USMLE Step 2 CK Experience by Seeta Chillumuntala Step 2 CK | Usmle step 2 experinces

USMLE Step 2 CK Experience by Seeta Chillumuntala


Step 2 CK Score: 261

I am not really one to post on groups however I found that previous experiences were very useful in my prep so decided I would share my experience in case it helps anybody.

This was my first USMLE Step. Prep time – 4.5 months

I started off by doing a bit of UWorld. Then I decided it would be best to solve an NBME to gauge my level of baseline knowledge; so, I solved NBME-4. NBME-4 is thought to be the best predictor of score compared to all other NBMEs. So, thinking back, doing this one so early was not such a good idea cause I scored a 203. However here is my thought on NBMEs – I got 203, with 43 wrong and 157 correct. In the real world, I would actually feel good about that baseline score 157/200 however due to the very complex nature of NBME scoring I ended up with that disastrous score. I was very sad for a few days and had some sleepless nights thinking, my goodness! What does it take to get a decent score, how are the people doing it?

I would like to think it was a blessing in disguise to get such a low score; because I don’t think I would have worked as hard.

Nevertheless, I decided to start by focusing on my weaknesses which the NBME score report showed, such as behavioral health and OB/GYN.

I studied for 6-8 hours every day. I’m not one to take any day off cause I find if I do so it then turns later into 2 days off, then 3 days off …

Resources used
UWorld x 2 (random, timed) highly recommend

Uptodate (excellent for searching updated guidelines on treatment and diagnostic tests) highly recommended.

CRASHes (these are sessions on the Facebook EAMTAR group where a topic e.g. hematology is discussed by the leader asking questions and people posting their answers. I never got to actually take part in the discussions due to the timezone) highly recommend

Kaplan Patient Safety chapter highly recommend

UWorld Step 1 biostats/behavioral science/Immuno-Micro

Osmosis online youtube highly recommend. The drawings really helped me remember the topic

I TRIED few pages of the Kaplan books and MTB but I’m not so much of a textbook person

CMS self-assessments for major topics e.g. OB/GYN, Pediatrics the more questions the better (average 40/50)

NBMEs one each month.

Assessment Scores
NBME 4 – 203 (beginning of prep)

NBME 6 – 240 (month 2)

NBME 3 – 248 (3)

NBME 7 – 245 (4)

UWSA 1 – 268 (2 weeks before the exam)

UWSA 2 – 254 (2 weeks before the exam)

Keep enough time between solving them and the exam to read the explanations carefully, because they contain new questions not found in the question banks with lots of info.

Average of these two was my Step 2 CK score.

Exam Experience
The day before the exam – I relaxed, didn’t do much studying, stayed close to the exam center did not want to have the hassle of traveling from home early in the morning. Went to sleep at 10 pm. Woke up at 6 am had a good breakfast and reached test center by 8 am, the test did not start until 9.30am due to the elaborate security checks.

Block 1 seemed pretty decent, though the questions were not that long compared to uworld

Block 2 tougher

Break 10 min – mistake I made was to go out to drink water, wastes your time when you have to go back to your seat due to the repeat security check to go in

Block 3 tougher

Break 5 min to deep breathe

Block 4 Decent

Break LUNCH eat enough and high energy foods

Rest of the blocks I started to get progressively tired and was taking longer to read the questions so they “seemed longer”. I was actually tight on time and I didn’t have enough time to check through all my answers.

I even started freaking out in the last two blocks and had a mini melt down so I took a few deep breaths and said to myself I must finish strong.

I was very upset after exam but told myself I tried my best and hard work never goes to waste.

Kept checking USMLE forums to see if any others had similar experiences, apparently, it is a common feeling.