Uworld and NBME percentages

[Newyorkgiants]

Why are the percentages for the UWorld Qbank and NBME exams so different to achieve the same score. For example around a 70% on Uworld is predicted to be a 230+. However on the NBME exam to get a 230+ you have to achieve greater than 80%? Which of the two do you think is a better correlation for the actually exam?

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[Donald Juan]

Because the Qbanks are harder overall. I was scoring about 50% on Rx when I took my first NBME, and I got 75% of the questions right. They are both scaled to try and be accurate.

But, as far as correlations with actual exams, NBMEs are definitely the way to go. Yes, if you are scoring 90% of UWorld correct on your first try it probably means you are on track to smash the boards, but for most of us their predictors should be loose estimation. It's best to treat qbanks as learning tools, NBMEs as true assessments.