240+

[ZeaL6]

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Can every medical student theoretically score 240+ on the step 1 if they study correctly (first aid, UW, etc)? Or is it tough for average/below average medical students to score that high?

 

[ArmyTiger]

 

[MudPhud20XX]

240 is a very good score. Medical school is tough and getting an average at my school is not EASY. I thought I was one of the smart guys at med school coming from an Ivy league school with a 3.8 GPA, but it didn't take long for me to realize that I was pathetically incompetent despite of the hard working. Medical school is a beast. They give you a seemingly impossible amount of material you need to digest in 2 years before you take the board. So yes it is tough for an average med student to get 240+, if it were easy, 240 would be an average right?

So yes, if you are an average/below student, you will most likely end up getting an average (around 220 I assume?) in the actual board.

I would take one of the NBME exams to get an idea what kind of questions are asked in the actual exam. So I plan to take NBME Comprehensive Basic Science (Form 16) during this weekend and it gives you an idea how well you would do in step 1. I am MS1 now, but I'm almost done reviewing MS1 stuff and have previewed some MS2 subjects (pharm, path, and behavioral science). Perhaps you want to take one of those NBME practice exams to see where you stand.

 

[Ionian]

Can every medical student theoretically score 240+ on the step 1 if they study correctly (first aid, UW, etc)? Or is it tough for average/below average medical students to score that high?

Yes, everyone gets a 240, that is if they study the right way, a lot of people out there just don't know about First aid and Uworld.

Lol, but seriously brother... 99% of medical students use First aid and Uworld, people still fail, people still do average, not everything is just about the right resource.

 

[ZeaL6]

Yes, everyone gets a 240, that is if they study the right way, a lot of people out there just don't know about First aid and Uworld.

Lol, but seriously brother... 99% of medical students use First aid and Uworld, people still fail, people still do average, not everything is just about the right resource.

I obviously know everybody doesn't get a 240! I meant aptitude-wise. Is it POSSIBLE for nearly everybody to get 240 if they put the time in is what I'm asking. For example people say the MCAT is more aptitude, and above 35ish is basically reserved for innately more intelligent people

 

[Ionian]

I obviously know everybody doesn't get a 240! I meant aptitude-wise. Is it POSSIBLE for nearly everybody to get 240 if they put the time in is what I'm asking. For example people say the MCAT is more aptitude, and above 35ish is basically reserved for innately more intelligent people

No its not possible.

The point is in your class, not everyone is a gunner, believe it or not, not everyone is smart either, not everyone is motivated, not everyone can take the stress and will spend a lot of time not studying to relieve it, not everyone thinks it's worth it to kick your own ass and push yourself 12 hours a day every single day.

It just doesn't happen, people have lives, or families, or other priorities. In theory, yes everyone can do it, but even amongst these super go-getters that made it into medical school even by the end of anatomy 50% accept the fact they can't be at the top and develop the "I'm just here to pass" mentality, and thus we obtain our normal distribution.

 

[MudPhud20XX]

I obviously know everybody doesn't get a 240! I meant aptitude-wise. Is it POSSIBLE for nearly everybody to get 240 if they put the time in is what I'm asking. For example people say the MCAT is more aptitude, and above 35ish is basically reserved for innately more intelligent people

In that sense, MCAT and step 1 are two very different beasts. You are right MCAT is more aptitude, some people have difficult time getting a high score (for example, especially the verbal section right? we all know how pain in the ass this section is lol). However, in step 1, trust me if don't know your shxx well, you will fail no matter how high score you've got from your MCAT. Step 1 tests both critical thinking and knowledge. It is very different from MCAT.

At my school's hospital, I've seen many residents (who went to undergrad in the US but had a crappy MCAT score) from
Caribbean med schools with 240+.

 

[sobored]

240 is a very good score. Medical school is tough and getting an average at my school is not EASY. I thought I was one of the smart guys at med school coming from an Ivy league school with a 3.8 GPA, but it didn't take long for me to realize that I was pathetically incompetent despite of the hard working. Medical school is a beast. They give you a seemingly impossible amount of material you need to digest in 2 years before you take the board. So yes it is tough for an average med student to get 240+, if it were easy, 240 would be an average right?

So yes, if you are an average/below student, you will most likely end up getting an average (around 220 I assume?) in the actual board.

I would take one of the NBME exams to get an idea what kind of questions are asked in the actual exam. So I plan to take NBME Comprehensive Basic Science (Form 16) during this weekend and it gives you an idea how well you would do in step 1. I am MS1 now, but I'm almost done reviewing MS1 stuff and have previewed some MS2 subjects (pharm, path, and behavioral science). Perhaps you want to take one of those NBME practice exams to see where you stand.

Are you absolutely insane?? What on earth are you taking a practice NBME for if you are still an M1? You are going to fail miserably, and for what? Not only is it idiotic, but you're also wasting one of your precious resources for evaluation of your progress next year when you will actually be in a position to consider taking practice exams.

 

[notbobtrustme]

I would take one of the NBME exams to get an idea what kind of questions are asked in the actual exam. So I plan to take NBME Comprehensive Basic Science (Form 16) during this weekend and it gives you an idea how well you would do in step 1. I am MS1 now, but I'm almost done reviewing MS1 stuff and have previewed some MS2 subjects (pharm, path, and behavioral science). Perhaps you want to take one of those NBME practice exams to see where you stand.

NBMEs are worth their weight in gold. Don't take it as an M1 when you are a year out from taking the exam. Take it in March of M2 year to see how you stand before dedicated studying starts.

 

[MudPhud20XX]

Are you absolutely insane?? What on earth are you taking a practice NBME for if you are still an M1? You are going to fail miserably, and for what? Not only is it idiotic, but you're also wasting one of your precious resources for evaluation of your progress next year when you will actually be in a position to consider taking practice exams.

Lol! Chill out man. Just want to see what the questions are like. Nothing wrong with that when I get bored with my MS1 stuff and when I have some MS2 knowledge, right? I will let you know how well I do.

 

[notbobtrustme]

Lol! Chill out man. Just want to see what the questions are like. Nothing wrong with that when I get bored with my MS1 stuff and when I have some MS2 knowledge, right? I will let you know how well I do.

if you must do one, do an early NBME (eg 1-5). NBME 16 should be the last one you do in order to see where you stand days out from the exam.

 

[MudPhud20XX]

if you must do one, do an early NBME (eg 1-5). NBME 16 should be the last one you do in order to see where you stand days out from the exam.

Really? I didn't know that! thanks for the advise really appreciate it.

 

[sobored]

Lol! Chill out man. Just want to see what the questions are like. Nothing wrong with that when I get bored with my MS1 stuff and when I have some MS2 knowledge, right? I will let you know how well I do.

I don't care if you think you have some MS2 knowledge, you have no idea what you're talking about. Not only is there a ton of info in second year, but during that time you're going to start putting together everything from both years into a cohesive picture so you can really start to understand the basics of medicine. The questions on the NBME are not going to make any sense to you for the most part. If you even come close to a passing score it would be incredible. There are better ways to "see what the questions are like"...buy a Qbank or something. But hey it's your money, do whatever you want.

 

[Missorleans]

if you must do one, do an early NBME (eg 1-5). NBME 16 should be the last one you do in order to see where you stand days out from the exam.

Or do the free sample CBSSE NBME. Seriously, don't waste your money and study tool doing 16 now.

 

[Flamen04]

How does your uworld score correlate to your final usmle score? I've been getting raped almost consistently... Range 60-70%

 

[mcloaf]

Bro med school hasn't even started for you yet and you're already making threads about step 1...

 

[ZeaL6]

Bro med school hasn't even started for you yet and you're already making threads about step 1...

Lol I know I was just wondering! Trying to get the research out of the way early so when I get there I don't have to think about it. Gotta be doing something while I'm watching the NCAA tournament!

 

[Donald Juan]

To answer the original question--yes, I believe most everyone who made it to a US MD school could theoretically score a 240+ on the boards. Do I think every med student who finishes M2 can get up to a 240 in six weeks of dedicated study time? Nope. Some people start out their dedicated period failing NBMEs, others start at 240+. That makes a big difference where you can go.

Seriously, though, c/o 2017 and 2018, go out and get drunk or something. Go to the damn beach. Stop worrying about step 1.

 

[LostinLift]

To answer the original question--yes, I believe most everyone who made it to a US MD school could theoretically score a 240+ on the boards. Do I think every med student who finishes M2 can get up to a 240 in six weeks of dedicated study time? Nope. Some people start out their dedicated period failing NBMEs, others start at 240+. That makes a big difference where you can go.

Seriously, though, c/o 2017 and 2018, go out and get drunk or something. Go to the damn beach. Stop worrying about step 1.

still recovering from mardi gras and it's too cold for the beach bro, obviously I should prep my pdf FA'14