Similar to my post on the Step I, here are my sources to study for the Step 2 CK:
1) Master the Boards: Book: This book is fairly new and written by Dr. Conrad Fischer. I've heard that although it has a few deficiencies, it's overall a pretty well written book. As of this post I'm about 75% done with my first read of it and I like it so far.
2) UWORLD question bank: Gunna try to complete all 2300 questions at least once. Hopefully twice. From what I hear, this is the single most important resource to study from.
3) Kaplan series: I've read the IM, Paeds, and GObs books back in med school. Maybe I'll read them again if I get time.
4) USMLE step 2 secrets: Ordered mine a few days ago from Amazon. Heard it's a great book to supplement with the others to really reinforce concepts.
Unfortunately, I don't really have that much time to study... a mere 6 weeks. But inshaAllah that'll be enough. Lemme know what you guys think.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
USMLE Step I: The Basics
The USMLE Step I is a test of the preclinical sciences; Behavioral sciences, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology/microbiology, and pathology. 350 clinically oriented multiple choice questions divided into 50 question, 60 minute blocks. This gives you roughly 72 seconds to both read and answer every question. The Step I is a computer based exam. The USMLE does provide two white boards and markers for you to write on if needed. These boards are not graded and are discarded after the exam is over.
You are allocated 45 minutes of break time which you can arrange according to your own schedule, however, a break cannot be taken until you have completed an entire block. Of the 350 questions, you will not be graded for 50 of them. These are experimental questions for future exams and statistics. Unfortunately, you do not know which questions these are as they are unmarked and mixed in throughout the exam. Answer options can range anywhere from as little as 3, to as many as 11. Since there is no negative marking it is in your best interest to attempt every question of the exam, even if you have to guess.
The final scoring report provides both a three digit and a two digit score. The three digit score is the amount of answer you got correct. The two digit score is a bit more complex. Although it's not a percentage, its a way to compare your score to someone who took a comparative exam in the past. Passing is set at a two digit score of 75. As international medical graduates (IMG's), your goal is to obtain two digit scores in the 90's, essentially aiming for 99's. If you fail the exam, you are allowed to take it again after a period of 3 months. However, there are some programs that will no longer consider your application if you have failed (there are also some that will). If you pass the exam, your score is valid for a period of 7 years. Additionally, you cannot retake the exam in those 7 years if you passed, and your initial score is the one that will stick with you. Thus the motto is to prepare for the test to pass with the highest score possible, in your first attempt.
'Competitive' scores vary for each program, and each specialty. The general consensus is that pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, and to an extent, psychiatry, are all the easier fields to match into for IMG's. This is because the quantity of positions is high and the requirements are low. On the contrary, plastic surgery, radiology, dermatology, anesthesiology, opthamology, and emergency medicine are the harder fields to match into. In addition to extremely high board scores, these programs admire extensive research publications in well known journals and multiple LOR's from well known U.S. physicians. Keep in mind that these are some SOME of their requirements.
The Step I can be taken anywhere in the world, including Karachi, Pakistan. The fees are approximately $850 U.S. dollars, plus another $150 if you decide to take it outside of the U.S. Click here to register for the Step I and for further information.
I hope this served as a general overview. If you have anymore questions regarding the Step I, please post them below. Thanks.
You are allocated 45 minutes of break time which you can arrange according to your own schedule, however, a break cannot be taken until you have completed an entire block. Of the 350 questions, you will not be graded for 50 of them. These are experimental questions for future exams and statistics. Unfortunately, you do not know which questions these are as they are unmarked and mixed in throughout the exam. Answer options can range anywhere from as little as 3, to as many as 11. Since there is no negative marking it is in your best interest to attempt every question of the exam, even if you have to guess.
The final scoring report provides both a three digit and a two digit score. The three digit score is the amount of answer you got correct. The two digit score is a bit more complex. Although it's not a percentage, its a way to compare your score to someone who took a comparative exam in the past. Passing is set at a two digit score of 75. As international medical graduates (IMG's), your goal is to obtain two digit scores in the 90's, essentially aiming for 99's. If you fail the exam, you are allowed to take it again after a period of 3 months. However, there are some programs that will no longer consider your application if you have failed (there are also some that will). If you pass the exam, your score is valid for a period of 7 years. Additionally, you cannot retake the exam in those 7 years if you passed, and your initial score is the one that will stick with you. Thus the motto is to prepare for the test to pass with the highest score possible, in your first attempt.
'Competitive' scores vary for each program, and each specialty. The general consensus is that pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, and to an extent, psychiatry, are all the easier fields to match into for IMG's. This is because the quantity of positions is high and the requirements are low. On the contrary, plastic surgery, radiology, dermatology, anesthesiology, opthamology, and emergency medicine are the harder fields to match into. In addition to extremely high board scores, these programs admire extensive research publications in well known journals and multiple LOR's from well known U.S. physicians. Keep in mind that these are some SOME of their requirements.
The Step I can be taken anywhere in the world, including Karachi, Pakistan. The fees are approximately $850 U.S. dollars, plus another $150 if you decide to take it outside of the U.S. Click here to register for the Step I and for further information.
I hope this served as a general overview. If you have anymore questions regarding the Step I, please post them below. Thanks.
"California Letter"
The state of California requires International Medical Graduates (IMG's) wanting to apply to programs in the state of California be required to submit a "California Letter" AKA- the PTAL. This takes about 1 year to complete and as of the time of this publishing, costs an extra $500.
More information regarding the PTAL can be found below including forms:
http://medbd.ca.gov/
http://www.medbd.ca.gov/applicant/application_international.pdf
More information regarding the PTAL can be found below including forms:
http://medbd.ca.gov/
http://www.medbd.ca.gov/applicant/application_international.pdf
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Types of Residency positions
There are two different kinds of positions to apply for during residency.
Categorical (cat):
These form the bulk of positions throughout programs across the States. Once an individual is accepted for a categorical position, they are destined to stay with a single, specific program for the entire duration of their designated residency. For example; A 5 year residency in the department of general surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Although much harder to attain (especially for International Medical Graduates- IMG's), this is the position that you should strive for. Cats are essentially a guaranteed ticket to a successful completion of residency.
Preliminary (prelim):
Prelims are basically 1 year long paid internships. You are not guaranteed a job after 1 year of work. For example, a 1 year job at Massacheusetts general hospital in general surgery. After that one year, you have to find another place to work. Although there is a chance that the same place that offered you a prelim position will offer you another prelim year, or even a categorical position, its not guaranteed. Most of the time they don't. So then you have to reapply to match somewhere else. If you get offered a position at another place, you dont have to start over again. You simply continue as a PGY2 (second year) at the new institution.
Unfortunately, preliminary positions are commonly offered to IMG's. This doesn't mean always. Some programs can offer you a cat position even if you are an IMG, but this all depends on which institutions you are applying you, and which fields you are applying for.
Finally, there is a transitional year for which one can apply to. However, I do not have sufficient knowledge about these types of positions. I ask that if anyone else does, please post it down below. Thanks.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
USMLE Step I Study Plan
I'll kick this one off. Here's the list of books/resources I plan on studying from:
1) Kaplan USMLE Step I series.
2) Dr. Edward Goljaan Pathology lectures (audio). Thankfully, I've heard the complete series about 3 times while driving my car so this shouldn't be too bad. These lectures are awesome and I recommend them to everybody. But fyi, they are definitely time consuming.
3) Rapid review Patho by Goljaan
4) High yield 100 page notes by Goljaan
5) I might substitute the Kaplan anatomy for High Yield anatomy only because I heard its its better from several sources. I'll have to skim them both out for myself and then make a judgement call and stick with whats better.
6) Kaplan USMLE Step I video lectures- Im pretty sure I'm only going to do the physio and biochem ones. I watched some during our 4th year days back in the library in Kemari and although they are good, but they are freaking LONG! It's going to be extremely time consuming to try to watch all the videos so I think i'm going to stick with what I suck at (which is biochem and a little bit of pharma), and with what i need to base my concepts on (physio). My roommate who is an AKU grad has been watching all the videos at 2x speed and he says that its better that way. So thats something to experiment with if interested.
7) First Aid- Step I. Also known as FA. I've heard that this is THE BOOK. Apparently it doesn't get any more high yield than this. I'm gunna try to memorize this cover to cover.
8) Online USMLE world questions. Also known as Uworld.
And thats pretty much it. I'll refer to BRS if I don't understand something or maybe even back to the reference books if needed. I'm planning on studying for 5 months, 6 if needed.
Lemme know what you guys think and if you have any recommendations.
Posted by
A. Ali
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