fredv1 versus fredv2 - they are changing step 1 in may 09

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TheNorthWaves

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I just discovered that I will be a test hamster for the new step 1 format they are implementing in May. Awesome 🙄

Does anyone know how vastly different it might be? I have a mac and can't run the .exe files that their website has. I'm using Uworld qbank right now and I'm paranoid that it might be a lot different.

any ideas?
 
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Yuuuup from their webpage:
"The change to the test delivery software will be accounted for in scoring the examination results, so that scores will be comparable to those of exams using the older software. Because of this change, as well as routine modifications to the test item pool, it will be necessary to delay the reporting of scores for some examinees. The normal turnaround time for reporting scores to Step 1 examinees is 3 to 4 weeks. However, during this transition, turnaround time for some examinees may be as long as 6 to 8 weeks."
 
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if there is a silver lining, it says up to 6-8 weeks. It sounds more like they are covering their butts if in fact there is a delay.
 
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TheNorthWaves said:
I just discovered that I will be a test hamster for the new step 1 format they are implementing in May. Awesome 🙄

Does anyone know how vastly different it might be? I have a mac and can't run the .exe files that their website has. I'm using Uworld qbank right now and I'm paranoid that it might be a lot different.

any ideas?
Click to expand...

wow, this sucks! Why are they changing it up? for what reason? thats stupid
 
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Any tips on how to prepare for this? I searched this forum for Fred V2 and that USMLE consult has the Fred V2 already integrated in there but I don't know how their qbank is.

I just signed up the other week for usmleworld but I did not notice the format change. Is there an option for it?

This is going to be interesting!
 
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Unfortunately as the OP said the practice materials are not compatible with mac... anyone have screenshots or can just describe how it's different? I'm taking the exam May 6 so it sounds like I'm just missing the cutoff, but I'm still mildly concerned ;b
 
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where did you get the date as may 9? on the usmle website it says may 15.
 
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DoctaJay said:
I e-mailed USMLE World and they said they would be updating their program tot he FRED v2 format early next month.
Click to expand...

Does it mean, that if I have a subscription, my FRED1 will become FRED2 after a month or does it mean that only new customers can get the FRED2 if they sign after a month , and existing customers of USMLEworld will be left dangling?

Thanks in advance DocJ.
 
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the color scheme is a little different, its blue instead of that pale gray like UW.

also the lab values has a search feature and also theres a calculator.

other wise its pretty much the same
 
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DoctaJay said:
Well I guess I'm the only excited one about FRED 2 being out on UWorld. How to other people like it?
Click to expand...

I do like the added color and functionality of the lab values and calculator now. I especially like the searchable lab values, but overall it hasn't changed much.

To THE armada: To find it just log in to the sign in page https://www.usmleworld.com/sign_in.aspx and download the FredV2 version.
 
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I cant imagine that it'll change so much we'll have to change what we study. It is still a licensing exam. They want to make sure we are competent.
 
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The only thing I'm concerned about is the "Sequential item test format "
Does this mean if we run into one of these questions, and we get bogged down, we cannot skip ahead? We can't skip ahead to the next question in the sequence or can't skip past the sequence at all?

Since Fred v2 is being phased in gradually, will we be able to find out whether we'll be on Fred v2 or v1 if we know our test date and location?
 
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dantt said:
The only thing I'm concerned about is the "Sequential item test format "
Does this mean if we run into one of these questions, and we get bogged down, we cannot skip ahead? We can't skip ahead to the next question in the sequence or can't skip past the sequence at all?
Click to expand...
They discussed that in another thread. You can skip to questions outside of the sequence, just not within it. I don't think it's going to be a big deal.
 
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dantt said:
The only thing I'm concerned about is the "Sequential item test format "
Does this mean if we run into one of these questions, and we get bogged down, we cannot skip ahead? We can't skip ahead to the next question in the sequence or can't skip past the sequence at all?

Since Fred v2 is being phased in gradually, will we be able to find out whether we'll be on Fred v2 or v1 if we know our test date and location?
Click to expand...
Good question. 😕
 
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dantt said:
Since Fred v2 is being phased in gradually, will we be able to find out whether we'll be on Fred v2 or v1 if we know our test date and location?
Click to expand...

I spoke to the director of my test center. She told me that they don't find out when they're transitioning until a few days before hand so she couldn't tell me. (I don't know if she would have been able to release the date if she knew).

Anyway, I'm playing odds and planning on them having switched over to FredV2 by late June since they're beginning the transition Mid-May. If not, I'll have done enough QBank materials on FredV1 of UWorld before V2 came out that I don't think it'll throw me.
 
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it sucks that we cant start from the end anymore...i liked being able to start at the end and move up to time myself.
 
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Captopril said:
just did a block of UW with the new format. It really isn't that different from the v1
Click to expand...

I haven't seen any linked questions in UWorld V2. They don't have any Audio-Visual questions either.

The best way to get a feel for V2 is by doing the demo on the NBME website.

The UWorld/FREDv2 interfaces are pretty similar, but the minutiae haven't caught up yet.
 
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