Step 2 CS.....No more than Common Sense......

Hello Folks....
As I m done with CS, I shall give u guys a brief description of how to face the CS examination.

Choice of the Exam center

It is no more than a matter of convenience. I thought of going to Houston. But, could not get the date and so, gave my exam in Chicago. I took the exam on 2nd July , 2008.

What is the material that is all required ?

All you need for the CS preparation is USMLE world notes and the First aid for CS books and nothing else.

CS and the Importance of Study partner

It is (in my opinion ) is very necessary to have a study partner. Choose ur study partner carefully and start ur preparation. Get in touch with the guys who have cleared the exams to get the tips.
If you dont have a study partner, find them online and you can interact with them with VOIP services like yahoo, gtalk..etc etc.

Duration of Study

This is the most tricky part. But, let me put it this way-
CS is basically a easy exam. It tests your practical knowledge and at the same time your skill of Communication. So, when it comes to the practical part, it wont be much touch for u guys as u should ve passed ur final year practicals.
So, the thing that matters most for us is the " Communication Skills"
Hence, the period of study varies. I shall give the rough estimate for ur study time. These are my personal opinions and disregard them if you feel they are rubbish.

1 week - You should be too smart for that. But, honestly, It can be done. your English should be very good such that you dont need to put even a second on ur communicatin skills.

2 Weeks - This is a modest decision. and 2 weeks is more than enough (provided you did not forget the basic concepts that you learned in the UG.

1 month- When you think, you are not good at communication skills, you can allocate one month for the prep. It makes sense.....

> 45 days - I think, for a genuine preparation is too much for CS exam.

Importance of Patient Notes

This is one of the points I think, many of us forget. I know two of my seniors who are very good candidates failing in this part of the exam. So, my suggestion is - Go for printing out the empty patient note forms and practice writing with a blunt tip pen for every case u complete.
P.S- Dont forget to get it evaluated by ur partner and if possible, with a CS passed guy...

Learn how to' act ':

Yes.. this is one of the most overlooked things....When we guys know that the SPs are not the real patients and that they are feigning their suffering, we tend not to show empathy. This is one important thing that you guys should check for. Dont you ever Smile when the SP gives a symptom.

"Intro"- the pivotal element for doing it good.:

Introducing urself to the SPs is one important thing that will eventually have its impact in the subsequent session with him.
A good intro after knocking the door is a key element that could make the matter.

Last name , is it so necessary ???

One of the most 'unstressed' aspect in the prep......when we guys look at the name of the SP where his first name will be simple (like Jack, robert, Kacy....) and the Last name will be complicated (like , Bassingtwaithe, Hennsheiner, ...), we tend to call them with their first name,....
Dont make that mistake....always address with the " Last Name"

Timing:

The crucial component for ur success. Practice with timers. Make sure that when the 10 min bell rings, you should be washing ur hands. If not, hurry up and go to General examination.

Finishing the Case. Is is so important when we did the case very nicely so far ??

Yes. Finishing off the case is the most important thing you should not forget. NEVER..Ever leave the case unfinished.....I reiterate...Finish off the case at any cost.
It is in ur closing statement, that carries a lot of weightage.

Hand washing:

This is a tricky aspect. You can use glooves instead. But, if you decide to go with ur hands only..here are the tips:
Put soap only on one hand and dont you ever start bringing out the lather. Just put the hand (even before rubbing the other hand ) under the water and when the soap is runoff by the water, now, pretend you have rubbed the hand.
This technique will save u around 15 seconds. The soap is very sticky and once u go for washing ur hands genuinely, u ll ve unnecessary time waste.
Pull down a tissue and close the tap with it and throw it away.
Now, pull another tissue and wipe off ur hands.
P.S- You can include some questions even when u are washing ur hands.

I think, you can find the other tips in the material. I just stressed those which u dont find conventionally.....