USMLE Step 2 CK Exam Experience Muhammad Ahmad Ahmad Kasralainy grad, 2008

USMLE Step 2 CK Exam Experience USMLE Step 2 CK Specifications Preparation Step 1 or Step 2 CK Resources for study Timeline Self assessment and score prediction Scheduling Tips for the test day

USMLE Step 2 CK Specifications Normal Conditions and Disease Categories Normal growth and development and general principles of care Individual organ systems or types of disorders: immunologic disorders diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs mental disorders diseases of the nervous system and special senses cardiovascular disorders diseases of the respiratory system nutritional and digestive disorders gynecologic disorders renal, urinary, and male reproductive systems disorders of pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue endocrine and metabolic disorders

USMLE Step 2 CK Specifications(cont.) Physician Task - 15%-20% Promoting preventive medicine and health maintenance - 20%-35% Understanding mechanisms of disease - 25%-40% Establishing a diagnosis - 15%-25% Applying principles of management

Preparation Step 1 or Step 2 CK Resources for Study Timeline Self assessment tools and score prediction

Preparation (cont.) Step 1 or Step 2 Advantages of starting with Step 1 Better study and understanding of the mechanisms of disease Basic science is also addressed in Step 2 CK Disadvantages of starting with Step 1 Low Score may be disappointing! You may not give it enough time

Preparation (cont.) Resources I used for Step 2 CK Integrated First Aid for the USMLE Step 2 CK Internal Medicine First Aid for the Medicine Clerkship Kumar & Clark's Clinical Medicine Kaplan DVDs Psychiatry First Aid for the Psychiatry Clerkship Obstetrics and Gynaecology First Aid for the Obstetrics & Gynecology Clerkship (just read it once) Paediatrics Preventive Medicine Surgery

Preparation (cont.) Other good resources for Step 2 CK Crush Step 2 Boards and Wards Master the Boards Kaplan Lecture Notes

Timeline Spent exactly Twelve Weeks of full-time studying. IM (6 Weeks) Ob/Gyn (3 Weeks) Pediatrics and Preventive medicine (1 Week) Psychiatry (1 Week) Surgery and Emergency Medicine ( 1 Week) Finished USMLEWorld Qbank in 25 days Didn’t complete Kaplan Qbank Did UWSA and NBME F4 Time is not the critical factor here; the most important is getting well prepared to hit your target

Self assessment and score prediction USMLEWorld Qbank USMLEWorld Self Assessment Test NBME forms Kaplan Qbank Score Prediction

Scheduling Always Register and Schedule your test as early as possible Changes in Scheduling policy

Tips for the test day Have a good night sleep; you are having a 9- hour testing session Have a light meal NEVER skip the tutorial except after you’ve made sure that your headphones are working properly Use your earplugs Plan on using your break time properly