Page 1 of 1: Tips: Four-Step Approach to Tackling USMLE questions

tinkerbell · Credits: 8524 My Scrapbook My Reading List 21 Books

A Four-Step Approach to Tackling USMLE Items

Step 1: Read the Question

 Read the question and pick out key words. Key words are diagnostic information, abnormal lab values, indications of gender or race and any qualifying terms.

 Read carefully enough so that you only have to read the question once. Rereading takes time. Read for comprehension the first time.

Step 2: The Prediction Pass
 After reading the question, stop. Before looking at the options, try to generate an answer, this is called the PREDICTION PASS. USMLE questions are written so that any expert in the field can obtain the correct answer without having any options present. While you may not be an expert in every field, you should try to predict the answer before venturing into "answer choice land."

 With the correct answer in mind, you are less likely to be seduced by distracters. Remember, they are supposed to distract you and convince you to pick the wrong answer. Distractors aren't just randomly generated; they are answers that sound like they could be right.

Step 3: The Selection Pass

 If you see the answer you predicted, scan the other answers to be sure that it is the best. Then, pick it and move on to the next question. This is the SELECTION PASS. If the answer seems obvious and direct, good. Do not convince yourself into thinking the question must be tricky or more difficult. Most answers will be clearly correct. If you find yourself making up a long story why one option is better than another, stop yourself. You are probably wrong. The correct answer should be clearly correct. If two answers seem to be almost the same, then neither one is probably correct.

Step 4: The Final Pass
 If, after reading through the options, you are still not sure of the answer, you have one final try, the FINAL PASS. At this stage, rather than trying for a correct answer, you are eliminating those you know to be incorrect. Using this strategy, you can usually eliminate all but two of the options. When you have narrowed your choices to only two options, you have now arrived at the most crucial moment. The correct action at this point is to pick one and move on to the next question. If you are really unsure of the correc answer, which one you pick does not matter. With two options to choose from, you have a 50% chance of getting the question correct rather than the 20% chance you started with.

 Make a choice. Many people waste time at this point by not choosing. Some people, when they have eliminated all but two answers go back and reread the question in hopes of finding some information that will help them choose. Time spent talking with students and watching their thought processes during the exam suggests that this is the wrong strategy. When students reread a question at this point, they tend to add to it or pick out single features that help them feel better about choosing one of the answers. However, it does not help them pick the right answer. By adding assumptions to the question, students may feel more confident, but they are really mentally rewriting the question to be one that they feel more comfortable answering. The answer they pick is then the right answer to the question that they envision, but not for the actual question presented.

 If after these three passes: Prediction Pass, Selection Pass, and the Final Pass, you still are not sure of the answer, your best option is to guess. At this point, click any letter and move on to the next question. Remember, the key to doing well on this exam is to train yourself to make choices. If you do not know an answer, admit it, make your best guess and move on to the next question.
NO ANSWER COUNTS THE SAME AS A WRONG ANSWER.

AshB · Credits: 41453 My Scrapbook My Reading List 6 Books

Hey tinkerbell... That was good!

tinkerbell · Credits: 8524 My Scrapbook My Reading List 21 Books

thanks

coold3a · Credits: 1086 My Scrapbook My Reading List 11 Books

Great Tips Thank You For Sharing

superdockolli · Credits: 603 My Scrapbook

i started my prep just few weeks ago and was confused as to how to go about the exam and the questions... what you have shared here will be of great help!!! thanx tinkerbell!!!

anastomoses · Credits: 232 My Scrapbook

What about the stratergy that read the last line of question, followed by choies then the full question so that you have an idea what your way?
it works for me at least.

dr_albaaly · Credits: 112 My Scrapbook

these are the most useful tips ,i read,,tackling a crucial part..of the USMLE jurney....which is the exam it self.....i always wondered...about the thought process..in the answering the questions...in the fastest time ...now i ahve a stratdgy....thanks

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