Disappointed with score

[Reekx94]

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Hey all,

I got my score today and I’m quite disappointed. I scored a 239. I know it is not a bad score by any means, but

1. My nbmes were ALL above my real score
2. I worked more than I ever thought I would for this.
3. It is well below my goal (245+)

My nbme scores were

13: 250
16:250
17:244
18:242
19:244 (which is supposed to underestimate by a good margin)

I don’t know how I got a 239. The exam was definitely tough and I knew I might slip off into low 240s, but not below that.

Anyways, can’t change anything now. I’ll start my step 2 preparations really soon.

As an IMG what are the chances of matching into a good IM program with a 250+ CK and good LORs?

Thanks

 

[Connauton]

Man I'm sorry this happened to you. Still a great score, but I know the feels you're going through. Currently waiting on my score, have NBMEs in pretty much the exact same range as you and I feel like trash.

Why did you feel like you might have slipped into the 240s originally? I flagged about 10-15 per block, most of which were crap shoots between a couple choices.

 

[Reekx94]

Man I'm sorry this happened to you. Still a great score, but I know the feels you're going through. Currently waiting on my score, have NBMEs in pretty much the exact same range as you and I feel like trash.

Why did you feel like you might have slipped into the 240s originally? I flagged about 10-15 per block, most of which were crap shoots between a couple choices.

It’s okay. I believe everything happens for a reason, or atleast I try to.

I know how you feel as well. I think you should lower your expectations before the scores come out. Especially if you felt the exam was difficult. Not to demoralize or anything but that way you’d be less disappointed if you, god forbid, get a score below your goal. If you score high then that’ll make you even happier! A win-win situation.

As for me, I felt I might have slept into low 240s because I did feel the exam was tough. And strangely, I found it extremely difficult to remember questions from the exam. I could barely recall 20 questions. Thats so annoying.

All in all, have faith in that whatever score you get, you did your job. Rest is fait.

 

[Qester]

What is the standard error of the mean (SEM) on your step 1 report? There is a good chance a 239 is +/- SEM of a 245.
Realistically a 239 is right in the ballpark of you goal of 245.
Try to stay positive.

 

[Reekx94]

What is the standard error of the mean (SEM) on your step 1 report? There is a good chance a 239 is +/- SEM of a 245.
Realistically a 239 is right in the ballpark of you goal of 245.
Try to stay positive.

Thank you for the positive push. The SEM is 6 for my score report so I guess you’re right? But I don’t really get this SEM, there’s a chance my real score is a 245?

 

[Qester]

Thank you for the positive push. The SEM is 6 for my score report so I guess you’re right? But I don’t really get this SEM, there’s a chance my real score is a 245?

In generic terms a SEM of 6 means that your true understanding falls somewhere (most likely) your score +/- 6. So your score puts you in a knowledge level of a 233-245 ish range. (Of course this is a bit simplified explanation of SEM however if you thought you were a 245, and your score was 239 +/- 6, good chance is you got an appropriate score.

 

[W19]

Get a 250+ in CK and you will match into a mid-tier university program... 239 is a good score--even for IMG.

 

[Reekx94]

Get a 250+ in CK and you will match into a mid-tier university program... 239 is a good score--even for IMG.

Thank you for the advice. I’ll definitely aim for a sky high CK score.
Can you please provide a brief list of mid-tier university programs? Or a link where I can find such info.
Thanks

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

Go look at the Charting the Outcomes NRMP document rather than asking people on here. You are OK. Still lots of work to be done. Time to move on and focus on next steps.

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

Thank you for the advice. I’ll definitely aim for a sky high CK score.
Can you please provide a brief list of mid-tier university programs? Or a link where I can find such info.
Thanks

There's not one list. You'll have to do your own research and reading.
LMGTFY