My usmle step 3 experience

[usmle_2013]

I passed all my usmle exams. When I say this, it gives me a huge relief.

I wanted to apply for residency with usmle step 3 score. So I had to take risk, because failure would have missed up my application. I had only two and a half months to prepare along with full time job.

Preparation time 2 months and 15 days
Material used; No books, only Q banks.

usmle world q bank 1st time 60% 2nd time 75 % 3rd time 85 %

Kaplan Q bank 62 %

CCS usmle world; 52 cases 1.5 times

As I had limited time and also was working so I decided to concentrate only on uworld. I started doing usmle world in timed and random manner. I was just reading its explanations and did not take notes. I did it three times and every time I tried to read the explanation for all questions. I learned a lot from uworld and I am sure it helped me in my exam too.

There 52 cases in uworld. I did them once and read their explanations. I wanted to do them one more time but because there was no time so I managed to repeat half of them. I would strongly recommend to do them twice.

There was not enough time in the end but I decided to do Kaplan Q bank. I did it in timed and random manner but couldn't read the explanation. I guess it helped me in time management during exam. If someone has time then its better to do its explanations too.

I planned to reach US three days before my exam but due to certain reasons, I reached there one day before my exam. (Missed my flight and spent three days in airports) I was dead tired when I arrived there and only one day was left in my exam.

EXAM; As I mentioned above, I was unable to concentrate properly but I think the questions are much harder and longer then usmle world. Majority of questions were vague for me. And I was mostly guessing on first day.

Second day; Half of the questions were shorter and easier then the first day but half of them again very vague.

I had to rush through last few questions in every block on both days. So time is a big problem on step 3.

CCS; Not difficult if you prepare well from usmle world.
If someone is not clinically active then he should take this part very seriously. and should use multiple resources along with usmle world.
I thought I will fail this exam due to CCS because I didn't do well in a few cases but my performance in CCS is good.
If a patient is having acute problem then I would order pulse oximetry, face mask oxygen, ecg monitor, and iv access.(If not acute problem then no need for these things). And then advice the basic investigations a long with those which are related to that particular case. Followed by management according to the case. Don't expect that cases would be similar to those in uworld.

Uwsa 224/530 (5 days before the test)
Real exam Pass/205

I am happy that my usmle journey ended and I am thankful to Allah, Almighty.

[coolfire]

thank you friend for sharing the experience.
We were in the same cs result forum I guess. I took my step 3 on just few weeks back. and I am also a bit worried about it.

My all cases in exams were ended before the time..
Is it a good or bad sign???

[usmle_2013]

Though I passed step 3. I don't have much information about CCS. I never discussed or studied CCS with study partners and also did not use Archer etc. Just used uworld ccs.

But in my opinion there are two reasons due to which a ccs case ends early. One is that you are doing well and the patient improved. 2nd is that you consulted prematurely and the case ends. So its wise to order all the necessary things before consulting for example general surgery.

You are worried a little and I was worried like hell. So this means you are pass for sure.

Good luck and see you matching in whatever specialty you are interested.

[aprilcs]

Originally Posted by usmle_2013

I passed all my usmle exams. When I say this, it gives me a huge relief.

I wanted to apply for residency with usmle step 3 score. So I had to take risk, because failure would have missed up my application. I had only two and a half months to prepare along with full time job.

Preparation time 2 months and 15 days
Material used; No books, only Q banks.

usmle world q bank 1st time 60% 2nd time 75 % 3rd time 85 %

Kaplan Q bank 62 %

CCS usmle world; 52 cases 1.5 times

As I had limited time and also was working so I decided to concentrate only on uworld. I started doing usmle world in timed and random manner. I was just reading its explanations and did not take notes. I did it three times and every time I tried to read the explanation for all questions. I learned a lot from uworld and I am sure it helped me in my exam too.

There 52 cases in uworld. I did them once and read their explanations. I wanted to do them one more time but because there was no time so I managed to repeat half of them. I would strongly recommend to do them twice.

There was not enough time in the end but I decided to do Kaplan Q bank. I did it in timed and random manner but couldn't read the explanation. I guess it helped me in time management during exam. If someone has time then its better to do its explanations too.

I planned to reach US three days before my exam but due to certain reasons, I reached there one day before my exam. (Missed my flight and spent three days in airports) I was dead tired when I arrived there and only one day was left in my exam.

EXAM; As I mentioned above, I was unable to concentrate properly but I think the questions are much harder and longer then usmle world. Majority of questions were vague for me. And I was mostly guessing on first day.

Second day; Half of the questions were shorter and easier then the first day but half of them again very vague.

I had to rush through last few questions in every block on both days. So time is a big problem on step 3.

CCS; Not difficult if you prepare well from usmle world.
If someone is not clinically active then he should take this part very seriously. and should use multiple resources along with usmle world.
I thought I will fail this exam due to CCS because I didn't do well in a few cases but my performance in CCS is good.
If a patient is having acute problem then I would order pulse oximetry, face mask oxygen, ecg monitor, and iv access.(If not acute problem then no need for these things). And then advice the basic investigations a long with those which are related to that particular case. Followed by management according to the case. Don't expect that cases would be similar to those in uworld.

Uwsa 224/530 (5 days before the test)
Real exam Pass/205

I am happy that my usmle journey ended and I am thankful to Allah, Almighty.

Congrats!!

[usmled10]

No books? Congratulations How important is step 3 score?

[usmle_2013]

Thanks.

I had studied well both mtb 2 and mtb3 for CK but I did not read them for step 3.

I don't know how important is step 3. But I just wanted to take all usmle exams before applying that's why I took step 3.

[Manandharsabina]

Originally Posted by usmle_2013

I passed all my usmle exams. When I say this, it gives me a huge relief.

I wanted to apply for residency with usmle step 3 score. So I had to take risk, because failure would have missed up my application. I had only two and a half months to prepare along with full time job.

Preparation time 2 months and 15 days
Material used; No books, only Q banks.

usmle world q bank 1st time 60% 2nd time 75 % 3rd time 85 %

Kaplan Q bank 62 %

CCS usmle world; 52 cases 1.5 times

As I had limited time and also was working so I decided to concentrate only on uworld. I started doing usmle world in timed and random manner. I was just reading its explanations and did not take notes. I did it three times and every time I tried to read the explanation for all questions. I learned a lot from uworld and I am sure it helped me in my exam too.

There 52 cases in uworld. I did them once and read their explanations. I wanted to do them one more time but because there was no time so I managed to repeat half of them. I would strongly recommend to do them twice.

There was not enough time in the end but I decided to do Kaplan Q bank. I did it in timed and random manner but couldn't read the explanation. I guess it helped me in time management during exam. If someone has time then its better to do its explanations too.

I planned to reach US three days before my exam but due to certain reasons, I reached there one day before my exam. (Missed my flight and spent three days in airports) I was dead tired when I arrived there and only one day was left in my exam.

EXAM; As I mentioned above, I was unable to concentrate properly but I think the questions are much harder and longer then usmle world. Majority of questions were vague for me. And I was mostly guessing on first day.

Second day; Half of the questions were shorter and easier then the first day but half of them again very vague.

I had to rush through last few questions in every block on both days. So time is a big problem on step 3.

CCS; Not difficult if you prepare well from usmle world.
If someone is not clinically active then he should take this part very seriously. and should use multiple resources along with usmle world.
I thought I will fail this exam due to CCS because I didn't do well in a few cases but my performance in CCS is good.
If a patient is having acute problem then I would order pulse oximetry, face mask oxygen, ecg monitor, and iv access.(If not acute problem then no need for these things). And then advice the basic investigations a long with those which are related to that particular case. Followed by management according to the case. Don't expect that cases would be similar to those in uworld.

Uwsa 224/530 (5 days before the test)
Real exam Pass/205

I am happy that my usmle journey ended and I am thankful to Allah, Almighty.

Hello. Can u share with me the kaplan q bank? My email address is [email protected] gmail.com