NBDE question

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Dukie

Senior Member
10+ Year Member
5+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2004
Messages
439
Reaction score
2
I'm hoping to eventually do a pedo residency and I have a question about the boards. If I take it once and don't do as well as I might like, what happens if I then take it again? Will programs look at the latest score, the average, or the highest? I'm sure this varies by program, but I wanted to get a general idea. Thanks for your help!
 
Dukie said:
I'm hoping to eventually do a pedo residency and I have a question about the boards. If I take it once and don't do as well as I might like, what happens if I then take it again? Will programs look at the latest score, the average, or the highest? I'm sure this varies by program, but I wanted to get a general idea. Thanks for your help!

Most people only take it once...unless the retake is due to failing. It's not like the DAT where some people retake it over and over to improve. Grad programs want you to show that you can do well the first time, not retake it until you get the score you want like you may have done for dental school. Study hard once and do well once so you don't have to worry about a retake.

At UNC you'll be prepped fine for both part I and II as long as you go to class and put in the necessary effort to learn the material presented. And keep your mind open...you may realize you don't want to specialize at all once come this summer and next fall when you are treating your own patients.
 
jpollei said:
Most people only take it once...unless the retake is due to failing. It's not like the DAT where some people retake it over and over to improve. Grad programs want you to show that you can do well the first time, not retake it until you get the score you want like you may have done for dental school. Study hard once and do well once so you don't have to worry about a retake.

At UNC you'll be prepped fine for both part I and II as long as you go to class and put in the necessary effort to learn the material presented. And keep your mind open...you may realize you don't want to specialize at all once come this summer and next fall when you are treating your own patients.


Agreed. Its important to understand that your in the big leagues and you need to perform well the first time that you take it.
 
Okay, but having said that, some students DO choose to retake the exam. Most programs will look only at your most recent score, so the risk is that you could do worse than your initial score.
 
Top