10 days before CK exam with low UWSA (188) and 59% in UW

[USMLE-Syndrome]

hiii
i need advise i did uw online (timed -random blocks )and my score was 59% then now i did UWSA my score was (390/188 ) 11 day b4 exam (very low i know)
and iam sure if i will do NBME will be low maybe
(my friend did uwsa and her score was the same as the real exam )

my exam day in 23 may (11day remain ) and my eligibility period is (April- may- june )no place only 15 may remain if i want to extend it so according to this low score i need to delay my exam for how long (1 or 2 month)???? advise me what to do ????
i read kaplan lecture notes twice and i did Kaplan QBANK (offline) 2005 version idont know if it is diffrent from the online kaplan qbank??????

so plz help me what i have to do???? what to read more ???????

[Seetal]

u should definitely postpone the exam by at least a month. if there's no place in your country u can take it in another. better safe than sorry.

u should also send a PM to those who recently got their step 2ck scores and see what they suggest for further improving your marks.

good luck!!

[medicine]

hi miss patho!

i dint take uwsa or nbme but i wud suggest u postpone ur exam .atleast by a month.try n look up which subjects are u lacking in.i am sure u'll be able to improve ur score.read the questions more carefully.do u tend to miss a point or two in the question? do u read the explainations,read even the explainations of questions u got wrong.mayb ur reason for marking is different. mayb u need to improve in only 1 or 2 subjects to raise ur score.dnt panic and dnt lose faith.


i think an avg score of 65-68% is what u shud aim for in ur uworld qbank.

[USMLE-Syndrome]

Originally Posted by medicine

hi miss patho!

i dint take uwsa or nbme but i wud suggest u postpone ur exam .atleast by a month.try n look up which subjects are u lacking in.i am sure u'll be able to improve ur score.read the questions more carefully.do u tend to miss a point or two in the question? do u read the explainations,read even the explainations of questions u got wrong.mayb ur reason for marking is different. mayb u need to improve in only 1 or 2 subjects to raise ur score.dnt panic and dnt lose faith.


i think an avg score of 65-68% is what u shud aim for in ur uworld qbank.

i solve uw all block but remain for me 10 blocks i didnt read their explanation
so should i repeat uw reading and solve the wrong q again or should i in this month buy online kaplan q bank ?? should i return to book and read them again ?????

[tkourkou]

Def do an NBME! oNLY nbmes will tell you!

If low--> Postpone

Hope this helps!

[USMLE-Syndrome]

Originally Posted by tkourkou

Def do an NBME! oNLY nbmes will tell you!

If low--> Postpone

Hope this helps!

thanks a lot for reply
even if i will do nbme give me 20 more than uwsa (208)still low dont u think ??
so i will reschedule it but what should i do to increase my score ????
do more Questions bank(kaplan online) or read books again like 1st aid ?
by the way i write 100 page notes from uw

[tkourkou]

I will be able to give you a better answer tomorrow because I take the CS tomorrow ok? You need at least a month of studying though to improve! Read me step1 examination experience to see what I did when i got 209 from nbme and in 1.5 month i took 243

Hope this helps

[Seetal]

hang on... miss patho when u say average kaplan n UW bank, u should take the average of the last 10 random blocks. but for UWSA u shud aim for 65% and above. although sometimes tht isnt very reassuring as well. but it does give somewhat a more clear view of what can be expected in the real exam.

[USMLE-Syndrome]

Originally Posted by tkourkou

I will be able to give you a better answer tomorrow because I take the CS tomorrow ok? You need at least a month of studying though to improve! Read me step1 examination experience to see what I did when i got 209 from nbme and in 1.5 month i took 243

Hope this helps

GOOD LUCK WITH UR CS EXAM
thanks a lot and also they made me confused about extension of my eligibility period !!!!!!what is the right way to do it ??????
Extension of Eligibility Period Step by Step?

[Seetal]

from ur UW score i'd say u need a second read for IM and SURGERY.

perhaps try MTB instead of KLN since KLN is way too long. also drN Elham strongly suggested we do offline UW before attempting online UW in order to improve our score and get a better understanding of the subjects. but since ure done with UW (only 10 blocks left), perhaps u should give those two subjects another read, attempt NBMEs and UConsult at the same time and lastly do UW last 10blocks and also UWSA2 (assuming u have that left to do as well).

wht are u reading now in the mean time? i suggest MTB since its not tht heavy. and its a good tool to remember the things u have read but just forgot here n there. also panicking does not work. sometimes u can get 60%++ in UWSA but the real exam can crush you if u panic. we need our parasympathetic actions to help us study and retrieve information we have remembered (also sleep is crucial). when in panic mode, our sympathetic actions does not allow for the stored memory to be retrieved, and our exam results will not be satisfying. i have experienced this. so pls just relax.

[USMLE-Syndrome]

Originally Posted by Seetal

from ur UW score i'd say u need a second read for IM and SURGERY.

perhaps try MTB instead of KLN since KLN is way too long. also drN Elham strongly suggested we do offline UW before attempting online UW in order to improve our score and get a better understanding of the subjects. but since ure done with UW (only 10 blocks left), perhaps u should give those two subjects another read, attempt NBMEs and UConsult at the same time and lastly do UW last 10blocks and also UWSA2 (assuming u have that left to do as well).

wht are u reading now in the mean time? i suggest MTB since its not tht heavy. and its a good tool to remember the things u have read but just forgot here n there. also panicking does not work. sometimes u can get 60%++ in UWSA but the real exam can crush you if u panic. we need our parasympathetic actions to help us study and retrieve information we have remembered (also sleep is crucial). when in panic mode, our sympathetic actions does not allow for the stored memory to be retrieved, and our exam results will not be satisfying. i have experienced this. so pls just relax.

thanks a lot for ur reply
i buy one month uw then renew for 2 weeks and 3 days remain for uw and will expire so i am planning to read the explanation of the 10 block and repeat the mark q or incorrect q (by the way 2nd solving uw q is easy because u will remember the q )i am having score 75 % per block for the marks q block and incorrect q blocks that i repeat them ,
then i will give 2 weeks for reading 1st aid since in my 1st reading i read some topic in 1st aid i find it v good with UW notes i ve made (100 page)then in June i will subscribe forKaplan Qbank online for 1 month if i felt my self i am ok i will take exam in 4th Juy
what do u think is this good plan???

u know the problem in wrong q i had done was that i am always become confused btw 2 answer (i know the diagnosis but when ask about initial or best treatment i got the wrong answer

[Seetal]

Originally Posted by miss patho

u know the problem in wrong q i had done was that i am always become confused btw 2 answer (i know the diagnosis but when ask about initial or best treatment i got the wrong answer

yes i make the same mistakes too. i think step 2ck is not evaluating on how precise we are on making a diagnosis but rather what should be ordered now tht we know what the patient has?

so try n focus on primary treatments and try n understand y those treatment or management is important. i have the FA book as well but most ppl recommend using Master the Boards for step 2ck or step 3 (which ever book u have). u can buy master the boards for step 2ck online at amazon.com it will reach u within days. i hear MTB is very very important. i just got it too. now tht ive read KLN once, i plan to read MTB. its fun n short. perhaps u should try it.

[1TA2B]

Originally Posted by miss patho

thanks a lot for ur reply
i buy one month uw then renew for 2 weeks and 3 days remain for uw and will expire so i am planning to read the explanation of the 10 block and repeat the mark q or incorrect q (by the way 2nd solving uw q is easy because u will remember the q )i am having score 75 % per block for the marks q block and incorrect q blocks that i repeat them ,
then i will give 2 weeks for reading 1st aid since in my 1st reading i read some topic in 1st aid i find it v good with UW notes i ve made (100 page)then in June i will subscribe forKaplan Qbank online for 1 month if i felt my self i am ok i will take exam in 4th Juy
what do u think is this good plan???

u know the problem in wrong q i had done was that i am always become confused btw 2 answer (i know the diagnosis but when ask about initial or best treatment i got the wrong answer

Sound plan! It's not an easy ride as we all know. But I'm sure you'll be fine. One thing though that you have to believe you can do it!

[Dr. N Elham]

Hi misspatho!

First of all please don't panic!

You definitely need to delay exam for 2 months I think. The reason why I tell you 2 months instead of one is that your UWSA tells us you are not in good shape at all, so I don't think one month will be enough.

In place of Kaplan Q bank, I'd still suggest you UW because I've noticed that the later is way better than the former. Do more new questions instead of revising the questions you've already read. It will have twofold effect, the first being familiarization with scenarios and the second one being evaluating your performance as time passes.. and offcourse the improvement in your knowledge will occur as you proceed.

I'd also like to suggest you to repeat the IM lecture note and if time allowed Gyne/Obs too.

MTB is much better than FA for ck... So also do it...

Brief plan for you:

1. Forget about everything, and extend your eligibility period. If you are confused about how to do this, call ECFMG.

2. Read IM and Obs/Gyne lecture notes or any other subject that you are sure of being weak in that

3. Read MTB thoroughly.

4. Subscibe to UW for a month and see how much do u improve.

5. Do NBME and see where you stand.

6. After this all, let us know about your performance and then if good, you may schedule your test with prometric.

Lastly, please don't forget that we are here and we are committed to provide you any kind of assistance you may need.

I hope it makes sense.

[USMLE-Syndrome]

Originally Posted by Dr. N Elham

Hi misspatho!

First of all please don't panic!

You definitely need to delay exam for 2 months I think. The reason why I tell you 2 months instead of one is that your UWSA tells us you are not in good shape at all, so I don't think one month will be enough.

In place of Kaplan Q bank, I'd still suggest you UW because I've noticed that the later is way better than the former. Do more new questions instead of revising the questions you've already read. It will have twofold effect, the first being familiarization with scenarios and the second one being evaluating your performance as time passes.. and offcourse the improvement in your knowledge will occur as you proceed.

I'd also like to suggest you to repeat the IM lecture note and if time allowed Gyne/Obs too.

MTB is much better than FA for ck... So also do it...

Brief plan for you:

1. Forget about everything, and extend your eligibility period. If you are confused about how to do this, call ECFMG.

2. Read IM and Obs/Gyne lecture notes or any other subject that you are sure of being weak in that

3. Read MTB thoroughly.

4. Subscibe to UW for a month and see how much do u improve.

5. Do NBME and see where you stand.

6. After this all, let us know about your performance and then if good, you may schedule your test with prometric.

Lastly, please don't forget that we are here and we are committed to provide you any kind of assistance you may need.

I hope it makes sense.

thanks a lot
well i reschedule to (july august september)
and idid uw online timed random blocks for 6 weeks and i am in the 2nd round i am having in 70 score and having 10 min extra time for the block u and i remember the answer so it became easier
so u said i should have another month uw ??should i repeat the offline uw u mean ????????
and about doing more questions which q bank u mean ?????
and reading MTB how long it takes can be in 2 weeks ????

[Seetal]

have u tried UConsult?
i think MTB can be read in 2 weeks if u are not doing internship or working. but since u have till july, y not repeat it CALMLY at least 3 times? this way u would've memorized it thoroughly.

also, have another read of KLN IM and surgery. perhaps for surgery u can skip the vignettes n just read the explanation. this can be done in 3 days. I took 6 days because i have internship. then MTB for surgery took me 3 days, in which time i also did UW offline.

if u have done UW no point repeatiing unless u have time. try a new bank. of course UW stumps kaplan, but nothing wrong in doing kaplan bank. all in all, read the weak areas everyday n do at least one block of questions everyday to kill the bore of studying over again and to see ur self improve.

[USMLE-Syndrome]

Originally Posted by Seetal

have u tried UConsult?
i think MTB can be read in 2 weeks if u are not doing internship or working. but since u have till july, y not repeat it CALMLY at least 3 times? this way u would've memorized it thoroughly.

also, have another read of KLN IM and surgery. perhaps for surgery u can skip the vignettes n just read the explanation. this can be done in 3 days. I took 6 days because i have internship. then MTB for surgery took me 3 days, in which time i also did UW offline.

if u have done UW no point repeatiing unless u have time. try a new bank. of course UW stumps kaplan, but nothing wrong in doing kaplan bank. all in all, read the weak areas everyday n do at least one block of questions everyday to kill the bore of studying over again and to see ur self improve.

thanks for ur reply
i try only kaplan q bank offline 2005 version
and online uw
by the way when will be ur exam ??did u complete ur reading ?
a friends to me said only do questions and u will raise ur score and books only will waste ur time
so seriously idont know in 1 month and half ishould repeat uw and my uw notes and reading a book like mtb or my kaplan lecture notes
i left my job so iam full time in study till iwill end this beast

[Seetal]

ill be taking my exam starting oct-nov-dec. planned to tk it in sept but from the looks of it, tht aint happening. im taking things slow this time because i have internship. ill take 2 weeks off during internship before tk my step 2 exam. so before those 2 weeks, i wanna be fully prepared with good UW and kaplan online scores. hence ill have to finish up all offline UW and kaplan before i attempt online ones. i hve UConsult now. thts helping too.

i agree with ur friend tht doing more questions will help. but i dont think reading up ur weak areas is a waste of time. im reading up my weak areas and im sure glad im doing it. its helping heaps. aspirant and dr n elham scored 99 n 97, and they too did more than one read of KLN. so perhaps it is something you should consider.

[Dr. N Elham]

@ misspatho

By telling u to do more questions from UW, I mean the online one. Believe me, the more scenarios u read the more u bcome familiar with it ultimately gaining a good score.

Doing Kaplan q bank ONLINE is much better than reading it's 2005 offline version. So I'd suggest the online one of it.

MTB took about 20 days 4 my first read so u may also need the same time period.

Ur friend is right that questions are good to do as I mentioned above, but I don't think that in ur current position u'll do better without having better knowledge from lecture notes.

The eligibility period mentioned above seems perfect now, I think.

I'd disagree with SEETAL a bit in doing questions from USMLE CONSULT. We all know it's a new q bank and I don't have any kind of experience from this, however, we had a member on Step 1 forum (KHUSHBOO) who strongly prohibited doing this q bank... u may see her post that includes his other exam experience too..

The above mentioned r merely my suggestions n r in a way that I'd have chosen in case I was n ur position.... u may do whatever works better 4 u..

I'm still here to provide u further assistance..

Good luck

[cerebrum85]

hey misspath .... what was ur final decision...? did u postpone
if not , can u plz tell us about ur exam experience...thx a lot

[USMLE-Syndrome]

Originally Posted by cerebrum85

hey misspath .... what was ur final decision...? did u postpone
if not , can u plz tell us about ur exam experience...thx a lot

yes i postpone the exam iam reading MTB now with 2nd round uw

[cerebrum85]

Originally Posted by miss patho

yes i postpone the exam iam reading MTB now with 2nd round uw

so god blesses ur study, do well in exam
then share ur experience..............thx a LOT