Medical Thread

[Da Bannu Mazdigar]

http://www.nbme.org/students/Urban-Legends/index.html

Looks like that Step 1 and 2 CK combination thing is an urban myth in the community.

I think if you get hold of the Kaplan stuff like most of the Pashtuns are able to do, you can start studying for it now. Do some Q bank questions every day, you can start off with doing 10 questions a day and then slowly ramp up.

As far as I can tell, you don't need to be the gold medalist if you want to end up elsewhere - you just need a graduation certificate from there and then to do well on the USMLE. Well for you guys means 99% on both step 1 and 2 CK.

What do you want to specialize in?

Can you tell me what does 99% means?As far as i know the total questions are 342 for step and one need to get at least 192 to pass?am i right?So what does this 99% mean?

I am not sure yet but perhaps dermatology.

So one must have to pass all the three steps to practice in US?Is it possible if i come to the states after passing just step 1?

[BarakzaiAbdali]

Can you tell me what does 99% means?As far as i know the total questions are 342 for step and one need to get at least 192 to pass?am i right?So what does this 99% mean?

A simple pass is insufficient - its graded on a sort of calculated curve and for the most part you guys have to exceed a three digit score of 230 (235 to be safe) It often has to be even higher for sub-specialties beyond general internal medicine and general surgery.

I am not sure yet but perhaps dermatology.

Currently, Radiology Dermatology and Opthomology as well as Radiation Oncology are the hardest fields for anyone to get into. Its very rare for a foreign grade to match in these. To make it you need those scores I mentioned above and often have to spend 2-3 years doing academic research and publishing as well as building a network of professors who will recommend you highly. The Aga Khan folks seem to be the foremost in making this system work to their advantage.

So one must have to pass all the three steps to practice in US?Is it possible if i come to the states after passing just step 1?

Anyone can come anytime. You can practice if you do residency and pass all three steps because you can get a state license after that. To be hired and to stay on you have to be board eligible which means you have to pass a final board in your specialty. There is a grace period that employers and private groups give doctors to pass this final latter board.

We can talk more as time goes along. Bottom line is for now if you arent yet graduated (and this goes to anyone in any of the schools, Nangrahar, Khaibar, etc) study for the USMLE exams while getting your certificate. Optimally you would clear all 3 steps as a foreign grade before starting residency but most just clear step 1 and 2 CK/CS.

Ultimate goal once again is to build a tight network of cross border physicians over time and optimize education, training, technology, and practice in our locale.