NBME harsh curve?

[WBC45]

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I was wondering how much to rely on the NBME exam. I took NBME 7 before I started studying and got a 203. Three weeks later I am at 70% correct in UWORLD with 500 questions left to go. On UWSA1 i got a 245. I know the NBMEs are the most predictive but are there people who score low on the NBME and do well on the real exam. A couple of people told me that even 80% correct on them is only a 220. Thanks.

 

[ProtossCarrier]

85% on them is a 235, for form 11.

 

[ArcGurren]

Yes the curve is much harsher

 

[fahimaz7]

So you are surprised that your score has gone up? If you take another NBME, expect it to be over a 230 for sure, judging off your % correct on uworld.

 

[WBC45]

So you are surprised that your score has gone up? If you take another NBME, expect it to be over a 230 for sure, judging off your % correct on uworld.

well I was told from someone in my school who took the exam that you can improve maximum 20 points on your NBME score, i really hope that is not the case. Anyone improved more than 20 on their nbme score?

 

[DuxburyPembroke]

well I was told from someone in my school who took the exam that you can improve maximum 20 points on your NBME score, i really hope that is not the case. Anyone improved more than 20 on their nbme score?

I improved more than 20 between two NBME's taken three weeks apart...

 

[raynor123456]

well I was told from someone in my school who took the exam that you can improve maximum 20 points on your NBME score, i really hope that is not the case. Anyone improved more than 20 on their nbme score?

That's a pretty silly comment by your classmate. This test is a combination of understanding concepts and memorizing silly details. How well you can do those two determines your "max score". Depending on how well prepared you were to begin with, you may or may not be close to your "max score". Some people may start really close to their max score, other people may not.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but honestly this type of stuff should be common sense.

 

[dangit]

well I was told from someone in my school who took the exam that you can improve maximum 20 points on your NBME score, i really hope that is not the case. Anyone improved more than 20 on their nbme score?

maybe a gunner's trying to mess w/ u? 😕

 

[fahimaz7]

well I was told from someone in my school who took the exam that you can improve maximum 20 points on your NBME score, i really hope that is not the case. Anyone improved more than 20 on their nbme score?

I also hear that you can only take the test twice a year, which occurs on odd years and during a full moon...

🙂

Our CBSA average was a 185. It'll be a 227 on the real test (historically speaking).

And I quote...

"Please remember that you are beginning your preparation for the USMLE Step 1 Examination. Your score should be higher than the one predicted by this examination. Many students raise their score approximately 20 to 30 points from what is projected from this exam. This particularly applies to those students with the lower scores on the exam. However, if a student scores less than 56, s/he is at risk for not passing the USMLE Step 1. "

 

[ArcGurren]

well I was told from someone in my school who took the exam that you can improve maximum 20 points on your NBME score, i really hope that is not the case. Anyone improved more than 20 on their nbme score?

Please punch whoever told you that in the face (not really, because I don't condone violence against anyone except bin Laden and Hitler, but seriously...). I've seen people start at a baseline of 185 and improve to 250. The idea that you can only improve 20 points between NBMEs is absolutely ridiculous.

You can do it.