Old Graduate Mom Scored 252!

[KovachMarina]

I am finally in the position to write about my experience and feeling so happy that can write as an old graduate and a mom.
In short:

1. Study materials:

- HY gross anatomy
- HY neuroanatomy
- BRS behavioral + Kaplan lectures
- Kaplan biochemistry + Kaplan lectures
- BRS physiology + Kaplan lectures
- Goljan RR 3rd ed + Goljan audio
- Embryology - only FA
- Pharmacology - FA plus Kaplan lectures
- Microbiology - CMMRS
- Immunology - Levinson

Actually, I was following the Taus method and I think it's great.

2. Tests:

UW cumulative 78% first pass
NBME 15- 254 , 1.5 month before the exam
NBME 13- 254 , 1 week before
I think that my scores didn't improve because I had a minor medical procedure and also came to the USA two weeks before the exam, and had to take care of my child, so didn't have enough time for studying at the end.
The most important thing for me is starting doing questions as soon as possible. I was doing UW 2007 offline mode, subject wise and Kaplan 2010, random, just to revise. I was doing questions almost every evening, one block at least.

3. Exam

Pathology, pathology, pathology! But a lot of neurology slides, a lot of behavioral and microbiology too. Almost everything except for embryology. I wish I could have known that at the beginning
My advice, regarding the day of the exam is- first go through all the questions, and then return to questions that you don't know and don't understand. Don't wast your time thinking about some equations, statistical problems etc. Time flies on the exam. Mark only what you really don't know.

And good luck to you all!

[MishkaMD]

Maladec, Pozdravlyaju

[muse]

congrats mam thats great score
1. so you only use UWorld online ? despite offline things u mention
2. how many times did you go through kaplan materials ?
3. lastly how long did you prepare?

[Doc_mma]

Good job! Udachi na CK!

[Teonie]

Congratulation. !!!!!!! Great

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by muse

congrats mam thats great score
1.so you only use UWorld online ? despite offline things u mention
2.how many times did you go through kaplan materials ?
3.lastly how long did you prepare?

Yes, only UW online, for 4 months. Read every explanation, even when you answer correct. And this takes a lot of time, as many people before me said.
I went over all of the materials once, and continue revising only from FA, as the Taus method recommends.
I was preparing for 9 months.

[MEDICINE DOC]

Congratulations ma'am
can u plz tell mehow was the real xam compared to uworld?
and are the slides in uworld n FA enough??

[ashok1]

hearty congrats ..many posted about their success, mostly fresh imgs, very few old img but loongg waited for such a post in this forum from sumone not only old img , wife (u ,even a mom) who so bravely crossed d barriers after managing her life nd family nd so successful !!! Only wives know how tough it is !! It encourages so much candidtates like us . Thank you so much !!!

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by MEDICINE DOC

Congratulations ma'am
can u plz tell mehow was the real xam compared to uworld?
and are the slides in uworld n FA enough??

I think my exam was most similar to UW, more than any other qbank or predictor.
And about slides, well, the most important thing is to understand concepts. Slides in UW and FA are good, but I was also using google images, for all images- pathology slides, pictures of the deseases, X-rays, CT and NMR. For pathology, I found this very useful http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/webpath.html

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by ashok1

hearty congrats ..many posted about their success, mostly fresh imgs, very few old img but loongg waited for such a post in this forum from sumone not only old img , wife (u ,even a mom) who so bravely crossed d barriers after managing her life nd family nd so successful !!! Only wives know how tough it is !! It encourages so much candidtates like us . Thank you so much !!!

That is why I posted my experience. Sometimes I felt so discouraged with all these freshmen

[Dr.Albert]

inspiring no doubt! how much anatomy was tested on your exam and what were the areas tested? how did you prep for biostat? how many questions were there and how difficuilt was it?

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by Dr.Albert

inspiring no doubt! how much anatomy was tested on your exam and what were the areas tested? how did you prep for biostat? how many questions were there and how difficuilt was it?

There was pretty much of anatomy, and although I find HY gross anatomy great and sufficient, there were some things I encountered for the first time. I suppose this is where your logic and previous knowledge play major role. All areas of anatomy were equally present.
For biostatistics, for which I think I will never understand completely, I was watching Kaplan videos and repeating and revising questions. There was a lot of statistics and doctor-patients relations, but it was not so hard. Common sense is important here too.

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by KovachMarina

I think my exam was most similar to UW, more than any other qbank or predictor.
And about slides, well, the most important thing is to understand concepts. Slides in UW and FA are good, but I was also using google images, for all images- pathology slides, pictures of the deseases, X-rays, CT and NMR. For pathology, I found this very useful http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/webpath.html

pictures from HY neuroanatomy are also veeeeery important. Do them at least twice

[dr.y]

congrats ,how many times did u solve UWorld? two or three times?

[eva11]

how long did you take to go through the Taus method?

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by eva11

how long did you take to go through the Taus method?

About 7 months first pass, and about 2 more to revise. But I didn't go through Goljan RR twice.

[MEDICINE DOC]

Ma'am can u plz tel me about bacterial genetics..is it enuf if I study FA..Haven't done it even once..will do FA +CMMRS..

PLz advice Thank you

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by dr.y

congrats ,how many times did u solve UWorld? two or three times?

I did UW twice

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by MEDICINE DOC

Ma'am can u plz tel me about bacterial genetics..is it enuf if I study FA..Haven't done it even once..will do FA +CMMRS..

PLz advice Thank you

You should understand bacterial and viral genetics well. Microbiology was very high yield on my exam, and there was several questions from bacterial and viral genetics.
I find FA enough, if you understand it well. But you should go through it several times, and know almost every word But, yes, FA plus CMMRS are great combination.

[dr.y]

Originally Posted by KovachMarina

I did UW twice

thankyou ,i am studing exactly the same way as you did.I hope i got as good marks as you did.

[docmfn]

Originally Posted by KovachMarina

I am finally in the position to write about my experience and feeling so happy that can write as an old graduate and a mom.
In short:

1. Study materials:

- HY gross anatomy
- HY neuroanatomy
- BRS behavioral + Kaplan lectures
- Kaplan biochemistry + Kaplan lectures
- BRS physiology + Kaplan lectures
- Goljan RR 3rd ed + Goljan audio
- Embryology - only FA
- Pharmacology - FA plus Kaplan lectures
- Microbiology - CMMRS
- Immunology - Levinson

Actually, I was following the Taus method and I think it's great.

2. Tests:

UW cumulative 78% first pass
NBME 15- 254 , 1.5 month before the exam
NBME 13- 254 , 1 week before
I think that my scores didn't improve because I had a minor medical procedure and also came to the USA two weeks before the exam, and had to take care of my child, so didn't have enough time for studying at the end.
The most important thing for me is starting doing questions as soon as possible. I was doing UW 2007 offline mode, subject wise and Kaplan 2010, random, just to revise. I was doing questions almost every evening, one block at least.

3. Exam

Pathology, pathology, pathology! But a lot of neurology slides, a lot of behavioral and microbiology too. Almost everything except for embryology. I wish I could have known that at the beginning
My advice, regarding the day of the exam is- first go through all the questions, and then return to questions that you don't know and don't understand. Don't wast your time thinking about some equations, statistical problems etc. Time flies on the exam. Mark only what you really don't know.

And good luck to you all!

it's really inspiring..congrats..I failed my step 1 once coz of my foolishness of random n bizarre prep with lack of confidence...now gathering my confidence again to start over ..I also have UW offline 2007 n FA 2010 n kaplan 2010 lecture notes n videos.GOljan 3rd edition...with these resources how should I start or should I add or delete some items/books in my prep..? Thanx

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by docmfn

it's really inspiring..congrats..I failed my step 1 once coz of my foolishness of random n bizarre prep with lack of confidence...now gathering my confidence again to start over ..I also have UW offline 2007 n FA 2010 n kaplan 2010 lecture notes n videos.GOljan 3rd edition...with these resources how should I start or should I add or delete some items/books in my prep..? Thanx

well, you should definitely use the newest FA, and instead of Kaplan pathology, Goljan RR. And the rest is ok. Good luck!

[docmfn]

Originally Posted by KovachMarina

well, you should definitely use the newest FA, and instead of Kaplan pathology, Goljan RR. And the rest is ok. Good luck!

And what about BRS physio n HY books n CMMRS ..do I need those..I was planning to buy those..donno r thr cheaper options available..to buy those or if anyone can lend me that would be awesome. .

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by docmfn

And what about BRS physio n HY books n CMMRS ..do I need those..I was planning to buy those..donno r thr cheaper options available..to buy those or if anyone can lend me that would be awesome. .

As I already wrote, I didn't learn from Kaplan (except for Biochemistry and Molecular), but there are many people who did, and who were satisfied with their scores, so it's on you to decide.

After all, at the end, all that matters are FA and UW

[ashok1]

mam , plz tell me how many months from exam , u finished uw nd fa once wd 2nd read ? becoz I calculated i'll get only two months before exam date to finish uw nd fa once wd 2nd read the theory

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by ashok1

mam , plz tell me how many months from exam , u finished uw nd fa once wd 2nd read ? becoz I calculated i'll get only two months before exam date to finish uw nd fa once wd 2nd read the theory

Two months also!

[svetoh]

поздравления!!!

u world and uwsa...are they two different things?? is one month enuf for u world after fa first read??

[Drromyusmle]

Congrats mommy! As a father of a wonderful girl. You are an isnpiration to me.

[Drromyusmle]

What is the Taus method if i may ask?

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by svetoh

поздравления!!!

u world and uwsa...are they two different things?? is one month enuf for u world after fa first read??

I'm afraid people usually need more time for UW. You can calculate- 2145 questions, 46 per block maximum, 1 hour for doing block, and at least 4 h for revision. Approximately two months for first pass

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by Drromyusmle

Congrats mommy! As a father of a wonderful girl. You are an isnpiration to me.

And this is also inspiration to me, trying to find strength in doing my CK preparation.
Regarding TAUS method, I suggest you click on it in my first post, because it is posted as a quick link.

[Drromyusmle]

Hello KovachMarina! I have found the Tauss Method and going through it right now. It seems like they mostly use other material than Kaplan. Do you think I can substitute them to Kaplan lectures notes or should I use Kaplan and other material at the same time? Thank you for your time.

[KovachMarina]

Originally Posted by Drromyusmle

Hello KovachMarina! I have found the Tauss Method and going through it right now. It seems like they mostly use other material than Kaplan. Do you think I can substitute them to Kaplan lectures notes or should I use Kaplan and other material at the same time? Thank you for your time.

If you started to use KLN, continue, don't waist your time. And don't go through both resources! Although Taus method is based on other materials, the most important points are to do subject wise and start with questions as soon as possible. And I would recommend Goljan, instead of Kaplan pathology. Best of luck!

[Drromyusmle]

I was thinking of making my schedule like this (Based on AskDoc) and Integrate the Mastery Phase with the Taus Method. What do you think?

Usmle Step 1 Study Plan by AskDoc:

Learning Phase (4 months) GOAL
Physiology-------------------1.5 week
Anatomy---------------------2 weeks
Biochemistry-----------------1.5 week
Pathology--------------------5 weeks
Pharmacology----------------3 weeks
Micro/Immuno----------------2 weeks
Behavioral Science-----------1 week

Mastery Phase (4.5 months)
First Revision (12 weeks) GOAL
Pathology-------------------5 Weeks
Pharmacology---------------2 weeks
Micro / Immuno------------- 2 weeks
Anatomy--------------------8 days
Physiology------------------5 days
Biochemistry----------------5 days
Behavioral Science----------3 days

Second Revision (4 weeks) GOAL
Pathology------------------10 days
Pharmacology---------------6 days
Micro / Immuno-------------5 days
Anatomy-------------------2 days
Physiology-----------------2 days
Biochemistry---------------2 days
Behavioral Science---------1 day

Third Revision (2 weeks) GOAL
Pathology------------------10 days
Pharmacology---------------6 days
Micro / Immuno-------------5 days
Anatomy-------------------2 days
Physiology-----------------2 days
Biochemistry---------------2 days
Behavioral Science---------1 day

Test Preparation (1 month)

[Rapi]

In a block how many q we can afford to get incorrect to get a score like you.Thanks

[svetoh]

how did you study fa?? its taking me longer than usual...

[Med Katie]

Very inspiring....when was your year of graduation? Also any advice about how many hours/day to study for busy moms?

Originally Posted by KovachMarina

I am finally in the position to write about my experience and feeling so happy that can write as an old graduate and a mom.
In short:

1. Study materials:

- HY gross anatomy
- HY neuroanatomy
- BRS behavioral + Kaplan lectures
- Kaplan biochemistry + Kaplan lectures
- BRS physiology + Kaplan lectures
- Goljan RR 3rd ed + Goljan audio
- Embryology - only FA
- Pharmacology - FA plus Kaplan lectures
- Microbiology - CMMRS
- Immunology - Levinson

Actually, I was following the Taus method and I think it's great.

2. Tests:

UW cumulative 78% first pass
NBME 15- 254 , 1.5 month before the exam
NBME 13- 254 , 1 week before
I think that my scores didn't improve because I had a minor medical procedure and also came to the USA two weeks before the exam, and had to take care of my child, so didn't have enough time for studying at the end.
The most important thing for me is starting doing questions as soon as possible. I was doing UW 2007 offline mode, subject wise and Kaplan 2010, random, just to revise. I was doing questions almost every evening, one block at least.

3. Exam

Pathology, pathology, pathology! But a lot of neurology slides, a lot of behavioral and microbiology too. Almost everything except for embryology. I wish I could have known that at the beginning
My advice, regarding the day of the exam is- first go through all the questions, and then return to questions that you don't know and don't understand. Don't wast your time thinking about some equations, statistical problems etc. Time flies on the exam. Mark only what you really don't know.

And good luck to you all!

[Sunshine14]

Thanks for sharing!
Good luck!

[MH94]

Congrats, great score!

[sedagrig]

Thank you for sharing!! Good luck!!

[medystudent]

Congratulations great score!!! goodluck in the future

[projectusmle]

Thanks for posting. Congratulations.

[Bcl-2]

Congrats and thank you for sharing your experience

[usmle1199]

thank you.