Today, we will talk more about the NBME self-assessment tests. We previously discussed what the NBME self-assessment tests are and how they impact your USMLE review. You can read the posts here. Now we will cover three important topics. When to use the NBME self-assessment tests, how to use the NBME self-assessment tests and how wise it is to use the USMLE World self-assessment tests instead.
We now know that the NBME self-assessment tests are accurate in predicting actual USMLE performance. And we also know that the main reason for this accuracy is the correlation study done by NBME between the two tests using AMGs performance in both tests rather than to any real similarity between the 2 tests. This correlation has also been borne out by most test takers who narrated their experience in forums. It can be used to gauge whether you will pass the examination and even if you have a good chance of achieving the score you are aiming for.
So when is the best time to take the NBME? The best time is when you think that you are ready for the USMLE. When all parameters indicate that you are probably ready for the examination, you take the NBME to confirm that you are ready for the examination. In other words, use the NBME as a diagnostic or confirmatory test, instead of a screening test. You can use your performance in USMLE World or Kaplan Q Bank as a screening test.
The practice of many to take the NBME to identify weak points and measure progress in review is not very practical. First, there are only 6 NBME tests (for Step 1) and second, you can take it only once. Taking it more than once invalidates the correlation and therefore its accuracy in predicting actual USMLE performance. Therefore, what do you do if you are still not ready after taking all six tests? You just used up your most valuable tool for predicting your actual performance in the USMLE.
Personally, I used the NBME exam to confirm my readiness to achieve my targeted score of 99. In preparing for Step 1, when my Kaplan scores were hitting 84 and above, I felt I was ready for the test. I took NBME form 1 only and 740 confirmed my readiness for the exam since I was aiming for a 99. 600 was enough for a 99, but I would have postponed if I got less than 660. Why? Since I decided I want only a 99, I was giving myself a 10 point leeway (600=240 and 660=250) to make sure I make it to a 99 no ifs, ands, or buts. 
The same thing holds true for Step 2 CK, I took the exam when my one and only NBME test scored 700, way above what I needed for a 99.
Another common question is whether to take the examination timed or self-paced. Since you are trying to test your actual readiness for the examination, it is best to simulate actual exam conditions. In my case, I took self-paced but finished everything in the 1 hour allotted for it. I may look over the questions after 1 hour, but I will not change them so as not to alter the score predictability too much. Make sure everyone in the house knows not to disturb you while doing this. Although you can pause the exam, it is not recommended. Also I do not recommend you do it in a public library. There was one person who took the USMLE despite getting a low score in NBME. He attributed it to the fact that he took it in a noisy public library and “upward adjusted” his predicted score. He failed. So, take it properly and trust the score. One warning, though, correlation is not 100% therefore always give yourself some leeway in case things do not go too well. Never, ever go for the examination if you scored 400 or less. Your chances of failing is too high and even if you passed 75 and 76 are with you for life.
Recently, USMLE World started offering their own assessment tests for US$ 30 each, US$ 15 cheaper than NBME’s assessment tests. The question foremost in everyone’s mind is, can I switch to UW assessments tests instead of NBME’s. How wise is a decision like that?
The reason for using assessment tests is to make sure you are ready for the USMLE and to lessen the risk of getting an adverse score. NBME has proven throughout the years, after thousands of test takers, that it is a reliable predictor of your actual score in the USMLE. It is also backed up by correlation studies that have been published in journals. Now, although USMLE World’s assessment test may also be a reliable predictor of your actual USMLE performance, all we have is their word for it. No study has been cited or provided to independently verify such claim. And not enough empirical evidence from test taker’s experience forums allow us to make any judgment on its accuracy at all. Surveying forum after forum reveals variable experience with the tests as of now.
My take is that since you only have one shot at the USMLE, it is better to go with what is proven and tested rather than take a risk. Although, you can retake the USMLE if you fail, that failure is recorded and counted against you. If you pass, the score is with you the rest of your professional life. If you chose to, maybe you can use the UW assessment tests as a screening tool. Just be sure to use the NBME assessment test, whatever form to confirm your readiness before actually sitting for the USMLE.
July 29th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
actually u r doing a great job…a lot of valuable information in this blog
wish u the best
August 1st, 2008 at 9:11 am
also would like to ask:
which nbme to take as there r 6 nbmes?
r they all the same dificulty as i hear from some usmlers they vary in difficulty
so if so which form is the best correlated to usmle scores?
August 16th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Thank you for your incredible effort in this website.
I’d like to know; if my score is below 400, and I postponed the exam for more preparation, can I re-take NBME again? and which form?
And in general, which form is the most accurate in prediction?
August 19th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Each NBME form should only be taken once as retaking them can inflate your score and lower predictability. Based on the first 4 forms, Form 1 has highest correlation. No information on Form 5 or 6 yet. But even so Form 1 has only 0.89 correlation and therefore not 100% guarantee. Some would use 2 forms and if they agree with each other than possibility that predictability is high. Since each form should only be taken once to maximize predictability, it is poor practice to use up all forms in your review. Since if you’ve done all 6 forms and the last form predicts below 400, you’ve just run out of forms to accurately assess your readiness for the examination. Now, if you’ve actually used up all 6 forms, suggest you use UW assessment, since preliminary reports state it is fairly accurate although not yet proven as NBME has been. This time try to conserve it and use it only if all other parameters like UW Qbank or Kaplan Q Bank indicates you are scoring high.
August 31st, 2008 at 5:13 am
Thanks so much for the inciteful info. I’ve been searching out info on all the blogs about the Uworld assessments. I am taking the the test on Tuesday, about a week ago I took the first Uworld assessment and got a score of 224. Two days later I took the second Uworld assessment and got the same exact score. Yesterday I took NBME 3 (because I heard this was the most accurate predictor) and received a 209. I do not know which one I should assess myself with. Should I just go by what NBME says? Thanks so much…
August 31st, 2008 at 6:22 am
Hi Jay,
The assessment tests usually have good internal correlation with each other. So the close correlation between tow UW forms is expected, just as close correlation between 2 NBME forms is expected. There is no data on correlation between UW results vs. NBME results although that would be interesting. Personally, I would still go with NBME since it has been tested against the USMLE more times the UW. Again it does not mean UW is less reliable, just less proof of reliability and that is not the same thing. But for now, at least it appears you have a very good chance of passing this exam.
Good luck on your exam. Remember to rest well the night before and don’t eat too much on the day of the exam (more carbo than protein) so you don’t get sleepy. After lunch is worst, and the more full you are, the sleepier you get. (increase visceral blood flow for digestion and metabolic alkalosis as HCl stays longer in GI for digestion. metabolic alkalosis = hypoventilate = less O2 to brain)
September 13th, 2008 at 6:07 am
Hi, i failed twice in usmle, and now feel confuse what to do.
Can u pl tell me my attempt will affect to get residency, if i get good score.
Pl be helpful.
Thanks
September 14th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Hi,
Can u pl say about form 5 and 6?
September 18th, 2008 at 9:57 am
hi dr patel,
Failing the USMLE twice will negatively impact your chances for a residency. However, as in everything there are ways to remedy them. One is to get a good score once you pass it. The higher the better, but nothing less than 90. Even then you need to work harder than other people though to get a residency. The reason is as always supply and demand. Too many applicants and too few positions which makes programs especially choosy.
As to commenting about form 5 and 6, if you read my post on Donating to Askdoc’s USMLE Blog, you know why I can’t really comment on form 5 and 6.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:41 am
Hello, doc.
Thanks you very much. Can u pl tell me how can i assess my self & be sure i am ready for exam? usmlerx or usmle world , which one is worth ?
I appreciate ur help.
Dr patel
October 10th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I am so thankful to you askdoc that i can only pray God blesses you forever,Your input for USMLE has made a great difference to alot….I myself wasnt so motivated and very stressed out as to how to start and where to start and what if i fail and all those i asked just gave answers which i already new….study kaplan books n do this n do dat but i wasnt sure where i stand and i was getting scared of myself that i know nothing and becoming a hipocrit….but after reading your post i am back to my senses and i will start from today evalute myself and see how to start and its basically from scratch the learning phase is what i need to get the basic concept then i can move ahead or else i will never reach my goal…..is there anyway i can reach you by means of mail or contact incase i get stuck n need advise???Please let em know.God be with you always.Thankyou.
October 12th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Hi Asiya,
You can reach me through personal messaging system in my forum at http://forums.askdoc-usmle.com. My callsign is of course askdoc
If you have to start from scratch you need to start with textbooks and not reviewers and you should cover the subjects in the order your medical school did it which is Anatomy and Physiology first, then Biochemistry, then Microbio/Immuno and Pharmacology, then lastaly Pathology. Behavioral Sciences, you can just use a reviewer. After you finish your learning phase, you can use the review methodology I outlined in my forum, “Askdoc’s Method of USMLE Review for Step 1″
Good luck in your prep. Feel free to contact me for help if you need them.
Mike aka “askdoc”
November 27th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Hi, can u pl tell me, if i registered for usmle in india, can i able to trasfer my testing region from india to usa?
Thanks
January 4th, 2009 at 9:17 am
hi, iam saba .i got a score of 520 in nbme self assessement form 2 test .iam planning to write step by 25th jan 2009 . please tell me should i write the exam or postpond it till i get a good score
January 5th, 2009 at 1:45 am
Hi saba,
Depends on the score you are aiming for. 520 is equal to around 214 or thereabouts which is high 80’s. If you are aiming for passing the exam or getting 80’s then the score is good enough. If you are fresh grad and not aiming for surgery or other tough specialty, you don’t need really that high a score. However, if you are old grad or going for competitive programs, the higher your score the better your chances.
January 13th, 2009 at 7:40 am
hai, please help me . as i have already told u that i got a score of 520(224) in nbme self asse form 2. after 2 days i wrote usmle self asse form 1 & 2 and i got a score of 510&520 resp. iam planning to give step in jan last week . iam very afraid of the exam . please tell me ?
is actual step 1 more like nbme or u world
January 16th, 2009 at 7:29 am
To saba,
The actual step 1 questions are more like Kaplan and U world q Bank, rather than NBME. However, that is immaterial since if you have studied well and prepped properly, you would do well in the USMLE. The NBME assessment tests have proven to be fairly reliable in predicting your score. It seems recent data (from forums) also indicates that the UW assessment tests is also fairly reliable in predicting your score.
DO NOT BE AFRAID of the exam. If you prepped right and both NBME and UW assessment tests predict a good score (like in your case) you should do well. But relax and don’t get too uptight. Some people failed not because they were not prepared for the exam but because they were too nervous and suffered anxiety attacks. These can cause you to score lower, stay calm, Remember you are a doctor. Used to taking pressure.
I was so uptight when I took my Step 1 that my heart was pounding and my hands was shaking. I took a break, washed my face, took a beta-blocker to decrease my heart rate. Went back finished the exam and got my 99/256. Now relax, breathe deeply. concentrate the last week doing flashcards or rapid review of First Aid. Don’t cover new topics as that would just stress you out. Look through pathology images in First aid or in my High Yield Fast Facts course in http://prep.askdoc-usmle.com.
2 to 3 days before the exam, do not study, just take a break, sleep well. On day of exam. Wake up early, do not take too much fluids( a cup of coffee or tea would do) since you want to minimize going to the bathroom. Make sure you eat some breakfast. preferably high energy and high carbohydrate. Avoid meats (ham, eggs, etc.) Make it light so you don’t feel sleepy. Light lunch only, again high energy, high carbohydrate with little meat so as not to make you feel sleepy. After you finish, go out celebrate with your family. Take the next 3 weeks off, then wait for the result.
Good luck on your exam
Askdoc
January 21st, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Hi askdoc…hope you r fine……well i jsut got 245/630 on uwsa the first form……some people tell it is 99 ..others say uwsa overinflate the score…….and i dont want to get a score less than 99…..my exam is on 10 march and am really scared……..still have form 2 to do…..cant do nbme because lack of funds and also i did most of their questions on the forums.
really need to hear your opinion.
cheers).
January 21st, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Hi. I am relatively new to your blog, but I already like it. It has already helped me in many ways. I specially liked this post about the NBME.
I am about to take the Step 1 examination and want to know which of all the NBME forms do you recommend over all. I ask this question because I have relative little time to spare before taking the test, and want a really good assesment of my studying so far.
Thank you for your time.
Dr. M
January 21st, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Hi haitham,
Although, 630 does correspond to a 99, there are differences when done on assessment tests vs. real exam. For one the actual exam is longer (fatigue is a bigger factor). The pressure is stronger because its now the “real” thing. Therefore there is a strong tendency to score lower on the actual exam instead of the assessment test. In my case, My NBME assessment was 740 which would merit a 99/265 or thereabouts, but my actual score was 99 / 256 a 9 point loss. When I assessed the various correlation of the NBME, I noted that a variation of 10 points (2SD) from predicted score was the norm for NBME assessment. (I have not had the chance to see if current spread still holds since this was done in 2006 when I took my exam). Therefore I made a cutoff of 660 = to 250 or 10 points from 240 which was the minimum 3 digit score to get a 99. When I hit 740, I decided to proceed with my examination. I do not know the exact predictability and spread for the UW assessment forms, but I think it would be close to NBME although not exact. And you are right, there has been some complaints of overinflation with UW compared to NBME.
The actual score you will get will probably depend on how much effect fatigue and pressure will have on your final score and the amount of additional points you can get by having one more month to review. My suggestion is that you go through high yield stuff on February concentrating on 3 subjects, Pathology, Micro-Immuno (especially Immuno) and Pharma (especially prototype drugs, most common side effects, therapy of choice) Go through rapid review section of First aid or the High Yield Fast Facts Review course in my prep site http://prep.askdoc-usmle.com. If you have notes for q Banks, review them thoroughly. If you still have qBank enrollments, do speed drills. That is answer questions as fast as you can without reviewing your answers. This is to drill you to read fast and recall fast rather to attain the highest score possible. Take the next form around 10 to 14 days before your actual exam. If you get a score above 660 or so, I think your chances for a 99 is very high (If this was NBME, I would say it is a sure 99).
Come back to me after and I’ll give you some tips on how to prepare for the day of the examination, ie, pacing, diet, medications to bring, etc.
Good luck on your prep
Askdoc
PS. relax, Do your best, if you are meant to get a 99 you will. And your chances for doing that is very high.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:12 am
Hi Dr. M,
Actually any of the first 4 would do. The best is to do two forms and if both correlate to more or less same score, then your chances of getting that score would do. I have less data on the other forms so will not venture to give judgment on them. But based on experience of my students and other users, the first 4 forms are very consistent with each other give or take a few points.
Askdoc.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Hi there !
I intend to enter the part 1 exam somewhere in beginning of March. I have been studying for almost 6 months now but I did not make that much of an effort ( study times short and far between ) anyway last night I could not sleep and I didnt feel like studying so I decided to try the NBME .
I took NBME basic sciences 5 since it said NEW on it . Anyway , it took me less than 2 hours to finish it (I dont like to dwell a lot on answer , you either got it or you dont !!) and my end result was 560 : ( that was disappointing because although I still need to go through the curriculum for one final review (the last time I read naything in Anatomy or Embryology for example is about 5 months ago) , still I did not get an idea of where my performance was bad .
My performance on USMLE Qbank varied . If I waited to take it AFTER I had studied AND revised a subject I get over 80% while other times I just take timed tests in a particular subject before having completed studying it , so my overall has fallen to about 67% (90% completed now) , I never used tutorial mode .
So tell me , what do you think my chances are at getting a high score ? Should I take NBME 1 so I can get a better idea ?I was going to take test on first of March , should I “beware the ides of March” ? : D thank you
February 18th, 2009 at 5:19 am
Hi Ahmed,
560 is already mid to high 90’s. Of course if you are aiming for a 99, that is not high enough. If you finished all 4 blocks in 2 hours then the score will probably hold in the actual examination. If you are happy about getting 90’s then one last revision is all you need before taking the examination. You can take form 1 about 7 days before your scheduled exam as a final test of your readiness. If you are aiming for a 99, 2 weeks is a bit too short to raise your scores to that level albeit not impossible.
The ides of March is on the 15th, therefore taking it anytime in the first week should be safe ; )
Good luck on your prep.
Askdoc
February 20th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
I returned!!! lol!
just finished uwsa 2 …….4 blocks done in a rown except i took few minutes to pee after block 1 ……the urge came in the middle of the first block but i said to myself deal as if u r in the middle of a block in the exam!!
guess wat was the score?…….the same!
630/245
although i wanted to get higher than the previous but at least i didnot get a lower mark!
now my friend wat about the exam day tips regarding pacing and food?
February 22nd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Hi Haitham,
Welcome back. If you like, take a look at one of my student’s exam experience at my forum at http://forums.askdoc-usmle.com. He got a 97/232. Guess what his NBME scores were.
One fact about your experience. I think you have reached a plateau in your prep, that is why you are no longer improving even if you are still studying. Everyone plateaus eventually although the peak is different for different people. It’s a good thing you will be taking the exam by next week. Do not delay the exam because you will eventually go into decline, when what you forget is more than what you learn or study. When we start learning, we tend to start forgetting some of what we studied immediately. Initially, the rate of learning is faster than the rate of forgetting, but eventually it plateaus then go into decline. It’s about 6 to 8 months for most people.
Therefore, I suggest that you take the last few days going through high yield stuff and pics. This is to maintain your score, not to raise it. You should not be learning new material as it may accelerate the decline.
Two days before the exam, drop your books and do not study anything. Relax and take your mind off the examination. Go watch a movie, preferably a comedy or do anything that takes your mind off the exam. Sleep well the night before. Take a hot bath, but do not take tranquilizers as you’ll not be at your peak the next day.
One word of advise. On the day of the exam, do not leave any question unanswered. An unanswered question is a sure wrong, while a question answered even with a guess is a possible right. And just one additional right answer may mean the difference between a 74 and 75 or a 98 and 99.
The best pacing schedule makes use of a couple of facts. One, you are more alert in the early morning than in the afternoon when the exam will have taken it’s toll. Therefore it makes sense to schedule more blocks before lunch. So 4, 3 would be good. Now you are sleepiest after lunch, because of the act of digestion, therefore schedule only 1 block after lunch then have a break afterward. Never take more than 2 blocks before you take a break with some food or sugared drink. Your sugar level starts falling after 2 hours and sugar is the main fuel for your brain.
So best to schedule 2 blocks, 15 minute break, 2 blocks then 25 minute lunch, then 1 block, 10 minute break, then last 2 blocks. You can take a break between the last 2 blocks if you feel you need it. Notice that the total break is 50 minutes. Reason is that the actual break will usually be longer than the time you scheduled it. Just logging in and out of the room will take 1.5 to 2 minutes. The rest room is usually two doors out (both the exam center in my home country and the one in San Francisco where I took Step 3 have the same layout. So I presume all Prometric centers have the same general layout) So you have to walk.If you need a short break between 1st and 2nd block or 3rd and 4th block, just sit on your cubicle and rest for a minute or two before starting the next block. As I said logging in and out is a time waster.
Now, for meals. Light breakfast in the morning preferably no meat but high energy carbohydrate. (High protein, high fat foods can make you sleepy, so no ham and eggs, sorry) Now coffee or tea to keep you awake, but limit to a cup since they increase urine formation.(increased heart rate, increased GFR = increased urine formation)
For the morning break, do not bring sandwich. It takes too long to finish eating it. Bring something sweet, high energy, high carbohydrate that can give you a sugar boost. (I ate a small high sugar cake that I finished in 4 to 5 bites.) You can opt to wash down with a cola (which can provide both sugar and caffeine boost)
For lunch break, do not eat full meal. A sandwich, preferably not high protein (egg sandwich or cheese sandwich comes to mind) is advisable. It’s actually basic physiology. A heavy meal will cause blood flow to be diverted to your gi tract longer therfore less blood flow to brain. Plus, proteins and fat will cause secretion of more HCl for digestion leading to Metabolic alkalosis. This leads to hypoventilation (to increase CO2) and therefore less oxygen to the brain. Longer digestive time causes longer time for HCl to be reabsorbed. This is the main reason why you are sleepiest after lunch.
For the afternoon break, a high sugary drink whether cola or juice will suffice. Limit total water intake as that can increase need for bathroom breaks.
Now for the meds, you need the following
.
1. Pain reliever – paracetamol, in case of headache or any other ache.
2. Loperamide – in case of gastrointestinal emergency eg. diarrhea
3. Antacid – in case of hyperacidity (anxiety can cause it)
4. Beta blocker – in case anxiety and palpitation become too distracting.
Good luck on your exam. Come back and tell me how it went.
Askdoc
February 24th, 2009 at 10:29 am
hi, i gave u step 1 and got a score of 93/223. thanks for the advice u have given me before writing the exam.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Hi saba,
Way to go. Congratulations, that is a great score. Now concentrate on Step 2 CK. Feel free to ask me questions if you need help for Step 2 CK. If you can get the same score for Step 2 CK or higher, I won’t be surprised if you get over a dozen interviews. If you don’t need visa, you may get twice that number of interviews. Watch out though, it is better to have only a high Step 1 score rather than a high step 1 score and a low Step 2 score for getting interviews. So make sure your NBME is very good before sitting for Step 2 CK.
Askdoc
February 25th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Hi, im really frustrated i hada a 380/186 in UWSA. Should i take a chance and take the exam on 1 week or postpone it? What i´ve seen in the rest of the forums everyone does well at least 200s. I did another predictive exam 2 weeks ago which result was 185, no improvement i dont seem to be getting it any more. i just cant focus any more.
Any advice?
February 25th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Hi Robert,
Alas, your case is fairly common. To be honest, I rarely see anybody with less than 400 pass the USMLE. And you need a 450 for an almost sure pass. Therefore it is very dangerous to take the exam at this point. It costs the same amount of time, money and effort to cancel the exam and retake it when you are ready and to fail the exam altogether, except that failing does a lot of harm to your chance for a good residency. If you fail, you still need to retake it.
The fact that you are not improving and you can’t focus anymore showed you’ve plateaued. The advise I usually give in this situation is to reboot. That is take some time off, maybe 2 weeks to a month (cancel the exam) then restart your prep. I know it is frustrating and most often the person I advise do not take the advise and continue with their exam. And almost always they fail. So it is still your choice. The reason you have this problem is that you did not evaluate yourself right at the beginning of your prep. When you prep, you need to evaluate yourself at the outset to see if you’ve made progress. Read my post on Guide to Self-Evaluation in USMLE Prep on this blog.
If you do decide to reboot your prep, come back and I’ll give you a series of links to my posts on how to prep right.
Askdoc
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:25 am
Hi I love your site!IT is so informative. Thank you so much for helping aspirants like me with your advice. I do have one question though… what do you mean buy the Ides of March? I am scheduled to take the exam on March 19. IS this not a good date? What days should I beware of: (first time I heard the beware the Ides of March?!?
Also, I will be doing my NBME assessment on the 6th. As you mentioned, form 1 has the highest correlation, so I will take that!
Thanks. You are doing a really great job!
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:52 am
Hi 99alltheway,
Thank You! The 3 digit score predicted by NBME + or – 10 points is 2SD of predicted scores. That means most scores will fall within 10 points of the predicted 3 digit score.
The Ides of March which is the 15th of March, is the day Julius Caesar, ruler of Rome (he is not the emperor as the first emperor is his heir Octavius, called Emperor Augustus) was assassinated by the Roman Senate. He was allegedly warned by a seer to “Beware the Ides of March”, which he did not heed. Therefore the Ides of March is considered an omen of bad luck by the Romans.
My remark was in answer to Ahmed’s Joke about “the Ides of March”.
Good luck on your exam.
Askdoc
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Thanks for the quick repsonse!:)
March 5th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Hi! I stumbled upon your site during one of my ‘nbme score correlation’ google sessions! it appears to be more helpful than any forums ive come across!!…and ive come across alot
well, i downloaded the forms off various forums, and started off with form 2 (got a 620) and then form 5 (got a 572). Firstly, since i did not purchase these from the nbme site, I had to use some correlation charts which im not sure were the latest ones(got those off some forum too). if possible, could u please send me a link or email the latest(if theres any such thing) one to me.
Secondly, ive gone thru tons of forums and some say that form 3 is the best predictor, some say 2, some 4 and so on. Which form would u say is the best predictor, so that scoring well on that particular one essentially guarantees a high score.
Thirdly, and lastly, some people report having seen ALOT of molecular biochem on their exam, some report the traiditonal patho/pathophys abundance and some report anatomy. does every exam have a different subject majority or do they all contain roughly 48 questions of each subject?
March 7th, 2009 at 6:50 am
Hi Mazhar,
About those “downloaded” NBME. Copyright problems aside, the question you have to ask is who, where, what, how. Who did the correlations study? Where is that study? What institution is backing the study? How was the study conducted? In case of the online NBME we know who did the study (it’s in the website and the assessment report given you) where the report is (you can google the research paper), What institution is backing the study (NBME and USMLE itself) and How the study was conducted (Read the research paper). With the downloaded version, Do you have any information of the who, where, what and how. If not, why will you entrust your entire future on someone you do not know at all and choose to be anonymous.
Two, if you read my post and if you understood your biostatistics, you will know that the best predictor does not guarantee the highest score. It predicts more closely what your actual score will be. However, this is based on correlation studies and the accuracy of correlation studies to a specific instance of a result can never be guaranteed. Only its accuracy on a wide range of results. That is the basics of biostatistics. If that is possible. Then get me one who can do that, get me to Vegas and I don’t have to be a physician to earn big bucks!
Biostatistics deals with probabilities not certainties.
Lastly, people tend to remember what took them the longest to answer, because it was the hardest for them. That accounts for the tendency to think a lot of molecular biochem will appear in the exam. Unless, USMLE now believes that the medical field needs molecular biologist than clinicians, that will hardly happen. Go to my forum at http://forums.askdoc-usmle.com. Read the post on Askdoc’s Method of USMLE review. Read all three posts in order. It is explained there what is the percentage of coverage in the exam of the different subjects in the USMLE. Unless a major percentage of all examinees report an increase in Anatomy questions, I hardly believe again that anatomy will comprise the bulk of the exam. USMLE is a very fair and very logical exam, unlike the local boards of most other countries including mine. Their rationale for the questions they ask in the exam is based on what you need to know to be a good clinician and not to test how good you are at memorizing obscure medical details.
Askdoc
March 7th, 2009 at 8:08 am
thank you for the detailed reply.
as for the NBME forms, well maybe i should have phrased my question differently; for instance, i just recently completed form 5 and got 143/200 correct; i have just one block of form 4 left to do and should probably end up with about 160/200 correct. SO, do you think these scores mean that im well on my path to getting a 99? the correlation chart stuff i mentioned before seems to have clouded my actual question!
March 22nd, 2009 at 11:08 am
Hello Askdoc, I wrote to you a couple of months ago regarding which NBME exam to take before writing the USMLE step 1. My exam is the 20 of April, 2009, and these have been my scores so far.
NBME 5 = 580 (Suppose to be 236 on step 1)
NBME 2 = 630 (Suppose to be a 252 on step 1)
I found NBME 5 to be much more challenging…
I know these are good grades, but I still dont “feel” ready for the test. Everybody tells me its been getting harder and that they have been adding these wierd experiment questions, etc.. What do you thing I should do from this point on? I was planning to review first aid once more, and maybe pay NBME 3 or 6 (NBME 6 is supposed to be the closest to the real thing. Thats what i read somewhere on the net).
Thanks in advance for the advice. Really appreciate what youre doing w/ your site. Keep it up !
Dr. M
March 27th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Hi Dr. M,
Really sorry for the late reply. Anyway there seems to be some disparity on the scores you got with both NBME although they still predict a 99. However, again the correlation is not 100% and in most cases people tend to score lower than predicted score although some do get higher. I think you should try NBME 6 since that is the latest set. I do notice that people who used the first few NBME’s tend to score lower than their predicted scores while those who used the last 2 NBME tend to have predicted scores that hold better. Again, I don’t have enough data points (from looking over reported scores and statistics in the various forums) to make a conclusion as yet. But it does make sense that since we know the USMLE is getting tougher yearly, (mainly due to the fact that people are scoring higher due to better prep) that the newly constructed NBME exams may reflect the tougher USMLE exams better. Again, not enough data to make a conclusion but seems logical.
Based on your scores, it seems 90’s is safe for you, which means you are assured of scoring in the 90’s. 99 is not so sure but you do have a chance. Important for me to know, when you plan to take the exam, have you finished q bank and which one, so we can decide how best to proceed. If you are aiming for a 99, you’re not there yet but very close. Again, you may still get a 99 if you take the exam now, but a possible 99 and not a sure 99 in this case.
Askdoc
PS. If your exam is in 2 to 3 weeks time, concentrate on high yield stuff. Both first aid and my High Yield Fast Fact Course are good sources. Your choice.
March 27th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Hello Askdoc. Thanks for the sound advice.
My test date is the 20 of April, 2009, so i have about 20 days left for my test. As to my preparation so far, i did USMLE World Qbank and scored 60% of the questions correctly. I reviewed First Aid and then i did the Qbook that came with the Kaplan Course just to see how i was doing. I scored 76% overall. After this i felt like i plateaued. I started to surf the net looking for what to do next and that’s when i found your site, which motivated me to finally try out these NBME’s. Before all this, i basically did the Kaplan course. It really helped me out to fill all the gaps in my knowledge, me being an IMG and all.
Initially i wasn’t aiming for a 99 on the test. I really just wanted to score above 90, but these NBME scores motivated me to give it a try. I found NBME 2 very easy, w/ very short questions. On the other hand NBME 5 had longer questions, which were more clinically oriented and required more time to think them through. All i hear is that the test is getting harder and harder, and that kind of freaks me out a bit. What do you think about the test getting harder? I heard that there’s a lot of molecular questions and questions dealing w/ transgenic mice experiments :S. Not exactly my favorite type of Q’s.
I’m going to follow your advice. These last 20 days i will concentrate on High Yield material, focusing on the recall of important information. I have a few other questions to ask you…
1- How long before my test date do you think i should take NBME 6?
2- Do you think i should do another type of Qbank before the test? (I have a bunch of older Qbanks some friends gave me).
3- Any advice on mentally/physically preparing for the test these last few days?
4- Some advice for the day of the test, and pacing through the test.
Thanx a lot in advance. Keep up the excellent job.
Dr. M.
March 29th, 2009 at 5:05 am
Hi Dr. M,
1. Around 1 week to 10 days before the exam.
2. Just do it to drill for the exam. Do not use it to learn new things as that would be bad for you. You tend to remember the last things you studied and if they are full of low yield stuff, that is what you remember and not the high yield ones.
3. and 4. Read my post on this blog on What to do on the day of the USMLE exam.
Askdoc
March 29th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Hello Askdoc,
I’ve been a silent reader of your posts since I started studying prepping for step 2 Ck about a month ago. I have my step 2 CK this tuesday – march 31st.
I studied mostly from First Aid and Kaplan and USMLE World (around 68% correct) plus Kaplan Q bank.
NBME Form 1 – 520
NBME Form 2 – 580 (taken 14 days after Form 1, this wednesday – 5 days before actual exam)
I have a green card. My Step 1 score 96/230
I thought I was not as nervous for CK as I was for Step 1 but I am extremely jittery today and feel like I’ve forgotten everything. I cannot postpone the exam because it’s the last day of my eligibility period and frankly, I just want to get it over with.
My question to you is – will I be able to make a 90+ score? And do you think I will get any interview calls with just a 96 plus an unknown, hopeful 90+?
I’ve studied till now and plan on studying more tomorrow just because I am jittery. I’ve never been this way before. Any of your words would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
March 30th, 2009 at 2:21 am
Hi Kay,
If both your scores are above 85 with Green Card and relatively fresh grad, you will get interviews. Your performance in the interview will determine if you match. However with a 96 in Step 1, so long as you can hold above 90 for Step 2 CK, I won’t be surprised if you get over a dozen interviews unless you are aiming for surgical fields. That will be harder.
As to will you be able to get 90’s. Your score seems to indicate that you have a good chance of getting 90’s. But there is still a possibility of 80’s probably on the high side. My own suggestion is to study only high yield stuff the next few days. First Aid will do. But do not study anything new. It’s too late for that. Do not study the day before the exam. Relax and regenerate energy for next day’s long gruelling exam. With your NBME scores, I don’t see any reason why you would want to extend your eligibility period. Take the exam. Your chances for 90’s are very good. I know things can go wrong on exam day, but the chances of that happening is just as good if you postponed your exam, right. So relax. Read my post on What to do on the day of the USMLE exam.
Good luck and may you get your dream score.
Askdoc
March 30th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Thank you, AskDoc! (if I knew your name, I would thank you differently
)
You calmed my nerves quite a bit. My exam is tomorrow. I am just planning on reading through high yield facts and doing some questions now.
I am planning on applying for Internal Medicine, not Surgery. So according to what you said, I would atleast get some interviews. Yay!
I have read your What To Do On The Exam Day and found it extremely helpful. I love the way you express yourself concisely. I am sure a lot of people appreciate your efforts. But I don’t think it gets stale when I say – Kudos to you.
I will be back with my score to report, hopefully.
PS : If it’s not too personal – are you working as a resident now?
Thanks again!
April 1st, 2009 at 5:48 am
Hi Askdoc…..do u remeber me
got my score today………>99/237!
thnx god was about to lose 99!!!lol
ur advices were very very helpful
uwsa1…..>245-50 days before exam-
uwsa2…….>245 2 weeks before the exam
nbme form 6 ……> 234!!!! …..5 days before the exam
my opinion is uwsa doesnot exagerate the score on the contrary form 6 underestimate and the reason i got less than 245 is bad performance on the examination day ……i didnot get long sleep night before the exam……..also i missed 10 straight questions that were very easy cause of stress……i didnot feel stressed when solving asssessment exams
but allhumdilla it is 99!
thnx a lot ASK doc……u r wonderful
and also my score in uw q bank was 69%…….only did it once timed mixed
any one in this forum want to ask any thing am glad to help…….also read the posts of askdoc carefull especially the tips for the exam day and how to prepare for it………i beleive i could have done better if i have read it before…but for my luck it was written after my exam!
April 1st, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Hi… i took NBME form 6 2 weeks ago and did terrible. I am currently revising Kaplan Lecture notes and FA. I plan to take my second NBME on April 8th. I’m set to take the real exam on April 23. Should I take form 5 or 1? Is there still sense taking form 1? THanks!
April 4th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Hi Kay,
Glad I could help. Actually my real name is somewhere in my blog. It is written in a copy of my Step 1 and Step 2 Score report published somewhere here. See if you can find it.
Askdoc
April 4th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Hi Haitham,
Congratulations!! Remember a 99 is a 99 is a 99. It does not matter how close it was. What matters is that you made it. Again congratulations for a job well done.
Askdoc
April 4th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Hi tom,
Whether you’ll be ready to take the real exam on the 23rd really depends on how terrible your score was in NBME form 6. It will also determine that whether just reading through Kaplan Lecture notes and FA alone are enough to remedy the situation. There are some indications that Form 5 and Form 6 tend to underestimate your scores a bit, while the first 4 forms tend to overestimate your score a bit. So Form 5 may be better. However, again whether what you do in between now until the exam will work or not depends on how terrible your Form 6 is.
Askdoc
April 20th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Hi
I have been a silent reader of your writings, thanks a lot for your tips.
I wonder if you can help me please.
Ria
April 20th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Ok that was a check message. I typed out a lengthy paragraph and it disappeared before it could go through.
Right, I am taking Step 2 CK in the 3rd week of May (absolutely) . Today I did NBME form 4 (thus used up all of them) and scored 215/ 490. 2 weeks ago I had done usmle world self assessment and scored 224 / 530. I am aiming for a score in high 90s (atleast 95 + 2 digit score). What can I do to achieve this?
My test prep strategy (and its different for every individual) has been to revise the HY topics multiple times (reviewed First aid 6 times atleast) , listened to Goljan lectures, review his HY notes,and do uw q bank twice (scoring 79% second time round). I cannot say I opened a lot of text books during this time but did go back to Kaplan notes / CMDT / looked up the internet if something was a problem consistently.
I have been putting in 6-8 hours of study (atleast) since January and don’t feel totally ‘burnt out’. What should I do ? I don’t want / cannot give up, too much is at stake here. Should I now do Kaplan q bank or just keep revising First Aid / Kaplan/ Goljan.
Please advice freely what you think about my preps
Thanks
April 20th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I took my step 1 and got a 93/223 first try. I have a green card and am a foreign medical student via the new “fifth pathway” now called “year of supervised clinical training” at NYMC. I would like to know what score should I shoot for on Step 2 CK to be considered for surgery residencies and which NBME correlate best with Step 2 CK?
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:15 am
Hey Askdoc
Are you there? Waiting with baited breath for your response
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:23 am
Hi Ria,
I’m here. but I have 3 emails, 9 personal messages and 2 questions from my forum to answer before I get to answer yours. Not to mention the questions in the blog. Unless you want me to give short answers, like you’ve made a very big mistake in your prep if you are aiming for 95++ rather than long responses that explains why this is so and what remedial measures you might take to score at least 90’s although you have to be very, very lucky to get high 90’s
Askdoc
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:48 am
Hi Ria,
Now for the long answer. If you are aiming for high 90’s, your prep strategy is wrong. If you are aiming for 80’s with some chance of hitting 90’s then it is right. The problem with first aid is that it is enough to pass but not enough to score high. Another thing, Goljan’s forte is Pathology not Clinical medicine. If your problem is pathophysiology which is 20% of Step 2 CK, Goljan is good but if it is clinical medicine which is 80% of Step 2 CK, then Goljan will not help much. If you look at most effective prep strategy used by those who got high 90’s and 99’s. It is centered on 2 things. Kaplan Notes which is read multiple times and UW Q bank which is studied and reviewed not just answered. CMDT is wonderful. For Step 3. It emphasizes clinical practice more than theoretical clinical medicine which is what Step 3 is all about. In fact if you want to do really well in Step 3, then use CMDT. However, for Step 2 CK it’s emphasis on the practical does not jive as much on Step 2 CK’s emphasis on theory.
Even if you did go to Kaplan, CMDT etc. with problems, what is wrong with that strategy is that YOU decided what you needed to learn, rather than letting Kaplan decide what you needed to learn to score high. Again nothing wrong with your strategy if you are aiming to pass or get average scores. Big problem if you are aiming for a high score – high 90’s or 99’s.
If you read my post on What to Study for the USMLE, I mentioned that the reviewers you pick have certain assumptions about your goal in the exam. This is because, they’ve set the amount of information you will learn when you use their reviewer. This in turn limits the scores you can achieve, even if you studied them a hundred times. Also in my post on High yield topics, you will know that only knowing the high yield can at most give you average scores, not high scores in the high 90’s or 99’s.
So what can you do to remedy this. Well one month is not much to work with. However, from my explanation above, the answer is a bit obvious. It now depends on how fast you can do all of this.
First, you need to go back to Kaplan rather than First Aid or Goljan. If your time is absolutely limited. concentrate on IM, then OB, then Pedia in that order. When you read through the topics, concentrate on building an algorithm for each topic you studied. For example, given a patient with dysphagia, how do you work up the patient. Given a solitary pulmonary nodule in an xray, what are the steps you will take. Patient came in with chest pain, what will you do. 12 year old girl with amenorrhea, how will you proceed. What if she was 18. and so on and so forth
Then review UW q Bank, you must pay attention not only to the right answers but why other answers are wrong. If you do not know why they are wrong then you are not using the q Bank for it’s maximum effectiveness.
These steps will raise your scores, however, I cannot be sure it will be enough to help you get up to high 90’s. Again depends on how much information you are able to absorb in a month.
Askdoc
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:57 am
Hi Dr. R,
Any score above 90 will give you a good chance to get interviews. However, your LOR’s are also very important in getting interviews. Your GC is definitely an advantage as there are significant number of hospitals that will not sponsor visas, so competition will be less stiff there. As to which NBME correlates best with step 2 CK, they all seem to correlate well based on what I have seen on scores reported in the various forums. I would suggest you try to get good LOR’s especially from NYMC.
Askdoc
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:41 am
Hi Askdoc
Thanks for your reply and valuable input. Sorry for hurrying you but I wanted to get your input asap for obvious reasons!Did not realise your are such a busy guy.
Anyways, well my consistent problem has been psychiatry, mental health, preventive and social medicine.I am going back to Kaplan and reading it up thoroughly from there (Psychiatry).
Paediatrics and Obs & Gynae were poor initially but have managed to bring the scores up in them but reading Paediatrics from Kaplan now.All along I have also been drawing flow charts for management plans for difficult topics / problem areas and revise these seperately. IM has been just average/above av in few topics like endocrine, musculoskeletal), will try to do the whole lot from Kaplan as well time permitting
Regarding uw I have reviewed the answers thoroughly, writing down the additional info in the relevant chapter in first Aid so that I revise it along with First Aid. Today also got a score of 80 % in IM . However I take your views seriously and if nothing it will compel me to work harder and make the most of this 1 month. Thanks a lot for your input, much appreciated.
What should I do for Psychiatry? I do really mess up the biases and interpretation of studies.
Will wait patiently for your reply this time.
Thanks
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:21 am
Thank you very much for your help. That puts me at ease. Your doing great work here.
April 24th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Hello Askdoc,
It is me again. Two days before my CK exam I came to your website seeking encouragement and you said if I got a score above 90, I would get interview calls.
My score came two days ago and I got a 99/245
Thank you for the last minute boost.
Godbless!
April 29th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Hi Ria,
Psychiatry is a very small subject. I also had problems with psychiatry and I still got a 99 / 258. It was not a small problem but a rather big one. So very strong scores in the other subjects can cover low psych scores. Nevertheless go through them again at least once. Concentrating on the bigger subjects are a good idea.
Now please understand that it will probably take 2 to 3x the amount of work to get from 90 to 95 as from 85 to 90. That is what most fail to understand. The higher the score you want, the amount of work you need is not additive but exponential. So many make the mistake of thinking, “Oh I’ll do just a little bit more and my score will go up.” In reality, you have to do much, much more the higher the score you are aiming for.
Now for last 2 weeks, you enroll in Kaplan and do as many as 6 to 8 blocks per day. If you are scoring at least 72% you have a good chance at above 90 scores probably even high 90’s. Get mid 70’s and you have a good chance at high 90’s score. You’ve used up your NBME and you have to rely on a less consistent measure.
Askdoc
April 29th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Hi Dr. R
You’re welcome
Askdoc
April 29th, 2009 at 6:22 am
Hi Kay,
Great work! Knew you’d make it. Now concentrate on great LOR’s (from US physicians). Carefully select programs that meet your criteria. Apply on September 1st 2 weeks to maximize interview opportunities. Prepare for the interviews really well. And good luck on the Match.
Askdoc
April 29th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Thank you (again!), AskDoc,
I don’t know how you do it – answering so many questions while still being so encouraging even for a “thank you. i got xx score” comments. Not that I’m complaining!
I am taking the CS in 10 days. Will definitely be back after that with hundreds of questions regarding the application process. Now that I’ve been here once, I’m sticking around till the whole shebang is done.
Will keep your pointers in mind. Also, even though having a green card means I do not need a Step 3 right now, I was planning on getting out of the way before September – do you think it will harm/improve my chances of getting matched if I have Step 3 scores too?
Merci beau-coup, AskDoc!
April 29th, 2009 at 10:24 am
oops! edit – “i was planning on getting IT(step3) out of the way before september”
May 1st, 2009 at 1:34 am
Hi askdoc
Thanks a lot for your advice. Will concentrate on IM and keep working hard. I will take kaplan q bank after 15th May so that in the final 10 days I do many practice drills and also identify my weaknesses just before exams . I now have a strategy.I will keep you posted on my results
You are doing a great job indeed!
Thanks again
Ria
May 7th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Hi Kay,
Since you already have a green card and do not need to take Step 3, I suggest you don’t. The reasons are as follows: First of course is you don’t need it. Second, most programs will help pay for your Step 3 Review once you are a resident. That is extra cash. Third, currently with your scores, you are golden. Programs will love to interview you. If you get a score lower than 90 or worse fail it, it will tarnish you. I mean you will still get interviews, but their impression of you will be lowered. So why even risk it. The only really valid reason you want to do your Step 3 before residency is to get an H1B, which you do not need.
On the other hand, some people just want it over with. Rather than trying to review during residency, where duties can be quite demanding, you can concentrate on just working. Also there are cases of residents unable to pass Step 3 after multiple tries and face the prospect of losing their residency positions or if not required by the program to Pass Step 3 as condition for continuing with the program, face the prospect of unemployment after residency if they cannot pass Step 3. In this case, I recommend if you want to take Step 3, take it so the results come out after 2nd Week of September. Why? because you will need to transmit your USMLE result to programs when you apply and you cannot choose which Steps to show or not show. So if you file your application first 2 weeks of November, you can claim your Step 3 results are pending and transmit your other Step results. If the Step 3 results turn out to be very good, then rerelease them. If they turn out to be bad, present them only as needed or if requested, hopefully after you’ve clinched an interview.
Askdoc
PS. Most people do score much much lower in Step 3 than in Step 2 CK if they try to take it before residency. So you can expect your score to be lower as a rule.
May 7th, 2009 at 6:34 am
Hi Ria,
Good Luck on your prep. Hope you get your dream score.
Askdoc
May 7th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Thank you very much, Askdoc. It is worth the number of times I check this page just to land here today and see two whole paragraphs from you.
Trust me, totally worth it.
I have my CS next week. And once that is done, I will just give up the ghost for a few weeks and relax without worrying about Step 3 then. I just figured, since I do not have any USCE, research etc, maybe a Step 3 score ( if 90+) will bulk up my rather scrawny CV. But what you said makes absolutely sense, times a million.
And sorry for being such a leech, Askdoc – but I have another loaded Q.
For two years in between, I did my MS in Biology here in the States but I did not complete the degree because the thesis involved lab research and the time period for graduation was going to take another 4 yrs. I worked as a Teaching Assistant in Bacteriology for a year and a half at the same univ. Have one LOR from that US professor. I enjoyed my teaching experience – I used to teach the Bacteriology labs for Nursing students and I had great Evaluations every semester (did that for three semesters).
I finished all my core classes with a GPA of 3.87. I just did not complete the research/thesis. It was a toss up between 2008-12 spent trying to isolate DNA or trying to get into residency (and finishing it).
My question is – should I include all this info in the resume? I do not want 2006 to 2008 to be a big gap but I also do not want this info to dig me into a pit.
I believe every institution in the States loves research oriented candidates – but I am the kind who gave up on research in the middle and I confess no great love for pipetting/isolating DNA/inoculating mice etc. On the other hand, I did enjoy all my classes and did very well on journal oriented research (writing up papers based on other people’s already published research etc). And I think I would be quite okay with Clinical Research.
So should I tell the hospitals about my MS years? Will that raise all sorts of Qs about “why” I quit it?
Anyway, that is my question and I promise you I will try not hound you more after this (no guarantees though.
)
Thank you so very much in advance. God bless you.
May 21st, 2009 at 8:00 am
Hi Kay,
Sorry for the really late reply this time. Got sick, so was backlogged for days in my prep course and day job. Finally able to answer q’s here. Anyway, first do not leave blank years in your resume. That would raise more questions than being honest about what you’ve been doing. Not everyone would ask why you did not finish your MS but everyone would ask what you did those two years and that might make them ask why you did not finish. However, in the instances that people ask why you did not finish. Be honest. Say that you want to be an M.D. You feel doing 4 more years will make it harder for you to get a residency since year of graduation is used as a cutoff in most residency programs. So you decided to do residency first. I don’t know if your MS means you can pick up where you left off after you finish your residency, If you can then say that you can finish the MS after residency, anyway. But finishing your MS first may mean you may have to forgo residency. Tell them I love Biology but I love medicine more.
Askdoc
May 21st, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Thank you, AskDoc! (I’m starting to sound like a broken record now
)
Your reply gave me all the valid points that I would like to make to the interviewers without highlighting the “quitter” part. As usual, it was worth the wait and I am sorry to hear that you were sick. Hope you are totally better now.
Have a wonderful day!
Kay
May 29th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Hi askdoc,
I’m amazed by your efforts to extend a helping hand to those in need. I’m an old IMG going to sit for Step 1 at the end of June. I was about to extend my eligebility period as I felt little confidence in my preparation , but with their new law its going to be complicated for me to secure the updated (Form 186) on time. Anyhow, being all confused now it seems that I’ll have to sit for the exam on-date which means I only have 1 month to go, so I took UW assessment form 1 and got 550/230 . I’m already through with 60% of UW qbank with an overall of 63% .So based on these circumstances:
-Should I rely on this score or should I try and take NBME ? if yes which one?
- Do you think that I can manage to raise my prospective score during this month ?
-or should I really consider extending my period ?
I’d like to add that my studying schedule was a bit chaotic and I missed out on some subjects like Immunology & Nueroanatomy.
Any further advice will be highly regarded.
June 1st, 2009 at 7:32 am
Hi DrIzzo,
Your assessment score already shows a great score. First I suggest you spend around 2 days each to cover Immunology and Neuroanatomy. Because these two are relatively high yield. Neuro is the highest yield subject in Anatomy, whereas Immunology is the highest yield section in Micro/Immuno. Second, you do not need to extend your eligibility period as your scores seem to be good. You will increase your scores as you progress. However, after finishing the two subjects, concentrate on high yield information either from First Aid Rapid Review or my High Yield Fast Facts Course.
It is also important to note the average scores so far for the blocks you have finished in UW. 63% is how many points above the average score for those blocks. 10 to 14 points would more or less confirm you 550 / 230 in the assessment form. You can take an NBME form around 2 weeks before you sit for the exam. If you are one who likes challenge, do form 5. However, if you tend to be disheartened by a lower score, take form 1 to 4. Form 5 will slightly underestimate your probable score, while form 1 to 4 will slightly overestimate it.
Askdoc
June 1st, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Thanks a million Askdoc
That was so reassuring.
also in case someone else might benefit from any of it.
I shall follow your advice. I will try to post results of my assessment exams so I can get more support from your wise words
Thanks again and keep up the good work.
DrIzzo
June 6th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I am so scared…. I got 230 on UWSA1, 252 on UWSA2, 590 on NBME (this was earlier on in studying).
My USMLEWorld scores were 65% cumulative, last 10 blocks were ~70%.
I took the exam the other day and I feel HORRIBLE about it. I think I failed. Is it possible that i did worse than my first practice test ? I am just SO SCARED
June 8th, 2009 at 2:56 am
Hi worried,
Don’t worry. With your NBME score, if you fail this exam, they should write a thesis on it.
Unless of course you are using the downloaded version with the alleged regression table, then all bets are off.
It is normal to feel that the exam is hard and to be nervous. I did and I still got a 99. In fact, I’m more worried about people who feel the exam is easy, because either they are geniuses or know too little to realize they know nothing. So don’t worry. The assessment tests are fairly reliable. Now just relax, watch a movie. Take time out with your family.
Mike
June 8th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Dear askdoc,
I took an NMBE self assessment, form 3, and scored a 480/218. What does this score mean? Does it reflect an approximate of the actual Step 1 3-digit and 2-digit score? I have a little over 2 weeks to go till my exam date and I have only completed 5% of USMLEWorld Qbank. I intend spend the next 2 weeks doing questions. How much of an improvement can be expected if I take another assessment after that? Which assessments would you say are more representative of the actual STEP 1 scores? Do you have any suggestions for how to best use my remaining time?
Thanks a lot!
June 9th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Hi NeedSomeDirection,
The NBME is fairly accurate +or- 10 on the 3 digit scores. But only if you do it properly. Strictly one hour per block and doing all four blocks continuously with at most 5 minute break. Otherwise, it may tend to overestimate your score. 480 is a good enough score. You have a good chance of passing this exam. However, there is a small chance of failing. You need a 500 for a sure pass. But on average people with that score get about 80’s. So if you are aiming for 90’s you have a long way to go. Doing the UW Q bank will increase your scores as you get better at doing q’s and you learn from the qbanks. 2 weeks though is very tight if you are aiming for high 90’s, but not impossible. I would suggest you finish q banks and also do high yield review. (Actually last 2 weeks should be focused on high yield review since you should be about 90% finished with q bank by this time, ideally) Anyway, you can use First Aid or my High Yield Fast Facts course for high yield review. Take an NBME at least 7 days before the exam (so you can still have enough time to move your exam date if needed) If you do not like the score than move the date. In your case an additional 2 weeks would have been more ideal or a total of 4 weeks to maximize the benefit of q bank plus high yield review on your score. But we’ll see what will happen in the next week or so. You need to work on q bank fast though.
Askdoc
PS. Form 5 tends to underestimate your score while the earlier forms tend to overestimate them a little.
June 18th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Hi askdoc,
I took UWSA 2 ( I already had a subscription ) and scored 700/256 , but to further assess my situation because USWA 2 felt quite easy I decided to take NBME5 and I scored 560/236 !! It was somehow disappointing as I ,uncomfortably, felt good while doing the exam. Although I notice that you say that form 5 tends to underestimate my predicted score I’m not sure where does that put me as my target is around 240+.
I also seem to score the lowest on Reproductive & Renal systems + Physiology. With my exam on 6/30 should I focus on these weaknesses or just keep on with the general review ?
Thanks alot
DrIzzo
June 21st, 2009 at 8:59 am
Hi DrIzzo,
Continue with high yield items only. Learning new things in the last week will only complicate things. Anyway, whatever actual score you get, it will be high. Read my post on What to do on the day of the USMLE exam. and Good luck on your exam.
Askdoc
June 21st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Hello ask doc, came across this website when checking NBME for 3 correlation. I have taken 2 NBMEs for Step 2 CK, form 2 -660, form 3 – 760. I know this is supposed to be a good score, but why do I feel like I just got lucky?? Form 3 seemed very simple as compared to Form 2…is that possible? or does it mean that I was better prepared? Taking the exam in 2 days….
June 21st, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Hi chits,
Lots of reasons for having that kind of discrepancy in your NBME scores. First of course, correlation is never perfect. An 80% correlation is considered high, so discrepancies do occur. Plus each set is a subset of a full exam and therefore not all topics could be represented equally. Therefore if the form happen to cover a few more questions on your favorite topic, you tend to score higher. The same holds true for the actual exam. Being lucky can boost your score a few points. Plus exam conditions can affect your score, too. ie. whether you are well-rested, in a good mood, etc. Anyway, your 2 NBME points to a fantastic score. And short of a disaster on exam day, you will get a very good score indeed. Good luck on your exam.
Askdoc
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:05 am
Thank you for your prompt response. Its like a cool misty breeze on a hot afternoon….dramatic, I know, but thats how I feel right now with only 1 more day to go for the exam….
June 26th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Hi Askdoc
I don’t know if you remember me. I had asked for your help & advice 1 month before my Step2 CK exam about my prep strategy. I took my exam in end of May, got my result 97 / 235.
I don’t know how I did it, but I did manage to get my dream score (>95) . Thanks a lot for your input and advice. It was a big help.
I am now going to Mount Sinai in NYC to do observership and selecting programs. I am also contemplating on doing Step 3 asap while the knowledge is still very fresh. Can you advice me now how to prepare for Step 3 please (this time I am going to follow your advice from the very beginning rather than 1 month before the exam)
Thanks again, you are doing a great job out there
Ria