My Step 3 Experience
(2007-06-07 13:31:44)
下一个
I finished my step 3 yesterday. I am so glad that I got it done. Here are some of my experience.
I used Kaplan books and UW ccs. I did not do any questions (might not a good idea if you want to achieve 95).
The first day is all MCQs. 7 sections. 48 q's each.
The second day: 4 sections of MCQ, 36 q's each. Then 9 ccs cases.
The MCQs has two types: Office sections and ED/Inpatient sections. Half and Half for each.
The office sections are easy. Questions are short. Mostly are step 2 type of questions. I finished them ahead of time.
The ED/IP sections are difficult for me because I do not have clinical experience. Some questions really need inpatient/icu knowledge to handle. I just guessed for answers. The questions were long. I almost did not finish the first ED/IP section encountered. It caught me off guard that I was appalled to see myself only finishing 20 questions after 30 minutes. I had to read questions very fast to finish that section. After getting this lesson, I managed to finish all other ED/IP sections on time. It was still very tough.
The CCS part is easy for me b/c Kaplan is all about CCS format. I read all the UW ccs cases and it helped too. I finished 8 cases early. 1 case for 20 min but pt is improved.
Advice for CCS: write down essential informaiton when you read cases, like, age, gender, abnormals, and your diff. dx. Also write down things you want to order b4 you forgot. Not foget to do P.E. for each pt. Write it down in board. You might forget if you are in stress. If it is emergent case, move clock for 15 to 30 min, not more. Some time an ordinary case could be an emergent one. Give a complete order around complaint and adjust your plan accordingly. For example, after CXR, you might find that pt's mediastinum is expanding. Even with a vague back pain, better admit to ED for aortic dissection check up.
Good luck every one.