We always sit down as a family for dinner. I think teaching my children to hold a conversation and build an argument (not just yell louder) are two of the most important things I can do for the world. We also almost always have pancakes and eggs for a nice family breakfast on Sunday.
How cute, but who cares?
Ok, well, just like those stacks of pancakes, the questions on your exams are stacked one on top of another.
Question stacking is the theme for today.
Pay attention here because this is how you really start to SEE the test and make HUGE improvements in your scores.
Most of the questions will be 2 step questions. Not more complicated, just two questions stacked one on top of the other.
Let’s use an example.
Q) If you hear a machine-like murmur, you should be thinking of what diagnosis?
The questions on the exam may not be that straight forward though.
More likely, they will take another one step question…
Q) What is the treatment for a PDA?
And then combine them:
Q) On physical exam, you hear a machine-like murmur. What is the first line medical treatment for this patient?
The answer if you’re going nuts is NSAIDs. They may be as specific as indomethacin, but the answer to this question isn’t the point. The point is to see how you take one easy question and stack it on top of another easy question, and, as long as you know what they are talking about, it’s still pretty easy.
Don’t get freaked out. You just answer one part and then the next part. If you’re using The Final Step, you’ll see these questions on your exam and smile.
Brian Wallace
