190 on NBME 1 -- help on how I can pass in 3 weeks??

[Spazz]

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I just took form 1 and got a 190, and I'm scheduled to take the real thing in 3 weeks. Could any kind souls drop a few pointers on what I can do to improve my chances of comfortably passing this? Here's where I'm at with things--

First Aid -- one time through only
Qbank -- averaging 53% on most recent randomized questions
(completed 40% of questions)
Unlucky family illnesses to coincide with studying for this test---family comes first, but "sigh"....

On my feedback, almost every subject straddles the borderline range or is almost entirely in the low range-- I'm weakest are Micro/Immuno, Pharm, Neuro, and Musculoskeletal -- the rest include Physio, "Path", GI, Renal, Resp, and Behav.

Should I just stick to memorizing what I can out of FA with emphasis on my weakpts, and keep Qbanking? Micro and Pharm are so hard for me to nail, even though I try reviewing a little each day off of First Aid. Should I switch to something else at this point?

When the NBME feedback says "Pathology", is that in reference to general principles like cell injury, cancer, etc, since I'm assuming the individual organ system path is included in the organ system breakdown.

Thanks for any advice -- 😳

 

[AmoryBlaine]

Ummm... 190 is passing. And the chances of your score dropping after 3 weeks of studying seem pretty slim...

Good luck.

 

[bulldoc]

Read and re-read FA (don't rely on FA solely for your phys and path...you should learn those in greater detail), and keep up w/ qbank. the pharm and micro sections are good in FA, but some good quick reads to help with those subjects are Pharm for the boards and wards, and high yield micro and infectious dz.

You haven't REALLY started studying for this, so a 190 is reasonable. You can definitely improve in 3 weeks (although if you're still not getting the score you want, delaying your test date isn't the end of the world).

Good luck!

 

[prinz]

Read and re-read FA (don't rely on FA solely for your phys and path...you should learn those in greater detail), and keep up w/ qbank. the pharm and micro sections are good in FA, but some good quick reads to help with those subjects are Pharm for the boards and wards, and high yield micro and infectious dz.

You haven't REALLY started studying for this, so a 190 is reasonable. You can definitely improve in 3 weeks (although if you're still not getting the score you want, delaying your test date isn't the end of the world).

Good luck!

I took NBME form 1 one day before my exam and got a score of 186. I did the 'oasis trick' (Im an IMG), and it let me re-register for step 1 (which means i failed). NBME 2 has a much better correlation to your real step 1 score. If i were u, id take NBME 2 after 2 weeks of hard core studying and see where u are.

 

[Spazz]

I looked over BRS Path real briefly but have been using Pathophys for Boards and Wards primarily -- with about a week and a half to go, should I stick with Boards and Wards? I know BRS Path is essential etc etc, but I focused more on the pathophys since it seems that's more heavily tested than straight path?

 

[keeping-it-real]

I looked over BRS Path real briefly but have been using Pathophys for Boards and Wards primarily -- with about a week and a half to go, should I stick with Boards and Wards? I know BRS Path is essential etc etc, but I focused more on the pathophys since it seems that's more heavily tested than straight path?

you might want to give audio goljan and RR path a try. with a week and a half left... i bet if all you did was listen to him and look up stuff you didn't know (i.e. the biochem and stuff that he talks about), you'd probably be much better off than anything else you might try.

it'll take 7-8 days (~10 hrs/day) if you really go through and learn the stuff as well as reference other things. if i was in your position, i can't think of anything else that would be as high yield in terms of time utilization and content coverage. his lectures are fun, educational, and entertaining. it just might work. 👍

 

[viper]

Separate out subjects that are memorizing and those that are conceptual.

For pharm, bs, and micro - memorize FA over and over and over. Use facts ina flash for those two topics. Link below.

For path and phys - hit the BRS and costanzo's big book. UNDERSTAND those concepts.

Put the other stuff on back burner and look at what you need too. Concentrate on the above 5 topics first. I think if you do that, and with your 190 you should be fine.

good luck,

 

[viper]

Separate out subjects that are memorizing and those that are conceptual.

For pharm, bs, and micro - memorize FA over and over and over. Use facts ina flash for those two topics. Link below.

For path and phys - hit the BRS and costanzo's big book. UNDERSTAND those concepts.

Put the other stuff on back burner and look at what you need too. Concentrate on the above 5 topics first. I think if you do that, and with your 190 you should be fine.

good luck,

 

[ambientbaby]

I took NBME form 1 one day before my exam and got a score of 186. I did the 'oasis trick' (Im an IMG), and it let me re-register for step 1 (which means i failed). NBME 2 has a much better correlation to your real step 1 score. If i were u, id take NBME 2 after 2 weeks of hard core studying and see where u are.

What is this oasis trick I keep hearing about?