according to those who took STEP1 already,

[chef]

---

Members do not see this ad.

qbank score is just about meaningless as a predictor for the actual STEP1 score? in fact, it sounds like one should even NOT use qbank as a test prep b/c the two are completely different, eg i keep reading "qbank tests random facts and i got maybe 1 or 2 those types of q's on the real deal" posts. thoughts?

 

[lindyloohoo]

I think q-bank is a poor predictor of step 1. However, I do think it is a good test prep tool (to a point) in that it helps reinforce some topics. I feel if I can get the q-bank questions, I know the concepts behind the question. (Now this doesn't really apply to HLA questions.) 😉

 

[Stinger86]

I've never liked Qbank. I always felt my time would be better spent reading through a review text.

 

[DrDre']

I think we are accustomed to looking at exceptions to the rule and such.

There are obvious discrepancies between the two.

That said, I am glad I did a ton of qbank (~6000 ?). It trains you to quickly read and instantly "know" what they are asking.


Some are exactly the same.


There is nit picky crap on Q bank but if you know that and it happens to be on the MLE, you are golden.



Although, HY studying in review books may be better yield per hour (?), I don't believe it. I can read something 100 times but if I don't take a test, I don't really know if I understand it as well as I thought I did...

All supposition until I get my score back.

Good luck all!

 

[nuclearrabbit77]

people are just voicing an alternative opinion...which i think is good because some people support qbank with an almost religious fervor........doing questions are important.., but don't think that qbank is heads above all other question sources, ....you are best off by using a variety of resources.

 

[bigfrank]

I think, recently, many flustered testtakers have been bashing QBank but those people probably were looking at QBank the wrong way. It is NOT supposed to "give you questions" that you'll see on the Step I (although it worked out well in my case), it is to prepare you for the types of questions you're likely to see (the thought process involved, the question length, the test format, etc.). After going through QBank and IV QBank, I took the 2 online tests offered by the NBME and got a 700 and a 710 on them. I believe I owe Kaplan some thanks for those scores. Will let you know what I think of them when I get my real results back, however.

It depends on what you want out of QBank, I guess.

 

[DrDre']

Wasn't trying to be dismissive or censorial. Just offering a rebuttal. Of course, q bank has its problems

 

[rugtrousers]

IMHO, I think QBank is a good tool, but just a tool, and not the only one that you should use. I found it to be helpful, especially for quick recognition of high yield topics. When it came time to take the actual exam, I could speed through those questions that looked familiar with comfort, and I ended up finishing the exam hours early (I also took very little break time) and doing well. If you do use QBank, be sure to look at the explanations for the questions, even the ones that you got right, and look up the topic in another source if you don't completely understand why the correct answer was the best choice.