PGY4 freaking out about retaking Step 3

[guytakingboards]

Background:
American graduate who did 240 Step 1, 237 2CK, Passed CS.

Went for a competitive sub-specialty and had a lot of rotations fourth year that taught me no useful medicine for Step 3. Didn't match. Scrambled into gen surg prelim. Took an out-of-match spot in radiology.

Took Step 3 for the first time 2 months into PGY-2 rads. Failed with a 189. Put off the test for a long ass time. Realized applying for fellowships during PGY-4 year that a lot of programs were requiring step 3 pass for interview/requirement for fellowship. Applied with a failure on the record and a statement saying it was being retaken in December.

Started studying again, doing untimed/tumor Uworld over a month, scored in the mid-50%'s typically for about a month. Took the UWSA and got a 188 1 week before the test. Freaked out. Bought MTB and have been frantically trying to read this thing cover to cover in a week. Did all 51 CSS cases one time through. Took a week off to study.

Today is the day before the test and I freaked out again and moved the test back to the latest available date in december (12/13).

Now i've got another 11 days to study. Whats the best most high-yield way to improve my score? I noticed I was really struggling with medicine, particularly the CSS cases. On the USWA I was below average in medicine, psych and peds.

Should I buy the Archer videos? Should I buy the NBME's. Should I try to get scheduling extension and try to get to take the test in january? all thoughts and advice are appreciated.

Thanks,

guytakingboards

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[guytakingboards]

Is there merit to redoing missed uworld questions? I did a few blocks of those and went from low 50's to low 70's.

 

[Gingkobiloba]

Definitely not Archer at this stage. Redo CCS from UW, and all of them, including the printable ones, not just the simulated cases. I am surprised that you score that low in medicine, with good scores in step 1 and CK... maybe refresh your memory with some skimming on FA for step1, re read again all your notes from UW, re read psych from FA step 1 which was good basics, for peds MTB 2&3 are good too...If you are not in a hurry to get the results by the end of December for your fellowship, you may want to reschedule it in January. Maybe 11 days are ok to increase your score by at least 10 points, but you can try to get an idea where you stand with an nbme in a couple of days. Good luck!

 

[Gingkobiloba]

However if your fellowship is very competitive and you need to ace step 3 to get into, probably the answer to your question is obvious....

 

[guytakingboards]

Definitely not Archer at this stage. Redo CCS from UW, and all of them, including the printable ones, not just the simulated cases. I am surprised that you score that low in medicine, with good scores in step 1 and CK... maybe refresh your memory with some skimming on FA for step1, re read again all your notes from UW, re read psych from FA step 1 which was good basics, for peds MTB 2&3 are good too...If you are not in a hurry to get the results by the end of December for your fellowship, you may want to reschedule it in January. Maybe 11 days are ok to increase your score by at least 10 points, but you can try to get an idea where you stand with an nbme in a couple of days. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice. I found that uworld was consistently really difficult with the management questions. I never managed most of those conditions and don't understand how people do so well when their intern year doesn't cover most of that stuff. I'm frazzled to be honest.

I'll do the NBME in a couple of days. I think stamina is a big part of my problem because i did untimed tumor mode through the Q-bank instead of timed.

 

[guytakingboards]

However if your fellowship is very competitive and you need to ace step 3 to get into, probably the answer to your question is obvious....

Not super competitive, i already got a few interviews with the fail on my record. I'm thinking a pass will suffice (hopefully).

 

[guytakingboards]

Probably going to move the test back to january. that's probably gonna tank everyone one of my fellowship chances but oh well. gotta pass step 3 to be a licensed doctor first.

 

[Gingkobiloba]

You never know. It's anyway a good idea to secure step 3. Good luck!

 

[ShenMeYiSi]

Probably going to move the test back to january. that's probably gonna tank everyone one of my fellowship chances but oh well. gotta pass step 3 to be a licensed doctor first.

Good luck! Saw this announcement: No tests will be administered for the first 2 weeks in January, and step 3 score reports will be delayed for any exams taken after that. http://www.usmle.org/announcements/default.aspx?ContentId=192

 

[Lostin_space]

Good luck! Saw this announcement: No tests will be administered for the first 2 weeks in January, and step 3 score reports will be delayed for any exams taken after that. http://www.usmle.org/announcements/default.aspx?ContentId=192

I wonder why they are changing the test again? It was recently changed!

 

[guytakingboards]

So are there any more tips for what material to cover after doing MTB once and the USMLE world Qbank? I bought Crush Step 3 CCS from amazon and will read that as I got back through the Uworld cases too.

 

[chemistryguy]

I wonder why they are changing the test again? It was recently changed!

Or why they need such a long score delay?