NBDE PART II TIPS

The dreaded NBDE PART I/II

Everyone in dental school has to do take NBDE Part I and II at some point...so why not talk about it?  Having passed these two hurdles successfully, we figured this would be a good place to blog about our experiences.  What materials to use, how long to study, tips for test day, etc.

Considering we are starting this blog a little late, we have more more to say about Part II than Part I.

Materials we used to study with (in order of helpfulness):

1.  Board Busters NBDE II

2.  Dental Decks

3.  Kaplan NBDE Part II

4.  First Aid

5.  Old released exams

6.  Cute notebook :)

7.  Lots and lots of caffeine

Length of time spent studying:

Diana and I put together a schedule that included an intense two months of review.  Our lives for those two months consisted of classes, clinic, lab work, and fitting in boards studying when we could.  Needless to say...it was a crazy 8 weeks.  Our schedule started out with us reading a section or two of the dental decks per week.  After this initial review, we switched over to reading Boards Buster (which we both <3'ed)!  We weren't exactly sure if it was because the book was easier to read, or if it was due to the fact that we had already reviewed the material in Dental Decks and this was our 2nd time around.  Either way, Boards Busters is a MUST!  Although, I must be fair and explain the faults in this book.  There are NO pictures and the format of the book consists of BOLD TOPIC: explanation.  Sounds boring, right?  But to be honest, we really loved this book.  Anyway, after reading Boards Busters through once, we felt confident enough to try our hand at the released exams.  After taking each exam, we carefully reviewed each right/wrong answer until the questions and answers were drilled into our brains.  Lastly, I believe a week and a half before our exam date, we decided to re-read Board Busters...giving ourselves ONE WEEK to complete this task. 

Sounds crazy?  Well..it is..lol.  All in all, by the time our test day rolled around, we both felt pretty confident in ourselves believing that we had gone through enough material to pass :)

Day before the big day:

 It is important to get a good night's the night before.  I know, I know...easier said than done.  I stopped studying about 1pm the day before and took the rest of the day off.  Watched the Sex And The City II Movie and slept at a reasonable hour.  I'll admit...I am guilty of looking up a fact or two throughout my "1/2 day off"...but still.  The relaxation helps :)

Make sure to double check that you have your identification packed for the next day.  It is also helpful to pack a little snack/lunch for your break during your test.  A little bit of everything..if you ask me.  Source of caffeine (only IF you are a regular caffeine user), H20 (hydration), sandwich (to fill your belly), granola bar (in case you are not that hungry but need something to keep going), almonds (brain food), and fruit (something sweet).    That way everything will be ready for you in the morning.

Test day:

Double check that you have everything before leaving to the test center.  

2 Forms of ID:  CHECK

Snacks for the break:  CHECK

Jacket/hoodie (in case it is freezing at the center):  CHECK

Directions to center (just in case):  CHECK

[it might actually be wise to visit the test center a week or so prior to your test date just to ensure that you know exactly where you are going the morning of the big day]

Arriving early never hurt anyone...so do it!  Taking such a big test is stressful enough so try your best to avoid any unnecessary "events" from happening.  Put your belongings away in the little locker they give you (turn your cell phones, ipads etc OFF) before locking them up.  And then take a seat and wait your turn.  At the centers I have been to, after checking in, they bring you in one by one and take a photo of you and your finger print. 

 If you decide to wear a jacket/sweater during your test, you are required to keep it on while sitting at your computer.  If, for some reason, you get too hot...you have to exit the room, and take it off outside.  However this whole process comes out of your test time.  If you are a quick test taker, then no worries!  But if you are a little on the slow side..just keep that in mind.  It would be good dress in layers.  You can always leave whatever you don't think you will need in your locker.  Just knowing you have something to put on, in case the AC is on full blast, will keep your mind at ease.

Another BIG TIP I have for all test takers is to TAKE THE BREAK!!  During my Part I exam I was tempted to NOT take my break and just plow through the second half of the exam.  Trust me, after staring at a computer screen for however many hours, it is SOOO nice to step out for a bit.  Even if it is only for a few minutes.  The break will re-energize you for round 2!  

That is all I will write for now on this.  Good luck to anyone taking the exam!  Just know that the hard work and studying will pay off!!!

When you open the letter and finally see the result, it's all worth it!!!