessimist, but I feel that going from a 155 to 230 in 2 weeks might be challenging. On the other hand postponing the exam indefinitely won't do you good and you might not even have the time to do it... At the end it is your call!

Keep me updated!
 
#6 ·
Hi again! If your last NMBE was 155 at the beginning of this month I would suggest you write a new NMBE/UWSA quickly to see if your score has improved or not... I don't want to be a pessimist, but I feel that going from a 155 to 230 in 2 weeks might be challenging. On the other hand postponing the exam indefinitely won't do you good and you might not even have the time to do it... At the end it is your call!

Keep me updated!
Thanks for the reply again. i am surely giving another nbme.
I feel though Im doing better with my uworld since i still got 300q left to finish and been getting better per test averages.
Hopefully this works. Postponing though is at the back of my head. But i would preferably try to stick with atleast February 9th
 
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