NBME I and the real test

[gonogo]

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So I have 2 weeks to go until the test and have finished 85% of UW (with 67% average of correct questions). I'm roughly half way on my studying and just took NBME I today and got 540 (227). I was aiming for >240 on the real thing, but now that I took this assessment test, I don't really know what to do. Any advice? Should I move the test and I take it a week later? I'm studying 4 hours a day and will do so until the test. Any advice?

 

[MaxMoonMD]

I would suggest to relax a bit. These are solid scores (esp. 67% on UW), and you have still 2 weeks to go.

Don´t "worry" too much over your NBME1 performance, they don´t seem to be that useful as compared for Step1.

In my opinion the usmle exams cover such a broad variety of topics that one week more or less of preparation would not make such a difference.

Just keep what you´re doing right know and you´ll be fine. 👍

 

[gonogo]

I would suggest to relax a bit. These are solid scores (esp. 67% on UW), and you have still 2 weeks to go.

Don´t "worry" too much over your NBME1 performance, they don´t seem to be that useful as compared for Step1.

In my opinion the usmle exams cover such a broad variety of topics that one week more or less of preparation would not make such a difference.

Just keep what you´re doing right know and you´ll be fine. 👍

Thanks for your advice. I may stick to my plan and take the test as scheduled. Did you find the questions in the real thing more like NBME or more like UW?

 

[MaxMoonMD]

Thanks for your advice. I may stick to my plan and take the test as scheduled. Did you find the questions in the real thing more like NBME or more like UW?

Hi gonogo,

I would say they were more like UW, but do not expect to get that many knee-jerks as compared to UW.

As I took the exam just yesterday I can only repeat myself:
One week more or less doesn´t make a big difference, my exam had so many different topics I would not know where to start to look them up.

UW is a good learning tool, but it won´t replace a solid foundation of medical knowledge.

 

[haveaniceday]

I took nbme 1 three days prior to the exam, scored a 229. On the real thing I got a 232.

So, I would say with two weeks to go you should be good if you continue to improve.

 

[gonogo]

Thanks guys for your advice.

I'll take NBME 2 this week and see how it goes. I've been going through the subjects I did poorly on NBME 1 (i.e. OB/GYN), so let's see if I do better now. The thing honestly with this test is that unlike step 1, there isn't a good source for reviewing. It's not that you can review FA like mad and you know you'll get lot of correct answers out of it.

I'm almost done with UW and have another week to go. I read FA once. Should I review FA until the test, or should I read secrets or any other source? Any input? Thanks!

 

[Babycatcher2B]

Thanks guys for your advice.

I'll take NBME 2 this week and see how it goes. I've been going through the subjects I did poorly on NBME 1 (i.e. OB/GYN), so let's see if I do better now. The thing honestly with this test is that unlike step 1, there isn't a good source for reviewing. It's not that you can review FA like mad and you know you'll get lot of correct answers out of it.

I'm almost done with UW and have another week to go. I read FA once. Should I review FA until the test, or should I read secrets or any other source? Any input? Thanks!

I tooked the test a couple of days ago. USMLE World definitely has the content. A few very similar questions. Secrets is very high yield. I suggest reading it right before your test.

 

[Tastebuds]

I tooked the test a couple of days ago. USMLE World definitely has the content. A few very similar questions. Secrets is very high yield. I suggest reading it right before your test.

I take the exam on Thursday. Do you think it would be beneficial to read secrets. I have read over first aid a couple of times and gone through USMLE world 2x. I have read certain sections in secrets: OB, GYN, psych, pulmonary. What topics would you recommend to read in secrets if any at all this close to the exam.

Did you do the 150 set questions that NMBE provides? Apparently, there is a new interface. Would you recommend doing those questions too?

 

[gonogo]

Did you do the 150 set questions that NMBE provides? Apparently, there is a new interface. Would you recommend doing those questions too?

I believe the new interface starts on August 14.

What topics would you recommend to read in secrets if any at all this close to the exam.

I have the same question. Only that I haven't read secrets at all (only FA). So I'm wondering whether it makes more sense for me to read FA again or go through secrets.

Also, on NBME I did poorly on OB/GYN. I know the test is medicine-heavy, so I'm not sure what will get me more points in the test, revising medicine again or dedicating more time to OB/GYN. Thanks for any advice!

 

[MaxMoonMD]

I believe the new interface starts on August 14.



I have the same question. Only that I haven't read secrets at all (only FA). So I'm wondering whether it makes more sense for me to read FA again or go through secrets.

Also, on NBME I did poorly on OB/GYN. I know the test is medicine-heavy, so I'm not sure what will get me more points in the test, revising medicine again or dedicating more time to OB/GYN. Thanks for any advice!

Can´t tell you anything concerning FA vs. Step2 Secrets since I only used Deja Review (which I guess is very similar to Secrets)

I would definitely take a look on Ob (/Gyn) again, at least my exam covered lots of Ob (vaginal bleeding, infections, screening for fetal anomaly, breech etc...interestingly, I had literally no question on Preeclampsia...).

Of course a broad knowledge of IM is necessary to pass the exam, but expect to see 5-10 Ob/Gyn Qs. per block.

 

[taurus70]

I take the exam on Thursday. Do you think it would be beneficial to read secrets. I have read over first aid a couple of times and gone through USMLE world 2x. I have read certain sections in secrets: OB, GYN, psych, pulmonary. What topics would you recommend to read in secrets if any at all this close to the exam.

Did you do the 150 set questions that NMBE provides? Apparently, there is a new interface. Would you recommend doing those questions too?

I think they are going to slowly integrate the new format beginning mid-August until Sept. (if it doesn't crash for the first guinea pigs, lol!). So it will be luck of the draw which version you get. My test is Aug.22 so I'm betting my scores will be delayed until Oct.