Passed 227/98 (old IMG)
Actual score = 227/98
*UW Qbank Score=75% (Timed, First attempt)
*Kaplan Qbank Score=75% (only 40% done , Not that much useful)
2 months out : NBME 7 = 224
3 weeks out : NBME 6 = 233
2 weeks out : NBME 12 = 242
1 week out : UW SA1 = 250
1 week out : UW SA2 = 261
I targeted and expected for a higher 3digits score, anyways its not that bad.
Maybe my stress during the real exam affected my performance
Any comments will be appreciated,and If I can help you write to me.
edited by HoKh28270895 on 8/31/2011
edited by HoKh28270895 on 8/31/2011
What I studied and my opinion about each one :
*Kaplan LN = Anatomy(= a Good book),Biochemistry(= also a Good book),Physiology(I didn't like it, BRS is much better),Immunology(Very helpful),Pharmacology(Very helpful)
*BRS = Pathology(=Very helpful),Behavioral(=Not very helpful)
*MRS = Microbiology (=Good but must combine with FA)
and then :
*First Aid 2011 (Very good)
*UW Qbank (The best of all)
*Kaplan Qbank (I didn't like it so much)
*UWSA (over-estimated me so much : 250,261 )
hi congrats...
i wanna ask u that i have exam on 2nd week of oct....which test should i give 1st uw self or nbme...?
in nbme which test should i subcribe..? n duration between test..?
nd wt is img..?
Hi, thanks
My suggestion is doing NBMEs every 2-3 weeks (online) and then UWSA at the end.
NBME forms 6,7,11,12 are the best ones. (try the extended feedback option)
IMG = International Medical Graduate (FMG = Foreign med graduate)
beware that UWSA will over-estimate your score.
Good luck
Hello HoKH,
congratulations on ur grt success.I am also an old img.I need your help.I failed my exam in first attempt & since then I lost my confidence.I dont know whether i should or not.First ofall I am an old garduate & now I also have an attempt.Is there any chance of getting in residency if I try one more time?or should I forget it.My graduation year is 2005,what should I do?
Hello shra
Don't under-estimate ur self, don't give up at all.You have a good chance of residency if you pass it this time +90, You will do it much better this time, the most common cause of failing in IMGs is not being familiar with the exam, So trust ur self and start again, it is not easy but its doable,
Write to me if I can help u more.
I will highly appreciate if someone who has passed step2CK tells me that in addition to Kaplan LN, Is MTB (master the boards)a necessary book to study or not, and if yes, MTB 2 or 3 ?
hi !
Congratulations on your success. Kindly advise me, I have to appear in dec. When should I start with questions and How should I distribute between UW and NBME? Also ,is NBME essential?
Hi Zenith,
thanks, my suggestion is to start UW Qbank, 2 months before your real test...you can also take NBMEs 6,7,11,12 with 15 days intervals until ur exam.
UW is very helpful and my recommendation is doing UW very well with all explanations and then for the 2nd time do ur incorrect and marked Qs.
Hi there,
I am also a very old grad. My questions to you:
1.)How long did you study for the exams?
2.)Did you use the Goljan lectures/notes? If yes, were they helpful?
3.)What did you use for Behavioral Sciences (you stated that BRS was not good...did you use Kaplan LN and was it useful?
Thank you so much
Hi motivatedmm
1.)for me it took about 7-8 months to prepare for step1.
2.)I didn't use Goljan at all.(For patho I used BRS which was good)
3.)I didn't like Kaplan LN behavioral, so I switched to BRS, it seemed to be very good when I studied it but later, when I took NBMEs I found out that I am weak in Behavioral, this also happened in real exam and I did not perform well in behavioral, So I think BRS was not that much helpful for me.
To sum up, Neither Kaplan nor BRS helped me so much.
But I still think BRS Behavioral is better than Kaplan.
UW is very good specially in biostat.
Sorry, I don't know better books to recommend
Good Luck
edited by HoKh28270895 on 9/5/2011
Hi there,
Thanks for your reply.
All the best for your further steps!!
HoKh28270895 wrote:
Hello shra
Don't under-estimate ur self, don't give up at all.You have a good chance of residency if you pass it this time +90, You will do it much better this time, the most common cause of failing in IMGs is not being familiar with the exam, So trust ur self and start again, it is not easy but its doable,
Write to me if I can help u more.
Hello HoKh,
Thanks a lot for your encouragement.Last time I was not able to give my full concentration in exam bcoz of family matters.I did kaplan lecture notes,Gojan rapid review and first aid read 2 times.I also did UWORLD questions but couldn't finish it completely.Do you think this is enough.I read only kaplan notes for behavioral,should I use any other book?
Thanks in advance.
Hi shra
I guess the problem was not in the materials you used, but there was a problem in your concentration and quality of study... So, be brave and do it again, dont worry, you will pass it.I think kaplan LN + FA + UW is more than enough. I recommend BRS for Patho & Physio (instead of kaplan LN). For Behavioral I used BRS but was not successful in this area.
The most important thing is to work hard and your hard work will be rewarded, dont worry.
UW is very very helpful and do your best on this qbank. study all the explanations no matter you answered correct or incorrect. when you study UW look back to FA and write small notes on your FA book.
(1.Kaplan/BRS then go to 2.FA then go to 3.UW)
Good luck
edited by HoKh28270895 on 9/7/2011
Hi again Motivatedmm
Sorry if my previous reply was not clear about Behavioral Sciences,
If I was supposed to restart my studies, I would study both Kaplan LN and BRS for behavioral sciences + UW (very carefully) REGARDNG the fact that IMGs are not good in behavioral (traditionally)
I hope this time my reply helps you.
Good luck
My email address is
[email protected]If I can help you, write to me.
edited by HoKh28270895 on 9/8/2011
HoKh28270895 wrote:
Hi shra
I guess the problem was not in the materials you used, but there was a problem in your concentration and quality of study... So, be brave and do it again, dont worry, you will pass it.I think kaplan LN + FA + UW is more than enough. I recommend BRS for Patho & Physio (instead of kaplan LN). For Behavioral I used BRS but was not successful in this area.
The most important thing is to work hard and your hard work will be rewarded, dont worry.
UW is very very helpful and do your best on this qbank. study all the explanations no matter you answered correct or incorrect. when you study UW look back to FA and write small notes on your FA book.
(1.Kaplan/BRS then go to 2.FA then go to 3.UW)
Good luck
edited by HoKh28270895 on 9/7/2011
Thanks a lot Hokh for ur reply.I guess ur r right.Just 1 wk before exam I got a very bad news that changed my life upside down,but I already extended my eligibility period so decided to go for it.But that was a very bad decision I made.I was very tensed during the exam,I was literally shaking for first 2 hrs.
Anyways this time I will definitely make it.Thank you once again.
Congratulation Hokh!!!! I just have one question: How many hours did you study a day? I am working full time, and I am thinking about working part time, but I don't know if that would be enough time....
Thanks for sharing your story with us... Your words encourage me to do it
HoKh28270895 wrote:
Actual score = 227/98
*UW Qbank Score=75% (Timed, First attempt)
*Kaplan Qbank Score=75% (only 40% done , Not that much useful)
2 months out : NBME 7 = 224
3 weeks out : NBME 6 = 233
2 weeks out : NBME 12 = 242
1 week out : UW SA1 = 250
1 week out : UW SA2 = 261
I targeted and expected for a higher 3digits score, anyways its not that bad.
Maybe my stress during the real exam affected my performance
Any comments will be appreciated,and If I can help you write to me.
edited by HoKh28270895 on 8/31/2011
edited by HoKh28270895 on 8/31/2011
Thank you lili
For me it took 6-7 hours/day and about 7 months, I also worked part-time.
I hope this helps you to have a good plan for preparation.
Good Luck and write to me if I can be of any help.
HoKh28270895 wrote:
Actual score = 227/98
*UW Qbank Score=75% (Timed, First attempt)
*Kaplan Qbank Score=75% (only 40% done , Not that much useful)
2 months out : NBME 7 = 224
3 weeks out : NBME 6 = 233
2 weeks out : NBME 12 = 242
1 week out : UW SA1 = 250
1 week out : UW SA2 = 261
I targeted and expected for a higher 3digits score, anyways its not that bad.
Maybe my stress during the real exam affected my performance
Any comments will be appreciated,and If I can help you write to me.
edited by HoKh28270895 on 8/31/2011
edited by HoKh28270895 on 8/31/2011
Hi,congrats 4 ur score
can u pls advice me which nbme should i do??as I see u did 6,7,12 only is that enough??
Hi dr.Nono
I also took NBME 5 and got a 235 online,
I recommend 5,6,7,11,12 all online.
I ALSO recommend 15 days intervals between ur tests, except for the last week you can do more.Please remember that NBMEs are assessment tools, and not preparation tools.
Good luck.
Hi,
congratz HoKh28270895
,
just two questions if u don't mind:
1- is studying FA and UW Q-bank with explanations enough 4 Step 1 ?
2- how much time do i need to finish FA?
Thanks
Hi,
congrats HoKh28270895
i am planing to appear on next month. one doubt disturbs my mind..do my medical school performance affect in any way during the final selection process ..please help..
thanx a lot..
Hi AJ.Alkaabi
1.To be honest NO, you need to study Kaplan LN or BRS or some other review books, unless you dont target a 90+ score or you are a very fresh student with a powerful background.
2.I think for each time studying FA about 15 days is enough, but you may need to re-read FA during your preparation (totally 2-3 times)
Good luck
edited by HoKh28270895 on 9/19/2011
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