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Cracking the USMLE!!

FARAZ KHAN LUNI M.D. University of Toledo, Ohio Internal Medicine USMLE Step 1 score 99 (266) USMLE Step 2 score 99 (263) USMLE Step 3 score 99 (234). Cracking the USMLE!!. No fixed formula of success Listen to others Do what suits you. DISCLAIMER!. Avoid Stress.

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Cracking the USMLE!!

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  1. FARAZ KHAN LUNI M.D. University of Toledo, Ohio Internal Medicine USMLE Step 1 score 99 (266) USMLE Step 2 score 99 (263) USMLE Step 3 score 99 (234) Cracking the USMLE!!

  2. No fixed formula of success Listen to others Do what suits you DISCLAIMER!

  3. Avoid Stress • Sort out family issues • Decide what you want • Long process

  4. Avoid Stress • Sleep well • Take out time to relax and exercise • Don’t postpone exams unnecessarily - Maximum of four reads

  5. How to study Hard work pays off but smart studying pays off even more Study Partner or group Make a timetable and stick to it

  6. Time Table • Have 8 Hours of Sleep - Fixed sleeping schedule • Time to relax • Time to exercise • Study in breaks

  7. Time Table • 9 AM Wake up • 10-2:30 Study (4.5 Hours) • 2:30-3 TV • 3-6 Sleep • 6-6:30 Tea Time • 6:30-9 Study (2.5 Hours) • 9-9:30 Exercise • 9:30-10 Eat-TV • 10-2:30 Study (4.5 Hours)

  8. How to study • Library • Don’t over prepare

  9. How to study Not many Buzz words Clinical scenarios No Rattas please - No need to memorize every line

  10. Step 1 subjects (in order of importance) Pathology (Highest yield) Microbiology (Bacteriology high yield, Viral Groups) Behavioral Sciences (Our Achilles' Tendon) Pharmacology (Personal Classification Notes) Immunology (Immune deficiency diseases high yield) Physiology Biochemistry (First Aid is our aid) Genetics Anatomy (YES!!! Lowest yield topic. Only Neuroanatomy is high yield)

  11. Which books to use Kaplan Lecture Notes (Along with DVDs) Kaplan 100 cases of ethics Epidemiology and Biostatistics for the USMLE (Appleton and Lange) Goljan Pathology (Old Edition)

  12. Which books to use Original First Aid Kaplan Q bank (Not Q book) UWorld MCQs (ONLINE!!!) DON’T use High yield series, Grey’s, Harper,Guyton, Ganong!!!

  13. First Read • Orient Yourself • Don’t panic if you don’t remember • Slowest read • Should take ~3 months ~ 10-15 more days if DVDs

  14. First Read Kaplan Series Kaplan 100 cases of ethics Epidemiology and Biostatistics for the USMLE (Appleton and Lange) Goljan Pathology (Some recommend Lectures) - New edition too detailed!

  15. First Read • DVDs • Alternate way of studying • NOT necessary for good scores • Make additions to Kaplan • Do not write every word

  16. First Read • DVDs • Watch once • Increase speed, Capture (Power DVD) • Behavior sciences is a must! • Decide for yourself

  17. Second Read Revise Should take ~ 2 months (with Q Bank) Don’t waste time on DVDs

  18. Second Read • Original First Aid • MUST use it! • NOT a replacement for Kaplan • Great retention and revision tool

  19. Second Read • Kaplan Q bank (Book Format) • Understand question pattern • Topic by topic • Identify high yield topics • Note new information

  20. Third Read • Should take ~15 days U World ~ 13 more days • Kaplan + First Aid • U World Online ( www.usmleworld.com )

  21. Third Read • Sample exam (www.usmle.org) • NBME • Predictive Value

  22. USMLE World • Always Online (Don’t use book) • $99 package • Smartest $99 ever spent! • Can also give self assessment (Extra $30)

  23. USMLE World • Learning tool (Not Evaluation) • High 60s ~ High 90s • Exam day matters • Identify Weaknesses

  24. USMLE World • www.usmleworld.com • Extra Information - Make notes • Gives feel of the exam • Schedule near the real exam

  25. USMLE World FAQs • Not getting good scores • U World Vs Real Exam • My friend got a low score

  26. Day before the Exam • Stop studying by 6 pm • Relax • Stay away from position holders • Sleep early

  27. Day before the Exam Don’t use long acting sedatives (Valium) Go see Prometric centre at least a day before Exam Tutorial Don’t cross question yourself

  28. Step 1 Exam Format • 8 Blocks • 1 st Block Tutorial • 7 Block MCQs (46 MCQs per Block)

  29. Exam Format • 15 Min Tutorial • 45 min Break • 1 Hour per Block • If you finish earlier time added to break time • Block time is CONSTANT (1 hour)

  30. Exam Day • Reach early • Use restroom • Don’t study on exam day or in exam break • Take juices, snacks • Panadol Extra (A lifesaver!!)

  31. Exam Day Skip tutorial - Check mouse, sound, monitor Time management Breaks

  32. Exam Day Have a positive attitude All blocks WONT go well Don’t evaluate yourself It seems crazy but ENJOY your exam

  33. How to attempt questions? • Read the last line first • Look at the options • Then read the whole question • Highlight

  34. How to attempt questions? Don’t waste time Use mark option Tick any answer Don’t leave any unanswered question All the information is in Kaplan and UWorld

  35. Under Grads • Time for Concepts • Proper Text Books • Kaplan • Don’t compromise your Med School

  36. Under Grads Should I go for the Steps? • Pros • Information fresh • Save time to residency • Cons • Only 1 USMLE attempt (Unless you Flunk) • Neglect of college studies • Stressful

  37. House Job • Pros • Backup • Learning • Pakistan Option • PMDC • Financial

  38. House Job • Cons • Does not affect scores • 1 extra year • Less Study time • Not a big boost to your match chances

  39. House Job • Do or not? • Visa Status • Family Issues • AKU or Civil • How to study? • Time • Wards

  40. FAQs Should I give Step 1 first or Step 2 Old edition or new one

  41. FAQs Is USMLE Step 1 studies good enough to pass FCPS ShouldI delay my exam

  42. FAQs Audio Visual Questions Slides

  43. USMLE Step 2

  44. USMLE STEP 2 Attempt within 3-4 months of step 1 Questions from step 1 syllabus Shorter syllabus

  45. USMLE STEP 2 Studying smartly is the key Beware of mistakes in Kaplan Time management very important

  46. Subjects Medicine (Highest Yield) Pediatrics (Medium Yield) Obstetrics and Gynecology (Medium Yield) Surgery (Lowest Yield) Psychiatry (Lowest Yield)

  47. What to focus on? What is the next best step What is the next best test What is the most accurate test What is the most likely diagnosis How to manage

  48. What to study? Recommended Only Kaplan Series UWorld Mcqs (Either online or Book) Master the Boards (Not used by me) Not Recommended No Dvd’s except Cardiology and Gynaecology No First Aid No Qbank

  49. How to study? Three reads more then enough Timing 1st read ~ 2 months with UWorld 2nd read ~1 month 3rd read ~ 13 days

  50. How to study? • U World with first read • Everyone gets whipped in U World • Understand pattern • Identify high yield topics

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