Anyone else not impressed by uworld?

[TastyCurrantJelly]

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Considering the high price (125 for a month) and its status as a 'must-have' preparation tool, I am hugely disappointed in uworld. I am doing well in the questions but it's explanations are a joke compared to kaplan and first aid (often they will just skip over explaining an answer choice) and there are no almost no figures or diagrams. On the rare chance that there is a useful diagram, you can't even screencapture it since they disable your entire screenshot function on your computer (so if I find something on another website that I want to put in my notes while doing uworld - I can't).

Unless they have paid off NBME question writers to get the same questions in their qbank as in step 1 this qbank seems way overrated to me - anyone else agree with me?

 

[AlmostAnMD]

You think First Aid has better explanations than uworld

Are we using different First Aids or uworlds?

 

[TastyCurrantJelly]

I'm talking about qmax... between their explanations and FA references (which uworld of course doesn't do) yes it is better.

 

[Brain Bucket]

He's had too much Jelly.

 

[Frozengrapes]

I really feel the exact opposite, honestly. I think UWorld has been the single most helpful tool in studying for the boards. Their explanations have helped explain, in some cases, concepts much more succinctly and effectively than any other resource.

 

[Flamen04]

Believe what you want but I dare you to get a high step score only by doing your precious Kaplan QMax..People use UWorld for a reason. They don't have to be impressed by it because in the end it works out..

 

[swoopyswoop]

the Rx explanations are TERRIBLE.

 

[notbobtrustme]

some questions in Uworld are unimpressive and don't really do any teaching (maybe 10%?), however, the rest of the questions are an invaluable resource.

 

[ketosisevangelist]

You should create your own QBANK. Afterwards, troll on here and advertise like the rest of the secondary medical education parasites.


Best luck.

 

[EazyE1907]

Sounds like someone that would try that Qrunner b.s.

 

[Ionian]

I have to agree with the OP.

Having completed:
1. Rapid review (goljans) questions (2x)
2. Webpath
3. Review of Robbins (2x)
4. USMLERx (2x, more in some areas)

I am doing random/timed 46q blocks. After about 2+ weeks now I am 45% through Uworld, 75% average, and 100% thoroughly unimpressed.

The explanations are long winded, start with extraneous background information you would only need or have never heard about the disease in question before, or remember absolutely nothing. I could see how they could be useful for those students who don't use books, and have no other learning resource to reference other than the internet.

More than that, I feel bad for anyone actually completely going through each explanations even to see why each one is wrong, as so many people claim they do, because it is the most unyielding time sinking activity I think you can engage in (at least for me). Of course I suspect for those who were absolutely dumbfounded by the question, with no resources/books available to even learn about that topic, the need to read the full explanation is completely due to dependence, and thus their opinion is shifted to favor the Uworld explanations, simply because it's that... or nothing.

For me, it's been hardly a learning process, just continued practice. I've yet to right down a single 'good tip' or have any revelation/eureka moment even after having done half the bank so far.

Again, I think it's just because so many people need and cling to this resource because most are completely unprepared for the road that lies ahead, or remember nothing from the past two years.

With the proper prospective, I can assure you, this source is nothing special, and, I hope your sitting down for this one: it's also not free from error.

I do 'like' certain things, like the cumulative data, and the break down for each subject, how you do compared to others, and what your worst subjects are, this is surely where the power and usefulness of the bank comes into play, more so than the actual questions themselves.

My background so far if it means anything to you:
CBSE 1 (13 weeks out): 238
NBME 1 (offline) (12 weeks out): 223
NBME 2 (offline) (11 weeks out): 234
NBME 3 (offline) (10 weeks out): 242
NBME 4 (offline) (9 weeks out): 245
NBME 5 (offline) (8 weeks out): 242
<--Started Uworld about here
NBME 6 (offline) (7 weeks out): 242

 

[notbobtrustme]

I will say that Rx is a probably more comprehensive than Uworld, as it's based off FA, so it will have at least one or two questions on every single topic.

I wouldn't be as harsh as Ionian, but there are some major headscratchers in Uworld that are either incredibly low yield or simply badly written questions or test a concept in a weird/obtuse way.

That said, I still think the time I'm spending on Uworld is worth it in the end.

 

[Donald Juan]

The explanations are long winded, start with extraneous background information you would only need or have never heard about the disease in question before, or remember absolutely nothing. I could see how they could be useful for those students who don't use books, and have no other learning resource to reference other than the internet.

More than that, I feel bad for anyone actually completely going through each explanations even to see why each one is wrong, as so many people claim they do, because it is the most unyielding time sinking activity I think you can engage it (at least for me). Of course I suspect for those who were absolutely dumbfounded by the question, with no resources/books available to even learn about that topic, the need to read the full explanation is completely due to dependence, and thus their opinion is shifted to favor the Uworld explanations, simply because it's that... or nothing.

Again, I think it's just because so many people need and cling to this resource because most are completely unprepared for the road that lies ahead, or remember nothing from the past two years.

I agree that it is overrated, and I agree that their explanations are not so special that anyone should go through every single answer of every single question, but I think you go too far. Are you really criticizing the qbank for having such thorough explanations that it can basically be considered an all-in-one resource? And you are criticizing med students for recognizing this and appreciating that aspect? A lot of the people on this site that praise UW so much are students who begin their dedicated period in the 250+ range, so I don't think they are all unprepared jackasses who forgot all of M1-M2.

 

[Ionian]

I agree that it is overrated, and I agree that their explanations are not so special that anyone should go through every single answer of every single question, but I think you go too far. Are you really criticizing the qbank for having such thorough explanations that it can basically be considered an all-in-one resource? And you are criticizing med students for recognizing this and appreciating that aspect? A lot of the people on this site that praise UW so much are students who begin their dedicated period in the 250+ range, so I don't think they are all unprepared jackasses who forgot all of M1-M2.

Just they give you 10x more info you need to answer the question, and it can be a huge time sink.

That's it really. It's still a good source, its why im using it. But I wasn't impressed, to answer the ops question.

 

[Ionian]

Double post.

 

[bwmd]

There are of course some painful and low-yield questions, but I think the beauty of UW is that it essentially can be a one-stop resource. And if you take time with the explanation, it helps you learn to take away everything you can from a question. (The exception is some of the esoteric biochem, which goes way over the top).

The explanations are lengthy, but other the Red Robbins review book, I think UW is the only source of questions I would ever recommend to anyone. I thought USMLERx (at least four years ago) was a terrible resource. Myself and many of my fellow students diuresed our study resources and realized that we had overextended for Step 1. By the time Step 2 CK rolled around, many of us exclusively used UW and no books at all.

 

[Handinhand]

The thing I hate most about UWorld is the multi-media. It's 2014 and the software feels like it was developed in 1995. Heart sound questions are always frustrating because the audio is so poor and they only give you 2 seconds of beats.

 

[EazyE1907]

1995? really lol. i never heard someone complain about the software. And for those heart sound q's you can usually get it right if you know the patient presentation and location of where the murmur is. supposedly this is how it is on the real deal as well. just my opinion.

 

[sobored]

I have to agree with the OP.

Having completed:
1. Rapid review (goljans) questions (2x)
2. Webpath
3. Review of Robbins (2x)
4. USMLERx (2x, more in some areas)

I am doing random/timed 46q blocks. After about 2+ weeks now I am 45% through Uworld, 75% average, and 100% thoroughly unimpressed.

The explanations are long winded, start with extraneous background information you would only need or have never heard about the disease in question before, or remember absolutely nothing. I could see how they could be useful for those students who don't use books, and have no other learning resource to reference other than the internet.

More than that, I feel bad for anyone actually completely going through each explanations even to see why each one is wrong, as so many people claim they do, because it is the most unyielding time sinking activity I think you can engage it (at least for me). Of course I suspect for those who were absolutely dumbfounded by the question, with no resources/books available to even learn about that topic, the need to read the full explanation is completely due to dependence, and thus their opinion is shifted to favor the Uworld explanations, simply because it's that... or nothing.

For me, it's been hardly a learning process, just continued practice. I've yet to right down a single 'good tip' or have any revelation/eureka moment even after having done half the bank so far.

Again, I think it's just because so many people need and cling to this resource because most are completely unprepared for the road that lies ahead, or remember nothing from the past two years.

With the proper prospective, I can assure you, this source is nothing special, and, I hope your sitting down for this one: it's also not free from error.

I do 'like' certain things, like the cumulative data, and the break down for each subject, how you do compared to others, and what your worst subjects are, this is surely where the power and usefulness of the bank comes into play, more so than the actual questions themselves.

My background so far if it means anything to you:
CBSE 1 (13 weeks out): 238
NBME 1 (offline) (12 weeks out): 223
NBME 2 (offline) (11 weeks out): 234
NBME 3 (offline) (10 weeks out): 242
NBME 4 (offline) (9 weeks out): 245
NBME 5 (offline) (8 weeks out): 242
<--Started Uworld about here
NBME 6 (offline) (7 weeks out): 242

Really? You completed several Qbanks and were basically prepared for Step 1 by the time you started UWorld, and you wonder why it wasn't as useful to you and felt more like practice? UWorld is designed to be a LEARNING tool, meaning you study for step 1, do questions and learn along the way with the Qbank. All that "extraneous" info is designed to provide context and completeness. FA+UWorld+Pathoma/RR is a tried and true combo. All the other stuff is fluff and extraneous.

 

[TastyCurrantJelly]

Another weird aspect of uworld is that its user base seems to not be the brightest out there...
For example I ran into basically the same question in both qmax and uworld - asking you basically only to know that schizophreniform disorder is >1 month but <6 months of schzio symptoms. In qmax questions like this have >70% choosing the correct answers but somehow in uworld even basic things like this are under 40 or 50% correct

 

[notbobtrustme]

I thought USMLERx (at least four years ago) was a terrible resource.

Rx has improved a ton and they have legit great questions. The explanations aren't as thorough as Uworld, but they do enough to get the point across.

 

[Lavan]

Another weird aspect of uworld is that its user base seems to not be the brightest out there...
For example I ran into basically the same question in both qmax and uworld - asking you basically only to know that schizophreniform disorder is >1 month but <6 months of schzio symptoms. In qmax questions like this have >70% choosing the correct answers but somehow in uworld even basic things like this are under 40 or 50% correct

Probably because more/most people use UW, and many people use UW throughout second year to study as a first-line resource. If USMLERx is typically a second-tier qbank for energetic students, I would hope the percentages would be higher.

 

[Ionian]

The thing I hate most about UWorld is the multi-media. It's 2014 and the software feels like it was developed in 1995. Heart sound questions are always frustrating because the audio is so poor and they only give you 2 seconds of beats.

I hate that reviewing a test takes up your whole screen.

I get it you are simulating testing mode, but we dont need that when we are reviewing, it frustrating to keep having to alt/Tab to my desktop, alt tab to open up the internet, just to have uworld come on top again and have to Alt/tab to the open internet browser, etc. etc. more annoying things, not being able to look at it, and the pdf First aid at the same time etc.

 

[Flamen04]

I hate that reviewing a test takes up your whole screen.

I get it you are simulating testing mode, but we dont need that when we are reviewing, it frustrating to keep having to alt/Tab to my desktop, alt tab to open up the internet, just to have uworld come on top again and have to Alt/tab to the open internet browser, etc. etc. more annoying things, not being able to look at it, and the pdf First aid at the same time etc.

Can you blame them though? Piracy runs rampant these days. They have to do everything they can to protect their intellectual property. It's a little inconvenient, but not the end of the world. I never had a problem with this since I have dual monitors :x

 

[TastyCurrantJelly]

Can you blame them though? Piracy runs rampant these days. They have to do everything they can to protect their intellectual property. It's a little inconvenient, but not the end of the world. I never had a problem with this since I have dual monitors :x

Yes I can... Question banks are the least likely thing people would pirate (not saying they don't) because half of the value is getting your personalized breakdowns, being able to mark questions, and getting the test simulation experience. Kaplan and DIT might actually be justified in doing this for their videos but for a Qbank this is ridiculous.

Oh and I downloaded their ipad app and guess what - THEY REQUIRE ACCESS TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS IN ORDER TO LET YOU USE IT so they can snoop through and make sure you're not screenshotting... I snapped a few weiner pics to brighten up their day

 

[Brain Bucket]

I snapped a few weiner pics to brighten up their day

Waaay too much jelly.

 

[Flamen04]

Yes I can... Question banks are the least likely thing people would pirate (not saying they don't) because half of the value is getting your personalized breakdowns, being able to mark questions, and getting the test simulation experience. Kaplan and DIT might actually be justified in doing this for their videos but for a Qbank this is ridiculous.

Oh and I downloaded their ipad app and guess what - THEY REQUIRE ACCESS TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS IN ORDER TO LET YOU USE IT so they can snoop through and make sure you're not screenshotting... I snapped a few weiner pics to brighten up their day

I meant piracy as in people stealing their questions and explanations for use in their own Step 1 course. This is their own version of copyright protection.

 

[Donald Juan]

I meant piracy as in people stealing their questions and explanations for use in their own Step 1 course. This is their own version of copyright protection.

Yeah, but he's right. It is annoying, and a lot of people who pirate every book and video still pay for the qbanks because they want the experience of doing the questions, and if you just have a bunch of screengrabs you can't customize things like random, missed/marked, tutor modes, etc. And despite all of their efforts of designing this program that semi-locks you out and prevents copy-pasting and checks for programs that screen grab, there is still pirated copies of the complete qbank out there. The fact is, all it takes for content like this to be pirated is one single person to figure out a work around and upload it to the internet, then everyone disseminates it. The only thing they've accomplished with all the efforts is making it annoying for every other user.

 

[Flamen04]

#firstworldproblems

I don't see the IMG complaining about it lol

 

[dyspareunia]

Solution. Do Uworld on your laptop while sitting at a computer in the library or at school.

Or be like most other med student and have a tablet and a laptop (I only have a laptop :-().

 

[CodeRedDew]

If you have double monitors, does Uworld allow you to move your mouse from one screen to the next? Or do you have to alt+tab out of it before you can do so?

 

[Mr. Mojo Risin]

If you have double monitors, does Uworld allow you to move your mouse from one screen to the next? Or do you have to alt+tab out of it before you can do so?

Yeah, just move your mouse. Don't copy/paste, etc. and you should be fine. UWorld is a little finicky with certain programs, so make sure you aren't using Evernote and stuff like that. I don't know if it has issues with Word. I've never tried it.