need help improving step 1 score

[itywhtcw260]

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I will try to make this as brief as possible.
I started studying 5 weeks ago, did about half of DIT and portions of Kaplan. Then proceeded to work on UWORLD. I have been getting around 65-70% random, timed on uworld. A few days ago I attempted UWSA1 and got 236, and then did NBME 11 and got a 212. The week before I got 214 on NBME 5 and the week before that 214 on NBME6. I have 3 more weeks till my test and would love any ideas on how I can improving my score (aiming for 250). I am wondering if I should finish DIT or Kaplan? or just keep doing questions,and just am in general frustrated since my practice test scores do not match my uworld bank scores...thank you in advance for any tips.
(lastly, if this counts for anything I got 35+ on my MCAT and honors on most classes in med school)

 

[CDI]

First Aid

 

[skyblue2000]

I will try to make this as brief as possible.
I started studying 5 weeks ago, did about half of DIT and portions of Kaplan. Then proceeded to work on UWORLD. I have been getting around 65-70% random, timed on uworld. A few days ago I attempted UWSA1 and got 236, and then did NBME 11 and got a 212. The week before I got 214 on NBME 5 and the week before that 214 on NBME6. I have 3 more weeks till my test and would love any ideas on how I can improving my score (aiming for 250). I am wondering if I should finish DIT or Kaplan? or just keep doing questions,and just am in general frustrated since my practice test scores do not match my uworld bank scores...thank you in advance for any tips.
(lastly, if this counts for anything I got 35+ on my MCAT and honors on most classes in med school)

That's strange... I'm at a 58% avg right now on UW and 210 on nbme. I'd say maybe go through your NBMEs and see what you missed because with 65-70% in UW, you should be doing much better.

 

[CDI]

It just means OP hasn't read FA.

Notice it was the older NBME forms that OP took = FA.

 

[itywhtcw260]

i'll add that i am already working on first aid, going through it with a comb with every qbank question, i have also gotten tips from friends saying to work on "my weak areas" however....looking at all 3 nbme's my weak areas vary from test test.

 

[skyblue2000]

It just means OP hasn't read FA.

Notice it was the older NBME forms that OP took = FA.

Is that true even for form 11?

 

[itywhtcw260]

to be honest with 3 low scores (plus one pre-study period from school delivered nbme) i am at an all time confidence low, very unlike me and I just wish I knew what to do because I would do anything

 

[CDI]

FA & Pathoma.

3 weakest NBME areas - memorize those in FA, slow. Repeat after each NBME.

Dump DIT & Kaplan. Do Pathoma, chapter or two a day. Learn it well.

 

[Dr Dazzle]

FA & Pathoma.

3 weakest NBME areas - memorize those in FA, slow. Repeat after each NBME.

Dump DIT & Kaplan. Do Pathoma, chapter or two a day. Learn it well.

Which q-banks do you recommend? Are usmle rx and uworld the best option?

 

[CDI]

Which q-banks do you recommend? Are usmle rx and uworld the best option?

Yes.

 

[itywhtcw260]

Yes.

so I think what my problem is that I have enough knowledge to pull off a 230, so in two fold i need to improve that base knowledge and the other BIG problem I think I have, is that I am no longer a good test taker, or that I can't see the what the vignette is presenting to me. So I am already doing pathoma, when I finish uworld, should I just keep reviewing first aid and pathoma, or pick up usmle-rx or kaplan qbank?

 

[CDI]

so I think what my problem is that I have enough knowledge to pull off a 230, so in two fold i need to improve that base knowledge and the other BIG problem I think I have, is that I am no longer a good test taker, or that I can't see the what the vignette is presenting to me. So I am already doing pathoma, when I finish uworld, should I just keep reviewing first aid and pathoma, or pick up usmle-rx or kaplan qbank?

FA, UW, Pathoma seem to be enough for most to reach a 230. If you have time Rx is definitely good to reinforce FA.

 

[itywhtcw260]

FA, UW, Pathoma seem to be enough for most to reach a 230. If you have time Rx is definitely good to reinforce FA.

any idea how I should proceed after getting up to a 230 to push it to like 240-250?

thanks for your help btw.

 

[JP2740]

so I think what my problem is that I have enough knowledge to pull off a 230, so in two fold i need to improve that base knowledge and the other BIG problem I think I have, is that I am no longer a good test taker, or that I can't see the what the vignette is presenting to me. So I am already doing pathoma, when I finish uworld, should I just keep reviewing first aid and pathoma, or pick up usmle-rx or kaplan qbank?

When's your exam?

Uworld + FA (heavily annotated with Uworld) is really all you need to get your score to a 230. There is nothing on those NBMEs that will peg you below a 230 that aren't in FA even. Pathoma is a nice supplement to those two in my opinion, but I don't see why the need to pick up another qbank, depending on when your exam is. <2 weeks = finish u world, finish nbmes, review FA and nbmes. 2-3 weeks a push. >3 weeks, get another qbank

 

[itywhtcw260]

When's your exam?

Uworld + FA (heavily annotated with Uworld) is really all you need to get your score to a 230. There is nothing on those NBMEs that will peg you below a 230 that aren't in FA even. Pathoma is a nice supplement to those two in my opinion, but I don't see why the need to pick up another qbank, depending on when your exam is. <2 weeks = finish u world, finish nbmes, review FA and nbmes. 2-3 weeks a push. >3 weeks, get another qbank

I got a little over 3 weeks, almost done with uworld, I know I am pretty close to 230 just need to cover FA thoroughly once, again my real question is-once I hit the 230 what can I do to push it up to 240-250?

 

[JP2740]

I got a little over 3 weeks, almost done with uworld, I know I am pretty close to 230 just need to cover FA thoroughly once, again my real question is-once I hit the 230 what can I do to push it up to 240-250?

You got a 212 on NBME 11, you are not close to 230 right now. Worry about what you're saying when you actually hit a 230.

 

[paul411]

The answer really depends on your weak areas. Go through the NBMEs and figure out what specific test taking skills you need to work on.

As for weak areas:
If it's pathology, do Pathoma (for recognizing and understanding high yield path concepts).
If it's microbiology, biochemistry, genetics or pharmacology, use Firecracker (for memorizing random facts; I'd recommend Picmonic but it's too late to be useful at this point).
If it's physiology, try BRS physio for specific chapters.

Skip DIT and other Q banks. This late in the game, FA, UWorld and Pathoma are your best bets.

 

[Genesea]

If it's microbiology, biochemistry, genetics or pharmacology, use Firecracker (for memorizing random facts; I'd recommend Picmonic but it's too late to be useful at this point).
.

I got picmonic 2 weeks before I took my exam and it was still useful.
I agree though, FA + pathoma + uworld +/- picmonic.
(If I were you I'd do uworld incorrects/marked or all twice before I'd buy another question bank.)

 

[Pons Asinorum]

any idea how I should proceed after getting up to a 230 to push it to like 240-250?

thanks for your help btw.

I hate to be that guy, but you've got multiple 210’s on easier NBME forms. Focus on FA +UW and perhaps recalibrate your expectations of 250.