Tips For USMLE Step 2

First of all I would like to tell you all that I found this exam easier than the first one. This exam is more clinical than Step 1.
As I mentioned in Step 1 also, use logic more than common sense while answering the questions .
This exam is not very difficult and does not involve memorizing things. The examiner tries to change the language of the question in such a way that the test taker gets confused. But, If you know the conceps well and also what he is trying to ask, you can easily get it right. The question stem is very long and time is less, but don't panic, concentrate on the relevant things. They might give you a lot of irrelevant information about that particular case e.g. Lab Values, X-rays, EKG's etc. Don't get scared, these are given probably to make the question complicated. They are just testing your basic clinical knowledge. So, try to think what diagnosis you can make out of that given findings. Read the whole question carefully, especially the last line and the key words like What, How etc. While reading the question, you will think "O' I know the answer" but sometimes its not the right answer. Read what the examiner is asking.Try to look for "Best Possible" answer rather than "The Right Answer". Try to think the case as a real one even if it doesn't sound real. Use logic and then answer. Also, there will be some buzz words in inverted comas("), dont get distracted by them. Sometimes they are not important at all.
I read Kaplan notes for theory and practiced Usmleworld questions. I think they really helped me to approach the questions. I also read Crush Step 2 in the end to review the whole syllabus. I also referred to CMDT for my queries. I scored very well in Step 2 (234/95). I think the most important thing on this exam is to use logic and practice a lot of questions. Also NBME exam 3 weeks before the real exam helps to assess yourself about your preparation.

Websites:
a) For Usmle world-- www.usmleworld.com. You will have to buy these questions.
b) For NBME---www.nbme.org

Tips for USMLE Step 1 Preparation

Ok! So here is what I think is required to prepare for USMLE.

First of all always think that it is a do-able exam. Do not get nervous, keep your cool and attack.The most important thing to do is to stay focussed. Study whatever material you feel is good. If you think you want to read only Kaplan notes, thats fine, but know the concepts well. The basic thing in this exam is how to approach the questions. The examiner is asking you simple stuff but in a complicated way. So you should know, what he is trying to ask. Use logic. He will give you many irrelevant things. You need to focus only on things that are asked. Also, time restraint makes it difficult to finish the exam. But,try to practice many questions, beforehand, with time. Also, concentrate on topics that are important e.g Pathology, Pharmacology, Immunology, Phychiatry and Genetics. Subjects like Anatomy and Microbiology are not that important. Don't waste time in memorizing each and every bacteria in Microbiology. Try to learn them in a tabulated form (given at the end of the Kaplan notes). This will help you to remember them well. Also, in Anatomy, Embryology is important. So, try to first read FIRST AID for Anatomy and then the notes.

Step 1: I think kaplan notes are very good for step 1 preparation.In addition to that, First Aid step 1 is also very useful. I also read BRS for psychiatry and statistics. It has very good explanations and also many questions to practice. I did Kaplan Q-book and also Q-bank to practice questions. I did un-timed tests initially but then switched to timed-tests later. It really helped me to get used to the time limit. Also, put your queries on the USMLE forums and people will help you. When you are near the exam (3 weeks before the actual exam), buy NBME exam. This exam is similar to the real exam and helps you to judge yourself in your preparation. You can do un-timed exam first and after one week, try doing the timed one. This will help you to gauge your preparation and also helps you to decide if you want to postpone your exam. Don't panic if you do not score well, try to think where you can improve. One day before the exam, try to stay relaxed. Talk to your loved ones, eat well and most importantly, sleep well.

Some important websites:
www.nbme.org---To buy NBME exam.

USMLE forums
www.prep4usmle.com.
www.studentdoctor.com
www.usmle.net

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