My 15 Golden Rules that if followed diligently can get you a higher than expected USMLE Score!1) While you are walking into the Prometric to take the Step 1, Step 2 CK or Step 3:
You must always go into an exam knowing you are the best - and best don't debate.0
2) During the Exam:
Read entire sentences carefully and keep adding or subtracting the evidence that you have collected to reach single best answer and when it get's down to debating stick with your gut feeling, never override it consciously.
3) For those who have difficulty picking answer and debate and are unable to finish the blocks in time:
When in doubt, you listen to your subconscious mind (gut feeling) and trust that answer that comes to you first and move on immediately to the next one.
4) How to keep track of time and maintain proper speed during the Exam:
Try to stay focused and be mindful of time. Every 10 q MUST finish in 12-15 min, so aim for 10 q in 10 min... because some q will be longer or will require calculations take longer... that will allow you to be flexible enough to tackle those!
5) 10 second rule:
There is a 10 sec rule.. If you change your answer in first 10 sec after you finish reading q and ans choices, keep it changed, after ten second don't change! There is data/evidence that when changed within 10 sec, the liklihood of changing a wrong to right ans is very high and after 10 sec the chances of changing from right to wrong or wrong to wrong are higher!
6) Anxious or tired - Try this:
If you feel tired, fatigued or burnt out, straighten your back and do the opposite - take long deep breaths hold for few seconds and blow out hard. Repeat a few times every now and then and actively KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT. Do reverse if anxious.
7) Superbrain Yoga to the Rescue during breaks on Test Day:
Do some Superbrain Yoga during breaks. Eat light and don't drink too much or you will be holding your bladder/bowels during the block.
8) How to better focus:
First, dissolve your own identity and then focus which means all roles in every question are played by you... remembering what is happening will be a lot easier!
9) Why you should go with your gut answer whenever in doubt:
Hopefully reading this will help everyone who is about to take their Step in a day or two! Remember when in doubt, go with your gut because it has access to infinity whereas your conscious mind has access to .01% of reality. So when the Cortex tells you, I don't know, listen to your gut and pick the answer that your gut or your subconscious tells you is correct.
10) For those who feel they might fail:
Passing is 60% and there are 76-80 experimental questions which will not be graded. Test is colorful and Enjoy it...
11) Numbers don't lie - learn to rely on them and improve your knowledge about numbers:
Numbers don't lie! Learn to factor in Age, Vitals, labs, timeline, formulae for Biostats, Epidemiology, Physio and Pharm calculation etc for greater accuracy!
12) Motivation:
Let's all wish each other all the Best as we are one! With all of us doing our best, we will be the Best... zoom out that's the larger picture. We are Physicians.
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