NERB vs. WREB

[Drill Doc]

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Hello all.

I am in the process of deciding which exam to take, NERB or WREB. I took CRDTS, and it was not a pretty sight for myself (and a lot of others at my exam, but at least I did not cry!).

I really want to take a NERB that is coming up in December, as it is closer (timewise and distance wise) and I can HOPEFULLY find the right patients to bring with me.

I know that NERBs have about a 50% pass rate, and the WREBs upwards of 80% from what I have read here. But I am VERY familiar with the NERB format as it is basically the same as the CRDTS exam I took.

ANY insight, hints, help, harassment 😛, etc would be great!

 

[briansle]

why is the pass rate for nerb so low??

everybody pretty much takes WREB at our school and I heard our pass rate is 93%.

What accounts for such a disparity ??

 

[Drill Doc]

why is the pass rate for nerb so low??

everybody pretty much takes WREB at our school and I heard our pass rate is 93%.

What accounts for such a disparity ??

I have no idea why it's so low. CRDTs is about the same. Lemme look for the info I found.

 

[Drill Doc]

Anyone....

 

[DesiDentist]

I took both NERB and WREB and passed both. Honestly, to be honest the WREB is more difficult than the NERB. First I would look at which states you want to work and what they take. The NERB is pretty straight forward if you have taken the CRDTS, the written part is the same, you have the same endo/prosth manikin section and same clinical section.

The pass rate who take CIF (curriculum integrated format) for NERB is 98% this means that after failing those who retake it during the year will eventually pass it. Yes, the initial failure rate is high but at the end most people pass it who are in school.

As far as the traditional NERB I know its a rigorous two days first day manikin second day patient or vice versa.

As far as the WREB its not easier. Endo is much harder and their point system is wack. If you have one patient rejection you will lose points. You can lose upto 25 points and still pass. However if the average points range from 76-79 then losing too many points can really knock you over the edge to failure. I think there are ate least a dozen or so people on SDN who failed by a margin of 1 point or even less.

I would take NERB versus WREB, but also think about where you want to practice. If the state you want to practice accepts both then take the one that you are most familiar with, or you can be crazy like me and take both.

Good luck,

DesiDentist

 

[Drill Doc]

I took both NERB and WREB and passed both. Honestly, to be honest the WREB is more difficult than the NERB. First I would look at which states you want to work and what they take. The NERB is pretty straight forward if you have taken the CRDTS, the written part is the same, you have the same endo/prosth manikin section and same clinical section.

The pass rate who take CIF (curriculum integrated format) for NERB is 98% this means that after failing those who retake it during the year will eventually pass it. Yes, the initial failure rate is high but at the end most people pass it who are in school.

As far as the traditional NERB I know its a rigorous two days first day manikin second day patient or vice versa.

As far as the WREB its not easier. Endo is much harder and their point system is wack. If you have one patient rejection you will lose points. You can lose upto 25 points and still pass. However if the average points range from 76-79 then losing too many points can really knock you over the edge to failure. I think there are ate least a dozen or so people on SDN who failed by a margin of 1 point or even less.

I would take NERB versus WREB, but also think about where you want to practice. If the state you want to practice accepts both then take the one that you are most familiar with, or you can be crazy like me and take both.

Good luck,

DesiDentist

Thanks for the insights Desi.

At this point I think I am going to take the NERB, as it lets me practice in many of the states I would like to, and I am also familiar with the format. The only thing is I will have to take the trad. exam instead of the CIF, as I am not in school anymore...

I will keep everyone updated.....

 

[PERIODOC11]

After having taken both NERB and WREB, I agree with Desi Dentist, the WREB is harder. They grade harder, and it is a less standardized examination. You have already taken CRDTS, so you know the format, and you know what to expect. Also, the NERB accepts extremely small lesions, so that you can be assured you will most likely only have to drill ideal preparations. WREB is picky with their patient acceptance, and again, if they reject your lesion, you lose points that you can ill afford to lose. You may drill a beautiful prep, however, you will not necesssarily receive a beautiful score. I would take NERB because if you fail the Operative, you will know that day. With WREB, you may get point deductions that you are otherwise unaware of, and wait 3 agonizing weeks waiting to know your verdict. Also, you can practice, practice, and practice the typodont portion until you are able to do it in your sleep. It is entirely reproducible and predictable on the day of the exam. Not so with WREB. Also, you must take x-rays with WREB endo, and if the developer at the exam site is compromised, or too many people are taking the examination and you have to wait, you will lose points. The WREB data is also deceiving, at the Minnesota site this summer, where I took the WREB, the pass rate was 52%! Trust me on this. Certain schools are WREB schools, and there is an incentive to pass most of the students. Remember, ultimately, boards are political, and a business. If you are already familiar with a particular testing format, stick with it. Do not deviate from it...you have an advantage going into it next time. Also, if you fail the NERB, you retake failed sections. If you fail any part of WREB, you will more than likely fail the entire examination since all portions of the exam are interdependent.
Also, realize that no matter how well you feel you performed on your preparation and restoration, you WILL NOT receive scores of 5...even though you performed "5" criterion. The WREB hype is overrated. Trust me on this. I found out the hard way. Good luck, and don't let bad outcomes determine who you are as a dentist. I took the Traditional format of the NERB just recently, and I know that I passed the Operative and Periodontal sections. I practiced the manikin incessantly, and feel pretty good about it as well, although you cannot verify your endodontic fill, of course. As we know, the written portion of the NERB/CRDTS exam is doable. STICK WITH WHAT YOU KNOW, that is my best advice. I didn't, and in the end, I should have. Again, good luck.

 

[Drill Doc]

After having taken both NERB and WREB, I agree with Desi Dentist, the WREB is harder. They grade harder, and it is a less standardized examination. You have already taken CRDTS, so you know the format, and you know what to expect. Also, the NERB accepts extremely small lesions, so that you can be assured you will most likely only have to drill ideal preparations. WREB is picky with their patient acceptance, and again, if they reject your lesion, you lose points that you can ill afford to lose. You may drill a beautiful prep, however, you will not necesssarily receive a beautiful score. I would take NERB because if you fail the Operative, you will know that day. With WREB, you may get point deductions that you are otherwise unaware of, and wait 3 agonizing weeks waiting to know your verdict. Also, you can practice, practice, and practice the typodont portion until you are able to do it in your sleep. It is entirely reproducible and predictable on the day of the exam. Not so with WREB. Also, you must take x-rays with WREB endo, and if the developer at the exam site is compromised, or too many people are taking the examination and you have to wait, you will lose points. The WREB data is also deceiving, at the Minnesota site this summer, where I took the WREB, the pass rate was 52%! Trust me on this. Certain schools are WREB schools, and there is an incentive to pass most of the students. Remember, ultimately, boards are political, and a business. If you are already familiar with a particular testing format, stick with it. Do not deviate from it...you have an advantage going into it next time. Also, if you fail the NERB, you retake failed sections. If you fail any part of WREB, you will more than likely fail the entire examination since all portions of the exam are interdependent.
Also, realize that no matter how well you feel you performed on your preparation and restoration, you WILL NOT receive scores of 5...even though you performed "5" criterion. The WREB hype is overrated. Trust me on this. I found out the hard way. Good luck, and don't let bad outcomes determine who you are as a dentist. I took the Traditional format of the NERB just recently, and I know that I passed the Operative and Periodontal sections. I practiced the manikin incessantly, and feel pretty good about it as well, although you cannot verify your endodontic fill, of course. As we know, the written portion of the NERB/CRDTS exam is doable. STICK WITH WHAT YOU KNOW, that is my best advice. I didn't, and in the end, I should have. Again, good luck.

THANKS for your insights. Very much appreciated. 👍

 

[dentalroot]

Does anyone has information on the "remembered questions" for the computer portion of the WREB exam? I'm getting ready to take the WREB and would greatly appreciated for some help and advices. Thanks.

 

[Logs]

Does anyone know if both the wreb and nerb have very similar written exams? I am the only person in my class taking the NERB and have no idea how to study the written section