FMG Discrimination in Step 1?

[sharkhy]

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First of all, pardon my ignorance in general about the USMLE system.

One of my friends who is a foreign medical graduate from India is preparing for the Step 1 and has heard a rumor that I would like to find out more about. He heard that in the Step 1 exam, FMGs are given more behavioral science and biochemistry questions - with the theory being that they usually don't score as well in these subjects and therefore do less well in the exam.

This doesn't seem possible to me, but I would like to know if anyone else had heard something similar, or knew exactly how the questions are generated for each student.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Wednesday]

Do you think that the NBME would compromise the test results (and therefore their validity as a testing service) just to stick it to FMGs? 🙄 I mean no one really knows how they do anything, but it just doesn't make any sense.

When people take tests they tend to remember the questions they struggled with. This is probably what's happening.

 

[bigfrank]

FMGs will tend to have a more inherent difficulty with the "quote" type questions. Many rely on American cultural/social norms. Obviously, they don't get any slanted questions or numbers of questions intentionally: that would be absurd.

 

[Stinger86]

Sounds like the FMG from whom your friend heard this information got his feathers a little ruffled after taking the step 1. 🙄

 

[mjl1717]

Im an IMG out of Mexico but born in Brooklyn.
Just missed step 1 by a point. At his point in time I honestly dont think NBME
is discriminating. As Stinger said and I agree Step 1 could ruffle your feathers!