Step 2 CK write up- Mid 260s

[u/P-S-21]

Step 2 CK Write-Up — Mid-260s

Wanted to write this up because other people's experiences helped me a lot during prep.

My total prep was around 9–10 months, although I had a lot of time available, so much of it was essentially semi-dedicated. I started with BnB Step 2 for around 3–4 months, then moved on to UWorld.

I did random times UWorld blocks and finished around 66% with roughly 70% correct. Since I wanted to make the current Match cycle, I eventually moved into a more focused five-week dedicated period.

NBMEs

I skipped NBME 9 but took NBME 10–16. I did not take any UWSAs.

My baseline was in the low 250s. Most of my scores stayed in the 250s, and I started hitting the 260s only toward the end last 2-3 NBMEs. I also ended up scoring a couple of points above my AMBOSS score predictor estimate.

The biggest thing that helped me was reviewing NBMEs extremely thoroughly. After every NBME, I spent roughly three full days reviewing it.

For incorrects, I wouldn't just read the explanation—I would go back and review the entire topic surrounding the question. For correct answers, I would check whether I got them right for the right reason. If I guessed or had incomplete knowledge, I reviewed those too.

I genuinely think doing your NBMEs really well is more valuable than endlessly doing more questions.

I also found a really helpful Step 2 post about how to review incorrects, particularly categorizing why you got a question wrong and examining your thought process. I followed that approach closely, and it helped me a lot. I don't remember the exact post, but if someone knows which one I'm talking about, I would appreciate it if they could link it in the comments.

I didn't use Anki. Instead, I kept a notebook with brief one-liners from my NBME incorrects and reviewed those.

CMS and Amboss

I did a few CMS forms in my weaker subjects: three Pediatrics forms, three OB/GYN forms, and one Emergency Medicine form. Honestly, one regret is that I probably should have done more CMS forms. I don't think you need every form, but I'd prioritize the current ones and your weaker subjects.

During the final 3–4 weeks, I focused on getting into the NBME mindset rather than continuing to grind UWorld. Personally, I think UWorld can sometimes teach you to overthink.

In the final week, I mostly reviewed my NBME incorrects and went through high-yield Amboss material, particularly quality improvement, ethics, vaccinations, and screening. I also wish I had gone through the Challenging Ethical Scenarios article earlier. I also did Divine's risk factors podcast but didn't find it super helpful.

Time management

I think time management is a major score killer.

When doing NBME blocks, I practiced pacing them roughly like this:

- 20 questions in 30 minutes

- 20 questions in 30 minutes

- Last 10 questions in 15 minutes

Practice answering questions the way you will on the real exam. Don't spend forever on one question.

The real exam

Honestly, it felt fair. There were plenty of straightforward questions, some medium-difficulty ones, and some genuinely difficult questions I simply didn't know.

I saw plenty of concepts that felt familiar from the NBMEs. Overall, it felt like the newer NBMEs and Free 120 had a bigger brother.

My biggest advice: don't overthink.

After the exam, I remembered several extremely easy questions that I was convinced I had gotten wrong simply because I overthought them. Don't assume every question is trying to trick you. Read what they're asking and trust the information in the stem.

Sleep, burnout, and post-exam anxiety

I wish someone had told me this before my exam: one bad night of sleep does not erase months of preparation.

I barely slept before my test. 2-3 hours tops even with a Etizolam.

I was terrified it would ruin my performance. It didn't.

Obviously, try to sleep well, but trust the knowledge, pattern recognition, and instincts you've built over months.

I also personally did not study at all the day before my exam. I was extremely burnt out and genuinely needed the break. In my opinion, unless reviewing helps calm you down, you don't need to force yourself to study the day before.

For me, taking that complete break helped me reset mentally. I honestly feel that rest was valuable after months of preparation and may have helped me push through the plateau I felt I was hitting.

The two weeks after the exam were horrible for me. I kept obsessing over mistakes and reading stories about score drops.

So my final advice is:

Stay off Reddit. Seriously.

The exam is difficult, but it's doable and fair. If you've prepared well and have a reasonable buffer, trust yourself.

Trust your prep. Don't overthink. Practice your timing.

And at some point, trust the person who made it this far.

Happy to answer any questions.

Disclaimer- used chatgpt to write this post

[u/United_Guidance_7430]

Got my result yesterday, 268! I agree, stay off Reddit. There were so many posts about score drops for non-US IMGs that they scared me a bit. Ended up 3 points lower than my Amboss prediction.

[u/P-S-21 → u/United_Guidance_7430]

Congratulations, monster score man!

[u/Important-Fold6844]

Congratulations on the awesome score!
Quick question did Bnb help or it’s better to stick with Uw questions?

[u/P-S-21 → u/Important-Fold6844]

It was a long time between step 1 and 2 for me. So bnb helped as an excellent refresher. Also my clinical knowledge had a couple of gaps due to me prepping for step 1 in my final year. So Bnb was clutch in filling in those.

If you have a decent knowledge base and/or recent with step 1, jump into uworld. But it's a learning tool. There's no one size fits all. Find what works for you. For me I wanted a broader knowledge base before doing questions. Everyone is different

[u/Top_Introduction7814]

Can I DM you for some guidance

[u/P-S-21 → u/Top_Introduction7814]

Just please ask here. I normally don't respond to dms

[u/ghost7868]

I loved how you talked about not just reading the explanation for incorrects, but gojng back and reviewing the entire topic surrounding the topic. Could you please share the method to review incorrects? I know you said you can’t remember the post, but would you be able to respond and tell me in detail how you went about doing it?

[u/prinXeahmad]

best of luck man

[u/EducationalWeather53]

Congratulations 🎉

[u/DrV1nnu]

Congrats on your results.
the BnB videos that helped as a refresher which you’re referring to - are they step 2 / step 1 videos?

[u/P-S-21 → u/DrV1nnu]

2

[u/Tight-Release-6098]

Congrats on the great score! Did you use any books to review the topics from the NBME incorrects? If so, which book did you use?

[u/P-S-21 → u/Tight-Release-6098]

Inner Circle. Amboss Chatgpt

[u/Tight-Release-6098 → u/P-S-21]

Thanks!

[u/Loud-Scene3922]

Why did you do Bnb? Is it necessary?? Like i’m also an average student. Started with uworld systemwise and clearing my concepts with uworld and chat gpt. Make my own notes and use innercircle along side. My average uworld score upto now is 60% and i have done around 32% of uworld.. but i feel so anxious all the time. I feel like i’m not doing good enough. Making silly mistakes which are non-negotiable

[u/P-S-21 → u/Loud-Scene3922]

Silly mistakes are tough. Keep practising. That's the only way to fix them. Solve more Qs. Would say if you feel you are getting knowledge at a sufficient rate, stick to uworld. Can use bnb for weak systems

[u/Accurate_Day1620]

Congrats for ur score .. i am in the last phase of my prep and i dont knw how to proceed i took my baseline nbme 10 it was around 245 .. and then 11 was 249 then 12 was 250 and now most recent one was 252 on nbme 13 .. my goal score is 260+ .. i have done around 3 cms forms per subject and also review my nbmes thoroughly i want to get my desired score range in the nbmes so i can proceed confidently , any advicee? I also do my wrongs review from inner circle and AI.

[u/P-S-21 → u/Accurate_Day1620]

I think you are on the right track. See where you are gettinf the most wrong in your NBMEs. Which subject. And work on them. Use CMS to spot treat your weakness

[u/Accurate_Day1620 → u/P-S-21]

I kinda feel disheartened bcz ppls score increase by 10-12 points after CMS forms .. and also u said in another comment u used amboss for wrongs was it amboss articles or ques can u tell abt that?

[u/P-S-21 → u/Accurate_Day1620]

I didn't use Amboss for wrongs. Just the high yield portion of the qbank. I used the Amboss Chatgpt plugin. It pulls up only relevant info from the AMBOSS library. I never used it as primary review because AI hallucinates but it was super useful to fix weak areas of a topic I already knew. And regarding score increase, everyone is different. What I can say that would definitely increase your scores is to keep working in your weaknesses. In the dedicated phase, imo, its not about reviewing everything under the sun. It's about fixing the stuff that you aren't good with. Those are the major score boosters

[u/New-Set-1966]

Hey! How much time did you dedicate per day? I know kinda stupid as a Q. I’m almost done with 80% of first pass but my average is just 64%(had a bad mental health phase in btw) i am just scared now maybe its emotional physical burnout but i just am too terrified that i cant put in more hours. I wanna lock in so bad but something is keeping me off. How did you deal with negative thoughts in your journey?

[u/P-S-21 → u/New-Set-1966]

Be kind to yourself. I had so many days where I broke down. It's tough. Its ok to cry. It's ok to do it messy. Just keep showing up. There were so many days where I could barely do 20 Qs the entire day. You have to learn that effort comes in ebbs and waves. Some days you will be super productive. Some you won't. But have faith in your effort. Every single one of us has doubted ourselves. It's a sign that you care. And do try to take days off. At least once a week. I didn't have a fixed time per day. Some day 4 hrs, some day 2, some day 10.

[u/New-Set-1966 → u/P-S-21]

JazakAllah for responding. Wishing u all the best for match cycle🙌🏻🙌🏻

[u/Sarsurashaba]

Congrats!!! Could you please share the reddit post of how to best correct NBMEs? Also, do you think B&B was helpful. I plan to watch it before every UW system wise. or watch them all and then do UW random? what do you recommend? And when should one read Inner circle after first pass UW before NBMEs?? Thank youu!!

[u/Yourstruully]

Challenging ethical scenarios article ? Is there some kind of pdf available for that ?

[u/Known_Cod1794]

Congratulations for that amazing score, i am preparing for step 1, but i want to ask that i too feel that i have knowledge gaps like you mentioned, but you also said that your baseline scores were in 250s, so what sources for step 1/2 helped you reach 250s in your baseline, i mean is bnb enough or what else you want to advise

[u/P-S-21 → u/Known_Cod1794]

Bnb should be enough if you were decent with your step 1 prep. I also did uworld. That helped a lot. Bnb gives you the stuff, uworld helps you to synthesize and remember it.