i need help if im doing fine for step 1…

i did Uworld qbank for 2 months, my average for timed, unused, mixed in about 50% and then i studies FA, Kaplan for few weeks and did qbank again, timed, mixed, incorrect and i was averaging 70-75%.. i did nbme 3 (CBSSA-290)… my exam is in exactly 2 weeks, am i ready for the exam? i need to pass step 1 and hoping for 85ish… please help me.. thanks..

karen

I wrote a short summary of what you need to do in order to prep properly for Step 1. This was in reply to USMLE100 at NBME Self-assessment Tests and USMLE Review. If you want to read up more details, you can explore the blog as everything is there. As to getting ready by October. If you are really that bad, it would be impossible to do it in such a short time. For the average new graduate, it is possible to pass after 3 to 4 months of total preparation time, but really hard to get a high score. So depends on your current situation.

Askdoc

You can memorize 100% of FA and fail. That is why it never surprises me why people expect to pass this exam by reading FA. Reading Kaplan notes once is only feasible if you have photographic memory, which I presume you don’t. Goljan lectures can help you score high, but only if you have prepped properly first. Otherwise, you will still fail as you have noticed. Read my blog and know how to prep properly.

Askdoc

i need help.

and i do mean not the usual “run-of-the-mill” type of asking. it’s a downright plea for help.

i recently failed step 2 CK with a miserable failure of 74%. I am an old IMG, Filipino like yourself. I’ve never failed an exam in my life, I already have a subspecialty! I was perhaps too hasty in my preparation, too complacent. Either that, or I have knowledge inadequacy. When I eventually saw my results, I was devastated to say the least. On the verge of giving up, even.

I was searching the web for any info when I came to your site. You do remarkable work. When you mentioned you specialize in USMLE failures, I felt renewed hope. Perhaps I can do this, I’m thinking. Maybe there is hope after all?

And with that came my resolve: to ace all exams.I feel that the only way to redeem that miserable failure is to ace it the second time around. As well as the other steps in the process. And even with that plan, I may still even face serious obstacles in matching. Thus, my goal of a 99 in the exam is non-negotiable. I am going for it. It sounds insane, but I’m actually really going for it.

I know it’s never going to be simple. I have my work cut out for me, recent financial woes have demanded I cut back on unnecessary resources. Odds are seemingly stacked against this goal. But if I give up now, I’ll forever berate myself. And this is why I’m turning to you for help. Any advice I’ll take to heart as I prep for step 1. I have decided to step away from step 2 for now and master step 1 before I re-attempt step 2.

Thank you.

Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Smita.

There is no benefit in redoing UW qbank once you finish 1 round. Just study the questions and answers. Use a different qbank, best is Kaplan qbank.

In order to have a chance at 99, you should average in your last 10 blocks, timed, random, mixed, unused, around 72%. If you want a sure 99, that is very small possibility of falling below 99, then it should be about 78%.

Askdoc

1) I have taken the 30 day q bank. Should I repeat it during the 2 weeks prior to my USMLE, considering I give NBME two weeks before my USMLE STEP1? OR should i go for an another set of Qbank from uworld during that period?

2) What scores are needed on USMLEWORLD Q bank to ace(99) the USMLE STEP 1?

Thanks in advance,
smita.