1. I have failed Step 1 twice and I’ve taken lecture based programs prior to each failure how does your course differ from lecture based programs?
    This program centers around how to approach and analyze questions. Other programs are lecture based and do not teach techniques that (1) help you recognize distractors in questions and (2) identify key points that lead to the right answer, (3) have a protocol that helps you pick the right answer when you are stuck between two answers.


  2. What does your program offer in terms of lectures?
    In our Step 1 programs, we have 2-hour segments of lectures in Pathology, Pharmacology, Immunology, Cardiology, and Renal amongst others ( please refer to our Step 1 schedule.) To ensure that students have a thorough understanding of the lecture we do a follow up of the lecture by means of Supplemental Instruction where students explain to the instructors what they understand of the material covered in the lecture. This gives the students a chance to correct any misunderstandings that could have occurred during lecture.


  3.   My friend came to this program and said she learned a lot through your system based supplemental instruction component of your program. She told me that the way you teach this really helped her to remember the material. How do you do that?
    We believe in the effectiveness of tactile learning and in the theory that in order to store information into long-term memory the student needs to review the information 3 times over in a 24 – 48 hour period. We designed our system based supplemental instruction (SBSI) with this in mind. Students are given a preview of the system (first review) the night before the supplemental instruction (SI) takes place the next day (second review). This gives students a head start into the discussions. During SI students present the topics they previewed the night before. It is now that the Instructors guide and fill in any gaps that students could still have. After the SI session, we do questions based on the system reviewed to ensure that students know how to apply the information to board-type questions (third review).


  4. I have never been a good test taker and I need an approach on how to attack test questions. Will your protocol help me?
    Our method in answering questions will give you a strategy to use not only in the exam you are preparing for, but in all your future board exams and shelf exams. Students report after their tests that they felt they could manage any question on exam day because they had a game plan. Most students tell us that once they have learned our methods they do not feel anxious about exam day anymore because they have a tactic that empowers them when they work questions.


  5. I am always running out of time on the exam. What do you suggest I do?
    In the course of our program, we teach students how to pace themselves with timing during the exam. We run timed question group sessions and encourage students to practice using the wipe off sheets. We also have a technique that you can use if you realize you are running out of time and you still have questions to answer. Knowing how to time correctly on the exam is crucial to getting high scores on the exam.


  6.  I am not sure why all the friends I studied with passed the exam and I did not. I have as much knowledge about medicine as they do. What is wrong with me?
    There are many reasons why students are not successful on the exam. On the first day of the program, our students take a diagnostic test. Amongst the many variables (not subject strengths and weaknesses) we test for, we look for error patterns and we determine how students process information when they read and answer board-type questions. And so we begin with a diagnosis and development of an individual study plan for each student.


  7.  I suffer from test anxiety. Does your course offer any help in this area?
    Yes, during our programs we have professional sessions on how to lessen test anxiety. We also teach students techniques on how to stay focused during an 8-hour exam.


  8.  Where do you suggest I stay when I come to your program?
    The Drury Hotel (see visitors>Accomodation) is where we have class and most of our students stay there. The hotel offers I bedroom, and 2 bedroom/2 bath suites if you would like to share. The Pear Hotel (located in front of Drury) and the Chase Hotel (5 minutes walk from Drury), offer great deals to our students as well. We also have some private homes we recommend. Students rent a room and bath in the home and have use of the kitchen, washer, dryer, and living room. These options are cheaper than the hotels. You will need a car if you stay in the private homes.


  9.  What is the name of the Kansas City airport?
    Kansas City spans over two states, Kansas and Missouri. Class is held on the Kansas side and the airport is located on the Missouri side. The airport code is MCI. It is about a 35 to 40 minute ride from the airport to the hotel. We suggest booking transportation to the hotel with kcquicksliver.com  or 10-10 taxi.


  10. What do I need to bring to the program?
    • Your reference book(s) – we don’t have any preference.
    • An online question bank – we don’t have any preference.
    • A laptop with a CD/DVD drive. If your laptop does not have a CD/DVD drive, please purchase one or you can rent one from us at $30 for the duration of the program.
    • You need Microsoft Powerpoint program on your laptop. If you don’t have it, you can download the Powerpoint Viewer for PC or Open Office for Mac at one of the following links:

    After installation, try the following file to see if you are able to run it: Sample file


  11. What are the hours of the program each day and do we have class on weekends?
    Your week day is scheduled from 8AM to 10PM. Step 1 may have lectures on Saturdays. We do schedule studying on the weekends.


  12. What should I do after the program?
    We give each student a study plan post program and we will monitor your work up until you take the exam at no charge.


  13. How long after the program should I wait to take the exam?

    We suggest 3 weeks after our shorter programs (1, 2, and 3 week programs) and 2 to 3 weeks after our longer programs (4 and 6 week programs).


  14. What is your return policy?

    If you cancel your registration 50% of your payment will be refunded up until one week prior to the course start date. Thereafter there will be no refund but you can transfer the payment to a later program.


 
Our first workshop of 2012 at Nassau University of Medicine ran for 3 days and was a great success. If you would like an inhouse workshop on your campus, please email us at info@iomb.net!