Delay in score reporting/ TEST MODIFICATIONS?

[Vanquish]

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Most score reporting of Step 1 results occurs within four weeks of testing. However, because of necessary modifications to the test item pool, there will be a delay in reporting for some examinees testing beginning in mid-May 2011. The target date for reporting Step 1 scores for most examinees testing from May 17 through late June will be Wednesday, July 13, 2011.


Hey guys, this is to all the step1 veterans out there...vichinill , kryptik, and anyone else for that matter... does this mean the version of the test administered after may 17 is gonna be harder to get a higher score on and also are they gonna make the vignettes longer too..? Because I believe thats what they did last time....Im very apprehensive now....😡

 

[wolverine09]

interesting. that really is unfortunate and unfair.

 

[Encephalectomy]

my understanding is that it shouldn't make it harder to get a certain score perse (the NBME makes a big deal about how scores stay equivalent even though the actual questions change over time). That said, they are adding/changing a bunch of questions which may help you or hurt you but there is no way of knowing.

Having to wait 2 months for your score on the other hand 😡!

 

[McGillGrad]

From my experience and from watching what has happened over the past 3 years, I would suspect that it may be harder ONLY BECAUSE they remove questions that are hit hard by review materials and add new twist questions that test the same material in a different way.

 

[Day man]

Isn't harder relative? I thought the exam was normalized, so if it's harder...it's harder for everyone and raw scores may suffer but the 3 digit is adjusted accordingly? Kind of how they have 'updated' the 'curves' (i don't even know if it's a curve) for the older nmbes (5/6/7)...I could be really wrong though. Either way, no sense in stressing...plus, I'm pissed I have the apparently hardest shelf as my first rotation, wonderful haha.

 

[McGillGrad]

Isn't harder relative? I thought the exam was normalized, so if it's harder...it's harder for everyone and raw scores may suffer but the 3 digit is adjusted accordingly? Kind of how they have 'updated' the 'curves' (i don't even know if it's a curve) for the older nmbes (5/6/7)...I could be really wrong though. Either way, no sense in stressing...plus, I'm pissed I have the apparently hardest shelf as my first rotation, wonderful haha.

Yes and no. If it is harder for everyone, then you are right. It is just adjusted via the two-digit score.

But when they change the way a subject is tested, and you get it wrong (when you would have gotten it right in the previous version) your effective score goes down.

Of course, if you know the material cold, then it won't matter. BUT many people use review material that help score easy points. And when those easy points are taken away, you are left with a lower score.

 

[wolverine09]

🙁

 

[RadOncRocks]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isnt it just a change in immunology? I was under the impression that it was becoming it's own category, and that was it.

 

[McGillGrad]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isnt it just a change in immunology? I was under the impression that it was becoming it's own category, and that was it.

Only the USMLE people know for sure.

I am just commenting on what I have seen over the past 3 times they have changed it. I could totally be off the mark.

 

[SeekerOfTheTree]

Damn, this seems bad...why me???? Why couldn't they do it after I took my test.

 

[Vanquish]

@ Mcgillgrad: according to you the review materials will not help as much...however I am currently using the "standard" review materials as every1 else (Goljan RR, BRS phys, FA) so how can I prepare myself for these changes that are to come? Also should I change my date and give it earlier in May to avoid this craziness even though I would have less time?? Whats your advice??

 

[IMnotgivingup!!]

@ Mcgillgrad: according to you the review materials will not help as much...however I am currently using the "standard" review materials as every1 else (Goljan RR, BRS phys, FA) so how can I prepare myself for these changes that are to come? Also should I change my date and give it earlier in May to avoid this craziness even though I would have less time?? Whats your advice??

I would take the test when you feel like you're ready. I wouldn't change the test day JUST because of this change. and i think the reason for that is simple: we don't know what the changes are. We're all speculating. So if you feel like you're ready, then that should be the only reason to change your date.
And as far as review material goes, my opinion is that its not going to drastically change how we study. If you look at previous editions of FA, they are quite similar besides the few changes each year. That means the content isn't changed that much. I think whats changed is the WAY they ask questions. Pretty much every question is starting to be a clinical based vignette. And a lot of the questions are 2nd/3rd order questions, which allows the USMLE people to ask the same thing in different ways. Now this could turn out to be harder or easier based on an individual's preparation and ease with those type of questions.
Bottom line, in MY opinion, try to prepare the best you can with the resources that are out there. Besides newer editions for all those resources won't come out in a while. And try not think too much into these changes because none of us are sure of what these changes are. Hope this helps (even though I now realize you were specifically asking McGillgrad 🙂)

 

[RySerr21]

its not like they are adding sections on religious studies and sociology.......its the same material. maybe they emphasize one subject over another, it really doesnt matter. and theres really no way to say what you 'would have gotten' b/c you don't know what that test would have been like. if you just STUDY, you will do fine.

 

[RapplixGmed]

My friend and I were commenting the other day that the review materials will ALWAYS lag what is actually on the exam since these materials are all made from what people have reported to be on old exams.

Likewise, the exam people are always changing out the old questions since they're "worn out" so the stuff on review materials will always emphasize materials that appear often, but maybe not quite as often as qbanks would suggest.

I'd say the review materials are definitely enough to get you to 250 if not higher. if you're shooting for the 270 though, it may help you to read much more broadly. But only after you have mastered absolutely everything in the review books.

Goljan in his audio series has mentioned that the step 1 people sometimes like to add questions that relate to current events or developments in medicine. If you're really hardcore, I'd maybe read up on new things that have shown up in the NEJM and JAMA in the last year. This may get you maybe up to five additional questions right on the exam.

 

[ej37]

I just moved my test from the 17th to the 16th. The rep I talked to on the phone mentioned I was the 3rd persion today to do so...

 

[wolverine09]

.

 

[RapplixGmed]

I just moved my test from the 17th to the 16th. The rep I talked to on the phone mentioned I was the 3rd persion today to do so...

The way I see it, the people who are paranoid about scores are more likely to move their tests up so they won't be in the new pool for scaling. However, these are the same people who will do well on the exam. Thus, the pool starting after the change will be curved slightly easier than the pool just before the change because of this migration of people.

Thats good for us who plan to take it in June. If you're going to score well, please please please move up your test date

 

[McGillGrad]

@ Mcgillgrad: according to you the review materials will not help as much...however I am currently using the "standard" review materials as every1 else (Goljan RR, BRS phys, FA) so how can I prepare myself for these changes that are to come? Also should I change my date and give it earlier in May to avoid this craziness even though I would have less time?? Whats your advice??

Don't get me wrong, if you are well prepared, you should know the answer. If you take tests well and have a knack for seeing through distractors, then you will be fine.

You have to remember that some people only use one source and only several hundred questions in their step prep. Those people will be more likley to lose a few points.

If you follow sage advice of doing 3000-5000 practice questions plus Goljan audio, Galjan RR and FA, then you are golden. Using the NBME exams to guide your progress is an excellent way to work on your weaknesses and avoid being fooled.

 

[Vanquish]

Thanks for all your input guys... Mcgillgrad, IMnotgivingup!!, RapplixGmed. Helped boost my confidence back up a bit.
I was just anxious because I am shooting for a 260...Have already done Rx, kaplan, and now going thru UW...Just hope I can get anywhere near there now with these changes