Nbde Part 1 Experience And Score

[dentalworld]

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Hi all,

Recent part 1 takers please post ur experience of exam, materials used, hours of input, duration.


thanks

 

[actripxl]

I used kaplan and the decks, yet I would say over a third of the questions that came out on the exam were in neither of the two. I passed with a 75, but will need to retake it since I am foreign trained. I was really upset by the fact that there were so many obscure questions and not on major everyday things seen that is reviewed in the decks or the kaplan book and videos.

 

[mdhan]

I took the exam on Feb 22 but got my results yesterday 😕
It's been over two months since I took it but I think the most important thing the day you take the exam is to make sure you're ready for 8+ hours of concentration. If you're a foreign graduate like I am I really recommend that you arrive a couple days before the test and get over the jet lag. Get adequate sleep the day before and make sure you eat breakfast before the test and lunch during the break. If you're not a foreign graduate, at least get enough sleep and NEVER skip breakfast. It might not sound like much but looking back I really think this is a big factor because even though I did everything I mentioned above, I found myself half asleep during the second half.

Another thing is to stay calm before and during the test since 1) freaking out will only hinder your performance, and 2) it's really not as bad as you think. I started panicking about a week before the test and totally freaked out the day before but everything turned out OK. Take it from a guy who finished the decks just 7 days before the exam and didn't have time to take the 2004 pilot and parts of the '98 released papers !!! Just make sure not to make any mistakes and make answering everything you know correctly your main goal instead of trying to nail the really hard questions. If you see a question you've never seen before, chances are it's the same for other people as well. Also, keep in mind that around 80 missed questions will roughly give you a 90 (based on what I've read on this forum) and that about 50% of the test is composed of repeats. So as long as you stay calm and avoid making mistakes you should be OK.

Hope this helped. Good luck!

 

[skabbaraju]

I took the exam on Feb 22 but got my results yesterday 😕
It's been over two months since I took it but I think the most important thing the day you take the exam is to make sure you're ready for 8+ hours of concentration. If you're a foreign graduate like I am I really recommend that you arrive a couple days before the test and get over the jet lag. Get adequate sleep the day before and make sure you eat breakfast before the test and lunch during the break. If you're not a foreign graduate, at least get enough sleep and NEVER skip breakfast. It might not sound like much but looking back I really think this is a big factor because even though I did everything I mentioned above, I found myself half asleep during the second half.

Another thing is to stay calm before and during the test since 1) freaking out will only hinder your performance, and 2) it's really not as bad as you think. I started panicking about a week before the test and totally freaked out the day before but everything turned out OK. Take it from a guy who finished the decks just 7 days before the exam and didn't have time to take the 2004 pilot and parts of the '98 released papers !!! Just make sure not to make any mistakes and make answering everything you know correctly your main goal instead of trying to nail the really hard questions. If you see a question you've never seen before, chances are it's the same for other people as well. Also, keep in mind that around 80 missed questions will roughly give you a 90 (based on what I've read on this forum) and that about 50% of the test is composed of repeats. So as long as you stay calm and avoid making mistakes you should be OK.

Hope this helped. Good luck!

What is your score.? Thanks for the tips.

 

[mdhan]

What is your score.? Thanks for the tips.

My composite score was 91. For some reason the report didn't include the scores of the individual sections...

 

[doc76]

I took the exam on Feb 22 but got my results yesterday 😕
It's been over two months since I took it but I think the most important thing the day you take the exam is to make sure you're ready for 8+ hours of concentration. If you're a foreign graduate like I am I really recommend that you arrive a couple days before the test and get over the jet lag. Get adequate sleep the day before and make sure you eat breakfast before the test and lunch during the break. If you're not a foreign graduate, at least get enough sleep and NEVER skip breakfast. It might not sound like much but looking back I really think this is a big factor because even though I did everything I mentioned above, I found myself half asleep during the second half.

Another thing is to stay calm before and during the test since 1) freaking out will only hinder your performance, and 2) it's really not as bad as you think. I started panicking about a week before the test and totally freaked out the day before but everything turned out OK. Take it from a guy who finished the decks just 7 days before the exam and didn't have time to take the 2004 pilot and parts of the '98 released papers !!! Just make sure not to make any mistakes and make answering everything you know correctly your main goal instead of trying to nail the really hard questions. If you see a question you've never seen before, chances are it's the same for other people as well. Also, keep in mind that around 80 missed questions will roughly give you a 90 (based on what I've read on this forum) and that about 50% of the test is composed of repeats. So as long as you stay calm and avoid making mistakes you should be OK.

Hope this helped. Good luck!

hi mdhan
thanks a lot.

 

[orthoperio]

hi everyone ! I too gave my exams on march 31st and got a composite score of 82.....But somehow my individual scores were brought down by the national average , so if suppose I got a 78 in one subject the national average brought it down to 74 and so on.....

I dont know why this happened , but im really upset with my scores ......
I guess I need to give this exam again...Can someone tell me after what duration u can reappear for the exam?

And to tell u all about the exam experience ,it was kinda too long for me coz i was taking it first time ,So be prepared to keep ur minds open for 8 long hours ..

As far as the qns are concerned , they were 50%repeats and 50% u've never heard of , so just guess work.....Few were related to dental ethics ,didnt know where to read that frm .... And even among repeats the qns were quite twisted so u really had to think hard ,

DOnt worry about the time coz u get ample amt of it.....So sit back and think hard before u ans.

The exam atmosphere is very neat at the prometric centre ,so dont worry about that either ,

just be well prepared and ans carefully.

All the best
regards

 

[dentalworld]

Congrats mdhan !!

Good score !!!
That too in new format congrats once again and good luck

 

[doc76]

My composite score was 91. For some reason the report didn't include the scores of the individual sections...

congratulations mdhan......good scores
good luck with ur application process.

 

[smile...]

Hey mdhan,

Congratulations!May I get some tips on your study preparation including the study materials you used along with the q papers & the hours of focussed study you gave in..
I will be taking my Part 1 during end of July.
The experience you quote will be of great help not just to me but thousands of candidates taking their part 1.

Thanks in advance,
Smile...

 

[dmdmtl]

Hi!

I took nbde part 1 in october and part two in January. I passed both with scores over 80%. I'm a Canadian dentist and my first language is French.... So, let's just say that it was not easy to study something in a different language.... Especially, a Board Exam...

I studied part one for about three weeks, 7 days a week, 10 to 12 hours per day. I studied First Aid + Dental Decks and did old exams. I would have to say that on the day of the exam, I was freaking out... Not even one repeated question.... I honestly thought I would failed, but I passed! It was not easy to study stuff I learned almost 10 years ago, especially Biochemistry, a lot of questions about chemical reactions. The easiest part is for sure the Dental Anatomy, you need to know all the specific characteristics of each tooth, lots of questions about occlusion too!

For part two, It was the same. Studied for three weeks, 12 hours per day, with dental decks, old exams +Mosby's review for the NBDE ( I honestly don't think it's worth it to buy this book!). I would have to say that I found part two easier... probably because I've been practicing dentistry for 6 years now.... And it's all about teeth! Questions about pathology and radiology where not that specific. There was A LOT of questions (more than 50-55) about patient management, psychology, so don't forget to spend some time studying this part...

So, what I would like to say to you and to all of you who are scare about this exam, is to have faith in yourself. Two years ago, I couldn't even talk in English. I passed the NBDE and I am about to take the NERB to get my license in Michigan. So, you can do it!

 

[dentheartthrob]

I passed the NBDE and I am about to take the NERB to get my license in Michigan. So, you can do it!

what? how's this possible? Don't you have to go an ADA accredited school first?

 

[mdhan]

Hey mdhan,

Congratulations!May I get some tips on your study preparation including the study materials you used along with the q papers & the hours of focussed study you gave in..
I will be taking my Part 1 during end of July.
The experience you quote will be of great help not just to me but thousands of candidates taking their part 1.

Thanks in advance,
Smile...

I followed the usual gameplan - used the decks as the backbone and refered to other materials to expand upon the decks. If you've forgotten a lot of what you learned in school like me, I think the decks is a must. As for other materials, I don't think the source is very important as long as you can find the information you're looking for. Just use textbooks or notes you are comfortable with. Some of the sources I used were:

1. Kaplan book - I used it for certain topics in biochemistry and microbiology. It is a very big book so don't even think about going over the whole thing!!!

2. Wikipedia - I relied on this a lot. Mostly for looking up terms I was unsure of in the decks/released papers. Wikipedia is great for getting a general idea on a subject that's completely new to you. It's also great for extracting extra details on topics you already know.

3. Netter's Atlas - Fantastic source for understanding spatial relationships between structures.

4. USMLE First Aid (Step 1) - The best thing about this book is that it's very easy to review at a glance and has some great mnemonics. I only used it for microbiology and biochemistry(only for reviewing the major pathways.)

5. Lippincott's Illustrated Review (Biochemistry) - I used this book when I didn't feel comfortable with Kaplan and vice versa.

6. Other - I used my ortho textbook from school for head and neck development.

Other important things:

- Make sure you go over as many released papers as possible. IMO, this is a MUST, more so than the decks.

- Review the decks thoroughly. Try to understand everything on the front and back of each flashcard. Some people like to go over the decks lightly several times while others prefer to review it once or twice thoroughly. Choose a method you're comfortable with.


As for the time I put in, I started with 2 hours a day for about 10 days but I really had no motivation and decided to take an indefinite break (which ended up being 3 to 4 months ) After taking the time off, I continued from where I had left off and studied for about 2 months. I have a very short attention span so I had a hard time studying for over 3 hours a day until the last 2 to 3 weeks or so. I was able to study a lot more once I started reviewing the released papers as it took me about an hour to complete each section. Don't mean to sound cliche, but I think how much you absorb is a lot more important than how much time you put in.

Personally, if I had to do it again, I'd prepare for 3 months. I think this would have been the ideal amount of time for me. But it could be completely different for you, of course. But generally speaking, if you are going to take the test in late July, you'll have more than enough time if you start soon. Good luck!

 

[dmdmtl]

I went to University of Montreal, an ADA's accredited school. I think that Canada and the US are the only countries where you only have to take the NBDE(US) or BNED(Canada) + state exam or provincial exam to get your license.

 

[rpd]

hey mdhan...

congratz for your score.well i dont use sdn much....but i just wanted to know.how man hours you used to put in last 2 months.act i am givin in end of july.adn iam too scared right now.i am just doing my revisions n going through decks and old ques...........is that enough???????????or is it that i need more time...i have basically studied more from kaplanz....................please guide meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

 

[smile...]

Hi mdhan,

Thank you for the excellent feedback.Your score & study tips is very motivating to keep the ball rolling.
I have just started my preparation & feel quiet comfortable referring to BRS series for physiology since I am not very good at basics.Also I liked BRS patho & the rest of the study materials just the same as yours..
If I run through any doubts is there an e-mail I can reach you on only if you are comfortable enough.
I once again appreciate your feedback.

Thanks again & Good luck!
smile...

 

[mdhan]

hey mdhan...

congratz for your score.well i dont use sdn much....but i just wanted to know.how man hours you used to put in last 2 months.act i am givin in end of july.adn iam too scared right now.i am just doing my revisions n going through decks and old ques...........is that enough???????????or is it that i need more time...i have basically studied more from kaplanz....................please guide meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

I studied for about 2-3 hours a day for the first month and a half. Like I said before, I have a very short attention span so I just couldn't concentrate any longer than that. I thought I'd be better off relaxing than trying to study while I was distracted. The last 2-3 weeks I studied for up to 5-7 hours a day. I was able to study for this long because I mostly focused on doing the released exams (it took about an hour to complete each section so it was easy to study for a long time.)
If you're taking the exam at the end of July and are already reviewing the released exams, you're in great shape and have more than enough time.

 

[mdhan]

Hi mdhan,

Thank you for the excellent feedback.Your score & study tips is very motivating to keep the ball rolling.
I have just started my preparation & feel quiet comfortable referring to BRS series for physiology since I am not very good at basics.Also I liked BRS patho & the rest of the study materials just the same as yours..
If I run through any doubts is there an e-mail I can reach you on only if you are comfortable enough.
I once again appreciate your feedback.

Thanks again & Good luck!
smile...

I'm glad you found materials you're comfortable with. Send me a PM if you have any questions. I'll do my best to answer them. Good luck to you too!

 

[de297]

Hi Mdhan
Heartiest Congratulations. And thanks a lot for the feedback about the exam and the preparation.
I am planning to write the exam in August but am very slow as of now.Just dont feel like studying. I am going through the Kaplan videos and the notes.
I would be grateful if you could tell me about the unreleased exam papers. I know the difference between the released and unreleased papers. But what I dont understand is if the unreleased papers are as important as the released ones. Because I saw a couple of messages in this forum wherein the students are more worried about not doing the unreleased Q papers, especially the 2004 paper if I am not wrong.
Kindly help.
Thanks

 

[lunasagatiba]

Hi everybody..
Finally I will do my test on saturday..😉
I did my best, dental decks, kaplan, released tests..
I am international dentist and I finished college in 1994..and I have been working since then (in my country!!!) I moved to United States 09 months ago and started studying hard since January 09th.. so it was very hard to come back to the books, especially when it is not your "mother" language..
Let's see what will happen.. I fell prepared and I hope I can help all after saturday..
Good luck for everybody..

 

[mdhan]

Hi Mdhan
Heartiest Congratulations. And thanks a lot for the feedback about the exam and the preparation.
I am planning to write the exam in August but am very slow as of now.Just dont feel like studying. I am going through the Kaplan videos and the notes.
I would be grateful if you could tell me about the unreleased exam papers. I know the difference between the released and unreleased papers. But what I dont understand is if the unreleased papers are as important as the released ones. Because I saw a couple of messages in this forum wherein the students are more worried about not doing the unreleased Q papers, especially the 2004 paper if I am not wrong.
Kindly help.
Thanks

I've only heard about these "unreleased papers" but I have never seen them. I don't know if they even exist, but if they do, I wouldn't be able to tell you if they're important because I've never done them.

As for the 2004 paper you're talking about, I think you're referring to the 2004Pilot Exam. It's the most recent released paper and has a similar format to the real exam. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to go over the 2004 Pilot but I stongly suggest that you do. The actual exam had quite a few repeats from recently released papers if I remember correctly. I was kicking myself for not doing the 2004 Pilot and parts of the 1998 test 🙁. Good luck with your preparation.

 

[tinman831]

Unreleased papers contain questions that have appeared on recent examinations and have not been officially released by the ADA. Discussion of said questions is against the ADA's non disclosure clause and is not permitted here on SDN.

 

[olddentist]

I used kaplan and the decks, yet I would say over a third of the questions that came out on the exam were in neither of the two. I passed with a 75, but will need to retake it since I am foreign trained. I was really upset by the fact that there were so many obscure questions and not on major everyday things seen that is reviewed in the decks or the kaplan book and videos.

did you study old exams?
why would you retake the exam? can not you find some resedency with this score?
I am planing to do the exam soon .

 

[soriandra]

I took it at the end of March and I got a very disappointing 76... I'm going to take it again in July. Like everyone else said, there were a few repeats but not 50% like someone said... Only a few and then most of them were stuff I had never heard about. :-(

 

[skabbaraju]

Hi,
I just wanted to share my experience of Part I.
Well, the exam was not "very hard" as I anticipated but that does not mean, I performed well.
I thought, there were some very easy questions but at the same time, some unknown Qs and some easy but tricky ones.
My prep. was ok. Some of the questions that were asked were too basic that I did not pay enough attention towards while studying. Unfortunately, I might have answered those wrong. ( I am sure, I did)
Did I do well enough to score a 90+.? I am not sure, as I feel, I committed too many easy mistakes.
Will a get a 325 out of 400.? Thats the big question and I am not sure about that either. The task seems daunting but it is possible.
When I was in the test center taking the test, I felt very confident but after it was over, I felt that I didn't do it that well.

Material that I studied reasonably well are as follows:
Decks - just 2 readings
Released qps from 89 - 98.
NBDE first Aid - Anat, DA and for last minute revision
Kaplan Review Book - 1 reading
USMLE first Aid - Micro and Biochem.
Some discussions in this forum - helped too.

The bottom line is, as you all know, know your basics well and when I say that, I literally mean it.
I will let u know when I get my score but I would not be surprised it I get an 85 or a 90+. Sounds strange but thats true.

Good luck to others who are studying.

 

[passiondentistr]

Hey Goodluck wit ur results ...
Plzz can u tell us did u find repeats in ur exam ??
N how did u find Dental Anatomy Questions ?? plzz guide on this ...

 

[skabbaraju]

Hey Goodluck wit ur results ...
Plzz can u tell us did u find repeats in ur exam ??
N how did u find Dental Anatomy Questions ?? plzz guide on this ...

Dude, the paper had questions based on previous QP concepts. It was not too difficult. DA was also not that bad.
I think, I was just too stressed out during the exam and kind of narrowed my scope. Unfortunately, I am able to think clearly now.( after the fact)

 

[plan]

hi sravan

can u plz tell us about testlet questions. thanks for sharing ur experience
good luck fo ur result

 

[passiondentistr]

hey thank u so much..
n one more thing , did u try solving kaplan qbank n the crack papers ? if yes , did they help u in ur exam??
goodluck once again

 

[smyle32]

skabbaraju,thank you very much for sharing your experience...may you get a good score...coz i have seen you helping people a lot in threads...best wishes..

 

[skabbaraju]

skabbaraju,thank you very much for sharing your experience...may you get a good score...coz i have seen you helping people a lot in threads...best wishes..

Trust me dude, I screwed up the exam. did not perform as expected. Lets just wait n watch now.
Reg: testlets, I can't discuss those on the forum but they were very straightforward, nothing to worry.

 

[nosebleed]

i know exactly wht ur going thru... i took the exam may 17th... still waiting for my scores...

 

[sweet1]

Best of Luck to Nosebleed & Skabbaraju
Do share your score

 

[IndianGraduate]

*gulp* ...

 

[shibab]

Hi,
I just wanted to share my experience of Part I.
Well, the exam was not "very hard" as I anticipated but that does not mean, I performed well.
I thought, there were some very easy questions but at the same time, some unknown Qs and some easy but tricky ones.
My prep. was ok. Some of the questions that were asked were too basic that I did not pay enough attention towards while studying. Unfortunately, I might have answered those wrong. ( I am sure, I did)
Did I do well enough to score a 90+.? I am not sure, as I feel, I committed too many easy mistakes.
Will a get a 325 out of 400.? Thats the big question and I am not sure about that either. The task seems daunting but it is possible.
When I was in the test center taking the test, I felt very confident but after it was over, I felt that I didn't do it that well.

Material that I studied reasonably well are as follows:
Decks - just 2 readings
Released qps from 89 - 98.
NBDE first Aid - Anat, DA and for last minute revision
Kaplan Review Book - 1 reading
USMLE first Aid - Micro and Biochem.
Some discussions in this forum - helped too.

The bottom line is, as you all know, know your basics well and when I say that, I literally mean it.
I will let u know when I get my score but I would not be surprised it I get an 85 or a 90+. Sounds strange but thats true.

Good luck to others who are studying.

thanks n also good luck for u r scores

 

[docsmiley]

good luck for your scores...sravan

 

[drkooks]

goodluck saravan....hope u get the score that u want 🙂
keep us posted ...wish u all the best

 

[Discovery01]

Which practice exams/questions do you all suggest doing? Should I get Kaplan Q bank or go through Exam Master questions? It would be great if people who did well on the exam tell us which practice questions they used and found most helpful and simulating the real exam.

 

[dagu123]

Hi,
I just wanted to share my experience of Part I.
Well, the exam was not "very hard" as I anticipated but that does not mean, I performed well.
I thought, there were some very easy questions but at the same time, some unknown Qs and some easy but tricky ones.
My prep. was ok. Some of the questions that were asked were too basic that I did not pay enough attention towards while studying. Unfortunately, I might have answered those wrong. ( I am sure, I did)
Did I do well enough to score a 90+.? I am not sure, as I feel, I committed too many easy mistakes.
Will a get a 325 out of 400.? Thats the big question and I am not sure about that either. The task seems daunting but it is possible.
When I was in the test center taking the test, I felt very confident but after it was over, I felt that I didn't do it that well.

Material that I studied reasonably well are as follows:
Decks - just 2 readings
Released qps from 89 - 98.
NBDE first Aid - Anat, DA and for last minute revision
Kaplan Review Book - 1 reading
USMLE first Aid - Micro and Biochem.
Some discussions in this forum - helped too.

The bottom line is, as you all know, know your basics well and when I say that, I literally mean it.
I will let u know when I get my score but I would not be surprised it I get an 85 or a 90+. Sounds strange but thats true.

Good luck to others who are studying.

Did you get your score? If yes, can you please share stats with us? It looks like people are getting strange scores right now.

 

[aphi]

hi can anyone tell me where to get released and unreleased papers for nbde part 1..will be greatful..thank you

 

[Dentogel]

hi can anyone tell me where to get released and unreleased papers for nbde part 1..will be greatful..thank you

U can get the released papers on the ASDA site

 

[mapleh]

Mandibular foramen is below or above occlusional plane? Answer will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mapleh]

Mandibular foramen is below or above the occlusional plane? Answer will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Bugab00]

Mandibular foramen is below or above the occlusional plane? Answer will be appreciated. Thanks!

I remember this question from the decks. It said that the Mn foramen is BELOW the occlusal plane. I could never understand how they got to this answer, as their explanation was vague.

If anyone could clear this up it would be great 🙂🙂🙂

 

[shuntyman]

The inferior alveolar nerve block injection is directed towards mandibular foramen and its 6 mm above the occlusal plane.
ANS - above the occlusal plane

 

[MBM76]

Hi

I just took the test on june 27. it was not that hard lot of basic questions so know them well. I think DECKS AND KAPLAN PLUS as many exam as you could do it is enough. some simple question were twisted so bad, thats why you have to be mastered in basics.

 

[Catfish]

Hi

I just took the test on june 27. it was not that hard lot of basic questions so know them well. I think DECKS AND KAPLAN PLUS as many exam as you could do it is enough. some simple question were twisted so bad, thats why you have to be mastered in basics.

Thanks for the tips MBM76. Good luck on the score 🙂

 

[mapleh]

Hi

I just took the test on june 27. it was not that hard lot of basic questions so know them well. I think DECKS AND KAPLAN PLUS as many exam as you could do it is enough. some simple question were twisted so bad, thats why you have to be mastered in basics.

Hi MBM76, do you feel the first 200 Q was harder than last 200 Q? Thanks!

 

[canine crusader]

Well, most of you know i have been waiting 1 month for my scores. i took exam june 2nd, the guy emailed me back and said they were mailed on june 10th. i had to request another copy be sent to my home. he said it will be mailed early next week. i will keep you posted.

 

[SM156]

Just got done today.. Test was not really that bad at all.. Study up and do well..