Step 2

A Few ObservationsBy

Linda Pappas

Book ResourcesFirst Aid for the USMLE Step 2 CK 7th ed. http://firstaidteam.com click on ERRATAFirst Aid Cases for the USMLE Step 2 CK (2nd edition) corrections coming soonFirst Aid Q & A for USMLE Step 2 CK (1st edition) corrections available Crush Step 2 Step Up to USMLE Step 2 NMS Review for USMLEKaplan Step 2

Book Resources

First Aid books for the clerkshipsMKSAP for Students #4 Q&A from ACP –

Clerkship Directors in Internal MedicineLange Q Bank BookDeja Review for Step 2Appleton & Lange ReviewCase Files for ClerkshipsPretest for Clerkships

Question Banks

USMLEworld--- www.USMLEworld.com/Step2QBankMain

KaplanQbankwww.kaplanmedical.com

USMLERx---from the First Aid authorswww.usmlerx.com

Study Plan

No magic amount of time – but give yourself time enough to do each content area and then a few weeks to do a lot of practice questions and review weaker areas again

Create a plan that gives you certain goals by a certain date

Other Resources

NBME assessments (Comprehensive Clinical Sciences Self Assessment) – newest form offers enhanced feedback option https://nsas.nbme.org/nsasweb/servlet/mesa_main

Provides a good stepping off point

The Exam Itself

A “gold standard” exam – it requires “book learning”Vignettes are longer than Step 1Avoid scanning for high-yield information instead

read carefully and think while you read (much like you would process in a patient interview) systematically building a differential.

Predict before you look at the answer optionsIf you are not able to predict then eliminate

whatever possibleIf you are unable to make a choice (usually between

two) pick one and move on

“Human” Resources

Linda Pappas and Michele Millard

Patti Marsh is assisting with our appointments so call her at 280-2905 or email her at PattiMarsh@creighton.edu