how authentic are the uworld self assessment tests?

[mugdha]

Hi, Id like to know ... how well do the scores of uworld self assessment tests correspond with actual step 1 scores. (im short of time and have to choose which to take) Has anyone compared these with the nbme and step 1 scores, please?

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[chef]

i'm in a similar boat.. i will probably do UW assessment #1, and then 1 NBME practice exam. (which # i dunno)

 

[mugdha]

maybe same here... do let me know how u fare.

 

[chef]

will do.. i'll probably do both UW assessments, if anything they have explanations so i figure at the least it'll be additional q's to practice on. NBME's dont have answers/explanations i think..

 

[ZonaRidicularis]

z

 

[Sahani]

I found the USMLE World exam accurately predicted my progress during my studying. I used NBME's too, and they pretty much worked linearly as I got closer to my exam. The NBME's provide ZERO educational value, and frankly waste half a day. Good for a baseline, not for periodic studying. That being said, there are only two USMLE World assessments, so you have to be frugal. I used it to hone in on my weakest areas a little before my exam to refocus that critical time before.

 

[pcarlson05]

After months of lurking, I'll do my good deed and contribute, especially since I had the same question while studying. My progress was as follows (about one week in between each test):

NBME 1 (without any studying): 210
NBME 2: 234
NBME 3: 242
NBME 4: 252
USMLEworld 2: 256
NBME 6: 240 (surprised me, I didn't find it any more difficult than the other exams)
USMLEworld 1: 260 (one day before exam)

Step 1: 264

I had pretty much decided to disregard the USMLEWorld scores, since they had seemed to be inflated over the NBME scores for nearly everyone I had talked to. Naturally, I was not expecting to score over 260, but a set a goal of 245. So in the end, it seemed to be a good predictor of my score, and indeed, those of many other people I talked to (which surprised me). I will also say they are a useful learning tool. My step exam had about 3 questions that were VERY similar to the USMLE exam I had taken a day earlier, two of which I never would have gotten correct without taking the exam.

 

[chef]

After months of lurking, I'll do my good deed and contribute, especially since I had the same question while studying. My progress was as follows (about one week in between each test):

NBME 1 (without any studying): 210
NBME 2: 234
NBME 3: 242
NBME 4: 252
USMLEworld 2: 256
NBME 6: 240 (surprised me, I didn't find it any more difficult than the other exams)
USMLEworld 1: 260 (one day before exam)

Step 1: 264

I had pretty much decided to disregard the USMLEWorld scores, since they had seemed to be inflated over the NBME scores for nearly everyone I had talked to. Naturally, I was not expecting to score over 260, but a set a goal of 245. So in the end, it seemed to be a good predictor of my score, and indeed, those of many other people I talked to (which surprised me). I will also say they are a useful learning tool. My step exam had about 3 questions that were VERY similar to the USMLE exam I had taken a day earlier, two of which I never would have gotten correct without taking the exam.

that's really impressive. how long did you study? congrats on the great score.

 

[pcarlson05]

I studied for 6 weeks. I'm at a school where we only have 1.5 years of basic sciences, so I actually had taken my surgery and medicine rotations before the exam. I'm uncertain how much of an effect that experience had...

Anyway, like everyone else says, KNOW first aid. I also used BRS physio, BRS path, high yield neuro and behavorial, and RR biochem. I also used goljan 100 page HY yield notes, and remembered at least 5 questions I would not have otherwise gotten from that resource.

 

[DragonWell]

This question's been asked several times in the last couple months. Try a search.

ie. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=532801