Uworld is undoubtedly the best practice resource for USMLE Step 2 CK. Amboss is great supplemental resource and must for those who need to read the chapters in a systematic manner. In absence of a good High yield resource for Step 2 CK like the First Aid for Step 1, the role of Amboss becomes even more important. Complementing the Uworld Qbank with Amboss Library and Question banks will surely add tons of marks to your score.
How to use Uworld Step 2?
Step 2 CK study material and syllabus is vast and limitless. There is no specific book or resource that is enough for it. But idea is to keep resource limited. If you dig into lot of resources, chances that you will land into wrong information and outdated algorithms are high. So, keep the resources finite and use the reliable resources.
Uworld is the prime resource for practicing for Step 2 exams. The beauty of Uworld is that it teaches you to solve the problem ie Question. When you learn by solving questions, your memory is stimulated by many factors. If you make mistake, the learning in stronger. That is what I have felt. I realize you remember your mistakes and explanations to it better.
Stepwise use of Uworld-
- You can solve Uworld in Shelf mode or Step 2 CK mode. Chose the Step 2 mode, as it has more questions, statistics portion including abstracts.
- There is timed mode and study mode. Initially start with Study mode without timer. When you realize you have picked a pace and feel the mode is dragging you back. Add Timer to questions. I say its Hybrid mode, timed questions and Study mode for explanations. It is my opinion but rushing blocks in total timed mode and reading explanation at end, kills your motivation to read the explanations. And you may need to reread the questions, those are lengthy ones, that will lead to loss of time. So, I prefer Hybrid mode for optimal studying.
- Blocks: It’s always nice to do mixed subject blocks but if you really want to get tuned with a subject, use subject wise block. Doing the related questions will reinforce your knowledge and memory, rather than getting random information from 4 subjects at a time. I created 40 questions block and did 40-60 questions a day.
- Uworld Notes: The UW provides you a function where you can attach copied notes to Notes file. You can make summary, highlight points, and make a note for important points from the study text. If you are a digital learner, use the Notes. For me, I always needed a hardcopy for revisions, so I wrote down 3-4 liner points notes from each question. In the end, it became a good notebook for revision. It was in fact the most valuable resource in the end because you will not have time to redo UWorld unless you take a year for exams.
- UW self assessment ( UWSA 1) : Self-assessment test 1 needs to be taken around 1 month before your exam date. There aren’t many assessment resources, so do utilize this carefully. It’s a 4 hour test of 4 blocks. Try to simulate exam. Sleep well, revise and take the test in a same shot. You will realize your readiness. You will also realize that how less predictable Step 2 is compared to Step 1. Use this as guidance to improve your weaknesses. Focus on the weak areas.
- UWSA 2: A week to 10 days before exam. Use this as final simulation for exam. Use Free120 questions for USMLE wisely. The starting portion of F120 saves your time in real exam, if you read it during practice itself.
- Keep note of Algorithms – Gyne, Ped, Medicine, Surgery. Trauma algorithm are very high yield. Practice and keep it at tip of tongue. In exam , you wont have enough time to recall everything if you don’t have it at tip of tongue.
Supplementing with AMBOSS:
Undoubtedly the Amboss library is essential resource for learners. If you need to recap all your clinical knowledge, going through the library quickly is a good head up. Even if you can’t read everything in it, there are essential things you need to cover from AMBOSS:
- Epidemiology and Biostats: Read the Library as well as solve the question bank.
- Legal medicine and Professionalism: The most important portion. Read, revise, and remember. Do all the Qbank from amboss related to this. It covers all the aspects of ethics, professionalism, patient safety.
- Psychiatry and behavioral medicine: Very helpful.
- There are 300-500 question from Amboss Qbank, that is a must do. Rest you can use as supplement. Trust me, using more than 1 Qbank ie other than Uworld is the key to success.
- Revise the 1 and 2 from library once again in the last week.
White Coat Companion for Quick review:
If you need a book, I suggest this. This can be a good review book. You can complete the book in a week or less if you are revising. I found it extremely helpful for Dermatology, Psychiatry section specially. Algorithms are helpful.
For High Score: Another Must Do is
- NBME exams- 9,10,11 and if 12 is available 12 . These are minimum. If you can, do more.
- CDC website to learn more about Disease, fact and Vaccines in USA. It is most reliable and must resource for Preventive medicine.
- Medscape and AAFP (American academy of Family Physician) website.
Disclaimer: The article is based on opinion of the Writer. Writer is one of the high scorers in USMLE exam.
Supplementing with AMBOSS:
Undoubtedly the Amboss library is essential resource for learners. If you need to recap all your clinical knowledge, going through the library quickly is a good head up. Even if you can’t read everything in it, there are essential things you need to cover from AMBOSS:
- Epidemiology and Biostats: Read the Library as well as solve the question bank.
- Legal medicine and Professionalism: The most important portion. Read, revise, and remember. Do all the Qbank from amboss related to this. It covers all the aspects of ethics, professionalism, patient safety.
- Psychiatry and behavioral medicine: Very helpful.
- There are 300-500 question from Amboss Qbank, that is a must do. Rest you can use as supplement. Trust me, using more than 1 Qbank ie other than Uworld is the key to success.
- Revise the 1 and 2 from library once again in the last week.
White Coat Companion for Quick review:
If you need a book, I suggest this. This can be a good review book. You can complete the book in a week or less if you are revising. I found it extremely helpful for Dermatology, Psychiatry section specially. Algorithms are helpful.
For High Score: Another Must Do is
- NBME exams- 9,10,11 and if 12 is available 12 . These are minimum. If you can, do more.
- CDC website to learn more about Disease, fact and Vaccines in USA. It is most reliable and must resource for Preventive medicine.
- Medscape and AAFP (American academy of Family Physician) website.
Disclaimer: The article is based on opinion of the Writer.
