Official 2008 Usmle Step 1 Experiences and Scores Thread

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Greetings my brothers and sisters ,

I am new member here and will be taking my boards in another few months .
I thought I would start a thread devoted to a compilation of 2008 usmle experiences . I don't have anything to report as yet since my test is in a few month but anyone who has taken the test in 2008 please share with us your experience and feedback so we can keep the SDN tradition alive !

Good Luck :luck:

"Never , never , never , never Give up ! "
 
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eulbedoc said:
__________________________________________
I'm fine with the quality of Windows Media Player. I took a look at the enounce.com site, but this appears to be just an add on to Windows Media Player. I'm more interested in converting an audio file to say 1.7x speed and then transferring it to my mp3 player so that I can listen to it on the go.

Thanks anyways.
Click to expand...
try "audacity"...free on download.com.....it works really well
 
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I took my test today and I walked out of the test center like it being the worse day in my life. But I will give an experience of my test day.

I arrived an hour early and they signed me in about 30 min before my appointment.

First 2 blocks: I got hammered with lots of neuroanatomy....in fact one block had 20 neuroanatomy questions, with half of them dealing with seizures. I had to guess through 50% of these questions, I mean some of the questions had pathology I had never seen in my life. I had to empty my bladder after the 2nd block and came back to finish the next two. I took a 20 min lunch break and zipped through the remaining 3 blocks, which were relatively easier than the first four. I was done an hour early.

Anatomy: I thought most of the questions were straight forward. I had some difficult anatomy questions from obscure body parts. I didnt study it cuz it was low yield, so I had to answer them based on what I remembered from my freshman year. I wish I had spent an entire day going through Netter's atlas.
Biochem: UW saved my *** on this one, I think I got almost all of the biochem questions right. Know the pathways and enzymes.
Embryology: 4-5 qs....2 of them were super tough. But High Yield Embryology was helpful for other questions.
Genetics: Wasnt as bad as I expected. you had to know your genetic diseases and their symptoms.
cell bio/histo: there were some tough low yield questions....had to guess on these too
physio/pathphys: i had lots of data interpretation questions from physio experiments, which required serious thinking. I felt endocrinology was overemphasized here.
Biostats: thinking questions, which ate a lotta time.
Neuroanatomy: as mentioned before, I had tons.
Behavioral Science: I was stressing about those tangy physician-patient encounters, but I found them easier than some of the questions I did on qbanks.
Immuno: i didnt find anything tough here...pretty straightforward.
Microbio: know your exotic bugs, some of the microbio questions were rough.
Path: There were very tough path questions. For some they will just give u a picture of a gross specimen/radiology image/histo slide, with no patient history in the question stem and ask you to identify the lesion as either a malignancy, infection, trauma or whatever.
Pharm: Pharm Recall saved my *** on this one...there was only one drug in the exam that I didnt know about.

After 3 months of studying, I feel like crap after today....if I am happy with my scores, I will post them here along with my study strategies.

Good luck to y'all.
 
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Step I Review
MCAT – 28, 26
DO student
Date Taken: April 29th, 2008
Scores back: May 20th, 2008 - hopefully

Materials:
• FA 2005 (subjects) and FA 2006 Systems – combined the books, and removed the overlapping stuff – hole punched, placed in 3” binder
• RR of Pathology – Goljan…money, loved this book and had read it a total of three times by the time the test came around – Audio lectures as well.
• BRS Physiology – one of my weaknesses, and I read this book during physiology class, before each system, and again for review during board prep
• HY Molecular Biology – 1999, great book and helps with the bare bones. Short and I read it twice. I had specific questions I wouldn’t have been able to answer if it weren’t for this book
• HY Neuroanatomy – I liked the pictures and studied them a lot. Photocopied and placed them in with my FA for later review.
• Saunders Pharm cards and Micro cards (can’t remember which ones)
• Kaplan Q-bank, and UW q-bank (insert commercial here for it’s greatness)
Preparation:
• Did very well through my first two years. I think this is key for scoring well on the USMLE. There are just some things you won’t hit in your review but you’ll remember it from class or whatever. First two years are a giant prepatory period.
• Started preparing with FA annotation, used RR path during systems, listening to Goljan probably atleast 6 -7 times during my second year. Had the lectures converted to 1.5x speed because he talks so slow I felt, and listened on my commute to and from school. Could easily do a lecture and a half in one days commute, in addition to other times.
• Followed Taus plan essentially, but mixed the subjects up based on my strength’s and weaknesses. I did have to take the exam while still in school, so my preparation was a longer period of about 3 months, with the final 3 weeks a blitz.
• Last 2-3 weeks was atleast 10 hours after studying for classes – my grades in class took a hit, but I still passed atleast – limited sources to FA, RR pathology, UW at this time.
• Last 1-3 days – hit HY stuff per Taus plan.
Test Day:
• Got there early, had my protein bar, a good breakfast, had my Monster…I have to have them! Brief review of some HY notes that I had made over time. I prepared for this test just like I do every test, and I study right up until the actual thing, just how I do it.
• Very nervous day before and day of, it’s the biggest test of my life, and I was so tense it was unbelievable. Once I got in, sat down, started the first block I was like “wow this is exactly like UW isn’t it”. Interface, questions, etc. I had atleast 15 questions that were near identical in some form or another from UW – nuff said about UW
• My Test was Heavy in: Molecular biology it felt like, had like 15 questions on parkinsons, dx, tx, neuroanatomy, etc. Lots of renal phys/pathophys as well as cardio. I felt it was heavy on physiology, and this is one of my weaknesses, but I definitely put time into it, just didn’t know if it was enough.
• My Test was Light in: Anatomy (although I did miss a stupid compartment question), biostats (missed a stupid prevelance question)…I hate thinking about the ones you missed, it just beats you up, also Biochem light, studied this hard as well.
• The rest of the questions were fairly evenly distributed through out the test. Micro and pharm I felt over prepared for honestly, though I thought these were my weaknesses in UW and hit them hard for the last two weeks.
• Behavioral/Psych – had just finished this class two days before the test, and felt like I got all of the behavioral questions and psych questions correct but will have to see…I went with the approach many would take, what would the most touchy feely answer be, and it worked out well.
Reflection:
• Looking back I felt like I knew 60-70% pretty cold (doesn’t mean I was right, but I had a gut answer to the question and it was there in the choices). The remaining 30%, I could narrow atleast 90-95% down to two answers. I had one “WTF” question, where I was going, “seriously you’re asking me this, question?” I was able to narrow down to three and guess.
• I felt prepared for the exam, it’s definitely doable for people that even halfway study, and pay attention during medical school to pass. Now to get a great score, it’s all about effort I think, and other factors as well of course.
Results:
• I just want to get above a 230 and that was my goal when I set out initially.
• NBME – 4 (2 months out) 207
• NBME – 5 (4 weeks out) 236
• Kaplan Qbank – (50% completed) – 68% correct cummulative, didn’t use for the last month
• Uworld (75% completed) – 70% cummulative (Ave of last 8 blocks) – (74-78%)
• Score – TBD

Good luck to all, hope this helps!
 
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ASDIC said:
I took my test today and I walked out of the test center like it being the worse day in my life. But I will give an experience of my test day.

I arrived an hour early and they signed me in about 30 min before my appointment.

First 2 blocks: I got hammered with lots of neuroanatomy....in fact one block had 20 neuroanatomy questions, with half of them dealing with seizures. I had to guess through 50% of these questions, I mean some of the questions had pathology I had never seen in my life. I had to empty my bladder after the 2nd block and came back to finish the next two. I took a 20 min lunch break and zipped through the remaining 3 blocks, which were relatively easier than the first four. I was done an hour early.

Anatomy: I thought most of the questions were straight forward. I had some difficult anatomy questions from obscure body parts. I didnt study it cuz it was low yield, so I had to answer them based on what I remembered from my freshman year. I wish I had spent an entire day going through Netter's atlas.
Biochem: UW saved my *** on this one, I think I got almost all of the biochem questions right. Know the pathways and enzymes.
Embryology: 4-5 qs....2 of them were super tough. But High Yield Embryology was helpful for other questions.
Genetics: Wasnt as bad as I expected. you had to know your genetic diseases and their symptoms.
cell bio/histo: there were some tough low yield questions....had to guess on these too
physio/pathphys: i had lots of data interpretation questions from physio experiments, which required serious thinking. I felt endocrinology was overemphasized here.
Biostats: thinking questions, which ate a lotta time.
Neuroanatomy: as mentioned before, I had tons.
Behavioral Science: I was stressing about those tangy physician-patient encounters, but I found them easier than some of the questions I did on qbanks.
Immuno: i didnt find anything tough here...pretty straightforward.
Microbio: know your exotic bugs, some of the microbio questions were rough.
Path: There were very tough path questions. For some they will just give u a picture of a gross specimen/radiology image/histo slide, with no patient history in the question stem and ask you to identify the lesion as either a malignancy, infection, trauma or whatever.
Pharm: Pharm Recall saved my *** on this one...there was only one drug in the exam that I didnt know about.

After 3 months of studying, I feel like crap after today....if I am happy with my scores, I will post them here along with my study strategies.

Good luck to y'all.
Click to expand...

Seizure questions that were tied in with pathology or more like if its absense, myotonic, tonic-clonic ("what type is it?) questions. If too weird then I hope they were experimental bro. Thanks for posting
 
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well the seizures were tied in with other symptoms of ther diseases, but I was amazed to see that many questions lol
 
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took the exam today...well i guess yesterday since it's almost 2:30 in the morning now. i feel like crap. i really don't know how i feel about the exam but i do know I am relieved knowing I don't have to study anymore (6 weeks of studying 12 - 14 hrs per day is horrible). I guess I'll post my Step I experience once I get my score. I'm gonna cross my fingers and pray that I did well.
 
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djali said:
No, I had been wondering this too - I was scoring ~48-55% in the beginning, but by the end (i.e, last 2-3 wks before the test) I was scoring ~65-68%
Click to expand...

I just want to quote this because it's spot on with my experience too using UWorld. I remember being so stressed when I first started doing the questions that I almost stopped doing them and went for more reading. Don't give up doing the questions!
 
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Good luck everyone who will be getting their scores late tonight/tomorrow :luck::luck:
 
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SOUNDMAN said:
Step I Review
MCAT – 28, 26
DO student
Date Taken: April 29th, 2008
Scores back: May 20th, 2008 - hopefully

Materials:
• FA 2005 (subjects) and FA 2006 Systems – combined the books, and removed the overlapping stuff – hole punched, placed in 3" binder
• RR of Pathology – Goljan…money, loved this book and had read it a total of three times by the time the test came around – Audio lectures as well.
• BRS Physiology – one of my weaknesses, and I read this book during physiology class, before each system, and again for review during board prep
• HY Molecular Biology – 1999, great book and helps with the bare bones. Short and I read it twice. I had specific questions I wouldn't have been able to answer if it weren't for this book
• HY Neuroanatomy – I liked the pictures and studied them a lot. Photocopied and placed them in with my FA for later review.
• Saunders Pharm cards and Micro cards (can't remember which ones)
• Kaplan Q-bank, and UW q-bank (insert commercial here for it's greatness)
Preparation:
• Did very well through my first two years. I think this is key for scoring well on the USMLE. There are just some things you won't hit in your review but you'll remember it from class or whatever. First two years are a giant prepatory period.
• Started preparing with FA annotation, used RR path during systems, listening to Goljan probably atleast 6 -7 times during my second year. Had the lectures converted to 1.5x speed because he talks so slow I felt, and listened on my commute to and from school. Could easily do a lecture and a half in one days commute, in addition to other times.
• Followed Taus plan essentially, but mixed the subjects up based on my strength's and weaknesses. I did have to take the exam while still in school, so my preparation was a longer period of about 3 months, with the final 3 weeks a blitz.
• Last 2-3 weeks was atleast 10 hours after studying for classes – my grades in class took a hit, but I still passed atleast – limited sources to FA, RR pathology, UW at this time.
• Last 1-3 days – hit HY stuff per Taus plan.
Test Day:
• Got there early, had my protein bar, a good breakfast, had my Monster…I have to have them! Brief review of some HY notes that I had made over time. I prepared for this test just like I do every test, and I study right up until the actual thing, just how I do it.
• Very nervous day before and day of, it's the biggest test of my life, and I was so tense it was unbelievable. Once I got in, sat down, started the first block I was like "wow this is exactly like UW isn't it". Interface, questions, etc. I had atleast 15 questions that were near identical in some form or another from UW – nuff said about UW
• My Test was Heavy in: Molecular biology it felt like, had like 15 questions on parkinsons, dx, tx, neuroanatomy, etc. Lots of renal phys/pathophys as well as cardio. I felt it was heavy on physiology, and this is one of my weaknesses, but I definitely put time into it, just didn't know if it was enough.
• My Test was Light in: Anatomy (although I did miss a stupid compartment question), biostats (missed a stupid prevelance question)…I hate thinking about the ones you missed, it just beats you up, also Biochem light, studied this hard as well.
• The rest of the questions were fairly evenly distributed through out the test. Micro and pharm I felt over prepared for honestly, though I thought these were my weaknesses in UW and hit them hard for the last two weeks.
• Behavioral/Psych – had just finished this class two days before the test, and felt like I got all of the behavioral questions and psych questions correct but will have to see…I went with the approach many would take, what would the most touchy feely answer be, and it worked out well.
Reflection:
• Looking back I felt like I knew 60-70% pretty cold (doesn't mean I was right, but I had a gut answer to the question and it was there in the choices). The remaining 30%, I could narrow atleast 90-95% down to two answers. I had one "WTF" question, where I was going, "seriously you're asking me this, question?" I was able to narrow down to three and guess.
• I felt prepared for the exam, it's definitely doable for people that even halfway study, and pay attention during medical school to pass. Now to get a great score, it's all about effort I think, and other factors as well of course.
Results:
• I just want to get above a 230 and that was my goal when I set out initially.
• NBME – 4 (2 months out) 207
• NBME – 5 (4 weeks out) 236
• Kaplan Qbank – (50% completed) – 68% correct cummulative, didn't use for the last month
• Uworld (75% completed) – 70% cummulative (Ave of last 8 blocks) – (74-78%)
• Score – TBD

Good luck to all, hope this helps!
Click to expand...
I'm sure you did fine...based on your reflections about the test and your UW %'s....you shouldn't have anything to worry about....now go have a few cold ones...
 
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Thanks Taus, but you know how it is until that score comes back. Thanks for the great plan, i've shared it with everyone, and encourage them highly to use it, well thought out and excellent organization.
 
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NBME site is extremely slow again, maybe updating? (or perhaps the thousands of us trying to check at the same time...)

update: WOO ****ING HOO!!! PASSED THAT SUCKER!!!
 
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Got back my score this morning and it is even better than I had hoped (especially after taking it and feeling like I failed).

NBME II (prior to studying): 200
NBME IV (2 weeks out): 210
UW Self Assessment (5 days out): 244

Real Deal: 248/99!!!!

I will update with details on my study plan when I have a little time but I am already running a little late this morning due to jumping around and screaming "**** YEAH!!!" since opening my report.
 
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hey everybody.

sorry i havent posted in a while. peds inpatient is a killer. i got my score back today. i passed!!! when i get some time i will post my schedule and the details on all the books i used.
 
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surebreC said:
Got back my score this morning and it is even better than I had hoped (especially after taking it and feeling like I failed).

NBME II (prior to studying): 200
NBME IV (2 weeks out): 210
UW Self Assessment (5 days out): 244

Real Deal: 248/99!!!!

I will update with details on my study plan when I have a little time but I am already running a little late this morning due to jumping around and screaming "**** YEAH!!!" since opening my report.
Click to expand...


well done! I was only 7 points off on my guess:
indo said:
241...now go get a prostitute.
Click to expand...
 
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Congratulations to everybody who got their scores, it definitely gives hope to those of us still laboring away.

Just curious, anybody taken the COMLEX yet this year? I don't think I've seen anybody post any results yet. I'm especially curious if anybody's taken the COMSAE (DO version of the CBSSA) and if so, how well the COMSAE predicted their score. I just took it a couple days ago and it was pretty painful. My performance was way lower than any of the NBMEs I've taken. The COMSAE has freaked several people I know out enough that they decided to push their tests back, but with no feedback, it's tough to really know what to make of the score it gives you.
 
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surebreC said:
Got back my score this morning and it is even better than I had hoped (especially after taking it and feeling like I failed).

NBME II (prior to studying): 200
NBME IV (2 weeks out): 210
UW Self Assessment (5 days out): 244

Real Deal: 248/99!!!!

I will update with details on my study plan when I have a little time but I am already running a little late this morning due to jumping around and screaming "**** YEAH!!!" since opening my report.
Click to expand...

That's an INCREDIBLE 4 week jump! Way to go!
 
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when did everyone take their exams? i thought i was gonna get my score back today, but haven't yet...took mine on saturday, 4/26...
 
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Got back my score this morning and it is even better than I had hoped (especially after taking it and feeling like I failed).

NBME II (prior to studying): 200
NBME IV (2 weeks out): 210
UW Self Assessment (5 days out): 244

Real Deal: 248/99!!!!
Test Date: 4/19
Score Report: 5/14
I will update with details on my study plan when I have a little time but I am already running a little late this morning due to jumping around and screaming "**** YEAH!!!" since opening my report.

More...

I had about 5 weeks to study and made a schedule with my academic counselor which gave me about 2 days per system. After I finished the basics review (biochem/pharm princ/micro) and got to systems, I would start the morning by reading BRS, following it with Goljan, and then reviewing it once more in FA (if I was exercising or shopping I would listen to the Goljan for whatever I was studying). Once I'd done all that I would do questions (tried to do about 100 UW qs a day). Before bed I would spend 1-2 hours reviewing pharm/micro (this stuff isnt hard but it requires repetition). I probably studied between 8-12 hours a day and 12-16 the last week.
For the last week I followed the Penn Method (more or less) and did about 200 questions a day. I think the last week really is key because a lot of the boards is just nitpicky nonsense that you will immediately forget. I also used the last week to review the areas I thought I was especially weak in. I probably read all the way through FA once the last week.

Books: Find Taus study guide. I followed it give or take a book.
 
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ms2010 said:
when did everyone take their exams? i thought i was gonna get my score back today, but haven't yet...took mine on saturday, 4/26...
Click to expand...


I took mine on 4/18...it looks like the wait has been extended to 4 weeks now instead of 3, so you should get yours next week I believe
 
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i took mine on the 25th and got mine. my friend took his on the 26th and didn't get it.
 
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surebreC said:
Got back my score this morning and it is even better than I had hoped (especially after taking it and feeling like I failed).

NBME II (prior to studying): 200
NBME IV (2 weeks out): 210
UW Self Assessment (5 days out): 244

Real Deal: 248/99!!!!
Test Date: 4/19
Score Report: 5/14
I will update with details on my study plan when I have a little time but I am already running a little late this morning due to jumping around and screaming "**** YEAH!!!" since opening my report.

More...

I had about 5 weeks to study and made a schedule with my academic counselor which gave me about 2 days per system. After I finished the basics review (biochem/pharm princ/micro) and got to systems, I would start the morning by reading BRS, following it with Goljan, and then reviewing it once more in FA (if I was exercising or shopping I would listen to the Goljan for whatever I was studying). Once I'd done all that I would do questions (tried to do about 100 UW qs a day). Before bed I would spend 1-2 hours reviewing pharm/micro (this stuff isnt hard but it requires repetition). I probably studied between 8-12 hours a day and 12-16 the last week.
For the last week I followed the Penn Method (more or less) and did about 200 questions a day. I think the last week really is key because a lot of the boards is just nitpicky nonsense that you will immediately forget. I also used the last week to review the areas I thought I was especially weak in. I probably read all the way through FA once the last week.

Books: Find Taus study guide. I followed it give or take a book.
Click to expand...

congrats!!!
 
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WhatUpDoc! said:
I passed!

NBME 5 taken 2 weeks before: 206
Step 1 Score: 218/90

So glad I will never have to tackle that beast again! :hardy:
Click to expand...

good job! I can't wait to be in your shoes (to not have to take this thing again!)
 
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From what I've heard my classmates who took the test Friday 4/25 got their scores today; people who took it Saturday 4/26 did not. Gah I don't think I can make it through this next week...:scared:
 
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AK_MD2BE said:
Why do people make quotes like this. I am pretty sure this is the "Experiences" thread, no? 🙂
Click to expand...

Who cares? Does it really compromise the integrity of the thread if people write a one line congratulatory remark instead of posting an "experience"?
 
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I just wanted to second DragonWell's request for feedback regarding the COMSAE. I am taking the COMLEX on June 12 and was planning on taking this 200Q practice exam from the NBOME in about a week to help me focus my last minute studying. I just want to know if this exam is a good predictor or not and if I should be worried if I do poorly.

Thanks!
 
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i lurk here, thought i'd add some encouragement for those studying.

date test taken: 5/15
date score posted: 6/4

weeks studied: 6.5
books: FA 2008 * 3, goljan path/audio, goljan biochem, BRS phys (prn... mainly GI hormones & renal)
UW: first 4 wks of studying, 100% completed, 66% avg
Qbank: last 2 wks of studying, 50% completed, 72% avg

my opinions aren't too different from what others have posted... UW >> Qbank, goljan path >> BRS path, knowing everything in FA and knowing *why* covers >90% of the exam, i could've done without that last week of studying, etc. imo the only trick in how to prepare well is not to be constantly freaking out and get done what you can, a day at a time.

and if like me you're on a budget, expenses to plan for:
* test reg $500 guuuuuuuuuu.
* first aid $45. i already had FA 2006 from basic sciences, so this was a splurge, but it helped me to have a clean copy, with the extra info.
* path, $15 used on ebay. worth it.
* biochem, borrowed. read this more for comprehension, so it wasn't a travesty that i couldn't highlite it.
* BRS phys, used my old one.
* UW $90
* Qbank - used the free 2 wks deal, but i don't think they always have this. i would almost pay another $35 for 2 months of UW than pay for qbank.
* NBME - i didn't do any of these, mostly bc of cost. i didn't feel like i needed to know the EXACT format of the exam, and outside of qbank progress i didn't feel like i needed to know the MOST accurate indication of where i stood (it's not like i was going to study less if i was doing well, and i dang sure wasn't planning on studying any harder).

day of: checked in and started at 7:20, no problems. blocks took about as long as qbanks took me, ~50 min. i respectfully disagree w/ people in this thread that say supplemental anatomy, cell bio, and pharm books are a must. FA was more than enough for these, and those classes at my school aren't very rigorous. i would say add a neuroanatomy book if you're weak there, FA and the qbanks underemphasize it, IMO. i really underestimated how many slow pitch questions there'd be - for each block there'd be 5 or 6 that'd i'd have to work through, and maybe 1 random one. people here had me thinking i'd get like a whole block of killer experimental questions... instead i got asked a few of the same questions (essentially) twice, and my brachial plexus question had the thing diagrammed out for me. my test didn't have any of the audio/video questions, and it wasn't the new 336 question version. good luck everybody!


score received: 249!
 
Last edited:
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Got back a few minutes ago. Was fairly difficult. I did not have any audio or visual. So what does everyone think about the july 16th release date, do you think its for the ppl who have audio and visual on their exam or for everyone?

Will post more later after I recover .
 
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highfunctioning said:
i lurk here, thought i'd add some encouragement for those studying.

date test taken: 5/15
date score posted: will update. bc of test format changes they're saying it could be as late as 7/14 : (

weeks studied: 6.5
books: FA 2008 * 3, goljan path/audio, goljan biochem, BRS phys (prn... mainly GI hormones & renal)
UW: first 4 wks of studying, 100% completed, 66% avg
Qbank: last 2 wks of studying, 50% completed, 72% avg

my opinions aren't too different from what others have posted... UW >> Qbank, goljan path >> BRS path, knowing everything in FA and knowing *why* covers >90% of the exam, i could've done without that last week of studying, etc. imo the only trick in how to prepare well is not to be constantly freaking out and get done what you can, a day at a time.

and if like me you're on a budget, expenses to plan for:
* test reg $500 guuuuuuuuuu.
* first aid $45. i already had FA 2006 from basic sciences, so this was a splurge, but it helped me to have a clean copy, with the extra info.
* path, $15 used on ebay. worth it.
* biochem, borrowed. read this more for comprehension, so it wasn't a travesty that i couldn't highlite it.
* BRS phys, used my old one.
* UW $90
* Qbank - used the free 2 wks deal, but i don't think they always have this. i would almost pay another $35 for 2 months of UW than pay for qbank.
* NBME - i didn't do any of these, mostly bc of cost. i didn't feel like i needed to know the EXACT format of the exam, and outside of qbank progress i didn't feel like i needed to know the MOST accurate indication of where i stood (it's not like i was going to study less if i was doing well, and i dang sure wasn't planning on studying any harder).

day of: checked in and started at 7:20, no problems. blocks took about as long as qbanks took me, ~50 min. i respectfully disagree w/ people in this thread that say supplemental anatomy, cell bio, and pharm books are a must. FA was more than enough for these, and those classes at my school aren't very rigorous. i would say add a neuroanatomy book if you're weak there, FA and the qbanks underemphasize it, IMO. i really underestimated how many slow pitch questions there'd be - for each block there'd be 5 or 6 that'd i'd have to work through, and maybe 1 random one. people here had me thinking i'd get like a whole block of killer experimental questions... instead i got asked a few of the same questions (essentially) twice, and my brachial plexus question had the thing diagrammed out for me. my test didn't have any of the audio/video questions, and it wasn't the new 237 question version. good luck everybody!


score received: will update
Click to expand...

Congrats on being done.
 
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well, i don't post on here often, but i had to throw this one out there. i took it yesterday and the one wtf question i got was "a 1 year old got a sunburn, what spf would you recommend? 5, 10, 15, 30, 50? i was like....seriously, wtf?
 
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Well after I had some rest I decided that I can think a bit more clearly now. My overall impression of the test is that sometimes it makes a huge difference what type of exam you get. I got an exam with very little knee-jerk answer stuff and a lot of interpretation. I made a lot of careless errors that im beating myself up over and im not feeling that good about it, infact im pretty pissed off at myself but here is my review.

Biochemistry- FA was enough for all but about two of the answers.

Behavioral- Only had one developmental question the rest were all Doctor-patient scenarios, some of which I thought had a best answer and others where I just had to guess what they were trying to get at. Wasnt worth trying to study for other then knowing a few laws. Some of the answer choices were quite hilarious.

Embryo- FA was enough for most of them.

Biostats- FA was enough.

Phys- Phys is normally my strong point but during a lot of the questions I actually started shaking my head and saying" thats not fair" because I really feel you needed more information to made a decision between two answers. For example, they asked about a molecule's secondary signal but that molecule works on two completely different receptors. That was BS. These questions ate up a lot of my times and caused my to make careless errors elsewhere.

pharm- FA was NOT enough for about 5 of my pharm questions. 3 of which required you to know the MAO of the drug and the drugs isnt even listed in FA, and no it didnt share a common ending with any class.

molecular stuff- This is normally my strong point but I had some weird DNA stuff that I just was unsure of. Including some "hypothetical" mutations and gene translocations which slowed me up. I had a lot of DNA and transcription stuff that involved mutations at multiple locations and its effect, some of the answer choices were a little weird.

Anatomy- I had maybe 10 anatomy questions on my exam, all of which had an x-ray or ct associated with it. The problem was that none of the answer choices had your "classical" findings that you might see with the disorder so I really had to try to think of anything else that could go wrong.

Path- I had a lot of path, alot of it was do-able but I had some questions where they said " Person died and on autoposy that found this, what was the underlying cause of this picture" and then they would give me a picture which I hadnt really every seen before. I had a good amount of leukemias lymphomas that required interpretations of the blood smear however some you could get from the history

Micro- FA was enough for all but one bug. Mostly bacteria and fungi, one or two virus questions

Immuno- Im not sure I would have done anything differently with my studying but again I was guessing on a lot of these because they didnt ask you many facts about immuno and some of the questions were just weird. One of the quesions I had to look up in a pubmed search because it wasnt in any of my texts(ok that one I could believe may be experimental but the others were more legit)


After its all said and done I should have taken this exam a month ago. I dont feel that any of "detail" studying I did this past month really got me any points. My exam was mostly interpretation. This exam in no way showed what I was capable of or how much information I actually knew. I made too many careless errors which are driving me crazy.

The exam that I took was much more challenging then any of the NBME exams. I felt that NBME exams had easy questions and then medium hard questions. This exam had easy and hard questions, very few inbetweens. The questions were longer then I was expecting.

This is going to be a very very long 8 weeks. Still hoping that this july 16th nonsense only applies to those people who had audio/visual, ha yea right.

After I get my scores I will post how I studied and all test results. Best of luck to everyone.
 
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