330/182 on NBME 12~Not sure what to do

[as90]

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Hi guys,
So I planned my USMLE 1 at the end of the month and my COMLEX a couple days later.

I am still about ~50% in the Uworld and Comquest on my first pass. I am also doing DIT pt. 2 (30% into it) and did ok on the 2 COMSAE's I took (480+ on forms C and B). I had done Uworld Self Assessment form 1, last month and had gotten a score of around ~198 IIRC.

Consistently, I have a problem with heart sounds, OB/reproductive, lung physiology, CV system in general (physio/path/pharm), and biostats.

The rest I am decent with and I think I'll get better as I do DIT. But perhaps, I am not using it the way it is meant to be used? I'm not reviewing it at the end of the day as much as I should or maybe I am pausing too much and not doing the "active" studying they suggest.

I think it will be a miracle if I get through Uworld at least once at this point, as clearly, I have to get through some of the basics.

So far, I am thinking about doing my usual 75 q's a day, but I am not sure if I should do it timed or tutor at this point. Also, timing has been very quick when i take the exam (I usually finish with 10 minutes to spare).

More importantly, I am contemplating canceling the USMLE and just sitting for COMLEX at this point. I feel that with the right attention, I can get at least a 200+. I know that I want to go into Internal Medicine and subspecialize later on so I think MD programs will be my priority. Since I have already registered for the test, I don't think I can get my money for USMLE reg at this point, so I think I will go there take it and void it if possible? I think an attempt will show, however, so I don't know if that is a big negative? I thought I could use it, as a practice for the COMLEX since the 2 exams are so similar from what I am hearing now a days.

I don't think my school will let me push back rotations either, so if I take COMLEX and pass it I will have to go to rotations. I know ACGME programs will take the COMLEX, but I honestly don't know if the exam will be a true representation of how much I know ( I have done very well academically, especially 2nd year, I attribute that to not focusing on details so much, and seeing things clinically). The recent posts on this forum about COMLEX being different from COMSAE have shaken my confidence especially after my scores on the Qbanks.

With that said, I am also not sure, if I can juggle USMLE studying on top of rotations.

All this biochem and physio that I have forgotten is what is hurting me.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

My advice: take it and do what you will with it.

If you can't at least score a 220 on the NBMEs you shouldn't take it, this was my cutoff for whether or not I would take it. If there is an allopathic IM program that will take a DO with a 205 USMLE they will also take that same DO with no USMLE.

Currently you're at a point where you're not going to get any money back whether you cancel it now or in 2 weeks. If I were you I would give my studying 2 more weeks and then decide whether or not to cancel it based on an NBME score (UWSA is notorious for overpredicting).

Also if you have combank/comquest (being a DO student) hit those, they have a lot of questions regurgitated straight from FA (even if the questions are horribly written and even sometimes wrong). You need to have this book down as cold as you can to see improvement.

 

[as90]

My advice: take it and do what you will with it.

If you can't at least score a 220 on the NBMEs you shouldn't take it, this was my cutoff for whether or not I would take it. If there is an allopathic IM program that will take a DO with a 205 USMLE they will also take that same DO with no USMLE.

Currently you're at a point where you're not going to get any money back whether you cancel it now or in 2 weeks. If I were you I would give my studying 2 more weeks and then decide whether or not to cancel it based on an NBME score (UWSA is notorious for overpredicting).

Also if you have combank/comquest (being a DO student) hit those, they have a lot of questions regurgitated straight from FA (even if the questions are horribly written and even sometimes wrong). You need to have this book down as cold as you can to see improvement.

Thanks for the advice. I have COMQUEST (about ~50 % done). Do you recommend combank in addition?

I can definitely see the ease of questions between Uworld and Comquest/COMSAE. However, I have seen posts where people say that the real Comlex was much harder/obscure than any of these resources, which is why I am still contemplating on whether i should even bother with Uworld anymore and just keep on doing Comquest multiple times.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Thanks for the advice. I have COMQUEST (about ~50 % done). Do you recommend combank in addition?

I can definitely see the ease of questions between Uworld and Comquest/COMSAE. However, I have seen posts where people say that the real Comlex was much harder/obscure than any of these resources, which is why I am still contemplating on whether i should even bother with Uworld anymore and just keep on doing Comquest multiple times.

Really all you can do is prepare with what you have. Uworld didn't help me anymore with Comlex than Comquest/combank...it's a crap test.

Comquest should be fine, you really just need a straight forward bank to get the essentials down first. If you're going to spring for anymore qbanks I'd recommend usmlerx LONG before Combank. Even if it is just the comlex you take.

 

[HoboCommander]

You still have time to get 220+. It just means you got to spend the time wisely, by focusing on your weaknesses and doing a lot of practice problems.

You gotta figure out what your biggest true weaknesses are, and unfortunately the post-practice-exam charts are not accurate.

 

[as90]

Thanks again for the tips, got busy with studying so didn't get a chance to reply. I took the UWSA #2 to see how I would fare and ended up getting a 201. Again, I know it is not a good predictor but thought I would add that to see if anyone else had anymore feedback.

At this point, my comfort level is more with comquest, it is taking way too long to read uworld explanations and some questions are awful.