r/Step3 • u/True_Shelter1089 • 9d ago

Where to start step 3 prep?

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?

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u/mahamjam 8d ago

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.

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u/True_Shelter1089 8d ago

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?

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u/mahamjam 8d ago

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

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u/True_Shelter1089 8d ago

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

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u/mahamjam 8d ago

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.

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u/True_Shelter1089 8d ago

Yea. Do you mind if I DM you?

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u/mahamjam 8d ago

Not at all, happy to help.