USMLE STEP 2 CK EXPERIENCE
Exam date: 8th June 2020
Score: 261
Duration of preparation: Total: 7 months
Dedicated: 3.5 months
Study materials: U-World Q-bank- Most important source
Other sources: Osmosis videos for ECG, Cardiac arrhythmias, Anti-arrhythmic drugs,
random YouTube videos for ventilator related questions, NBME assessments, UWSA 1 and UWSA 2
I started preparation in November after Step 1 examination on 24th October 2019. I started with
online U-World subject wise. I had multiple interruptions in study until 12th February,2020. In these 3
months, I completed online U-World Cardiology, Pulmonology, Psychiatry completely and Neurology
and Musculoskeletal system partially.
Then I started in random mode for rest of the U-World first round. After completion of 1st round U-
World, I tried to find out weak areas.
I completed Osmosis videos on ECG and arrhythmias and studied same ECG tracings from ECG
Library (Link for the same )
I studied cardiology and pulmonology, drug intoxications from U-World notes available in FB posts.
I used random YouTube videos for ventilator associated questions
I reviewed the Biostatistics portion from First Aid for Step 1
I started with 2nd round of U-World. This time I marked the management protocols (which were
relatively newer topics for me) I tended to forget easily and saved those charts in U-World
flashcards.
I made a separate chart of antibiotics used in specific infectious diseases and few specific adverse
effects of drugs.
After finishing 2nd round U-World I reviewed those flashcards and the chart.
Time management: While solving blocks, maintaining time was a challenge for Step 2CK. The
question stems were longer than Step 1. I tried multiple strategies to address this issue like reading
first line and lab values etc but what I felt that significant information were hidden in the middle of
the vignette many times. So, I tried to solve 2nd round U-World strictly maintaining time. I solved 40
questions blocks always in 2nd round U world to get used to with the format. As there are not many
assessments for Step 2 CK, U-World acts both as a learning tool and a practice material for time
management.
Assessments:
NBME 6: 246 (at the beginning of dedicated preparation period- 15th Feb)
NBME 8: 241 (5th March)
NBME 7: 238 (26th April)
Exam date: 8th June 2020
Score: 261
Duration of preparation: Total: 7 months
Dedicated: 3.5 months
Study materials: U-World Q-bank- Most important source
Other sources: Osmosis videos for ECG, Cardiac arrhythmias, Anti-arrhythmic drugs,
random YouTube videos for ventilator related questions, NBME assessments, UWSA 1 and UWSA 2
I started preparation in November after Step 1 examination on 24th October 2019. I started with
online U-World subject wise. I had multiple interruptions in study until 12th February,2020. In these 3
months, I completed online U-World Cardiology, Pulmonology, Psychiatry completely and Neurology
and Musculoskeletal system partially.
Then I started in random mode for rest of the U-World first round. After completion of 1st round U-
World, I tried to find out weak areas.
I completed Osmosis videos on ECG and arrhythmias and studied same ECG tracings from ECG
Library (Link for the same )
I studied cardiology and pulmonology, drug intoxications from U-World notes available in FB posts.
I used random YouTube videos for ventilator associated questions
I reviewed the Biostatistics portion from First Aid for Step 1
I started with 2nd round of U-World. This time I marked the management protocols (which were
relatively newer topics for me) I tended to forget easily and saved those charts in U-World
flashcards.
I made a separate chart of antibiotics used in specific infectious diseases and few specific adverse
effects of drugs.
After finishing 2nd round U-World I reviewed those flashcards and the chart.
Time management: While solving blocks, maintaining time was a challenge for Step 2CK. The
question stems were longer than Step 1. I tried multiple strategies to address this issue like reading
first line and lab values etc but what I felt that significant information were hidden in the middle of
the vignette many times. So, I tried to solve 2nd round U-World strictly maintaining time. I solved 40
questions blocks always in 2nd round U world to get used to with the format. As there are not many
assessments for Step 2 CK, U-World acts both as a learning tool and a practice material for time
management.
Assessments:
NBME 6: 246 (at the beginning of dedicated preparation period- 15th Feb)
NBME 8: 241 (5th March)
NBME 7: 238 (26th April)
