Thanks so much for replying, so in short NBME is absolutely necessary, is what you are saying. Its been a long time since I have opened any books, so everything is greek to me at this point. Also I have an overwhelming lot of responsibilities, but then again what would you suggest, I could add to the resource list?
I am thinking of taking the test in about 6 months and I can try study for 5-max 6 hours a day. Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my long posts. Thanks!
I have not taken the test yet myself. I am taking the long route since I am still a third year med student (in a 6 year program). I am also using a bunch of textbooks for my first read (usually the top rated resource in the back of FA), some flash cards (micro and pharm), in addition to Kaplan, I also use Becker lectures, MedQuest cases, MedQuest physical findings, Kaplan cases, Raymon cases. I also use USMLE-Rx qbank, planning to subscribe to a Kaplan qbank after I am done with my first read.
However, all that is irrelevant if you only have 6 months. I just passed a one year point in my prep and I still have 12 months till my exam.
From what I have learned from the people that have taken the exam, you need to be planning about 12 hrs a day of pure study time during the last two months. 6 hrs a day for 6 months might be doable for Kaplan, Pathoma, and UW, but the big thing is how well you can learn and retain information.
The word on the street is that FA+UWORLD is enough to pass but you have to have it down cold. And the only way you get it down cold is by spending a crapload of time studying.
