Well, here it is February almost, and I have just finally taken and recieved my USMLE Step 1 Scores.
PASSED!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately, I didn't score as high as I wanted, but in the end passing was my ultimate goal.
Other News
I arrived at the testing center early only to be met by a very rude attendant. I had to keep my infant daughter close to nurse her on breaks but I was rudely informed that no one can wait in the office, they have to wait outside.
There was no microwave or refrigerator. I was only allowed to stuff everything into one locker. If I had needed to pump milk it would have been terribly inadequate.
Luckily, I didn't let her attitude get me down and laughed with the other employees about her rudeness.
I took a short break after every block and had a snack and went to the bathroom. Every second block I had to nurse Lilly Kate. My mom came to help me out with her and they went back to the hotel which was only a minute away to wait for me.
I was so nervous at the conclusion of each block, I had almost no time left and was nervous to move on.
The end of the final block was the worst. It comes up with a disclaimer that ending the exam doesn't mean that you have answered all of the questions or completed the exam. (I double checked to be sure).
I couldn't even remember many of the questions. I didn't know if I had passed or failed when I left the testing center. I just wasn't sure.
THE AFTERMATH
The first day I spent thinking about questions and I was really upset because I had watched some study videos and was told some specific information that was incorrect. I missed one question due to listening to that advice.
Bad advice. See this post for more information on advice.
Waiting was the hardest part. I really felt like I was going nuts just waiting to know what I had made. I really just prayed and had others praying and everytime I let the "what if I failed" thought creep in I just redirected myself to thinking about how many people were praying and let my faith carry me.
Honestly, I do not know how people relax without faith.
So this is what my days looked like in the waiting period.
I did use "the trick" and it indicated that I had passed. I didn't trust it.
I felt like some things that I studied in depth were tested very broadly and some things were tested broadly that I had studied in depth and mostly it seemed to be the easier concepts were tested in minutiae. That was just my perception.
(Please don't trust my judgment and study everything.)
I didn't feel like First Aid was enough, but that doesn't mean don't use it. Many people like it and I just am not like many people. I think I do better when I make my own study guides and notes. I am pretty sure that I will do that for the step 2. I will use the study guides but Ill rewrite even though it is time consuming, I think I would do better if I did.
I recieved my results on a Wednesday. It was about 1pm. I don't think there is any rhyme or reason to time but the day is almost always according to all of the people I know -Wednesday. So you can use the 28 day formula and Wednesday for knowing when to expect your results.
Whats Next?
I have to get my student loan paperwork filed and I have get my ACLS, TB test, and health form completed. Send in all the paperwork and get my placement. I hope to begin rotations by the end of February!!!
Thanks for following on my long journey. It has been longer than expected with bumps along the way, but I am so happy and glad to say that I haven't given up and I am still getting there.
Never ever quit.
Until next time,
Amy Jones
PASSED!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately, I didn't score as high as I wanted, but in the end passing was my ultimate goal.
Other News
I have had an addition to my family!!!! Lilly "Kate" Katherine Andrews was born on August 13, 2013.
But what you really want to know about ---> THE TEST.
I stayed at a very nice hotel (thanks MOM) the night before my exam. I couldn't sleep very well. So I read first aid and did some Uworld questions until I fell asleep.I arrived at the testing center early only to be met by a very rude attendant. I had to keep my infant daughter close to nurse her on breaks but I was rudely informed that no one can wait in the office, they have to wait outside.
There was no microwave or refrigerator. I was only allowed to stuff everything into one locker. If I had needed to pump milk it would have been terribly inadequate.
Luckily, I didn't let her attitude get me down and laughed with the other employees about her rudeness.
I took a short break after every block and had a snack and went to the bathroom. Every second block I had to nurse Lilly Kate. My mom came to help me out with her and they went back to the hotel which was only a minute away to wait for me.
I was so nervous at the conclusion of each block, I had almost no time left and was nervous to move on.
The end of the final block was the worst. It comes up with a disclaimer that ending the exam doesn't mean that you have answered all of the questions or completed the exam. (I double checked to be sure).
I couldn't even remember many of the questions. I didn't know if I had passed or failed when I left the testing center. I just wasn't sure.
THE AFTERMATH
The first day I spent thinking about questions and I was really upset because I had watched some study videos and was told some specific information that was incorrect. I missed one question due to listening to that advice.
Bad advice. See this post for more information on advice.
Waiting was the hardest part. I really felt like I was going nuts just waiting to know what I had made. I really just prayed and had others praying and everytime I let the "what if I failed" thought creep in I just redirected myself to thinking about how many people were praying and let my faith carry me.
Honestly, I do not know how people relax without faith.
So this is what my days looked like in the waiting period.
- check my email at 9 am on a Wednesday.
- check forums for other peoples exam experiences
- check my email
- text a friend and tell them I am so nervous and ask a million annoying questions- thanks for still being my friends, CT and HK.
- check my email.
- check the ECFMG website.
- finally realize that I am going to have to wait another week.
- eat lots of junk food
I did use "the trick" and it indicated that I had passed. I didn't trust it.
My advice (REALLY? If you haven't learned that lesson yet)
I felt like some things that I studied in depth were tested very broadly and some things were tested broadly that I had studied in depth and mostly it seemed to be the easier concepts were tested in minutiae. That was just my perception.
(Please don't trust my judgment and study everything.)
I didn't feel like First Aid was enough, but that doesn't mean don't use it. Many people like it and I just am not like many people. I think I do better when I make my own study guides and notes. I am pretty sure that I will do that for the step 2. I will use the study guides but Ill rewrite even though it is time consuming, I think I would do better if I did.
I recieved my results on a Wednesday. It was about 1pm. I don't think there is any rhyme or reason to time but the day is almost always according to all of the people I know -Wednesday. So you can use the 28 day formula and Wednesday for knowing when to expect your results.
Whats Next?
I have to get my student loan paperwork filed and I have get my ACLS, TB test, and health form completed. Send in all the paperwork and get my placement. I hope to begin rotations by the end of February!!!
Thanks for following on my long journey. It has been longer than expected with bumps along the way, but I am so happy and glad to say that I haven't given up and I am still getting there.
Never ever quit.
Until next time,
Amy Jones
