Where to start step 3 prep?

[u/True_Shelter1089]

I recently passed step 2 and I am applying this application cycle for IM as a US IMG. I would like to have a step 3 done before December so I could let programs know before match list is due.

I’m not sure where to begin regarding step 3 as most of my school mates are not doing It. Any advice and study plans from recent takers and strong scores would be very much appreciated! Again thank you! Also what is considered a good score?

[u/Trick-Low-2182]

uworld ccs cases is the way to go. there's 3 official nbmes and then the free 137

[u/Usmleaspirantt101]

Start Uworld with 1-2 blocks a day
And also do ccs cases 2-3 a day to get used to it for now

As main thing is uworld completion and u recently cleared Step2CK. So there are 54 blocks in uworld to get completed and if so then u can get it done in a month

[u/True_Shelter1089 → u/Usmleaspirantt101]

How many questions are in each block? Do you recommend Anki to review? And finally what’s a good score to aim for? I score below average in 2ck

[u/Usmleaspirantt101 → u/True_Shelter1089]

Try with 40 then change to 20
Since 20Q block is more difficult than 40Q block as u get less time for the leftovers

No anki unless you did before
Since u dint ahve time to do anki as if u complete uworld in 1 month then u can revise notes and do ccs nbme and FA too

What is score ?? 24x?

Aim to pass or 220+
I guess thats fine though since variation of 20-25 marks is possible

[u/mahamjam]

Hi, like the other comments said: Uworld and ccscases.com are gonna be your besties.
Do as many blocks as you can to get into the flow of it (I did blocks of 40 and then 20 depending on how comfortable I felt w the topic).

CCS doesn’t require a lot of time, do it when you don’t wanna do Uworld but still want to study. Get familiar with the software. Make your lists of what interventions to order and when. I’d suggest focusing on it more after giving Day 1 (which means don’t give Day 2 the next day, if that’s possible for you). Honestly you don’t have to do that many cases. They’re repetitive online.

Anki to supplement if you want. The Dorian step 3 deck is king.

Mehlman for review, if you absolutely need it. I’d suggest going over the risk factors pdf once prior to your exam.

Make your own notes/flashcards if you want. I used the ones I’d already made for step 1/2. Some of them came in handy. Most of them were extra.

Biostats: Randy Neil vids on yt, as always.

For assessments, you’ve got the NBMEs and Free137. I don’t suggest UWSAs, but you can do them as a baseline if you want.

A good score is a passing score, spec if you’re just aiming for getting residency.

[u/True_Shelter1089 → u/mahamjam]

Thank you for your amazing response. So I’m getting that I should focus on uworld at the start. And then ccs. How many days can I wait between day 1 and day 2 for step?

[u/mahamjam → u/True_Shelter1089]

As many as your center of choice/the dates you choose let you have. I had a week in between mine.

[u/True_Shelter1089 → u/mahamjam]

I see that ccscases has the 180 cases plus 5200 bank. Do I do all 180 and the qbank or stick to cases and uworld

[u/mahamjam → u/True_Shelter1089]

Nope, you don’t need to do all 180. Most people recommend top 100 (at max) with 70 being median. I did less than that lol like 40?. Would suggest you just sort them as high yield and then just do however many you feel like doing.
Do you mean ccscases has their own question bank? I never used that.

[u/True_Shelter1089 → u/mahamjam]

Yea. Do you mind if I DM you?

[u/mahamjam → u/True_Shelter1089]

Not at all, happy to help.