NBME Shelf exams vs USMLE Step 1

[slpsms]

We just finished the semester for our 2nd year of class and the final week consisted of NBME shelf exams in ICM, Pharm, and Path. Just wanted to get some perspective regarding the difficulty levels of these exams compared to what one will see on Step 1. Of course Step 1 is comprehensive and includes all areas of study, including first year material, but I was just wanting to get a feel from anyone that has taken the shelf exam series and step 1 and how the degree of difficulty and question style compares.

Of course I am using a variety of study resources and online qbank material, but I am wondering how well the shelf exams gauge strengths and weaknesses and if what I can expect on step 1 will be comparable in degree of difficulty. Thanks in advance for all insight!

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[joe6102]

We just finished the semester for our 2nd year of class and the final week consisted of NBME shelf exams in ICM, Pharm, and Path. Just wanted to get some perspective regarding the difficulty levels of these exams compared to what one will see on Step 1. Of course Step 1 is comprehensive and includes all areas of study, including first year material, but I was just wanting to get a feel from anyone that has taken the shelf exam series and step 1 and how the degree of difficulty and question style compares.

Of course I am using a variety of study resources and online qbank material, but I am wondering how well the shelf exams gauge strengths and weaknesses and if what I can expect on step 1 will be comparable in degree of difficulty. Thanks in advance for all insight!

Try the step 1 forum.

 

[pillowhead]

We just finished the semester for our 2nd year of class and the final week consisted of NBME shelf exams in ICM, Pharm, and Path. Just wanted to get some perspective regarding the difficulty levels of these exams compared to what one will see on Step 1. Of course Step 1 is comprehensive and includes all areas of study, including first year material, but I was just wanting to get a feel from anyone that has taken the shelf exam series and step 1 and how the degree of difficulty and question style compares.

Of course I am using a variety of study resources and online qbank material, but I am wondering how well the shelf exams gauge strengths and weaknesses and if what I can expect on step 1 will be comparable in degree of difficulty. Thanks in advance for all insight!

I thought that overall, the shelf exam questions tended to be a little bit harder than step 1 questions but of course, the shelf exams are not 8 hours long and they only focus on one subject. Check out the step 1 forum for more info though.