Board scores vs. Step scores

[bweatherly]

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I take Boards for each of my classes upon completion. I am an M1 and so have taken a board in Gross, Developmental, Biochem, and Histo. I was wondering if there is any correlation between board scores and Step I scores. National average is 500 and I have scored between 610 and 790, I was wondering if there was indication there of what I should expect from my Step I capabilities?

P.s.... I full understand that phys/path/pharm/micro are all MUCH more weighted on the step

 

[Waysensei]

As you said, those are the most low-yield topics on the exam, but the NBME subject exams are supposed to be similar to the questions on the actual USMLE.

 

[bweatherly]

So in theory of course... if those scores continue, they are typically at least 1 standard deviation over the mean of 500... so if the mean Step I is a 221 with a standard deviation I could actually expect to possibly make over a 242? Or if I pull up my "major course" subjects next year to the 700s on boards expect a potential 263? And so forth...

 

[Waysensei]

Sure, assuming you can recall all of the information when you took the subject exams on the board date.

 

[deleted103644]

So in theory of course... if those scores continue, they are typically at least 1 standard deviation over the mean of 500... so if the mean Step I is a 221 with a standard deviation I could actually expect to possibly make over a 242? Or if I pull up my "major course" subjects next year to the 700s on boards expect a potential 263? And so forth...

If you're a standard deviation above on all of the individual subjects, you're almost certainly more than one standard deviation above in the combined test.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Those are awesome scores, and since the NBME's are reportedly composed of retired Step 1 questions, you should be just fine for the real thing, assuming you keep your methods together.

 

[RapidReview]

i remember seeing one post here where someone posted 4-5 NBME shelf scores and then their step 1 score and the step score was slightly lower/ about the same (dont quite remember - sorry) as the avg... that being said, it was for the higher yield subjects like micro, path, biochem, etc.

but still, you're shelf scores are great man.