Part 2The Student Perspective

Stephanie Stephens, OMS IV

The Student Perspective

• Approach to the unknown– First exam of this nature– Students know it can be weighted heavily in residency selection

• Time commitment– Studying while in class– Keeping up with coursework

• Other factors– Long exam– Cost of prep materials– What works for student A won’t necessarily for student B– What resources to use and what is available to them

Level 1 Survey

• Designed by prior COSGP members• Open for responses October 2012-January

2013

Level 1 Survey

• 511 responses from 20 schools• COMLEX range 305-805– Average 558– National average 500

• USMLE Step 1: 268 takers– Range 116-261– Average 228– National average approx 225

Study/Preparation Time

None 0-1 weeks 1-2 weeks 2-3 weeks 3-4 weeks 4-8 weeks 8 weeks or more

0

50

100

150

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250

School allotted preparation time

Up to 4 weeks 4-5 weeks 5-6 weeks 6-8 weeks Greater than 8 weeks

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20

40

60

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140

Personal study time

No classDuring OMS II yearClinical rotations

Student responsibility during exam

Methods of Preparation

• 90% of students reported using more than one type of method – Independent study – Commercial review course – Commercial question bank – School sponsored non-commercial review course– Informal group study

Resources Used

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First

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COMBank Kaplan Books

Kaplan Qbank

Micro Made Ridiculously

Simple

BRS Pathology

Doctors in Training

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20

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90

#1 Most Helpful #2 Most Helpful

#3 Most Helpful Least Helpful

Level 2 CE Survey

• Open January-Feb 2013• 463 responses from 15 schools• COMLEX Range 360-836

– Average 557– National average 500– Reported Level 1 average 550

• USMLE Step 2 CK: 140 takers– Range 201-276– Average 239– National average ~235– Reported Step 1 average 230

Preparation Time

Under 1 week

1-2 weeks 2-3 weeks 3-4 weeks 4-5 weeks Greater than 6 weeks

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50

100

150

200

250

Under 1 week 1-2 weeks 2-3 weeks Greater than 4 weeks

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Number of weeks studying for Level 2 CE Number of weeks studied for shelf exams

Resources

• 88% reported using more than one technique/resource to study

Question Ban

ks

USMLEW

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Doctors

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COMBank

Step Up to

Step

2

First

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Comquest0

20

40

60

80

100

Most helpful resource

Other resources frequently mentioned: Boards Boot Camp, Master the Boards, Kaplan, Falcon Review

Tips for success from high scorersLevel 1

• Focus on only a few resources-don’t get bogged down by too many

• Do practice questions• Do well in the OMS I & II years• “Don’t worry so much”

Tips for success from high scorersLevel 2 CE

• “I did not feel as well prepared…I wish my school had used the NBOME or NBME shelf exams during third year.”

• “Your score highly reflects the number of hours you put in to studying using different resources.”

• “There is no substitute for continuous study.”

Other data we collected

• Requirements prior to taking the exam• Specialty choice• Student employment• Lecture attendance• Type of shelf exams• For more info: COSGPMedEdRep@aacom.org