General Strategies and Tips to Pass USMLE
Dear Med. students/ Med.grads.: Pls. note that some info in this section might be about the paper/pencil based USMLE exam..dont worry exam questions are still the same only pattern has changed for exams
USMLE is a series of exams step-1, step-2, CSA (clinical skills), TOEFL and step-3 which leads you to USA medical licensure. step-1 and 2 can be taken in most countries in the world through sylvan technology centers. it is computer based but NOT YET ON INTERNET.
CSA (clinical skills) is a new test which is now required by foreign med grads (FMG)to get their ECFMG certificate. It is only conducted in philadelphia, USA.
If an IMG/FMG passes step-1 and step-2, english (TOEFL) and CSA, he is eligible for applying to a residency program in USA, which is really hard to get unless you have superb scores on the steps.
Step-3 can be taken right now only in USA. it is usually taken during or after the first year of residency because most states require to complete one year of traning to sit in this exam but some states including new york, new jersey, louisiana, tenessee and some other allow med. grads to take this exam without one year residency. when you pass step-3 you are eligible to apply for licensure in USA but 99% of states ask you to finish the residency requirement before applying for licensure.
Right now the situation here in USA is bad for the residency positions,
so all I want to say is that, prepare well for
USMLE exams and try to get
good scores (ATLEAST 85%). Whenever you start
studying for these exams, focus
and concentrate on getting good scores. I am
writing all this because whatever problems I have faced, you could
avoid
those and have a very good time when you work in USA.
General things for USA system and residency:
1. My personal experience says that you should
do house job (INTERNSHIP) and preferably at AGHA KHAN
HOSPITAL,
Karachi, Pakistan or AIMS, DELHI, INDIA or some very recognized hospital in your
country
wherever you belong to. If you are already in US, then try to get
some experience in research (preferably Clinical)
because research
papers/experience puts a very good impression on your resume not a guarantee for
residency though. Try to get your name on some
publications (Research
paper).
2. Most of the times it is observed that the opening question of the residency interview is "What have you
been
doing since your
graduation". So you have to tell them that after your graduation
you have been involved somehow
with your profession (medicine). If you are
an old graduate (more than 5-7 years), then you have to be prepared
well for
these kind of questions and believe me unless you answer this question
satisfactorily, your chances of
getting an offer for residency are less.
3. Don't rush there is so much competition that I would suggest you to
take these USMLE exams very seriously
and then try to score as much as
possible.
4. The USMLE is computer based but do not worry too much, computer based exam comprises the same course and questions and step-1 and step-2 exam are gonna be just one day exams.
5. Plz. before coming to USA learn
computers, at least the word processor soft-wares and the Internet
related stuff.
1. The REVIEW COURSES, which I
have mentioned at the end, are important especially when you do not have a
group of friends in USA and you have a habit of group studies. If you are a
very old graduate (5-7 yrs.) then I would
strongly recommend these review
courses.
2. Plz. Try to stick to one book for
each subject. Do not try to jump on different books and waste
time. Do not try
to change books and be the master of one subject. This exam
is not the exam of your knowledge but it is just to
check how you apply your
knowledge. If this is your 2nd or 3rd attempt, then plz. Read the same books,
which you
read previously unless they are 3-4 yrs. older editions.
3. Do as many MCQs (multiple choice questions) as you
can, especially the ones which I mentioned and plz. try to
time
yourself because timing is everything (45-55 seconds/MCQ).
4. READ THE LAST LINE OF MCQ FIRST
SO THAT YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEING ASKED. The 10 line
question is sometimes
waste of time, so read the last line first to have an idea whether it is about
diagnosis,
management or some other thing.
Best time to take the step-2 exam is during the
House-job (internship) because the clinical knowledge is at the
peak. After completing the internship, study for 3-4 months for step-1
exam and for CSA, I would recommend at
least 2-3 months of
Observership/ Extern-ship at a teaching hospital in USA.
1. 3-4 months is sufficient time for either
step 1 or 2. Before starting try to get all the materials (books and
helpful
notes), so that you should not waste time after that.
2. Make sure that the difficult subjects and
topics should be revised at least twice, once in the beginning of
prep.
and then later near the exam.
3. After starting your studies and picking up the pace (after 1 week),
try to do 60 MCQs/day with timing. Do the
MCQs in the morning when
you are fresh and do them actively not passively. Read the explanation of only
those
MCQs, which are doubtful or you have correct them by chance.
The best way to do an MCQ is to read
the question
and then try to mark an answer for that, only after you have
marked the answer look for the correct answer from
the answer list and
explanation.
4. Increase the no. of MCQs to finally
100-120 /day with short breaks in one sitting, just like original
exam. By going this way, you
will make a habit and would find
it easy on the day of exam.
5. Throughout your preparation days, do not
over study or over burden, just keep up your pace and go
according to
the schedule (7-9 hrs./day at least).
6. As you are approaching near the exam day, cut down your hours of
study in last 10 days and make sure that
"YOU SHOULD
NOT READ A SINGLE WORD ON THE DAY BEFORE THE EXAM". In the last ten
days
make a habit to see the histo/patho diagrams, ct-scans and x-rays (2
hrs./day).
7. In the last 10 days, you should only concentrate on
MCQs, I would say no theory at all.
1. Kaplan, phone: 1800-527-8378, CLICK, KAPLAN owns NMSR and Arc Ventures review course programs.
2. The Princeton Review, phone: 1800-2review, CLICK
These all courses are equally effective and plz. take one of these because:
1. These courses discipline and schedule your studies and give motivation.
2. Their teachers are mostly professors of US medical schools and they teach
very good and tell you best test
taking strategies.
3. The books provided by these review courses are very up to date and gives
current knowledge and trends plus
specific points as far as USMLE is
concerned.
4. If you have a habit to study in groups.
5. If you have done your medical degree 5-7 years back then I would strongly recommend to do one of the courses.
1. some people just want to passs the exam
because they already have an offer for residency for them, never give up during
the exam until the last question. Do every question with full
attention and concentration
and never think that you are gonna fail. Always
go to the exam with an open mind and positive attitude that you will
pass
it. For people who don't have any offers and they are doing USMLE for their
bettter future , i would advise not to take it unless you are sure of good
scores. Even during exam if you think sincerely that you are not gonna make it
or you will barely pass it, I would advise to fail it. because you know once you
pass it you are stuck for seven years with that passing scores. AIM IS TO GET A
HIGH SCORE.
2. During the exam, if you think that you
are doing every 3-4 question correct for sure then it is pretty
normal.
Nobody knows all the questions for sure, it is always
a game of chance and intelligent guessing. If you do not know
an answer just
mark an answer and keep going. Do not stuck at any stage. Normal probability is
that you will
correct every 3-4 question for sure. Think Positive.
3. During lunch time, do not eat too
much, other wise you will feel dizzy and sleepy in the next session.
Just take
some light food and coffee. If you feel sleepy, just go out to
bathroom and wash your face with cold water and come
back fresh again.