Need Advice: will I pass?

[doc11235]

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Hey guys,

My question is should I take the exam June 10th or postpone it.

NBME 15-177
UWSA1- 190
NBME 17 (three weeks from NBME 15)- 200
NBME 18 (today)- 205

I found NBME 18 to be insane, and I know that's what the real thing is like. I got mostly microbio/immuno and pharm questions wrong, which have consistently proven to be my weak points. Most everything else was higher than my previous NBME. I got more questions wrong in the last block than the first three (15, 12, 13, 22) but I can't chalk it all up to exhaustion since I'm sure I didn't know many of the questions. I also had a serious timing problem on that NBME, probably from spending too much time on one or two of the harder questions I thought I could get right.

I really just want around a 210 (I would be very happy with that at this point). I finished UWorld yesterday with a 54% average but my last 15 blocks were around average at 63%. (I started out a couple months ago at 35%). I was wondering if you guys think I'll pass or should I take time off from my first rotation for third year/do I need to drop out of med school (lol just kidding but possibly not kidding). I'm obviously in freak out mode but I want to be level headed about this decision.

Thanks in advance!!

(Also incredibly embarrassing to be posting this among the 250+ Step gods of this page lol)

 

[TwinsFan]

Have you tried sketchy micro? Also reread the immuno chapter in first and do the flash facts on it (flashcards by usmlerx). I would consider going hog wild on this for about a week then take another practice exam (16), you may jump quite a bit if micro/pharm/immuno are stand out bad areas for you. After doing that if you don't get above your 18 score I would consider delaying.

 

[doc11235]

I completed sketchy micro during the school year but haven't really reviewed it since then, might be time to rewatch the videos at double speed. Thank you for your reply!

 

[nonamesleft]

Hey guys,

My question is should I take the exam June 10th or postpone it.

NBME 15-177
UWSA1- 190
NBME 17 (three weeks from NBME 15)- 200
NBME 18 (today)- 205

I found NBME 18 to be insane, and I know that's what the real thing is like. I got mostly microbio/immuno and pharm questions wrong, which have consistently proven to be my weak points. Most everything else was higher than my previous NBME. I got more questions wrong in the last block than the first three (15, 12, 13, 22) but I can't chalk it all up to exhaustion since I'm sure I didn't know many of the questions. I also had a serious timing problem on that NBME, probably from spending too much time on one or two of the harder questions I thought I could get right.

I really just want around a 210 (I would be very happy with that at this point). I finished UWorld yesterday with a 54% average but my last 15 blocks were around average at 63%. (I started out a couple months ago at 35%). I was wondering if you guys think I'll pass or should I take time off from my first rotation for third year/do I need to drop out of med school (lol just kidding but possibly not kidding). I'm obviously in freak out mode but I want to be level headed about this decision.

Thanks in advance!!

(Also incredibly embarrassing to be posting this among the 250+ Step gods of this page lol)

Don't take it until you're "ready". If you're aiming for a 210, you should try to get 210+ on a few NBME practices before test day. Depending on what you have first block in MS3, and how the summer between MS3 and MS4 looks, it may not be a bad idea to delay the exam for a few weeks so that you can get more studying in. However, over-studying can also a thing...

 

[doc11235]

Don't take it until you're "ready". If you're aiming for a 210, you should try to get 210+ on a few NBME practices before test day. Depending on what you have first block in MS3, and how the summer between MS3 and MS4 looks, it may not be a bad idea to delay the exam for a few weeks so that you can get more studying in. However, over-studying can also a thing...

I totally agree with you. I went through my test and realized I got quite a few wrong because I didn't read the question properly (maybe missing a hyper- or a increased/decreased here and there, which were important to the question). Obviously no excuse but hoping this means that if I work on my weak subject areas and work on pacing/timing I can improve the five points I need by next week.

Thank you for your advice!

 

[doc11235]

Have you tried sketchy micro? Also reread the immuno chapter in first and do the flash facts on it (flashcards by usmlerx). I would consider going hog wild on this for about a week then take another practice exam (16), you may jump quite a bit if micro/pharm/immuno are stand out bad areas for you. After doing that if you don't get above your 18 score I would consider delaying.

Don't take it until you're "ready". If you're aiming for a 210, you should try to get 210+ on a few NBME practices before test day. Depending on what you have first block in MS3, and how the summer between MS3 and MS4 looks, it may not be a bad idea to delay the exam for a few weeks so that you can get more studying in. However, over-studying can also a thing...

Thanks again for your advice guys!! I got a 228 on NBME 16! Definitely had some lucky guesses so probably closer to 220 but really I just want to pass so hoping the real exam has a generous curve. Rewatching SketchyMicro and Pharm did wonders.