Barely passing step 1

[PELE#10]

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Hi,
I just wanted to find out if a barely passing step 1 score will destroy my chances with OBgyn. Are most programs( non university) just looking for passing scores on step 1 and 2?
Thanks

 

[pruritis_ani]

I passed step 1 with a 192/78. Thought I was toast. Busted ass for step 2, got a 234/95. Out of about 40 applications, had about 20 interview invites, accepted 12. Some were decent Uni, most were low level Uni or strong Community programs. Wound up at my first choice.

So, barely passing step 1 will hurt, but it won't sink you. Things to do:
1. Make sure you application is as strong as it can be, otherwise. Get good grades, etc...
2. Crush step 2, show that your step 1 score is a fluke. Step 2 is often looked at as more important (if you have it) because it tests more relevant material. Additionally, the program may not care that you know the material on either step, but they do NOT want somebody on board that is a "poor test taker" or that will fail in service exams. So, make sure that you demonstrate good knowledge of clinical science, and an ability to pass standardized exams with a strong step 2.
3. Demonstrate a sincere and personal interest in Ob/Gyn with your personal statement, your extra curriculars, and your research interests. A student that is weaker academically, yet geuninely interested in the field, and excited about it, will often times get ranked ahead of the student that is strong academically, but shows less interest, drive and desire
4. Get strong LOR's from Ob/Gyn faculty that verify your ability and interest in Ob/Gyn

All this being said, ob/gyn is still not the most difficult field to match into. Any US grad that passes exams and graduates can likely find a spot somewhere, at least in the current market. But, competitiveness increased markedly this year, from not competitive at all to on the low end of the middle range of competitiveness. With work hour restrictions and (hopefully) malpractice reform, ob/gyn could be on the upswing in popularity. So, by following the above formula, I think you can put yourself in a strong position to get a decent to excellent residency.

Best of luck

 

[ilovepubmed]

Hi,
I just wanted to find out if a barely passing step 1 score will destroy my chances with OBgyn. Are most programs( non university) just looking for passing scores on step 1 and 2?
Thanks

Tell me, you know you barely passed Step 1, so you know that you're on the bottom of the curve. Do you ever feel guilty when you're with a patient? Do you ever think, "Gee, almost any other doctor would be more qualified to see this patient..."? I mean, I'd be terrified if I was about to go into surgery and my surgeon lowered the mask and whispered, "You know what, I barely passed my licensing exams..." I'm not trying to be a d$(k, I'm honestly curious.

 

[MossPoh]

I'm not trying to be a d$(k, I'm honestly curious.

I don't know...kind of sounds like you are trying to be. Not that I'm trying to sound like a d$(k. Sometimes stuff happens we don't account for. It may be our fault, it may be partially, or (rarely) not our fault at all. The person that had difficulties may still be a colleague of yours in the future..I don't know whether doctors really whip out their scores and compare but it is a damn shame if they do. Demoralizing someone and making them doubt themselves is not the way to handle the situation. Positive criticism and working alongside to fix a person's weak points is the best way to handle it. Sorry to the poster I am in no position to talk about scores and chances since I am not to that level yet but I am just tired of people at every level trying to demoralize someone else.

 

[pruritis_ani]

Tell me, you know you barely passed Step 1, so you know that you're on the bottom of the curve. Do you ever feel guilty when you're with a patient? Do you ever think, "Gee, almost any other doctor would be more qualified to see this patient..."? I mean, I'd be terrified if I was about to go into surgery and my surgeon lowered the mask and whispered, "You know what, I barely passed my licensing exams..." I'm not trying to be a d$(k, I'm honestly curious.

Well, you may not be trying to be a di(k, but you are one anyway...but to address your point....

First of all, why on earth would it terrify you if your surgeon barely passed step 1? Do you think it is essential that your surgeon know the rate limiting enzyme for gluconeogenesis? Do you really think that most surgeons out there could step up and pass step 1 today anyway?

Second, the USMLE is not designed to rank students. It is designed to provide a pass/fail evaluation of basic and clinical science. That is is. It is used as a ranking for med students basically because there is nothing better out there.

Finally, if you think the material on the USMLE is what is the difference between a good doc and a bad doc, you have a LOT to learn. Far and away, most of what we will use to pratice in our specialty is learned in residency.

Sounds like you have a bit of learning to do yourself. The USMLE is not really all that, and sure does not determine the quality of a doctor.

 

[PELE#10]

Tell me, you know you barely passed Step 1, so you know that you're on the bottom of the curve. Do you ever feel guilty when you're with a patient? Do you ever think, "Gee, almost any other doctor would be more qualified to see this patient..."? I mean, I'd be terrified if I was about to go into surgery and my surgeon lowered the mask and whispered, "You know what, I barely passed my licensing exams..." I'm not trying to be a d$(k, I'm honestly curious.

What planet are you from?? With an attitude like that your setting yourself up for some hard times. Do us all a favor and choose specialty that keeps you far away from patient contact.

 

[Faebinder]

Here is an abstract from pubmed.

NBME Obstetrics and Gynecology clerkship final examination scores: predictive value of standardized tests and demographic factors.

Ogunyemi D, De Taylor-Harris S.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charles R Drew College of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California, USA. [email protected]

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of standardized tests and demographic factors on performance on the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) examination. STUDY DESIGN: The study included 171 students who rotated through obstetrics and gynecology from 1992 to 2001. Correlations between NBME OBGYN scores and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) step 1, MCAT and GPA scores, and temporal and demographic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), NBME and USMLE step 1 scores were 24.03, 67.47 and 194.53, respectively. Significant correlations with NMBE OBGYN were USMLE step 1 scores (r = .517, p < 0.001), MCAT scores (r = .481, p < 0.001), faculty evaluation grade (r=.223, p <0.01), OBGYN residency interest (r= .179, p < 0.05) and female gender (r=.157, p< 0.05) with a significant negative correlation with clerkship duration (r = -.208, p < 0. 01). On logistic regression analysis, USMLE, MCAT, academic year and faculty evaluation grade were independently predictive of NBME OBGYN scores. All preclinical standardized tests showed positive correlation with progressive academic years and decreasing student age. and decreasing student age. CONCLUSION: USMLE step 1, MCAT scores and faculty evaluation grades were predictive of NMBE OBGYN scores. They may be helpful in assessing third-year medical students in need of special supervision and assistance.

So.... USMLE step 1 indeed says you are better but it has a correlation factor of 0.517, which means r-square is 0.25 approximately. Translation for those who are not familiar with correlation.... that is 25% variance in common. MEANING.... you can say that USMLE step 1 predicts outcome of only 25% of the population. (In otherwords, the results are like a scatterplot that got fit with a line through it.)

Further, you will notice they speak about how USMLE grade is positively correlated with decreasing student age.... so if the you are 30 and taking the exam... you are probably not going to do as well... I wont go into the language barriers for IMGs.... that's another elephant.

Bottom line.. USMLE doesn't mean the person is a genius and or incompetent.... well for 75% of the people that is. And when you find something that does better than USMLE Step 1... then submit it to the NBME and I am sure they will give you a plaque with your name on it.