[priyanka1]

Hi everyone I am just confused..

I mean when I do Kaplan notes and then look to questions they are so different!

I mean only few questions that came from the notes I read so I mean I need to learn more with questions explanations is that normal? and do we need to memorize Kaplan notes and then questions .both as I found both are different and 2nd I get so depressed that I fail to solve questions.

What to do?

 

[rasheed]

Tell us more

Just let me ask you few questions before I answer your question.

Where are you now in your preparation? Did you finish all of Kaplan Notes? What questions are you talking about? Is it the Kaplan Notes questions at the end of chapters or the Kaplan Qbook questions or Kaplan Qbank or what?

 

[priyanka1]

Actually I have just started studying. I mean am first giving reading to starting few chapter before going to Kaplan center to view my DVDs so for example 12 chapters in pathology, 11 in immunology, ... etc.

I have done questions at back of each chapter. I could solve few but many were strange and then I saw Kaplan Qbook and that was too different.

Do I need to remember Kaplan notes by heart then to do questions and they too remember?

To tell u frankly after reading 2 chapters of biochemistry I got so confused with questions at the back of the chapter. I really couldn't understand how to start studying.

I am really confused I am doing just Kaplan but few of my friends are doing other books really

My mind all messed up

 

[rasheed]

That's exactly what I expected. You are in the beginning of your prep. That's why you have this confusion and lack of confidence.

This is perfectly normal, questions at the end of each Kaplan's chapter frequently refer to a material that is not in the chapter and that material you'll cover when you read the other chapters.

Do not open Kaplan Qbook until you finish a whole book. For example finish all of the biochemistry book then do the biochemistry blocks in Kaplan Qbook. This way you'll see that you are doing much better.

Also, don't jump from book to book. Focus on one book, finish it then go to the next. The best sequence when reading Kaplan notes is this
1- Anatomy 2- Physiology 3- Biochemistry 4- Microbiology 5- Pathology 6- Pharmacology 7- Behavioral sciences. Read more

Do not look at your friends and what they are reading. By the time you finish all Kaplan books you'll feel much better.

Another thing, as you do more and more questions in the future you'll see your performance getting better and better as you learn all the tricks and topics start to be repeated.

Also, you may need to read Kaplan notes twice and perhaps three times before you have a good grasp of the USMLE Step 1 topics. See this thread that discusses how many times you should repeat Kaplan notes.

Biochemistry is one of the most difficult subjects and I suggest you steer away from it for the time being. Don't let it frustrate you.

Kaplan notes is perfectly enough for Step 1 preparation see this thread
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s.../786-usmle-step-1-preparation-books-plan.html

Good luck in your prep and don't hesitate to vent out your fears and confusions here with us

 

[Sabio]

It's normal to feel unable to memorize

This article may also help
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-articles/1529-usmle-forgetfulness-syndrome.html

 

[priyanka1]

thank u very much its really help to decrease my tension really

 

[Seetal]

yes yes. i agree with rasheed. biochem was the toughest for me. those questions at the end of each chapter and the biochem q-book only allowed me to score 50 - 65%. (and i have a degree in biotechnology!!) but with anatomy and physio which i did before that i managed 70 - 85, even 100%. don't look at other materials just do yr kaplan notes at least 3 times. even if u do not do the videos, the notes are practically mandatory for a good score. im rooting for a 99!!

good luck priyanka.