i'm in a tough predicament ... been studying for a few weeks now and just took NBME 2 and scored a 175... it's terrible. I'm usually around 55% on Uworld and I have about 12 days left prior to the exam.
my choices are quite simple... put my head down and push through, take exam, and move on. or, take a step back, figure out what's wrong, and then either do: 1. kaplan web prep or 2. falcon review... learn concepts and take the test about 8 or 9 weeks from now..
obviously i'd have to then defer and start my M3 year later.
thoughts?
I was in a similar situation like yourself in terms of scoring and I would recommend postponing your exam date. This is what I would do:
1. Take more time to study and set a later date (if possible). Program directors (from what I've heard) want to see that you passed your boards on the first try, however low the mark may be, as opposed to a 2nd try with a higher score, plus some programs don't allow applicants that have failed the exam
2. What did your break down look like? What needed the most work? Path, Pharm, and Physio are a huge chunk of the exam, so if those are on the lower end, try to get them up before taking another NBME. Don't try to cram, as at this point, I think you're lacking concepts and memorizing things won't be of much help. Once you build a solid foundation, you can then add the details, but for the time being, just try to get the big picture.
3. Take another NBME; I would recommend Form 1 and use that as a baseline. No exam will be as easy as Form 1, so if you can't clear that, I would not go into the exam.
4. I would not recommend Kaplan and I think that Falcon would be more beneficial to someone that is already passing and looking to improve their score.
5. Maybe you're just a bad test taker. I've heard of people doing really well in school, but they're just not good on standardized tests. I know of a lot of people that know their stuff cold, but when it comes to an exam, they just freeze up. It unfortunately happens.
If you have the time and money, I would highly recommend doing the Pass Program with what your current scores are. I was in a similar position as yourself before I started studying for the exam and I now feel that I'm prepared to take the exam. I pretty much got your score on Form 1 of the NBME and when I took Form 2, I knocked out a 400, and have been improving consistently.
I would be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have about the program, as I am still in Champaign getting ready to take my exam in the next 2-3 weeks. Send me a message on here and I'll reply as promptly as I can.
In any event, good luck and don't lose hope! We're all capable of passing this exam and no matter how daunting the task may be, you need to stay positive! I hope that I was of some assistance. Keep your head up and don't stop.
