Are the NBME self assessments a must?

[StringBean]

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Are they an absolute must b/c I really don't have $90 to shell out for them... but of course if I really should then I'll have too I guess. Any thoughts? Can I do without?

 

[AlexRusso]

Highly recommend taking these. Questions are really similar to the real deal. I had a few repeat questions and some similar ones so that helps. Also a nice way to gauge how you're doing b/c as I've heard this tends to be a good predictor of actual performance (not a perfect predictor but the best one out there) I'll let you know how good of a predictor they were around July 15. I got 610 and 640 so hopefully they're accurate.

 

[StringBean]

OK, so say I was to just do one... can I pick which one... and which one should I pick? Does it matter?

 

[nuclearrabbit77]

i didn't buy them.

 

[AlexRusso]

I felt I did better on the 1st one but actually did worse. The first one felt like it was easier. What was weird was that my subject breakdown was all off the charts for the 1st one where I did worse but not so much for the second one where I did better. So I kinda think the subject breakdown is useless. Both were good in their own ways. The first one was the one where I got a repepat question on my real exam. The second one was where I got the repeat concepts. So both helped. I say shell out the $90. You only take the USMLE 1ce. do everything you can to get ready so you have no regrets later.

 

[bigfrank]

This is the ONE study resource that you'd be crazy not to buy! It has questions from the people that WRITE the exam, a score breakdown, a list of strengths vs. weaknesses, and most people get 1-4 repeat questions!!!

Trust me, everyone who has taken these exams highly recommends them!

 

[StringBean]

But... what if I don't really have time to use the breakdown to guide my studying (it's too late for that now). Am I just getting it for the possible couple repeats (not that it wouldn't help). Forgive my persistance... I think I'm just trying to convince myself I don't need to spend the money.

And... I'm terrified that if I do poorly this close to the test I will have a nervous breakdown I had a mini one today... just a few more days... just a few more 🙁

 

[-=UberSharky=-]

i dont get it....its not like they give you the answers to the questions, so that even if you got a repeat question, it doesnt mean you would know the answer the second time around. is that make sense or am i missing something here ?

 

[StringBean]

HHHEEEYYYYYY! Good point Uber 😀 . You helped with that little, simple statement! Thanks! 👍

 

[coop528]

The point of the NBME Assessments is to give you an idea of where you stand as a whole...not where you stand within each subject. I didn't care anything about which one's I missed nor did I care to read an explanation on each one.

The 2 most important things you learn...and the reason why I think they are worth the $$$...are where you stand as a whole and what types of questions they like to ask.

Use Qbank and the countless other question sources if you want explanations.

 

[bigfrank]

Uber,

I guess I just got lucky on 3-4+ questions then. 😛

 

[NebelDO]

i didnt take them