BOTH NBME 21: 170, NBME 16: 182, UWSA: 183, three weeks left until USMLE, help!

[joujou116]

Hey - I'm currently half way through UWorld, have been working on my content gaps, but even so, Immunology/Genetics/Biochemistry are still some of my weakest areas. I'm a DO student and at this point, I don't know if it's worth taking USMLE and if I should just focus on COMLEX. Other than getting through all of UWorld before my test date, any other tips, pointers, words of inspiration, prayers? I'm at a hump and I need to figure out what to do to get over it. Background - average medical student with all A's and B's in school, but standardized tests always get the best of me. I'm desperate at this point :|

5/16: NBME 21 - 170
5/29: NBME 16: - 182
6/10: UWSA1 - 183

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[treatem-and-streetem]

You can get to passing level by the time you take the test but what is your goal?

 

[joujou116]

You can get to passing level by the time you take the test but what is your goal?

Thank you for responding, I literally feel so stuck right now. My goal is a 230-240. I just don't see how I can jump from a 183 to 230 in three weeks, but I'm also holding out hope that one day that leap happens and I just don't know what to do.

 

[iforget2]

Thank you for responding, I literally feel so stuck right now. My goal is a 230-240. I just don't see how I can jump from a 183 to 230 in three weeks, but I'm also holding out hope that one day that leap happens and I just don't know what to do.

UWSA1 notoriously overpredicts by 10-15, so you'd have to consider yourself in the 170's currently. Unless you're pretty sure you can bump 10 points per week you may be at risk for not passing Step.

 

[treatem-and-streetem]

Thank you for responding, I literally feel so stuck right now. My goal is a 230-240. I just don't see how I can jump from a 183 to 230 in three weeks, but I'm also holding out hope that one day that leap happens and I just don't know what to do.

If that’s your goal you need to delay. A 230-240 requires solid knowledge of all content and adequate question answering strategies

 

[joujou116]

If that’s your goal you need to delay. A 230-240 requires solid knowledge of all content and adequate question answering strategies

How far out would you delay? Would you recommend trying to study for Step 1 while doing rotations? And any tips/resources on these question answering strategies?

 

[treatem-and-streetem]

How far out would you delay? Would you recommend trying to study for Step 1 while doing rotations? And any tips/resources on these question answering strategies?

Can you delay until after year 3? Some would consider that a blessing

 

[joujou116]

Can you delay until after year 3? Some would consider that a blessing

I can take Step 1 whenever I want - but if I wait until after year 3, I'll be studying for that alongside COMLEX Level 2. And I don't even know when I'd take Step 2 (if I need to take Step 2)

 

[Frogger27]

I’m going to be brutally honest, you are no where near a 230-240 and will not be in 3 weeks. You have major knowledge gaps. Unless you can delay it by significant margin and actually thing you’ll improve, I wouldn’t bother with step 1..

Maybe study hard the next two weeks and take uwsa2. If you don’t get at least a 220 then cancel

 

[hungrydoc710]

Call it quits on Step 1 and focus on getting a 500+ on Level 1 - even that will be a stretch by the looks of it.

You have clear knowledge gaps.
Did you run thru BnB vids along with FA? Anki for micro and pharm?

 

[Isoval]

I’m going to be real with you:
I do not see any possible way - even with 16-hour study days - that you can pull yourself up from a 180 to a 240 in under three weeks. We’re talking a 3+ standard deviation jump in three weeks after you’ve claimed to already be halfway through Uworld. I just don’t see it happening. I can realistically see you bumping to a 220 if you bust your ass, maybe a 225. There have been bigger miracles before, but it’s obvious that you have consistent and gaping knowledge gaps and I most absolutely wouldn’t count on it.

I’m with @hungrydoc710 on this one. I think you should can the USMLE and focus on COMLEX. Burn through TrueLearn and COMBank. Get that 550. Get that 575.