Am I doomed?

[freckles87]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So I just took my first NBME practice today (NBME 6), and I didn't do too well... 196 (390).

I know these exams are supposed to be pretty predictive of scores. I'm terrified of failing and I'm afraid that I'm cutting it close. My original goal was a 220, but I'll honestly be happy as long as I pass on the first go.

The thing is, I was pretty confident starting it this morning, because over the past week my UWorld and Kaplan averages have improved dramatically (I've been getting in the 65% ballpark consistently over the past week, which is a huge improvement from the 50%s I was getting before finishing my 2nd pass through FA). I know Kaplan and UWorld aren't as predictive as the NBMEs, but I was starting to do really really well, and I felt like I really knew things.

I really felt that I would pass with enough of a cushion, but with the 196 though, I'm worried. I guess taking the practice may not have been the best thing to do three days before the exam I've never been a good test taker.

Any advice for someone who's starting to panic 3 days before their test? Am I doomed to fail? Also, what would you recommend for the last three days - FA, UWorld or a combo?

 

[SlaveOfTCMC]

with 3 days left, you need to hit the high yields fast.

GO through First Aid, all the way through in 1 day. Read it actively. Look for every single thing in there. Leave no word unturned (leave no stone unturned)

There is no time to do World very efficiently in this time frame. Access teh answer key and read the bottom lines.

Good luck. I hope everything works out for you.

 

[Hokie06]

i agree with SlaveOfTCMC. at this point its all about first aid, and getting in as much as you can. go in feeling confident, not concerned about failing. from what i heard, most people tend to score a little better on the real thing than their practice exams. im sure you'll pass, just study smart the last few days. good luck

 

[jfgavina]

FA in one day? ritalin?

 

[tco]

FA in one day? ritalin?

Ritalin + Cocaine...Dose the Ritalin as the Cocaine wears off to keep the synapses firing.

 

[jfgavina]

I can only see one way to read and memorize FA in one day and it has to do with things that impair your neurotransmitter function LOL

how is that possible to read it in one day???

 

[freckles87]

Thanks guys.
I hope I can do it w/o the use of Ritalin and cocaine and other things to effect my NT function though lol. 🙂
I've been going through FA all afternoon, the good thing is that I seem to be able to recall almost all of what I read. The bad part about that - clearly knowing things in FA didn't translate to knowing them for the practice today.

I think I'll mostly spend my time doing FA but maybe a couple blocks of UWorld Qs (b/c I have to get my confidence back up before test day, even if it's not as accurate a predictor).

I think part of my problem is that I don't pace myself well - and by that I mean I get through blocks way too fast. Two of the blocks today I had 20 minutes left, the other two about 10. I've always been a fast test taker, but I think I tend to make careless mistakes and miss stuff. I know - you're probably wondering, if you know that, why don't slow down. Then I think I'll run out of time b/c you never know, there could be hard Qs near the end that involve more thinking...

I'm also fighting the urge to do another NBME exam...don't worry - I won't do that, I just really want to (b/c I'm hoping 6 was just a fluke that had things I apparently didn't know).

OMG I cannot wait until this is OVER!!!