STEP 3 Score VS USMLE WORLD AVERAGE

[FirstMANdown]

There is a great thread for Step 2ck VS UW%. I though it might be helpful if anyone out there can give us there input with there Step 3 VS UW%...etc as well. Anyways Thanks for the contribution.

I'm do to take Step 3 in the next month. Will update this thread as well. For better or for worse.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[snow88]

CCS question! I'm doing the 50ish UW practice cases - wondering if it's okay if my management doesn't always mirror the "clock management" section exactly? When I look through their management, I tend to do the same things but in slightly different order. My cases still end early - not sure if that means I killed the patient or the patient is improving and I've done what I needed to do? When I look at the "scoring" rubric, I'm hitting most of the key things. Example - I ordered a stat laparoscopy from the ED rather than transferring to the ward and then ordering this. "Clock management" rubric goes on to give the results of the procedure and next steps, whereas for me, after I did the stat laparoscopy order, my case ended and I put in my "ward" orders and counseling in the 2 min screen. Appropriate or am i messing things up??

 

[thelastaid]

studied for a month . U world Mcq: 75% approx , one time. U word CCS cases. UWSA: 232. Used No books practically, had taken step 2 CK 6 months back.
Day 1 was relatively hard, had problems with time management ,mostly because of drug ads and biostat questions, questions were vague as well. Day 2 felt better.
Real deal: 235+.

Background: IMG step 1: 250+ step 2 ck: 260+
CCS always felt difficult but did alright in the exam.
The section crossing borderline to the left is Biostat and Epidemiology, as expected from my previous 2 exam experiences

 

[AU11]

Took Step 3 this week. I've been on a really easy rotation this month and was able to finish about 85% of world. I bought MTB, but really never used it. I felt like world was perfect for preparing for both the mcq's and CCS. Of course on the exam there were plenty of questions I was unsure of and had to make a guess, but for the most part I felt like I had a pretty good idea of what was going on in each question. Day one was pretty straight forward and not as hard as I thought it would be. It had a fair amount of step one/two questions and lots of stats, but it was all relatively easy stuff. Its not like they ask you about enzymes in the Krebs cycle pathway or anything. Day two was tougher and a lot of questions I could narrow down to two answers and had to pick something and move on. Lots of "which of the following indicates a poor/good prognosis" questions.

For CCS, if you do World, you will be more than fine. All of my cases except for one were pretty blatantly clear on what the disease was, and all except that one question ended early (I'm pretty confident they ended early for a good reason, not bad). I think having a set of orders in mind for general situations was key for me. For example, anyone who was going to have surgery at least got NPO, PT/INR, PTT, Type and screen, EKG, and abx (most of the time). All emergent patients get IV access, BP monitor, cardiac monitor, EKG, pulse ox, and oxygen before a physical exam. Anyone who appears septic gets CRP, ESR, IV access, fluids, lactate, foley, cultures, UA, and abx. Dont forget about vaccines and preventative type stuff (colonoscopy, mammo, pap smear, etc). Try not to become so focused on testing for what you think the problem is, and forget to rule out other things (i.e., a patient with classic peptic ulcer disease symptoms still probably needs amylase and lipase just to be sure, etc). Don't forget to treat in addition to diagnose (give nausea and pain meds for abdominal pain while you're working them up). One weird thing on my exam was on a few cases I would get a consult and see what they say before doing anything drastic (just like they tell you to do on World), and next thing I know it says "patient will be prepped for surgery". I wasn't sure if I needed to order the surgery after that, or if that indicated the patient was going to have surgery anyway.

I wasn't prepping to blow the exam out of the water, and I dont think I did that. I just wanted to feel confident about passing, and I absolutely think if you get through most of world and do its CCS cases, there is no need for anything else in order to do so. We'll see in May how it turned out.

UWSA: 220 even though I was above the average on every section.....?
UW percent correct: 66%
Step 1/2: ~240/250

 

[chemistryguy]

Took Step 3 this week. I've been on a really easy rotation this month and was able to finish about 85% of world. I bought MTB, but really never used it. I felt like world was perfect for preparing for both the mcq's and CCS. Of course on the exam there were plenty of questions I was unsure of and had to make a guess, but for the most part I felt like I had a pretty good idea of what was going on in each question. Day one was pretty straight forward and not as hard as I thought it would be. It had a fair amount of step one/two questions and lots of stats, but it was all relatively easy stuff. Its not like they ask you about enzymes in the Krebs cycle pathway or anything. Day two was tougher and a lot of questions I could narrow down to two answers and had to pick something and move on. Lots of "which of the following indicates a poor/good prognosis" questions.

For CCS, if you do World, you will be more than fine. All of my cases except for one were pretty blatantly clear on what the disease was, and all except that one question ended early (I'm pretty confident they ended early for a good reason, not bad). I think having a set of orders in mind for general situations was key for me. For example, anyone who was going to have surgery at least got NPO, PT/INR, PTT, Type and screen, EKG, and abx (most of the time). All emergent patients get IV access, BP monitor, cardiac monitor, EKG, pulse ox, and oxygen before a physical exam. Anyone who appears septic gets CRP, ESR, IV access, fluids, lactate, foley, cultures, UA, and abx. Dont forget about vaccines and preventative type stuff (colonoscopy, mammo, pap smear, etc). Try not to become so focused on testing for what you think the problem is, and forget to rule out other things (i.e., a patient with classic peptic ulcer disease symptoms still probably needs amylase and lipase just to be sure, etc). Don't forget to treat in addition to diagnose (give nausea and pain meds for abdominal pain while you're working them up). One weird thing on my exam was on a few cases I would get a consult and see what they say before doing anything drastic (just like they tell you to do on World), and next thing I know it says "patient will be prepped for surgery". I wasn't sure if I needed to order the surgery after that, or if that indicated the patient was going to have surgery anyway.

I wasn't prepping to blow the exam out of the water, and I dont think I did that. I just wanted to feel confident about passing, and I absolutely think if you get through most of world and do its CCS cases, there is no need for anything else in order to do so. We'll see in May how it turned out.

UWSA: 220 even though I was above the average on every section.....?
UW percent correct: 66%
Step 1/2: ~240/250

Reviving this thread, anyone else can weigh in on how your Uworld score compares to your actual test score?

 

[exudate]

UW: ~55% avg 1st pass.
UWSA: 217.
Exam pushed to next week. Let's see how it goes.

 

[exudate]

finished the exam yesterday. Feel like I failed. 1st day was incredible. lots of biostats, long stem questions. Day 2, shorter questions, preventive medication stuff, vaccines and stuff. most ccs cases ended early. only one 20 minute case kept going. it was scary, but a lot of people say cases ending early is a good sign. so will see. feel like will post when i get the result.

 

[vitamin H]

finished the exam yesterday. Feel like I failed. 1st day was incredible. lots of biostats, long stem questions. Day 2, shorter questions, preventive medication stuff, vaccines and stuff. most ccs cases ended early. only one 20 minute case kept going. it was scary, but a lot of people say cases ending early is a good sign. so will see. feel like will post when i get the result.

Sorry you're feeling unsure of how you did, maybe it went better then you think! Were Uworld biostats questions a good representation of the biostats on the exam?

 

[exudate]

Sorry you're feeling unsure of how you did, maybe it went better then you think! Were Uworld biostats questions a good representation of the biostats on the exam?

uworld was good representation for all the questions including biostats was a good representation but it still felt vague and multiple choices felt right answers.

 

[JM26]

how accurate do you think the USWA is? I did not do well on mine at all...

 

[USMLEOCD]

Anyone has problem using the Fred V2 Software? I tried to run the program couple times for CCS but kept showing the error message. And I already contacted USMLE Tech person...they said that the program is not compatible with Windows 10.. and exam coming up soon so is uworld CCS software really close to the real deal? Thank you guys..

 

[FlowRate]

how accurate do you think the USWA is? I did not do well on mine at all...

Reading through this thread, it seems to typically estimate or under-estimate your score.

That's what I keep telling myself, at least. My practice test today was not great. Granted, I haven't done any dedicated studying of the few subjects that I know I'll need to read about (OB/Peds/ID) yet. But hey, it did predict passing and that's really all I care about.

 

[gujuDoc]

HI everyone!
I'm new to this site...I had a few questions regarding Step 3. I'm scheduled to take it in Late March. I'm not in residency yet...I graduated med school (FMG) 5 years ago, took time off and decided to take all of my exams in the last 2 years. Its a little difficult for me since I work full time and I am a single mom of two little boys (age 3 and 10 months), but I'm determined to pass this test so that hopefully I can get into a residency program this year.

Many programs here in South Florida have asked that I take Step 3 prior to being accepted into residency (according to them it will make me a stronger candidate).

I'm using MTB...reading, taking notes.
USMLE World QBANK...for far I'm between a 60-70%
But my trouble is CCS....I have NOOOOOO idea how to use the clock thing, I'm doing practice questions in the CCS module, but I still can't seem to figure it out, when I hit the clock, should I always just put (when the results are available?) and also how do I write discharge orders? Or am I even supposed to write discharge orders. For example, On the examples given in USMLE world it says I need to counsel the patient, but how do I do that on CCS? I feel like I'm totally going to BOMB the test, not because I don't know how to manage the patient but because I have no idea how to manage the CCS format?!!

Can anyone help? Not sure if someone can FaceTime me and we can go over one or two practice questions so that you can teach me how and when I'm supposed to click on the clock.

I know this might seem silly...but I need like a good TUTORIAL on just how to take this damm exam =(

Hopefully someone can help!

thank you !

Read what Crush Step 3 CCS book by Mayur Movalia has to say. It tells you for the clock which situations you which of the 4 modes: in, on, next available result, etc. for in one of the first chapters in the book.

 

[ydta]

UWorld average: 1st pass - 61-62%. random, timed, full blocks
Uworld 2nd pass - 70s - 80s%
UWSA: 222, 2 weeks before test
Actual: 226

 

[lilek22]

UWORLD average 55% done in blocks by subject mattee.
UWSA 192 3 DAYS before test
Actual 214.

I'm so glad I passed. I'm psych and so ready to forget everything else about medicime

 

[JP2740]

Step 1 260+
Step 2 260+
Step 3 250

I did uworld and the CCS section once while on rotation and just took the damn thing. I liked having a week in between because it let me rest a little bit. I thought I did much worse than my score and that was a new feeling for me in terms of step exams.

 

[knosway14]

Background
NON US IMG.
Step 1: 243
Step 2: 238
Uworld Avg: 64% first pass.
Uworld assesment: 225
NBME: it was high but i cant remenber.
Real deal: 234

 

[googlemister]

US grad
step 1/2: 240s
Uworld average 69%
Uworld assessment 213 1 week before
Real deal: 243
From what many people have said Uworld underestamates; if you have done Uworld and CSS most likely you will pass

 

[HatWobble]

US allopathic.
Step 1: 243
Step 2: 262

I studied for two days. I couldn't bring myself to do more than that during a busy intern year. I did the practice computer modules on one day and took NBME 4 the 2nd day and got a 440. I did not do UWorld.

Step 3: 229 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[FlowRate]

US MD.
Step 1: Not good
Step 2: Average
USMLEW: 62% Random, Untimed Tutor, 100% of questions and about 200 questions of incorrects. 75% of the CCS as if testing conditions, read the other 25%.
UWSA: 204

Step 3: Average (>20 points higher than UWSA)

I started with UW something like 3 months out, doing 20 questions on some days, then stepped up the pace around a month out. Read a few FAStep3 sections, but didn't find it as helpful as FA for the other steps.

I was really surprised by my score report in terms of score distribution, because I thought CCS overall went very well--all the patients got better and then the case ended, usually early--but it was my lowest score (by a little, all the sections were pretty close.)

Biostats is a really significant contributor to FIP portion and also really helped boost my score.

 

[guytakingboards]

US allopathic:
Step 1: 240
Step 2: 237
Step 3 first attempt: 188 (FML)
Step 3 second attempt: 230

First time I took step three after an arduous surgical intern year and just straight up didn't prepare enough. I had done like maybe 50% of uWorld and blew through the uWorld cases, only to fail.

Second time: two years later (PGY-4 year at this point) did uWorld MCQ's once and read through MTB once. I think I was averaging in the low-mid 50%'s. Did a diagnostic NBME a week before my scheduled date and got a 320 (FML). Cancelled a two week vacation, studied every day instead. Over the next 6 weeks from my originally scheduled test date: Read through USMLE Step 3 secrets three times, MTB once more, did uWorld cases twice and read Crush the CCS twice --> 230.

BTW, as someone who was taking the test after a LONG time away from clinical medicine (radiology) I thought neither USMLE Step 3 secrets and MTB were particularly good resources. That being said, get through them enough times and you'll do fine. uWorld cases + Crush the CCS twice == Advanced Clinical Medicine (CCS) being all the way to the right on "Higher Performance" with the asterisk.

Done-zo with USMLEs. So dang happy. I checked with my state licensing board and they require passing all three steps in 7 years, i did it in 6.

 

[GadRads]

I am in a medicine program. Took Step 3 during an easy elective month where I went in 2x/wk. I used 3 wks to study focusing on U-world, and with MTB 2 and 3 for reference, in addition to google. I did all the free USMLE CCS cases just to familiarize myself with the software. I had time to do only 1 U-world CCS case but I was not moving my exam as I felt confident I could at least pass. My actual CCS performance on the exam was average with some of the stars near borderline performance. I went through u-world 1x averaging 68% on random-timed blocks.

U-world: 68%
UWSA: 217 (2 days before exam).
Actual USMLE Step 3: 240-245 range. Step 1 and 2 were upper 240's

Some of my co-residents took a slow and long-term approach to the exam, studying over several months. I think this is an approach I wish I had taken but a pass is all I was looking for.

 

[nidusiamnot]

I am in a medicine program. Took Step 3 during an easy elective month where I went in 2x/wk. I used 3 wks to study focusing on U-world, and with MTB 2 and 3 for reference, in addition to google. I did all the free USMLE CCS cases just to familiarize myself with the software. I had time to do only 1 U-world CCS case but I was not moving my exam as I felt confident I could at least pass. My actual CCS performance on the exam was average with some of the stars near borderline performance. I went through u-world 1x averaging 68% on random-timed blocks.

U-world: 68%
UWSA: 217 (2 days before exam).
Actual USMLE Step 3: 240-245 range. Step 1 and 2 were upper 240's

Some of my co-residents took a slow and long-term approach to the exam, studying over several months. I think this is an approach I wish I had taken but a pass is all I was looking for.

Could you comment on the utility of using MKSAP for preparation? Is it overkill or helpful?

 

[GadRads]

Could you comment on the utility of using MKSAP for preparation? Is it overkill or helpful?

It won't hurt, but u-world is enough. If you have the time, you can use MKSAP. But don't forget about OB/GYN and pediatrics.

 

[B1GM0N3Y86]

Hey guys, got my score back last Wednesday. Current US IMG, PGY-1 FM Resident in a program that requires Step 3 to be passed prior to end of intern year. I was able to schedule the exam March 6/7th after having lighter rotations from Jan-Feb. I studied 6-7days/wk anywhere from 4 hours to 10 hours a day from New years onward. First half the year was absolutely brutal for an Intern in a FM program lol.

July - Dec (Wards/Float/ED/Wards/Float/ICU) - MTB3 and Some Kaplan Qbank/Qbook (helped with concepts).
January - MTB3 and UWORLD (1st pass)
February - UWORLD (2nd pass) and CCS (1.5wks)
March 1st week - UWORLD

Step 1 - 197
Step 2 CK - 207
Step 2 CS - Pass (first time)

Kaplan - 58%
UWORLD - 64% (first time)
UWORLD - 75% (second time)
UWSA - 207 (10 days prior)

STEP 3 - 234

Qbank seemed to better predict than UWSA.
Thankfully USMLE is history tho, because I have quite a few AFP/Cleveland Clinic Journal Articles to catch up on. Lol

 

[FutureDoc8787]

Ortho PGY1. Before taking it I did 6 months of ortho, 1 gen surg, 1 vascular surg, 1 plastic surg. Had not studied any of this material since step 2 which was almost two years ago.

Studied for a few hours a day for a couple weeks (uworld qbank only)

Finished about 500 uworld questions (avg 60%)

Step 1 - 258
Step 2 - 276
Step 3 - 226

Passing is all that matters which is a great feeling. Nice little 50 point drop there. But now I can focus on my career not jumping through these ridiculous USMLE hoops...

 

[AU11]

Took Step 3 this week. I've been on a really easy rotation this month and was able to finish about 85% of world. I bought MTB, but really never used it. I felt like world was perfect for preparing for both the mcq's and CCS. Of course on the exam there were plenty of questions I was unsure of and had to make a guess, but for the most part I felt like I had a pretty good idea of what was going on in each question. Day one was pretty straight forward and not as hard as I thought it would be. It had a fair amount of step one/two questions and lots of stats, but it was all relatively easy stuff. Its not like they ask you about enzymes in the Krebs cycle pathway or anything. Day two was tougher and a lot of questions I could narrow down to two answers and had to pick something and move on. Lots of "which of the following indicates a poor/good prognosis" questions.

For CCS, if you do World, you will be more than fine. All of my cases except for one were pretty blatantly clear on what the disease was, and all except that one question ended early (I'm pretty confident they ended early for a good reason, not bad). I think having a set of orders in mind for general situations was key for me. For example, anyone who was going to have surgery at least got NPO, PT/INR, PTT, Type and screen, EKG, and abx (most of the time). All emergent patients get IV access, BP monitor, cardiac monitor, EKG, pulse ox, and oxygen before a physical exam. Anyone who appears septic gets CRP, ESR, IV access, fluids, lactate, foley, cultures, UA, and abx. Dont forget about vaccines and preventative type stuff (colonoscopy, mammo, pap smear, etc). Try not to become so focused on testing for what you think the problem is, and forget to rule out other things (i.e., a patient with classic peptic ulcer disease symptoms still probably needs amylase and lipase just to be sure, etc). Don't forget to treat in addition to diagnose (give nausea and pain meds for abdominal pain while you're working them up). One weird thing on my exam was on a few cases I would get a consult and see what they say before doing anything drastic (just like they tell you to do on World), and next thing I know it says "patient will be prepped for surgery". I wasn't sure if I needed to order the surgery after that, or if that indicated the patient was going to have surgery anyway.

I wasn't prepping to blow the exam out of the water, and I dont think I did that. I just wanted to feel confident about passing, and I absolutely think if you get through most of world and do its CCS cases, there is no need for anything else in order to do so. We'll see in May how it turned out.

UWSA: 220 even though I was above the average on every section.....?
UW percent correct: 66%
Step 1/2: ~240/250

As a follow up from my previous message...
Actual Step 3: 238. I guess I am another example of UWSA under estimating.
Judging by the score report, the CCS part seems to have boosted my score (had asterisk) beyond what it would have been without it. Its definitely not something to take lightly, but obviously if you do the cases in uworld, you will be very well prepared for it. Free points on the exam.

 

[stealthdoc]

As a follow up from my previous message...
Actual Step 3: 238. I guess I am another example of UWSA under estimating.
Judging by the score report, the CCS part seems to have boosted my score (had asterisk) beyond what it would have been without it. Its definitely not something to take lightly, but obviously if you do the cases in uworld, you will be very well prepared for it. Free points on the exam.

Congratulations on your Step 3. Was wondering if you have the order set that you made for CCS saved in a PDF or word format? Thanks very much.

 

[DryHopped]

Ortho pgy1 took the exam after 1 month of studying on a light rotation. Finished uworld once with a 58% avg and did all of the ccs cases. Did the uwsa and got a 220. Felt horrible after the exam and was worried I failed it, but ended up passing comfortably.

Step 1: 250
Step 2 250
Step 3 239

Sent from my SM-G920V using SDN mobile

 

[medeli]

UW: ~55% avg 1st pass.
UWSA: 217.
Exam pushed to next week. Let's see how it goes.

Did you pass?

 

[IMresident15]

This was such a helpful thread I thought I'd contributed. Although for some crazy people who recommend two qbanks, multiple review books (I'd say overkill...)

I took it as a PGY-2 IM, I studied for three weeks on an elective. I got through about 80% of uworld was averaging 64% first pass (did two blocks every day (timed tutor mode (not randomized)). I didn't do derm, ethics, and male GU, some other small sections just ran out of time. A couple sections I did those questions sets again. I crammed for CCS with uworld cases I studied for two to three days (including the night before the second day, which I don't recommend) made it through each case once and read the explanations (I didn't simulate every case), I simulated about 15 or so of them and read the rest of the explanations

I watched DIT step 3 review videos (got through about 70-80%)
I also sometimes would read from step 3 secrets

I took the test April 2017 on two consecutive days and although its painful I would do that again just cause having it a week out for me, you'd still be trying to study questions and ccs so you might as well just get it all over with.

Thoughts on the test
-Lots of biostats, surprisingly the first day I felt had quite a few drug mechanisms. First day was harder for me. I surprisingly did well on the CCS cases but I would not recommend cramming for the CCS cases. I think being an IM resident a lot of the CCS cases just come natural cause that's what I do every day but they're not all IM cases. The peds one were hardest. I think going through the CCS cases on uworld is enough. I didn't do any of the free uworld practice cases it's not mac compatible

Not all the cases ended early on CCS so just remember it's not about speed on ccs cases. It's really about making sure you get all the appropriate physical exam and diagnostic tests and treat the patient appropriately, in emergency cases unstable vitals I really liked a mnemonic online POLICE, pulse ox, supplemental oxygen, IV access, IV fluids, Cardiac monitor, EKG. CCS mnemonics table - USMLE Forum

Remember to do counseling and stuff. There were three or four that didn't end early for me. And I definitely made some orders that might've saved me in the final 2 minutes.

-DIT helped me, it's not for everyone, I haven't read of anyone else who used it. I thought it was good review of high yield stuff and definitely helped me with biostats (in combination with the step 3 secrets). Although I just did a little better than borderline performance. I did worst on ethics.

I did below average on step 1, step 2 (215, 230), and I was two years out from step 2

Actual score step 3 237!

In hindsight, wish I had gotten through more of uworld, wish I had time for a uworld assessment. I felt like I was guessing on a lot of the test questions are hard, I really felt coming out that I had flagged like half the test questions.
I left all the drug ads to the end of the test sections and ended up guessing on them just cause I didn't really have time. there's like one per section the first day. And I would definitely study for CCS, i'm sure doing well really helped my score!

So happy to be done with USMLE! Hope this helps anyone in the future who has to take it! Thanks to everyone who eased my mind, no thank you to those who recommended two plus qbanks just to pass lol. I didn't get through everything for three weeks I studied six+ hours a day. I think four to five weeks is ideal. Definitely get through uworld and uworld ccs!

Even though I did poorly on step 1 I didn't do any prep for the basic science component. MTB 3 now has some basic science in their book if your so worried I didn't get through that book would reference it for some random topics

 

[exudate]

Did you pass?

Yes! Finally done with USMLE! Final step 3 = 215. UWORLD is key, as everyone says. I wish I did more of uworld. All the best to everyone. Do not give up!!

 

[DJNYY]

US allopath
Step 1: high 230s
Step 2: mid 250s
Uworld average for step 3: ~70%
Step 3: 240

 

[VCorp]

I am extremely worried and hoping you guys could help me on what I should do. I'm currently an US-IMG that didn't match this year, and reapplying this fall. I'm currently studying for Step 3 and hope to take it by time interview season starts. As I'm doing my UW questions I am not performing to the level I want. These are my current stats

Step 1: 231
Step 2: 216

I just don't know what I should do. My exam is coming up soon in a matter of 10-11 weeks. I'm currently using MTB3 and reading it everyday and doing questions periodically. Some of the questions I miss can be silly questions, but some of them seem to contraindicate what is found in the review books, such as the one below.

I am trying to aim for atleast a 245+ but I just don't know if I'm being unrealistic or what.

 

[DJNYY]

I am extremely worried and hoping you guys could help me on what I should do. I'm currently an US-IMG that didn't match this year, and reapplying this fall. I'm currently studying for Step 3 and hope to take it by time interview season starts. As I'm doing my UW questions I am not performing to the level I want. These are my current stats

Step 1: 231
Step 2: 216

I just don't know what I should do. My exam is coming up soon in a matter of 10-11 weeks. I'm currently using MTB3 and reading it everyday and doing questions periodically. Some of the questions I miss can be silly questions, but some of them seem to contraindicate what is found in the review books, such as the one below.

I am trying to aim for atleast a 245+ but I just don't know if I'm being unrealistic or what.

I'd recommend doing only in tutor mode and going by subject at first. Try to attain as much mastery of each subject one by one before moving to the next subject (prioritize uworld over MTB). Go through answers thoroughly. Don't blow through them ever. Even if you get the question right. Save bio stats as the last subject. Then after you finish by subject, set it to random and either work through the qbank again or just your incorrects and marked questions (time depending)

 

[VCorp]

I'd recommend doing only in tutor mode and going by subject at first. Try to attain as much mastery of each subject one by one before moving to the next subject (prioritize uworld over MTB). Go through answers thoroughly. Don't blow through them ever. Even if you get the question right. Save bio stats as the last subject. Then after you finish by subject, set it to random and either work through the qbank again or just your incorrects and marked questions (time depending)

Thanks for the post. I should've posted this in my original post, but yes I'm using it in tutor mode. I'm opening up a separate word document and rewriting the information and going over it daily. Wanted to start using the CCS software but since I have a Mac, the Primum software isn't compatible with it. Absolutely need to score >250 on the exam.

 

[DJNYY]

Thanks for the post. I should've posted this in my original post, but yes I'm using it in tutor mode. I'm opening up a separate word document and rewriting the information and going over it daily. Wanted to start using the CCS software but since I have a Mac, the Primum software isn't compatible with it. Absolutely need to score >250 on the exam.

I'd downplay the need to get that high of a step 3 score tbh. Average is 225 with a SD of 15 so a 250 is kinda insane. I think an IMG going for surgery is an uphill battle regardless of usmle score (saw your other posts). I'm a us grad at a top 40 school and last year we had more than a few people not match gen surg. It may be more competitive than it used to be

 

[littledoc123]

I got my score back this past week, and hopefully my experience will be helpful to someone:

Uworld tutor mode 1x through: 64% (total study time: 3 weeks, during a lighter outpatient rotation)
Uworld self assessment: 201 (1 week before test)
USMLE Step 3: 242

I'm not sure of the reason why I scored so poorly on the UWorld SA. It definitely isn't representative of the real test, because there isn't any biostats or CCS cases. Plus, even though I scored average in terms of questions correct on all blocks, the report said I was in the 30th percentile. I'm not sure how that makes any sense.

Bottom line: go through UWorld 1x, and instead of doing all incorrects, mark questions that are high yield and go through them again as you get close to day of the test. I would also start my studying each day by going through 5 CCS cases because those are free points assuming you're proficient at using the software.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the 1st time pass rate for US grads is 95+%. If you diligently study for a few weeks and go through UWorld, you'll do fine. Good luck!

I gave UWSA today and scored the same, 20 (39th centile)
My UW average was 63%
My exam is on 20th June. Can't extend it.
I am going to give it a shot and your post is encouraging.

 

[eject]

My score just popped up. I took it in late May, and figured I'd add my experience.

Step 1: below average. Step 2: very high score (tried to compensate - and it mostly worked out). Current surgery R2.

I studied for about 4 weeks. I did about 1000 questions on uworld, really tried to read the explanations more than focus on which answer choice was right. I actually made notes from the high-yield looking charts and stuff (tbh, I screen shotted a lot of them, and put those in a word doc, which I used in the last few days to review every night). UW average was like 68% on tutor mode, totally mixed subjects. I went through every CCS, but I didnt like do the rigamarole of the interface for more than a couple to get the hang of it. I just read them. I read all of the interactive ones and all of the other ones. The CCS studying I saved for the last like 3-4 days.

The test was brutal. So long. I felt like I was getting everything wrong. But honestly, it didnt feel that much different than uworld, I felt like I'd get those wrong too. In fact, that is what worried me most. In uworld, I'd often narrow it down to two, then guess and get it right. So I never felt confident that I actually knew anything - maybe I was just getting lucky?! But I think if you have taken care of patients a while and have reviewed some stuff, you can sort of sniff out the right answer a lot of times. The CCS seemed easy.

Final score in mid 230s. Most of my xxxxxxx were in the middle between borderline and high performance. I was really, really scared I failed, given how much people online talk about studying for months and doing a million qbanks x5, and reading thousands of pages etc. I think if you have taken care of patients for a couple of years, in clinics and the ED and ICU, you know a lot of what you need to for this test. Good luck!

 

[littledoc123]

My score just popped up. I took it in late May, and figured I'd add my experience.

Step 1: below average. Step 2: very high score (tried to compensate - and it mostly worked out). Current surgery R2.

I studied for about 4 weeks. I did about 1000 questions on uworld, really tried to read the explanations more than focus on which answer choice was right. I actually made notes from the high-yield looking charts and stuff (tbh, I screen shotted a lot of them, and put those in a word doc, which I used in the last few days to review every night). UW average was like 68% on tutor mode, totally mixed subjects. I went through every CCS, but I didnt like do the rigamarole of the interface for more than a couple to get the hang of it. I just read them. I read all of the interactive ones and all of the other ones. The CCS studying I saved for the last like 3-4 days.

The test was brutal. So long. I felt like I was getting everything wrong. But honestly, it didnt feel that much different than uworld, I felt like I'd get those wrong too. In fact, that is what worried me most. In uworld, I'd often narrow it down to two, then guess and get it right. So I never felt confident that I actually knew anything - maybe I was just getting lucky?! But I think if you have taken care of patients a while and have reviewed some stuff, you can sort of sniff out the right answer a lot of times. The CCS seemed easy.

Final score in mid 230s. Most of my xxxxxxx were in the middle between borderline and high performance. I was really, really scared I failed, given how much people online talk about studying for months and doing a million qbanks x5, and reading thousands of pages etc. I think if you have taken care of patients for a couple of years, in clinics and the ED and ICU, you know a lot of what you need to for this test. Good luck!

Congrats! That's a relief! Did you give UWSA?

 

[eject]

Congrats! That's a relief! Did you give UWSA?

Nah. I bought it! But never got around to it, just couldn't make the time. I'm sure that, given enough time, it would be a useful thing to do.

 

[ramzax]

Passed. Thought I failed. MTB2 helped me a lot for Step II, but I found MTB3 not very helpful for Step 3. Best book overall I think but I just felt like it didn't help me answer the majority of Step 3 questions. UWORLD was where it was at, but again doesn't cover everything. Thinking back I wonder whether redoing the Step 2 UWorld would have helped. Also way more Step 1 material than I anticipated. It technically would be helpful to review high yield pathophys/drug mechs, but one could also make the argument that with a limited about of time to study for the test, that the best method may simply to hope you still have retained your Step 1 knowledge somewhere deep in your brain as you take the test PGY1-2 year.

 

[VCorp]

So I've started practicing the CCS cases using UW and the actual software which I downloaded from the USMLE site. Most of my patients are doing better and I'm starting to get a hang of things, but how can I get feedback on what I'm doing properly and what I'm doing wrong. It really doesn't seem to provide that information. Any tips on how else I could maximize this portion of the exam..

 

[KeratinPearls]

There's no software that will give you direct feedback on how you performed. You have to look at the explanation and see if you had a similar approach

 

[VCorp]

There's no software that will give you direct feedback on how you performed. You have to look at the explanation and see if you had a similar approach

Unfortunate. Seems risky to me if you can't get a proper assessment on how you're doing things. Don't you agree?

 

[eject]

Unfortunate. Seems risky to me if you can't get a proper assessment on how you're doing things. Don't you agree?

I don't agree. The uworld explanations are plenty adequate to assess your own performance, and to prepare for similar scenarios on the exam. Many hundreds of people of studied this stuff and passed.

 

[ramzax]

I don't agree. The uworld explanations are plenty adequate to assess your own performance, and to prepare for similar scenarios on the exam. Many hundreds of people of studied this stuff and passed.

I second this. I mean, it should be enough for you to read the uworld explanations and simply see what you didn't order or take into account in the optimal column. If you can't do this then I would recommend writing down everything you do and comparing it with the explanations.

 

[VCorp]

I don't agree. The uworld explanations are plenty adequate to assess your own performance, and to prepare for similar scenarios on the exam. Many hundreds of people of studied this stuff and passed.

I second this. I mean, it should be enough for you to read the uworld explanations and simply see what you didn't order or take into account in the optimal column. If you can't do this then I would recommend writing down everything you do and comparing it with the explanations.

yeah, now that i've played with the software. i do agree that it is understandable how to do things.

on other news my average is still at 54%. i'm getting increasingly stressed with how things are panning out. i plan to take the exam in the next 9 weeks and struggling to do well. i've gone as far as going back and re-reading MTB2 to get a better grasp and foundation on certain topics. for instance, how do 70% of the people get a question like this, right?

 

[guytakingboards]

yeah, now that i've played with the software. i do agree that it is understandable how to do things.

on other news my average is still at 54%. i'm getting increasingly stressed with how things are panning out. i plan to take the exam in the next 9 weeks and struggling to do well. i've gone as far as going back and re-reading MTB2 to get a better grasp and foundation on certain topics. for instance, how do 70% of the people get a question like this, right?

I wouldn't stress over that. The take home point is that 70% of people got it right and its a fact that you should know. You may not have learned it in medical school but its something that you need to know in residency/practice.

I took my radiology boards 5 months after step 3 and believe, stuff like that was all over the specialty boards. There's specifically a guide on the radiology board website called "non-interpretive skills" and is ~50 pages long. It includes stuff like that. I've also heard people in other specialties had that on their board certifying examination too.

There was a landmark study written by the Institute of Medicine in the late 90's called "to err is human" where it details how preventable medical errors are directly responsible for tens of thousands of deaths per year. Collectively medicine has decided that preventable medical error reduction needed to be built into the medical curriculum. Hence questions on near-misses, sentinel events, RCA's and active/latent errors. Very unpleasant stuff to read about but its just stuff we need to know.

 

[J ROD]

I know I have learned this stuff as a MD and PharmD. It is consistently taught. I thought it was a give me question.

 

[VCorp]

I know I have learned this stuff as a MD and PharmD. It is consistently taught. I thought it was a give me question.

i wonder if taking this exam during intern year would be more beneficial, but since i didn't match this past spring, i'm trying to take it now.