NBDE Part 1 - Comp or paper???

[jg68]

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Is there any real difference in taking the paper or computer version of the part one boards, is the curve more generous on the paper or computer version??? Is it likely to see different questions when taking the computer version because it is possible to show pictures in color?

 

[sheepfsh]

The only difference I know of is that you can take the computer version whenever you want and the paper version is only offered in July and Dec. I do not know much about the curve though.Some one did say that the comp version has a higher curve, but I do not know. Just like you I am very interested in finding out. My test is in a week so I will know not too long from now.

Also one thing I was wondering is if there are more repeted q's from the released packets show up on the comp vesion?

 

[ascopel]

For Part I boards it is usually better to take the paper version. The scores from all the students who take the exam are scaled against each other to come up with an average which is then ranked to a passing average. I'm not too sure how the computer version works out but all of our faculty strongly suggested that (for now) we stick with the paper version. I will say that the students who took the computer version had lower overall scores than the rest of our class. Good luck!

 

[fc.pride]

sheepfsh,
after you take it can you tell us what its like? is it like the released packets?

 

[sheepfsh]

Hey all just took my exam a day ago. It was a bit difficult but it is over now. As far a the test it was different from the released packets. So know your material befor you take it. I was a bit upset with the testing area because they were doing construction while I was taking my test. So I wonder how that is going to play into my scores. There were no color pics but the diagrams were verey clear.
Best ofluck to all those out there studying for this test.

 

[ItsGavinC]

I will say that the students who took the computer version had lower overall scores than the rest of our class. Good luck!

I've heard the opposite, but who knows.

 

[45540]

I've heard the opposite, but who knows.

I've never heard that people had lower scores on the computer portion of it. Getting the scores right away seems like a load off rather than having to wait.

 

[gbdental]

Hey all just took my exam a day ago. It was a bit difficult but it is over now. As far a the test it was different from the released packets. So know your material befor you take it. I was a bit upset with the testing area because they were doing construction while I was taking my test. So I wonder how that is going to play into my scores. There were no color pics but the diagrams were verey clear.
Best ofluck to all those out there studying for this test.

In what ways was the exam different from the released packets?

 

[sheepfsh]

In what ways was the exam different from the released packets?

The released packets had many repeated q's and the format of the q's are the same throught out all the packets. On the one I took the questions looked different. The style of q's were more similar to those of the Dental Decks. There were some semi-case based q's but it is not like the USMLE Step1 or anything. Micro/Path seemed to have many antibiotics/Pharmacology questions. Also in some of the packets the AnatSci had some Dental Anat type q's but in mine it seemed to be strictly AnatSci (Mainly Head & Neck stuff) So it was stuff like that. Thats the best I can do to explain the dif. I might been able to focus better if there wasn't any construction going on in the next room.

 

[WestCoast]

I agree, ones i've talked to did very very well on computer version.

I've heard the opposite, but who knows.

 

[lnn2]

Is there any real difference in taking the paper or computer version of the part one boards, is the curve more generous on the paper or computer version??? Is it likely to see different questions when taking the computer version because it is possible to show pictures in color?

The only real difference: one is on computer and the other is on the paper!
They both suck! you should just forget 'bout it!
Ok, if you'd like to know what I think, paper probably has more generous curve due to the amount of students taking it, I guess. It also depends on how well those test takers perform.
Why don't you call the ADA and ask them about the curve? Hopefully they can tell you how the exam is calculated.