How long are Shelf Exams?

[bmr6819]

I cannot seem to find information regarding details of the Shelf exams for the 3rd year clinical rotations. I've checked the NBME website and various threads on SDN. Here are some of my questions:

1. Are the exams the same length for all the different rotations (peds, surg, med, etc)?
2. How many questions are on the exam?
3. What is the allotted time to take the exams?
4. Are they given on computers or on paper?

It would just be nice to know what to expect. If there is a website with this info, I would appreciate it if someone could post it. Thanks!!!

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[FSU2013]

I cannot seem to find information regarding details of the Shelf exams for the 3rd year clinical rotations. I've checked the NBME website and various threads on SDN. Here are some of my questions:

1. Are the exams the same length for all the different rotations (peds, surg, med, etc)?
2. How many questions are on the exam?
3. What is the allotted time to take the exams?
4. Are they given on computers or on paper?

It would just be nice to know what to expect. If there is a website with this info, I would appreciate it if someone could post it. Thanks!!!

100 q's for all exams.
I believe allotted time varies from school to school. I think 2-2 1/2 hours is roughly standard
Our school used paper this year, but I believe that we are transitioning to computers.

Check the nbme website for content and example questions - but the questions are usually excessively simple.

Also, your "scaled score" means nothing. They were initially scaled years ago. You can only go by your percentile which will be given to you by your school.

 

[DocEspana]

100 q's for all exams.
I believe allotted time varies from school to school. I think 2-2 1/2 hours is roughly standard
Our school used paper this year, but I believe that we are transitioning to computers.

Check the nbme website for content and example questions - but the questions are usually excessively simple.

Also, your "scaled score" means nothing. They were initially scaled years ago. You can only go by your percentile which will be given to you by your school.

yea. As stated above. they're all 100 questions. It's suggested that you either get 2 hours 10 minutes or 2 hours 40 minutes to do the test. And I've only seen it on paper, but I'm sure they want to transition if they havent already.

I'm not sure if you're saying the pracrice questions were excessively simple or the shelf exam questions are easy. Shelf exams are usually pretty damn challenging. Seriously hard stuff for IM and Surgery. But maybe that's just me.

 

[Sheldor]

yea. As stated above. they're all 100 questions. It's suggested that you either get 2 hours 10 minutes or 2 hours 40 minutes to do the test. And I've only seen it on paper, but I'm sure they want to transition if they havent already.

I'm not sure if you're saying the pracrice questions were excessively simple or the shelf exam questions are easy. Shelf exams are usually pretty damn challenging. Seriously hard stuff for IM and Surgery. But maybe that's just me.

They were referring to the sample questions, definitely.