Step 2 Thoughts / Question Bank Resource

[Betsy]

Thought it may be useful for some to see what everyone is using for questions.

[giannucci]

I used Q bank, the released items on CD, and USMLE Step 2 Mock Exam. I thought that the difficultly level of the questions was about midway between the released items on the CD that the USMLE sends out and Kaplan Q bank. I did think that the psych questions and biostats questions were fairly straightforward and were not too picky (ie you didn't need to know how long sx have to last and how many sx someone has to have to qualify for a particular illness - vs. the shelf exam). The biostats questions seemed to be based on having a general idea of concepts (ie that a sensitive test will pick up more disease than a specific test) and not on the recall of formulas (on my test anyway). The surgery questions seemed to be focused on acute care (more ER type stuff than management of recurrent hernia). I did think that there were a fair number of questions that required knowledge of pathophysiology (like Step 1) but that overall the questions were less picky than Step 1.

That being said, please take all of this with a grain of salt, as this was my experience based on the questions that I saw...and I still haven't gotten my score yet...which could drastically change how I feel about the level of difficulty of the questions

Not to bash a resource that an MCG physician came out with, but Step 2 Mock Exam does not reflect the type of question that are on the actual exam. Spend your time and money elsewhere. It is a good price for the number of questions, but there are a significant number of one line questions and questions that carry the ever so popular "all of the following except", and "all of the above" phrases which are no where to be found on the actual test.

[afaracemd]

Here is a website that will estimate your score based on Qbank, USMLE world, NBME etc. You can enter your scores as well once you receive your Step 2 score. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but it was good to see where my score was ranging.

www.medfriends.org/step2_estimator/index.htm

I used Qbank for questions and did an NBME practice test as well. Qbank seemed harder than Step 2, but I feel like I learned a lot from the explanations. I highly recommend paying $45 to take one of the NBME practice tests. They give you a scaled score that gives you an estimated Step 2 score.

For studying I used First Aid, Step Up, Boards and Wards and Step 2 Secrets. I started pretty early and probably didn't need to do as much studying. I felt like all of these resources were excellent. Step Up has some mistakes, but it has extra info not in First Aid. I used Secrets as a review for 2 days before the test. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!
Amy

This test is sooo long, but definitely easier than Step 1. (or at least it seemed so while I was taking it, we'll see once my score returns).

[Betsy]

I used USMLEworld for questions and Step 2 secrets for review. I only had about 10 days to study for this exam, so my time was crunched. Step 2 secrets is a good quick review on everything, I really liked it. USMLEworld is awesome. I got it mainly because it was cheaper than QBank (score!), and I heard it was pretty good. It is definately much harder than the real deal, the answers are too similar (whereas on the real thing, it is easier to pick out the right answer). But, the software is EXACTLY like the real thing, which is an added bonus. You learn alot from the questions too, and going through the process. I was only able to get through about 30%. I also did the free questions that you can get from the CD (easier than the real thing). I did 2 of the NBME practice tests where you can get your predicted score and areas of focus. There are 3 available, $45 each. I would say they are the most similar to the real exam. The only problem is the software isnt the same as the new FRED software.

I dont know what to say is "high yield", but if it helps I really didnt use many formulas on the test. Just know the basics biostats formulas (specificity, sensitivity, PPV, NPV). I had to use Winter's formula for one acid-base question.

The test is INCREDIBLY long, seemed longer than Step 1, but definately way better. (Either than, or I have developed ADHD over the past year.) I feel that, in retrospect, there is nothing else I could have studied to do any better. This test is about putting everything together, and its hard to put a finger on what things to really study. Try not to worry so much about it. Have faith in what you know, and you guys will all do great!

[drdrizzle]

I did both Kaplan Q bank and USMLEworld. without a doubt USMLEworld is better. kaplan has a lot of repeat q's and some of the q's are not that challenging. On step 2, most of the q's will be okay. But they will have like 5 q's on each block that you will be like, "did they leave out a paragraph or something? how am i supposed to answer this?" You are going to have to use what you know and apply your knowledge, that's why its not that important to cram for it like you did for step 1. the most important thing is to develop your critical thinking on clinical q's. The best way to do that a month before the test is to do practice q's. I did practice q's all day and practically nothing else. you know most of what you need to know for the test already. the test is just how you can apply it.

So my advice. do both but def get USMLEworld (it is cheaper anyways). Do all those q's. They will be hard. Dont worry if you get only 50% of the q's right. everybody does. when you take the test you will see that the hardest q's are on par with those on USMLEworld world. therefore, you get more practice with the hardest q's. so you will be ready to attack. getting those q's will help you get a higher score. not more practice with q's you should be able to answer anyways (kaplan). and the 50% of the q's you missed, you wont this time. kaplan q's are mostly softball q's. but if you have time do both. there are advantages to each one.

But far and away spending your time doing q's early, often, and all the time, is your best bet regardless who writes them. trust what you know already. you will be amazing you actually remember that stuff. and you will be ready to pull out knowledge from who knows where to answer some of those q's. isn't that what i doctor is about anyways?

also, there will be a few step 1 q's on the test. it might help to review first aid for step 1 a few days before the test, maybe just flip through it once to refresh your memory. you will need a strong step 1 foundation.

Word to the wise: no matter who you are, USMLEworld will hurt your ego at a critical time right before a big test. people in my class who eventually get >240 on step 2 get really stressed while studying b/c they only get 60% of the q's right. but dont let it get to you. they want you to have to think about it. they are not hard and stupid, detailed q's, they are hard and challenging and relevant.

dd

[drdrizzle]

oh, and step 2 secrets is an excellent companion to do with the q's for review.

[chase]

USMLE is still better. Questions are still harder, and very similar to the real exam. The looks of USMLE world is very simliar. It's only 90 bucks for a 30 day subscription. Much cheaper than Kaplan. I used the USMLE world tutor mode for a lot of the questions one way through and then took all the questions I missed over again in test blocks. I didn't really even use Crush or Step 2 Secrets.