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passed step 3/239

11K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  umajeed90 
#1 ·
Hi every one so I am done with the last installment of this insanity called Steps :p I sat for my exam on the 4th/5th of November.Here is my experience.

Preparation Material
Mtb 2 for Internal medicine
Mtb 3 for all other subjects
Uw mcq's
Uw CCS cases
Fred V mcqs and CCS software

Duration of Prep
30 days

Method
So i started my prep in early October, I started with UW on line mcqs did random timed mode and got 70% correct along with that I studied MTB and gave 2 readings to medicine and 1 to the rest of the subjects. I was helped by the fact that I used same books for CK and its knowledge was still fresh.The most beneficial thing is UWorld nearly silmilar concepts were asked in the real exam.
For CCS cases i used uw software and fred v both of these are a must, if u can just do the simulated cases thats enuf, i didnt do the uw read out material.I think CCS is easier than mcqs if u can just understand the software. Their were a total of 12 CCS cases 10 were of 20mins and 2 were of 10 mins.Time is not an issue in these as i finished most of my cases well before time.I didnt do any archer videos or other things for CCS.
Mtb helps to keep the core knowledge intact, absolutely no need for kaplan or any other books.

Exam Day
on the first day there were 7 blocks of 46-48 questions each. They were divided in to office based and emergency blocks. I think I had 5 office based and 2 emergency blocks.Question were really lengthy so be very aware of time and do not waste time on any question just go with your first choice.I cudnt read the last 4 questions of my first block but after that i didnt waste my time on any question and was able to complete everything.Mainly IM was asked then paeds/gyne obs and very little surgery and psych/biiostats was asked.3-4 drug ads and abstract which i cudnt understand much.Most questions asked the next best investigation or treatment option, unlike CK very few questions regarding diagnosis or disease pathology.I think i knew answers to 50% questions and remaining 50% were guess work.
On the 2nd day 4 blocks of MCQs with 36 questions each, 2 office based and 2 emergency.On the second day questions were way easier and way shorter. CCS cases were all from UW and were nt a big problem.

Tips
1. Give it as soon as possible after ur ck exam
2. UW is the key just, go through all explanations
3. CCS is just a very small component of the exam, u can ace it with just using UW software.
4.Time management is essential to get a good score and u can miss questions even if u r a little slow.
5.U wont know answers to a lot of questions but dont worry its the same for most of us.
6. http://www.slideshare.net/usmlegalaxy/step3ccs-tutoring1-1219148#btnNext
I can think of only these points right now but i hope it helps, if u have any questions i will be glad to help.
 
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#4 ·
Congratulations umajeed90.. that is a great score.. thank you for sharing your experience.. I gave my exam on Nov 14 and 15.. and expecting my results tomorrow.. just praying that I pass.. really scared.. I gave it around 1 month like you did.. but I couldn't finish the ck medicine like I wanted to.. others I prepared with the same materials that you did.. best of luck for your Match!
 
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