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Handling Questions Step by Step
Handling Questions Step by Step
Sponsored by kaplanmedical.com.
Knowing the material for the USMLE is one thing. Being able to demonst=
rate that knowledge on the actual exam is something else.
Over the years I have worked personally with a hundreds of students wh=
o seem to have mastered the essential medical knowledge required for the US=
MLE, yet still do poorly on the exams. All of this has led me to a simple c=
onclusion: there a many, many ways to do a question incorrectly, but really=
only one way to do it right. Having the right method when doing a question=
will not guarantee that you will get the right answer, but it does help yo=
u leverage what you know to the maximum advantage.
Some people have internalized these steps and do them intuitively, wit=
hout any conscious awareness. Others need to spend time learning these step=
s and use them consciously, until they are an internalized habit. Remember =
that test taking is not a genetic endowment, but consists of entirely learn=
ed behaviors. If you have not yet mastered the basic steps of answering USM=
LE questions, now is the time to learn.
Think of each USMLE item, not as a single question to be answered, but=
as a clinical problem to be solved. The pathway to that solution is found =
by completing a series of 8 simple tasks. Each of these tasks solves one of=
the cognitive problems inherent in a USMLE question. Completing each of th=
e 8 tasks in sequence leads you from uncertainty to your best possible effo=
rt on each question. The goal of these steps it to ensure that you gather t=
he clues provided by the questions stem, think about them in a meaningful w=
ay, and then make a choice before moving on to the next question.
These 8 steps can be briefly described as:
2. Each question stem contains esse=ntial information that is vital to arriving at the best
possible answer.Sk
imming the questions quickly, or ignoring it all together means that these
clues will be missed. You have to gather all the clues provided. It is hard
to assemble a puzzle if you do not have all of the pieces. Only reading th
e questions will give you access to these vital clues. Without careful read
ing, you are hunting for an answer in the dark.
4. Order of Importance
Some things matter more than ot=
hers. Most questions will present you with, not one, but several points of =
significance. Your task is to sort out: What is the most important issue? I=
f several medical problems are described, which one should be the main focu=
s of your attention? If several facts are detailed, which one should carry =
the most weight as you sift though the different answer choices in you mind=
? Sorting what is primary and what is secondary will help you focus on the =
core medical issue being tested.
9. Lock in a Choice
And lastly, MAKE A CHOICE! Having =
processed the questions stem, reflected on relevant content, and reviewed t=
he options=E2=80=94it is time to choose. The biggest time waster in the exa=
m occurs right here as students hesitate and vacillate. Make that choice, l=
ock it in and leave it. It's time to move on to the next question. Forget s=
econd-guessing yourself. A question once answered is over. Move on.
Table 1. Eight=
Steps to Working Though a USMLE Question.=20