Step 2 CK Experience (280) •
Background: Background:
Hello everyone. This is Hasan Alarouri, a Jordanian graduate of Jordan University of Science and Technology (2017). I started my dedicated preparation for Step 2 CK during my internship, and the total duration was around 15 months. Owing to how helpful this group had been during my preparation, and the rarity of experiences similar to mine (Step 2 CK prior to Step 1), I thought I’ll have to share my experience with you. •
USMLE Scores: Step 1: not done yet Step 2 CK: 280 Step 2 CS: Passed
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Self assessment scores: Free120: 96% (5 mistakes); 5 months prior to exam NBME 4: 6 mistakes (offline); (o ffline); 4 months prior to exam NBME 7: 13 mistakes (offline); (o ffline); 3 months prior to exam NBME 6: 5 mistakes (offline); (o ffline); 2.5 months prior p rior to exam NBME 8: 279 (online; (o nline; 8 mistakes); 2 months prior p rior to exam UWSA1: 286 (10 mistakes); 1 month prior to exam UWSA2: 274 (15 mistakes); 2 weeks prior to exam
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Preparation duration duration and hours hours studied each day: The total duration was 15. This was supposed to be shorter (maximum 1 year) as I was very well prepared by then and my self assessments were reassuring, but my anxiety (because I was going for CK prior to Step 1) and OCPD kicked in and I ended up postponing for another 3 months. At the beginning I would manage to study 6-7 hours a day (with concentration) and would take a day off every week, but towards the end (around 3 months prior to exam) I managed to increase that to 8-10 hours a day and wasn’t regularly taking a day off each week. What’s really important is not how many hours you study a day, but that you
study with full concentration and with minimal distractions (quality over quantity). •
Material used: - UW Step 2 CK (online; scores: 88% after my first solve and 98% after my second solve): this was my main source, and my goal was to master it. I solved it (in addition to studying the explanations) twice, and studied the explanations alone without solving, once (waste of time; always solve + read). - UW tables and algorithms (with added information from various resources): revised them twice. - UpToDate: this was the second most important resource for me. I used it every time I came across a concept/disease in UW that I felt the need to expand on, and added whatever relevant information I found to UW’s tables/algorithms. - First Aid Step 1: used it for certain step 1 topics found in UW. Mainly for glycogen storage diseases, lysosomal storage diseases, lead poisoning/porphyrias, and immunodeficiencies. - CMS: solved and studied all of them. Every time I came across something I didn’t know (Even if it was the wrong answer), I made sure I took enough time to look it up and read about it. - UW Step 3 (offline): used it for Biostatistics, psychiatry, OBGYN, and ethics; once. - 100 cases by Conrad Fischer: solved the questions and studied the explanations once. - UW biostatistics subject review: solved and studied twice. - AMBOSS: solved the biostatistics section and did two exam simulations a few days prior to exam. Very helpful to build your stamina for the exam. nd - Parts of a summary I made from UW during my 2 solve. - Patient Safety PDF from the group; studied a few days prior to exam. - NEJM and MKSAP17 questions of the week on Facebook.
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Recommendations: - Study UW in a comprehensive manner. Whenever you are solving a question, rationalize why the answer you are
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choosing must be correct and why every other answer must be wrong. Then when you study the explanations, you must read everything including the wrong answers and why they were wrong. Many times you’ll be faced with concepts, in the wrong answers, that you’ve never heard of before and should look up if they aren’t covered well in UW (UpToDate was my go-to resource and I highly recommend it). Solving more questions is much more important than reading texts. There is no point in adding new information if you don’t know how to use it or how questions are asked about it, in my humble opinion. For anyone who’s planning on going for Step 2 CK prior to Step 1, like myself, but has been worried about what other people keep saying (eg, Step 1 is a must..), I’ll say the following: Although studying Step 1 prior to Step 2 CK would’ve made my preparation shorter and easier, it definitely wasn’t necessary. As long as you make sure you understand every Step 1 concept you come across in UW (which might include visiting First Aid at times), I believe you’ll be fine. Trust your self assessments and stop postponing if your scores have been consistent and have met your goal. Kaplan books/videos and Master the Boards are not a must to score high as evidenced by my score. Whenever you have some free time, try to read through the crashes and questions posted on the group (some are out of left field, don’t panic just filter them out), they were very beneficial to me.
Lastly:
I’d like to thank my family, this group, and my two dear friends, Yazeed Sweedan and Ali Aldamen, for providing me with immense help and motivation throughout my journey. Good luck to all of you!
