USMLE Forum Archives - USMLE Step 2 CK - Points you should know for Step 2 CK
Points you should know for Step 2 CK
TheOne - 09-26-06 16:26
Hi,
Step 2 CK empahsize on Diagnosis & Pathophysiological events in any given disease.
So here are some points that you should know for preparation & in tackiling this step:
1-Start reviewing the Internal Medicine part of step 2 as it is "The Mother" of all other specialities, focus on knowing everything on common diseases like MI, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Rheumatoid Arithritis, etc.
2-Try to test your knowledge after you finish each part, define your points of strength and weakness, commonly Dermatology and Psychaitry are the main parts where everyone finds himself weak, so focus on reviewing the skin diseases with the use of a Dermatology Atlas. "once you see a picture or a photo of a disease then you will never forget it !!!".
3-Use the last month or 3 weeks of your preparation to review questions, like the one in kaplan q book & bank, usmleworld.com, etc.
The way you review the questions should be a following:
a-Answer the questions in Timed Blocks of 50 or 46 question per block.
b-Try to simulate the test as if you are in your test day, finish the blocks and get brake time as if you
are in the real test, Budget your time.
c-Use the same strategy to takle the questions in your real test day "Read quickly, Start with reading
the question or from the 2nd half of the case as lots of information will be there, Look for Buzzwords,
Build a diagnosis in your mind while you are reading, Don't Waste Your Time answering difficult
questions, you will have plenty of time if you can manage it".
4-The day before the test is for rest, avoid reviewing, re-reading, adding new information or testing your
knowledge as it will give you a false impression about what will happen. Be Confident, it's a test and it's
not a measure for your capabilities as a Doctor.
5-In the Test day, Finish the first 2 blocks without taking a break, you will be fresh and your performance
will be in it's peak. Take 5 minutes brake between block no.3 & 4 , 10 minutes between 4 & 5,
15-20 minutes between 5 & 6, 5-10 minutes between 6 & 7, and the rest between 7 & 8.
The Test is mainly about time management.
Wishing you all the best & promising to keep updating this thread with the latest preparation techniques & test taking strategies.
TheOne - 09-26-06 16:26
Hi,
Step 2 CK empahsize on Diagnosis & Pathophysiological events in any given disease.
So here are some points that you should know for preparation & in tackiling this step:
1-Start reviewing the Internal Medicine part of step 2 as it is "The Mother" of all other specialities, focus on knowing everything on common diseases like MI, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Rheumatoid Arithritis, etc.
2-Try to test your knowledge after you finish each part, define your points of strength and weakness, commonly Dermatology and Psychaitry are the main parts where everyone finds himself weak, so focus on reviewing the skin diseases with the use of a Dermatology Atlas. "once you see a picture or a photo of a disease then you will never forget it !!!".
3-Use the last month or 3 weeks of your preparation to review questions, like the one in kaplan q book & bank, usmleworld.com, etc.
The way you review the questions should be a following:
a-Answer the questions in Timed Blocks of 50 or 46 question per block.
b-Try to simulate the test as if you are in your test day, finish the blocks and get brake time as if you
are in the real test, Budget your time.
c-Use the same strategy to takle the questions in your real test day "Read quickly, Start with reading
the question or from the 2nd half of the case as lots of information will be there, Look for Buzzwords,
Build a diagnosis in your mind while you are reading, Don't Waste Your Time answering difficult
questions, you will have plenty of time if you can manage it".
4-The day before the test is for rest, avoid reviewing, re-reading, adding new information or testing your
knowledge as it will give you a false impression about what will happen. Be Confident, it's a test and it's
not a measure for your capabilities as a Doctor.
5-In the Test day, Finish the first 2 blocks without taking a break, you will be fresh and your performance
will be in it's peak. Take 5 minutes brake between block no.3 & 4 , 10 minutes between 4 & 5,
15-20 minutes between 5 & 6, 5-10 minutes between 6 & 7, and the rest between 7 & 8.
The Test is mainly about time management.
Wishing you all the best & promising to keep updating this thread with the latest preparation techniques & test taking strategies.
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#1
Re: Points you should know for Step 2 CK bingousmle - 06-18-10 08:53 my 2 cents on the day of the exam
you can save time by Skipping the Tutorial You should practice taking USMLE using the sample test questions available from the USMLE web site or the informational CD. Once youâre comfortable with the screen navigation, you can skip the 15-minute tutorial that appears at the start of your exam at the test center, especially since those 15 minutes can be added to your total break time. But thereâs no magic shortcut button for this. The tutorial is built like all other sections of the exam and appears exactly the way you see it in the sample test questions. To exit the tutorial quickly, click on the âItem Reviewâ button at the bottom of the second screen â no need to page through the entire section. Click on âEndâ and then answer âYesâ and âOKâ to the next two questions. On the next screen, youâll enter your CIN to start your exam.
#2
Re: Points you should know for Step 2 CK babbu5508 - 06-19-10 01:28 yup..these tips from experienced people would help a lot for those going for the exams...and saves a lot of time and energy...
#3
Re: Points you should know for Step 2 CK bingousmle - 06-19-10 06:22 yes the benefit of skipping the tutorial is that Youâll have a minimum of 45 minutes of break time to take at your own pace throughout the day. You may add to your overall break time (but not your testing time) by exiting out of the 15-minute tutorial (then youâre up to
about 60 minutes) and by finishing exam blocks early.YOU are responsible for keeping track of the amount of break time you use throughout the day.
#4
Re: Points you should know for Step 2 CK babbu5508 - 06-20-10 04:41 okay..with senior people like you all on the forum..we always try to learn such useful tips..thanks to doctok for this opportunity
#5
Re: Points you should know for Step 2 CK bingousmle - 06-20-10 06:54 Dont bring a lot of stuff to the test center. You ll be assigned a locker for all of your personal belongings, but its storage space is limited. You will be given a locker key to keep with you during the day. You may not bring any personal items food or drink into the testing room.
#6
Re: Points you should know for Step 2 CK babbu5508 - 06-20-10 13:56 alright...and how about the food...should we take the food available there or are we allowed to get our food in lockers between our sections?
#7
Re: Points you should know for Step 2 CK bingousmle - 06-21-10 11:26 i dont think food is available at most of the prometric centres in India, though at some places tea/ coffee vending machines might be there..so its better you carry your own stuff.. which you can have during the break... however for CS they do provide refreshments..
#8
Re: Points you should know for Step 2 CK adonis123 - 06-21-10 11:54 
posted by babbu5508 on 06-20-10 13:56
alright...and how about the food...should we take the food available there or are we allowed to get our food in lockers between our sections?
alright...and how about the food...should we take the food available there or are we allowed to get our food in lockers between our sections?
They offer food there at the Step-2CS testing centers in the US,but at the Prometric centers for Step-1 and Step-2CK u need get yur own food.They will provide u a small locker in which u can keep it.
Good Luck!
#9
Re: Points you should know for Step 2 CK bingousmle - 06-21-10 13:17 yeah and make it a point that you carry energy rich food to the exam so that you can sustain your mental stamina for 9 long hours...
#10
Re: Points you should know for Step 2 CK babbu5508 - 06-21-10 14:11 oh yeah...9 hours long exam would be really exhaustive...need a lot of mental stamina for which physical stamina is needed...
#11
Re: Points you should know for Step 2 CK bingousmle - 06-30-10 17:41 i agree .. the exam really takes a toll especially towards the end.. i think the key to tackle it is get used to solving atleast 300 ? towards the end of preparation days
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