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From South Africa to Passing the CS Exam

3K views 13 replies 9 participants last post by  anina 
#1 ·
I passed CS in 2 weeks

I have been silent member for many months
I am from south Africa 33 year old female. When I started out in medical school I was in Nigeria, one month before my completion the school has given up ecfmg accreditation and all my hopes for coming to the usa were faded and I thought this dream was not ever come true.

2 month later my father passed away from tb infection and I was to take care of my mother and younger brother. This was devastation, after I come back together, I applied to us for a family visa and used the savings my father left behind to come here. I worked two full time jobs and applied to finish medical school anywhere I can and start at my clinical rotations. I was able to join a Caribbean school and take some exams to complete my last month of education and begin rotations, I was sent to Chicago so I relocated my mother and younger brother and we moved here. My mother became employed as a cna and my brother finished his early education and started on highschool. I was feeling relieved at this time and finished rotations in Chicago at many clinics and hospitals while working two jobs. I took step 1 and failed first time, three months later I took it again and passed with a 215, I am yet not to taken the ck exam. I completed my rotations and was awarded my medical degree with a 25000 dollar balance in tuition and I make a loan plan with the school so I work nearly 55 hours a week to help support my family and pay my school to obtain my degree.

I had so little time and so little money to prepare for the cs. I was unsure, i read all the posts on cs preparation, I talked with students at the hospital and they arecommend to read the first aid with csevideo for one month but I could only do 2 weeks because of job constraints and family responsibilities. I watched the program all day and listened to the audio while I was working and sleeping. I practiced all the cases on my mom and brother.

The day of the exam I followed all the protocol in the videos and behaved exactly how I saw the doctor do it. I got most of my cases were exactly like the cases in csevideo.

When I entered the center in Chicago I was overwhelmed with everything going on with me for so long. I see all these amgs and immediately think to myself I will not make this exam. I sat for the exam and returned home and rested for the day. I threw my arms up in the air and said if I get it I get it if not I will overcome whatever will stand in my way.

I received a higher performance all three areas on august 17. I work fulltime one and half jobs so I have very little spare moments to share my experiences.
It feels a relief to say all this and share what I have been through
Thank you for listening
Nina.omar@aol.com if you want to contact me
 
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#3 ·
nice post

hi
very nice post much luck to you
can you advise me
I am in middle of step 1 prep and must take cs because date of expiration of CS test, I ordered csevideo one month with later activation and can start anytime do you suggest I stop step 1 use the videos and take cs i fear i will fall behind in step one but i cant afford to repay for cs exam. do you think if i watch videos for one month this will be enough to pass and of course with first aid.
thanks
 
#4 ·
s.africa

@anina I can feel for you anina
some of my family came from s africa and its a long trip in many ways. proud of you sis and good luck for the rest of the road.

@henry
if you think you can stop step 1 and not lose info then go for it, cs is expensive exam, and soem of the step 1 material you can use for cs knowing path helps in the cs exam spares you alot of extra work use the csevideo and fa and cram for about 3 weeks and you can do it, I used this combo and passed in august.
 
#5 ·
thanks

thank you all so much for your comments
sunchine hello brother :)

henry I cant give advice but like sunchine says step one information is helpful for cs exam helps with diagnosis and symptoms. in my opinion if you do use csevideo and read first aid you can gain understanding of cs exam components. I did only two weeks because my jobs like 5-6 hours a day so in my opinon you can do it and be a success in the cs.
thank you and good luck to you guys.
 
#8 ·
congrats man

first of all congratulations i have a similar condition like ur so my email is mustkasem@gmail i ask u please to send me an email and tell me what u recomend me to study this exam my exam is in january and im nervous so do u recomend to subscribe the cse videos please send me an email as soon as possible with ur advice and thanks
 
#9 ·
hi kaseem, thank you

I just now seeing your message, I work a full time job and have little time to post> My apology that I hae not sent u email.
I recommed csevideo I tell you why, this shows you how your exam will be in the center, and I have most my cases from them. I follow along with fa and it is like kaplan with fa for step 1 but for cs instead. you see american style of interaction. Please also use a partner so you can have real practice before you go to exam center. you exam in january you have good enough time to prepare well. good luck
 
#12 ·
Step 2cs

Hi. Thank you for all your posts. I'm currently studying for step one. I'm an IMG and wondering if step 2cs can actually be done after step 1 without having any clinical experience in the American medical system? I'm a bit confused about that since I need to register for step 2cs soon if im to get my results in time for the 2012 match.
 
#14 ·
hi leaha

I do suppose you can take cs exam before or after step 1 examination. step 1 first gives more knowlge of diagnosis and patient problems.
please use a study friend for cs practice and watch csevideo as this women will show you how to be in the cs exam without us clinical times and read the first aid this is my study plan and I have cleared cs. good luck for your exams
 
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