NBME Self-Assesment Exams

[Cal2Lane]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Does anyone know what the self-assessment exam scores would translate to for the USMLE? I know that if the mean of 500 on the NBME may translate into a 215 and an SD of 100 may translate into a SD of 15, but I'd like to see if anyone who has gotten their results can say for sure.

Thanks greatly.

 

[Idiopathic]

I got a 640 today and I would swear that I got more than 80% of the questions right...Behavioral Sci killed me apparently. I guess that a 640 correlates to about a 250(?) on the USMLE, and most people seem to agree that these tests are fairly representative of the real deal...moreso than QBank or the 'released items'. By the way, I though the released items were much more difficult than the self-assessment.

 

[bigfrank]

This is a fascinating topic. To answer the original poster's question, I have only heard from people that the score does correlate with one's actual Step I score. The most common reporting is that several people have gotten 590-610 and have subsequently scored a 241 or so on the Step I, both of which are a SD above their respective means.

To comment on Idiopathic's post, I think it's also fascinating. I took both tests (timed) and got a 700 and a 710. Further, I thought that I probably didn't get 80% correct, probably less. So, I think it goes to show that these questions are very interesting and that guesses count as well as "I know this one" answers! Best wishes to all, I'll post my Step I scores when they're received and I hope others will as well.

 

[DRealDrZ]

I didn't do too well on the test...but many of the problems I got wrong were "memorize and regurg" things for the COMLEX...so time to re-memorize!!!

 

[mjl1717]

Yeah , this is a good thread. Cal no offense, but you use the word "may".
From what I see it pretty factual that the mean on the NBME assesment is 500 with a standard deviation of 100 points. On the other hand the mean on Step 1 is roughly 215. The big question and secret is what is the standard deviation on Step 1.?

 

[nuprin]

Yeah , this is a good thread. Cal no offense, but you use the word "may".
From what I see it pretty factual that the mean on the NBME assesment is 500 with a standard deviation of 100 points. On the other hand the mean on Step 1 is roughly 215. The big question and secret is what is the standard deviation on Step 1.?

This is not a secret. The following is typed directly from my USMLE score report.

Test Date: June 18 2003. [my score] This score is determined by your overall performance on Step 1. For recent administrations, the mean and standard deviation for first-time examinees from U.S. and Canadian medical schools are approximately 217 and 24, respectively, with most scores falling between 144 and 288. A score of 182 is set by USMLE to pass Step 1. The standard error of measurement (SEM) for this scale is six points.

Note they say this is the mean and dev for first time US/Can takers. Probalby this means that the overall mean and dev are actually lower, and wider respectively since as we know US and Canadian first time takers have a higher pass rate than foreign grads, or repeat takers.

best of luck all.

 

[AlexRusso]

most scores falling between 144 and 288. .

288 😱

I'd love to meet the person who got that and ask them how they prepared.

 

[tega]

ok , so finished taking it....thanks to big franks suggestion

go t a 700

thought it was much easier than QB?......and I agree with idiopathic...i thought it was also a little bit easier , or at least on the same par..with the released items...

But my heart was pounding for the first few questions....God i hope i can hold my nerves come monday....

 

[tega]

hey..those of u who took the st 1 already...compare the question lengths with the nbme self assessment..?

 

[Stinger86]

hey..those of u who took the st 1 already...compare the question lengths with the nbme self assessment..?

The real step questions are, on average, longer than the assessment Q's, but much shorter than Qbank's.

 

[bigfrank]

Beware!!!

Many/Most of my pathology questions on the Step I were longer than QBank

 

[lindyloohoo]

how about pictures? q-bank path pictures are almost non-existant. there were a few on the NBME. are there a lot of pictures on the real thing (IE including CTs and MRIs, how many do you think you had)? Thanks

 

[Stinger86]

are there a lot of pictures on the real thing (IE including CTs and MRIs, how many do you think you had)? Thanks

Not too many, but there are enough of them to hurt your overall score if you don't get them right

 

[phllystyl]

Not too many, but there are enough of them to hurt your overall score if you don't get them right

Is there any particular resource you used for images?

 

[Stinger86]

I used the cross-sectional drawings in Moore's Anatomy and the MRI/CT images in Nolte's Human Brain Atlas and HY Neuro. I know there are better sources out there, but these three worked fine for me.