Just want to share my experience of the step 2 exam.
Question banks:
The exam was easier than usmleworld (UW), but harder than kaplan Q bank.
So if you finish UW with a 50% don't stress, that's good. I finished with 52% and passed step 2 with a 215. I finished kaplan with 68%. I suggest doing UW first, before kaplan. Kaplan may give you a false sense of security.
Question books:
The NMS book was great, but hard. I Finished NMS with 56%. Kaplan Q-book was good, however easier than NMS. The best thing about these Q-books is that they have matching, the Q- banks do not. Get used to the matching. I and many friends of mine, found them to be the hardest part of the test. And there were a lot in every block.
Other Goodies:
The NBME's helped. I found test 1 to be the hardest. I purchased the kaplan videos on e-bay, they helped.
Review Books:
Boards and Wards (B&W) was great. First Aid was so so. Secrets was awesome. I found blueprints a waste of time, since i was using the kaplan video and lecture notes (the lecture notes go well with the video). I bought Underground Clinical Vignettes (UCV) but didn't have time to use it. I found UCV to be over kill.
Two things to leave you with: #1 Questions, Questions, Questions, Questions are more important for step 2 than they were for step 1. #2 Trust your gut, when taking the actual exam. I have to say that I answered 30% of the questions using my gut rather than my brain. (you know what I mean). The test is long so you don't have time to ponder and analyze questions. Answer and move on.
Study Material Review
* = lowest rating *****= highest rating
UW *****
Kaplan Q-bank ***
NMS *****
Q-book ****
First Aid **
B&W ****
Secrets *****
Kaplan Video and Lecture Notes ***
GOOD LUCK
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