how do shelf exams compare to the boards?

[Bermiedoc]

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did you find that the nbme subject exams were easier or harder than the actuall boards?

 

[OneStrongBro]

did you find that the nbme subject exams were easier or harder than the actuall boards?

Pathology Shelf and Physical Diagnosis Shelf were more detailed than the boards. For example, on the boards, a given question might have 3 or more clues to the right answer, but on the Pathology Shelf exam you either had to know the picture or know a fact that corresponded to the disease (more minutiae on Shelf exams). On the boards, majority of the time the pathology picture really isn't vital to get the right answer since you are given multiple clues.

The shelf exam is more of a knowledge/achievement exam. Step 1 is more of a integration/application exam.