| Prospective USMLE Step 2 CS aspirants -
16-12-2007, 05:43 PM
After the new passing standards for USMLE Step 2 CS since July, 2007 the failure rate has increased among IMGs. Results for Step 2 CS is very crucial in USMLE. A failing results can crumple your USMLE dream and disrupt your USMLE cycle both mentally and financially. So beware USMLE aspirants!!
But i would like to post my experience specifically for CS exam, which i found effective at least to me:
1. Schedule your CS exam in early months of the year, so that you can chase September 1. And don't let September 1 chase you.
2. Don't don't rush and take your exams in a week preparation. If you make through in a week preparation then you are a genious!! But please do not mislead that a week preparation is enough coz not everyone is a genious.
3. First attempt is your best attempt. Make it then and there. Attempts will hurt you later during the interview process. I have seen candidates with high scores succumbing due to attempt in CS exam.
4. As a rule of thumb "CS is the easiest exam when you pass in the first attempt and the toughest exam when you can't make it through"
5. Its never too late or too early to start your CS preparation. Start your CS preparation while you are preparing your CK exams rather i would say during your internship and step 1 preparation. It may sound too early and weird but later you will come to realize that "i wish i had.............."
6. Come prepared from your country itself. Do not start your preparation while in US but if you wish to then you should have ample time and serious preparation partners. While in US you should just try to maintain the tempo of CS exam that you did back in your country.
7. Good english speakers do not be overconfident and the ones with so so english do not be disheartened either. Its all about following a pattern. But now in coming years you will hear much more failure than you used to due to the increase in passing standards. So all prospective CS examinee there are many new things to consider.
8. First try communicating only in englsih with your frens. Try to be as fluent and clear as possible.
9. Contact your friends who are into residency in US. They can help you with few common slang words that could be useful.
10. Stick to the standard pattern. Timing, timing and timing!!!
11. On exam day: be confident (not overtly confident!), professional, avoid nervousness (major killer!), smile, stick to the pattern,, mind your body language, use as many times "sorry", "thank you", "SPs name" "open ended qs" "offer help" etc
12. Generally do not miss the gross steps: knocking, greeting (maintain a perfect eye contact), draping, hand washing, closure (summary, counselling, "do you have any concerns before i leave?") etc
13. Don't leave patient note unpracticed. Bad PNs cause failure too!
14. Few causes of failure: exams taken in rush, overconfidence (instead try to overprepare yourself), inadequate preparation, not sticking to standard CS pattern, etc etc
14. Finally, practice, practice and practice............
Good luck
Last edited by Ne_pal : 17-12-2007 at 08:54 AM.
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