NBME 3 4 5 and 6

[bt9099]

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Hey guys,

What's the word on these exams? WHich ones in your expereinces have given the most predictive value?

I hear 5 is super easy, and 4 is very hard?

Please help, which should I take in what order??

THanks,
Briana

 

[bt9099]

Could anyone help me out?

 

[dsprague12]

I've taken 5, 6, and 3 in that order, but haven't taken the actual exam to correlate my scores to the real thing.

People say 5 is easiest, but I took it first and I scored 12 (5 days later) and 15 (2 weeks later) points lower on it than the next two respectively.

Personally, I didn't see that big of a difference in the 3. They all seem to emphasize two or three subjects per 50 question block rather than having a random mix like the qbanks do. I personally don't really think it matters what order you do them in.

 

[bt9099]

thanks can anyone else please chime in?

 

[lipofuscin232]

I've taken both nbme 5 and 4...personally I though 5 was way too easy and it was inaccurate when it came to predicting my strengths and weaknesses...my best scores were in anatomy and physiology which were areas that were definitely what I would say my weakest. I would go with either 3 or 4...don't waste your $$ on 5.

 

[oreosandsake]

well, i guess i must be studying differen things than everyone else.

I've taken 1,2,3,5, UW and 4 in that order.

I thought 5 and UW were the most difficult. my scores were lowest on 5 and UW as well both being around 224.

Not sure why people say 3 is "most predictive" if it's one of the older tests.

 

[hsans23]

Hi Briana,

I have only taken NBME 1 thus far but have read a TON on these boards on the various NBMEs...My general impression from other's thoughts are that NBME 1, 2, and 5 are easier than the real thing, so they could over-predict your score. NBME 3 and 4 are supposed to be harder than the real thing, so they could under-predict your score. 3 is supposed to be harder than 4, and evidently tests alot of weird cell bio/genetics. It seems to me like med students are a picky crowd since every test has a critique! What I have heard so far about #6 is good.

I took NBME1 before I started studying just for kicks. I am going to take 4 and 6 definitely and am debating between 5 and 3.

Hope that helps!

 

[osli]

Whether a particular NBME is "easier" than the USMLE or not does not dictate whether it will under predict your score or not. NBME scales each test independently based on the statistics from that test, thus the scaling for each should have roughly equal predictive value. A certain form might be easier, but if the average is higher it may be equally difficult to obtain a certain correlated score.

 

[45408]

Whether a particular NBME is "easier" than the USMLE or not does not dictate whether it will under predict your score or not. NBME scales each test independently based on the statistics from that test, thus the scaling for each should have roughly equal predictive value. A certain form might be easier, but if the average is higher it may be equally difficult to obtain a certain correlated score.

Good to know, thanks.