Hey guys,
I'm in desperate need of some positivity/wisdom. Preferably in the form of a backhanded compliment as is SDN custom. So I'm an IMG about to take Step 1 in 5 days, and I can't help but feel like I'm hitting the burnout phase of my prep. I've been at this for about a year and kept postponing due to poor practice scores.
I took NBME 19 2 weeks ago and got a 230, which really helped my confidence and I thought I had it in the bag because of how much it's said to underpredict. But then I took NBME 18 2 days ago and dropped down to a 217. My scores in the 6 weeks before that were 215 and 223 on NBMEs 16 and 17, respectively.
Prior to 18, I felt out of it. Mind felt cloudy, simple facts weren't being recalled, just felt like an overall funk. I never got traction on the test. I misinterpreted a significant number of questions and basically missed 15-20 layups, and I ended up running super low on time (which almost never happens). This was in stark contrast to NBME 19 where I actually felt good going into it and attacked each question with the reckless precision of a frequently sued surgeon. The aforementioned funk followed the pattern that had been developing over the past week, after I'd taken 19.
I'm getting the feeling that I may be experiencing some crazy burnout. I was planning to do some light reading of FA for the next 2 days and then reviewing NBMEs for the 2 days after that. And then just relaxing on the day before the exam. It's just that when I start reading FA, I get bogged down in details and start trying to memorize everything. And the inability to do that induces stress and anxiety. It's like I'm missing the forest while trying to hit the trees. I'm not sure if it's in my best interest to stop studying altogether to manage my anxiety, or continue this review for a few days and hope that the 3 days before testing are enough to refresh my mind. My goal score was/is 240 and I think I have the knowledge to get there, but now I think I should thank my lucky stars if I end up with even a 230.
Any advice is welcome and appreciated. Thanks guys, much love.
I'm in desperate need of some positivity/wisdom. Preferably in the form of a backhanded compliment as is SDN custom. So I'm an IMG about to take Step 1 in 5 days, and I can't help but feel like I'm hitting the burnout phase of my prep. I've been at this for about a year and kept postponing due to poor practice scores.
I took NBME 19 2 weeks ago and got a 230, which really helped my confidence and I thought I had it in the bag because of how much it's said to underpredict. But then I took NBME 18 2 days ago and dropped down to a 217. My scores in the 6 weeks before that were 215 and 223 on NBMEs 16 and 17, respectively.
Prior to 18, I felt out of it. Mind felt cloudy, simple facts weren't being recalled, just felt like an overall funk. I never got traction on the test. I misinterpreted a significant number of questions and basically missed 15-20 layups, and I ended up running super low on time (which almost never happens). This was in stark contrast to NBME 19 where I actually felt good going into it and attacked each question with the reckless precision of a frequently sued surgeon. The aforementioned funk followed the pattern that had been developing over the past week, after I'd taken 19.
I'm getting the feeling that I may be experiencing some crazy burnout. I was planning to do some light reading of FA for the next 2 days and then reviewing NBMEs for the 2 days after that. And then just relaxing on the day before the exam. It's just that when I start reading FA, I get bogged down in details and start trying to memorize everything. And the inability to do that induces stress and anxiety. It's like I'm missing the forest while trying to hit the trees. I'm not sure if it's in my best interest to stop studying altogether to manage my anxiety, or continue this review for a few days and hope that the 3 days before testing are enough to refresh my mind. My goal score was/is 240 and I think I have the knowledge to get there, but now I think I should thank my lucky stars if I end up with even a 230.
Any advice is welcome and appreciated. Thanks guys, much love.
