Curve on Recent NBMEs vs Step 1

[florida91]

Is anyone else worried about the curve on Step 1 will be compared to how the curves on recent NBMEs have been? I've only taken NBME 17 so far, and even though I did make a lot of silly mistakes and can see why that NBME would be considered more straight forward, I was surprised that 85% correct was equivalent to a 225. I've heard that the curve for other recent NBMEs has been similar.

Do you guys think the actual Step will be curved similarly? I would normally think getting 85% of the questions correct would be great but now I'm starting to freak out!

Sorry if this has been discussed before! I haven't been on SDN much since starting medical school.

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[blueforest]

I got almost the same score on NBME 17 and also couldn't believe that I scored so well (84.5%) and then I saw the 223... ouch. It was a big improvement for me but still, I'd be more confident if it was over a 230. My exam is in a few days, maybe I can offer some help to future test takers when I receive my score next month. The curve seems ridiculously hard on these NBMEs.

When is your exam?

 

[chromuffin]

Is anyone else worried about the curve on Step 1 will be compared to how the curves on recent NBMEs have been? I've only taken NBME 17 so far, and even though I did make a lot of silly mistakes and can see why that NBME would be considered more straight forward, I was surprised that 85% correct was equivalent to a 225. I've heard that the curve for other recent NBMEs has been similar.

Do you guys think the actual Step will be curved similarly? I would normally think getting 85% of the questions correct would be great but now I'm starting to freak out!

Sorry if this has been discussed before! I haven't been on SDN much since starting medical school.

From what I understand, NBMEs have harsher curves than the real thing. I would think an 85% correct on the real thing would put you in position for a 235+ but this is all speculation.

 

[florida91]

I got almost the same score on NBME 17 and also couldn't believe that I scored so well (84.5%) and then I saw the 223... ouch. It was a big improvement for me but still, I'd be more confident if it was over a 230. My exam is in a few days, maybe I can offer some help to future test takers when I receive my score next month. The curve seems ridiculously hard on these NBMEs.

When is your exam?

Yeah I definitely felt the same way! Mine is in a little over a week. Good luck! I'm really hoping the real thing isn't as harsh

 

[florida91]

From what I understand, NBMEs have harsher curves than the real thing. I would think an 85% correct on the real thing would put you in position for a 235+ but this is all speculation.

I really do hope you're right! I'm aiming for around 240+ so that would be great haha