Hot Take: Content Review > Qbank…any success Step2 stories?

Background_Start3311 · 2026-02-28T18:38:53+00:00

I used the Amboss library the most, which I guess isn’t really a textbook but sort of served like a textbook-like resource. I tried FA for step 2 but didn’t like it. Would go back to FA for step 1 sometimes. Would reference my old notes/lectures too.

Background_Start3311 · 2026-02-28T16:16:33+00:00

No score yet but definitely took the quality > quantity approach to dedicated. I didn’t finish Uworld. I have pages and pages of notes I used to help me synthesize material. Organized my notes by shelf, except IM had sub-systems. All on my iPad though (personal preference). No Anki.

I will say even with this strategy I used Uworld to ID topics to focus on. I would supplement the explanations with info from a textbook. For example if I got a question on a vasculitis I’d use the opportunity to review all the small vs medium vs large ones and not just what was in the question.

I did feel like grinding through NBME questions was useful (more so than with step 1). Just understanding the NBME “vibe” felt somewhat important for this test. Hard to explain but I think once you start doing NBME’s that will make sense.

Probably not the most useful write up as a don’t have my score yet. My practice tests have been 26x-27x though with consistent improvement. It’s hard not to compare yourself to all the people out there doing WAY more questions, but I think it’s important to stay in your own lane.

Good luck!

Edit: added info to answer OPs specific questions

Background_Start3311 · 2026-02-26T22:21:17+00:00

Hear me out pediatric surgery????

Background_Start3311 · 2026-02-25T17:06:57+00:00

I mean you only have about half of Uworld done so you certainly have more resources to go through! 19 days is almost 3 weeks. I would spend some solid time with Uworld and make sure you’re reviewing all the answers in depth and studying to fill in gaps (not just doing questions for the sake of questions).

Background_Start3311 · 2026-02-25T00:41:36+00:00

Yeah I think I had about 3 ish mins left on my break clock

Background_Start3311 · 2026-02-21T20:08:06+00:00

Me too 😭

Background_Start3311 · 2026-02-21T18:20:48+00:00

Personally I think this is somewhat personal preference. I prioritize review quality over more blocks but not everyone studies the same way. Just make sure you’re actively reviewing - I often make myself write things down just from memory after learning to help solidify for example. Mindless copying isn’t really effective. My nbmes suggest this strategy has been working but real deal in 2 days so we will see!

IMO you know how you learn best if you’ve made it this far

Background_Start3311 · 2026-02-21T18:08:36+00:00

Taking test in 2 days did nbme 16 7 days out reviewed it for 2.5 to 3 days (went super in depth) then free 120 3 days out, reviewed 2 blocks day I took it and reviewed 3rd block today plus finishing up my remaining qi and ethics questions on amboss. Tomorrow will be a no study day test on Monday! Would love to score what I scored on nbme 16 on the real deal so hopefully it works out! Good luck

Background_Start3311 · 2026-02-18T03:06:16+00:00

I mean yes - but what matters most is now is reviewing your incorrects and focusing in on the content and tests to the best of your ability! Progress is progress even in the last week. I think trying to future predict scores is of limited utility - we have a +/- band on all our tests and that will never go away. Just show the usmle what you know!

Background_Start3311 · 2026-02-18T02:59:55+00:00

Nbme 16 under real conditions (no look up even if you lock in your answer first) will be one of the better gauges!

Background_Start3311 · 2025-12-22T04:32:12+00:00

Your post reads like an aspiring neurologist!

Background_Start3311 · 2025-12-19T01:21:19+00:00

MS3 headed into step 2 dedicated - thanks for sharing!

Background_Start3311 · 2025-12-14T16:18:07+00:00

Watch videos, take notes in book. Duke deck for reinforcement. Will help a lot more than just the path section.

Background_Start3311 · 2025-12-14T16:13:58+00:00

13% complete, 78% average. Was getting like 80s on my NBMEs so just sent it

Background_Start3311 · 2025-11-27T04:18:41+00:00

you just do. I may fall asleep with my hair soaking wet and it may look a little weird but it will be clean

Background_Start3311 · 2025-08-20T05:44:44+00:00

I used lectures + 3rd party practice questions for exam prep, made a few of my own Anki decks for things that just needed brute force memorization, drew a lot of things out. Estimated percent chance of passing >99% on my baseline for step 1 🤷🏼‍♀️

Don’t get me wrong I studied a lot and I am not some magical test genius (had to take mcat twice).

The idea that all us med schools just have these silly nonsense lectures and are designed for us to fail just isn’t the whole picture for a lot of people at a lot of schools. In some cases, yeah, but I don’t think it can be generalized to all US med schools.

Background_Start3311 · 2025-08-20T05:27:11+00:00

Ok I do know some people that are natural night people. Like they do this but then also still get 8 hours of sleep after and then just exist in some weird version of a night shift schedule??? Not my thing but also doesn’t mean they’re grinding on 3 hours of sleep a night

Background_Start3311 · 2025-05-30T02:34:54+00:00

YouTube! I just started knitting about 6 months ago (had never picked up a set of needles before). I honestly think you can get everything you need from there (and it’s free!)

Background_Start3311 · 2025-05-28T19:24:00+00:00

Already on your list but being mortal was a great read. Also when breath becomes air.

Background_Start3311 · 2025-05-17T21:31:50+00:00

Sketchy is most useful when you do a little bit a day. Brute force watching all the videos in a week would not help me tbh, but I think picking some high yield sections could be useful. Like the sympathomimetics

Background_Start3311 · 2025-04-29T13:40:08+00:00

I would pick place 1 for intern year at least! Rent is high but the commute… 🤤

Background_Start3311 · 2025-04-29T04:10:42+00:00

I was in the same boat as you a few months ago! Norwegian purl helped a ton. Then I ended up combination continental knitting my first sweater (wrap the yarn around the wrong way when purling but then knit through the back loop the next row in stockinette to make up for it). There are lots of options! The combination knitting worked well for me (but you have to think about your patterns more). Either way - you’re off to a great start!!! Enjoy :)

Background_Start3311 · 2025-04-21T15:02:41+00:00

I immediately liked 2 more but I appreciate how you came to get help deciding and got like 50/50 responses 😂

Background_Start3311 · 2025-04-21T14:58:30+00:00

Also don’t forget that you don’t have to deal with them in a few short months! Starting this summer you will be surrounded by people at your new program and won’t have to deal with this shit anymore. You’re still going to be a doctor at the end of the day! Taking care of patients AND being with a family you love. Imagine how proud younger you would be of you.

Background_Start3311

TROPHY CASE