How I scored 259 on USMLE Step 2CK.

MY STEP 2Ck Experience by Dr. Tariq Hassan

I begin this in the Name Of Allah Almighty, The Most Benificent and Merciful.

ASSESSMENTS

Nbme 6- 258 (2 months before exam)

Nbme 4- 260 (1 months before)

Uwsa1 - 265 ( 7 days before)

Nbme 7- 235 (5 days before)

Uwsa 2 -255 (2 days before)

Real Score - 259

Test date- 26 july 2017

Result date - 6 sept 2017

Step 1 score -244(6 dec 2016)

STUDY SOURCES:

1) Medicine(mtb 2 with lecs)
2) paeds (kaplan with lecs)
3) Gyn/Obs (kaplan with lecs)
4) Psych, surgery (mtb plus uw2 + FA for step 1 for Psych)

5) Uw step 2

6)CMS forms all including neuro
7) FA step 1 go through all systems plus biochem, pharma, immuno and other important topics atleast once during CK preparation.
😎 Biostat( UW + step 1 notes+ FA step 1)
9) uworld step 1 (my notes)

I took my step 1 on 16 nov 2016, and started prep in the last week of December for my CK. Bought 6 months subscription for UW nd started doing subject and system wise (untimed). Although i had done my step 1 before, but still i found completing one block of uw in one hour really hard. Almost took me 1:15 hr to complete one block nd then another 3-4 hours to review nd take notes.
Since i had my tempo built up from step 1 so would do one block of uworld daily (subject and system wise) and did same subject nd chapter from text book which i mentioned above for relevant subjects. That took me around 2 months to cover. Doing textbook was easier, it was UW that took more time. And after first read i did another round of UW, this time doing2-3 blocks a day(timed, random) plus reading textbook or my UW notes which i took from first read. This took another month and i still had some weak concepts in certain things. But i took nbme 6 after 2nd go nd got 258 which helped boost my energy.

I reset my Uw for 2nd time now nd went for 3rd read of uw, working on my shortcomings nd simultaneously revising the stuff already memorized.
In between i started doing CMS forms which, blv me, are really important if u want a good score. Quite a lot of the questions or concepts were repeated from them in my exam (i dont remember them now exactly though)

During my 3rd go of UW i took nbme 4(260). Nd i repeated my entire routine of UW , textbook and UW notes. Keep revising UW notes until they become your reflex. Took uwsa1 got a great score(and since i knew it overpredicts, i was quite happy that i got 260+ on that) nd 1 day after that took nbme 7(wierdest of all self assessments , it was more wierd than difficult), got a low score in it but i had my mind prepared for that too. Nd then came uwsa2(which is said to be the closest predictor of exam score).
255 was pretty decent score one could hope for in this assessment nd since i took that only 2 days before exam, it had to go well to keep my morale up and Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah it did. Nd in the last 2 days i went through uw step 1 nd step 2 notes nd relaxed.

EXAM DAY:

The night before exam i went to bed at 10, put my headfones on nd started a sleep hypnosis audio on youtube nd within half hour i was fast asleep. Got up at 5 am for Prayer and went back for a one hour nap again. Finally got up took a shower, breakfast and a beta blocker(coz my palpitations were out of control)
I had a good night sleep on exam night and 2-3 days before so i was quite fresh that day. Exam started at 9 am and the very first block was so difficult plus the stress of exam was at its peak but Alhamdulillah it got easier as i relaxed myself.

I did first 2 blocks without any break nd all rest with a toilet break after each, just to move around nd frshen up. Keep eating or drinking during these breaks. I took a 20 min break for lunch and Prayer.

Exam was more or less like a love child between nbme 7 and uwsa 2. It was difficult as uwsa 2 and wierd as nbme 7. I would go through the entire BLock in about 30 mins nd attempt 20-25 qs in one go (coz most of the questions were really easy) nd the remaining time i would spend on marked/unattempted questions.(my advise, dont waste time on question u know that u womt know the answer to no matter how hard u try, instead , try doing that which u can get with less effort first).

All of the blocks were well balanced. None was entirely easy or entirely difficult. I got abstract in block 3 nd it had 38 qs in entire block nd those all were quite small and easy so i had around 15 mins in the end of that block to review marked question nd to do the abstract qs. But it was so difficult that no matter how carefully i read , i couldnt figure out the answer so i didnt waste much time on that nd took random educated guesses.

I had 2 auscultation qs(both were really simple), 3-4 ecgs and 3-4 x rays, 4-5 images, and 1 ultrasound picture(which i knew jack about).

In summary i would say that exam was Doable, timing was really not an issue(which i had feared that most) , each block was perfectly designed so u had enough time for most of the difficult questions after solving the easy ones.
Uworld and CMS forms should be your primary study sources and if u do step 1 before CK it would be of great help coz quite a lot of qs are based on that knowledge.

MY ADVICE:

1) Make Uworld your primary source. Do it atleast 3 times before taking exam. It is the best source for CK out there. Exam is very difficult but most of the questions are doable with UW knowledge directly or by slight extrapolation.

2) In first read of Uw, just focus on taking notes of all things wether u consider them important or not, wether u can memorize all of that at once or not, just write them down nd go through them daily, u will automatically memorize thm. coz blv me when i tell u, if its in UW, its important. And with every next read revise old things while adding on new things which u missed in first read.

3)do CMS forms carefully, use them as learning tool rather than assessments.

4) take self assessments with real honesty and with a good preparation as u would a real exam.

5) take atleast 1 day off per week. Relax, watch movieS, hang out with family and friends.

Have a good night sleep before exam. Relax, everyone can do it. Pray to Lord Almighty for His Help, coz there is no one except Him who can.

Although i didnt participated much in the group but i was kind of a silent spectator nd this group was really helpful for doing CMS forms nd also ramdom stuff, plus watching ppl eagerly studying kept me motivated and Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah i cant be more happy abt my score.
Thank u everyone.

I would be more than happy to answer anyone of your questions if i missed something in my experience. Take care. Work hard and you will be rewarded اِنشااللہ.

By Dr. Tariq Hassan

For any suggestions or questions please email at aimcites@yahoo.com

'Dr. Tariq Hassan, a graduate of 2015, is a shining aimcite who has attained dozens of distinctions and honors in his academic career at AIMC. We congratulate him for such an amazing score on USMLE Step 2 CK and wish him the best for the residency match. We hope that this step wise guide will make the process easier for the juniors. For any questions please go ahead and contact us.'

From team AIMCites

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The same factors increase the risk of coronory artery disease.

• Age >40 years
• Diabetes mellitus
• Cigarette Smoking
• Hypertension
• Obesity
• Hyperhomocysteinemia
• Dyslipidemia

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'Doctor writes to increase the basic and clinical knowledge of AIMCites. We recommend you read each and every post from Doctor. You may make notes too.'

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Fibromyalgia has following characteristic presentation properties:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Sleep does not relieve fatigue
• Anxiety
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• Pain-deteriorated by stress/anxiety, alleviated by exercise/lowering stress
• Chronic nature
• GI problems include diarrhea and/or incomplete emptying of bowel
• Patients may feel numb in different parts of the body
• Dizziness
• Sad mood, loss of interest, and inadequacy in relationships
• Loss of stamina

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'Doctor writes to increase the basic and clinical knowledge of AIMCites. We recommend you read each and every post from Doctor. You may make notes too.'

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What are the causes and associations of glossitis?

Inflammation of tongue (glossitis) can have following causes:

• Systemic:
  1. Nutritional deficiencies (e.g., B₁₂, folic acid)
  2. Anemia (pernicious, iron deficiency)
  3. Corticosteroids
  4. Broad-spectrum antibiotics
  5. HIV (opportunistic infections such as candidiasis, herpes simplex virus [HSV]; or HIV-associated changes such as loss of papillae)
  6. Various other medications (e.g., captopril, clarithromycin, enalapril, lansoprazole, lithium, metronidazole, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Local:
  1. Infections (e.g., HSV, Epstein-Barr virus, candidiasis)
  2. Trauma (ill-fitting dentures, piercings, burns, convulsive seizures)
  3. Primary irritants (alcohol, tobacco, hot foods, spices, excessive peppermint, citrus)
  4. Sensitization with chemical irritants (e.g., dyes, mouthwash, toothpaste, systemic drugs)
  5. Malignancy (95% are squamous cell)

Associated Conditions with glossitis can be:

1. Fissured tongue
2. HIV infection
3. Reiter syndrome
4. Down syndrome
5. Crohn disease
6. Celiac disease

By Doctor

For any suggestions or questions please email at aimcites@yahoo.com

'Doctor writes to increase the basic and clinical knowledge of AIMCites. We recommend you read each and every post from Doctor. You may make notes too.'

From team AIMCites

"Loads of the Ah, wells and none of the what ifs"

Wipe that sweat off your foreheads, fellow freshmen, for we have arrived! The nail biting uncertainty of the past four years, the MCAT woes and all that drama about waiting for the list to finally be uploaded and reveal our one true destiny is past us. Yes. 2013 is past us. And here we are, walking in awe as we still struggle to grasp the fact that yes, indeed, we are here at Allama Iqbal Medical College.

How about that, huh? It really has begun. Our own special journey: on our ways to becoming daacter sahabs. It's surreal; don't tell me you still don't accidentally say Allah gee please MCAT ma top mai he karun. I know I do.

To all our seniors reading this: Some of you may find this nostalgic (Oh I remember when I first came here) while some of you may be scoffing with condescension (not another freshie rant please). Tell me this though: Do you remember walking through the doors of this college the very first time? Roaming through the hostels (for all you, err, lucky hostellites) for the very first time? Idling in front of the Shaheen Mall for the very first time? (When is that pizza place reopening anyway? Just saying.) And oh, using the phrase "UDL" for the very first time? I could go on and on. Those might be memories for you, but they are life events for us. So please bear with our apparently nonsensical enthusiasm. *wink*

New white coats ka swag aside, they sure know how to drop a bombshell on the meek, new, unacquainted-to-the-mean-ways-of-the-world-of-medical-colleges students. The First Substage. Instead of discovering the whereabouts of the college and chilling in the canteen, the freshies resorted to the library (why is it so quiet in there?) and indulged in group study (who are we kidding even?). The charm wore off in the last few days before the substage, while everyone frantically tried to memorize as much as they could from the notorious laal kitaab (If you know what I mean).

Meanwhile, every hostellite struggled to gulp down the oh so delicious food in the mess. The Prayer Hall girls learnt to live their life as if they were out camping. I personally gave someone a tutorial on how to use the shower. (Don't lock, clothes on top of the door means occupied, the works.) And oh! The chirping around when everyone saw the freshly arrived geysers! Priceless, I tell ya!

So here we are. Getting comfortable in this new place where we have much to look forward to. Making friends, forming memories, weaving dreams. Here we are. A new chapter of our lives. Learning to groan about the things we would groan about for the next five years. Learning to love and appreciate the things we would be loving and appreciating the next five years. Scared, are you? Bubbling with excitement and anticipation as well? Well, I am too. Let's do this. Let's make these years a time to be nostalgic about fifteen years from now. Loads of the Ah, wells and none of the what ifs. Let's do this. 

By Maheen Farooq Pasha
A freshie from 1st year

For any suggestions or questions please email at aimcites@yahoo.com

'Hahaha.. Trust us things will get better with time. Stay ambitious and keep praying like that. And Indian authors have done a meticulous job with that red book. Our teachers are a bit jealous. No offense. Your article was a delight to read.'

From team AIMCites

How to get a bonafide student certificate from Allama Iqbal Medical College?

A bonafide certificate confirms your enrollment and active participation in a program at an institute. If you need a bonafide certificate for any reason, you can go to the admin office with your latest result card copy, your student id card photocopy, your latest photograph and an application for the request. You will have the certificate in less than four days.

 An answer from team AIMCites
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How to apply for USMLE for Iqbalian students and graduates

All you need to know! A stepwise approach by Dr. Shaheryar Ali Jafri

1. Open the website: http://www.ecfmg.org
2. Go to the IWA link from ONLINE SERVICES
3. Create your ECFMG account² (you need to submit 60$ from Credit Card and once you are completed with making your account, you will get email confirmation from ECFMG within 5 days with account ID and PASSWORD)
4. Now open the account again from IWA, ECFMG website and begin with your application whether you want to apply for STEP-1, STEP-2CK or STEP-2CS (complete the application with your each and every true information, Note that some boxes are optional, don’t worry if you don’t have all the information but remember to put your FULL NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, COLLEGE ADDRESS¹)… In the end of application you will have to submit FEE for required exam via CREDIT CARD (for example the fee for STEP-2CK is 985 $)

   

   ECFMG webpage

5. During application you have to select your current status as GRADUATE or STUDENT (in which category you fall)
6. Once you are done with the application, ECFMG will send you Form # 186 ³ (It is form for your Identification)
7. If you are student you need to attest your Form #186 from your College Admin (i.e Professor Azeem Jahangir Khan – Director Admin), but if you are Graduate, you can get your form attested either from college admin or from Notary public.
8. If you are Graduate you will also have to get some other forms, Form #187, Form# 344, and Form #345.
9. Once you are finished with these all forms now it’s time to send your documents to ECFMG via TCS or any other mail service.
10. What documents you have to send via post? Gather the following: 

    i) Form # 186 and 187, 344, 345 (These 3 only for graduates).
    ii) 2 photocopy sets of Transcript along with English language certificate and MSPE (Medical Student Performance Evaluation). To get these documents, you have to file a written application at admin office and they will do the rest. It takes about a week or so in processing of the application.
    iii) Degree of MBBS (Only for graduates).
    iv) Two recent passport size photographs with blue background.
11. Once you gathered all these required documents, it’s time to post them to ECFMG on address: IWA ECFMG 3624 MARKET STREET, 4^TH FLOOR, PHILADELPHIA.
12. After you have sent this; you can check your email id and ECFMG account by selecting OASIS from the Online services for the updates of your application processing.
13. Once ECFMG has confirmed all your documents, they will send you verification and another verification will be sent to ECFMG from your college’s admin. (You might need to go to admin to make sure they have sent your verification).
14. Once all your verification is done, ECFMG will send you your EXAM PERMIT according to your Eligibility Period on your IWA-ECFMG account. (You have to save that permit and take a print out before going to the exam center).
15. Once all this is done, it is time to take the date of your exam. Open your permit page and click the link given of the Prometric Center and chose a suitable date for your exam.

Note: You have to take your exam permit with you on the day of exam

1. Address: ALLAMA IQBAL MEDICAL COLLEGE, ALLAMA SHABBIR USMANI ROAD, LAHORE PUNJAB, 54000, PAKISTAN.
2. You need to submit this documentation only for the 1^st time exam. For second exam you can simply proceed with online application.
3. Sample of Form#186:

Sample form 186

"NOW, IT’S NOT TIME TO SPARE YOURSELF, YOU CAN REST LATER. WORK HARD AND SUCCESS WILL BE YOURS. SKY MUST BE THE LIMIT. INSPIRATION IS ONE THING AND YOU CAN’T CONTROL IT, BUT HARD WORK IS WHAT KEEPS THE SHIP MOVING, GOOD LUCK MEANS WORK HARD. KEEP UP THE GOOD LUCK."

By Dr. Shaheryar Ali Jafri

http://www.facebook.com/sharybaboo

For any suggestions or questions please email at aimcites@yahoo.com

'Dr. Shaheryar Ali Jafri is an immensely well esteemed aimcite who has attained dozens of distinctions and honors in his academic career at AIMC. We are delighted to receive his article about this matter as many students and graduates find difficulties due to complexities. We hope that this step wise guide will make the process easier for our fellows. For any questions please go ahead and email us.'

From team AIMCites