New NBDE Question Formatting...Will this make it harder?

[FutureDent020]

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We just received the news yesterday that the NBDE has decided to change the format of question in the near future. The class of 2014 would be the first to experience the change. Board questions will now consist of 2 new question types and answer choices.

1) Answer choices will now consist of a) A; b) B; c) C; d) (A and B); e) (A and B and C), e) (none of the above).

2) You will now have to place sequences or steps in order. Given I, II, III, IV, and V choose the correct order from below...

We were told that Boards did not include all of the above or multiple answer type questions before and that this change was new. We just took a biochem exam with this type of format, and while it wasn't necessarily hard, you had to know / understand the material a little better to do well. You couldn't really use process of elimination. You would have to know exactly what was right and exactly what was incorrect. Sometimes with multiple choice you may know that one answer is definitely right and be unsure about 2 others, but since you can only choose from A, B, C, or D you go ahead and choose the one you know is right. In our Biochem exam, some answers were only A, some only B, some A and B, and some A, B, and C. Since the boards cover such an extensive amount of information, I am little nervous that these types of questions will make it harder. For those who have taken the boards, what do you think. Is it really irrelevant, because you will have to know the material extremely well to pass anyways, or will these new questions really test the extent of your knowledge? Let me know if my explanation doesn't make since and I will try to clarify.

 

[flapaTron]

i wouldnt stress it since the boards for the class of 2014 are pass/fail anyway.

 

[liriano]

i wouldnt stress it since the boards for the class of 2014 are pass/fail anyway.

Actually, for those of us first years who are planning to take it this summer/fall, this won't hold true. If this change is really happening, is this for the exams that can be taken for this year (2011), or just for next year? How does the cycle work - have they created the "new" batch of tests already? How long are they in circulation?

 

[FutureDent020]

Actually, for those of us first years who are planning to take it this summer/fall, this won't hold true. If this change is really happening, is this for the exams that can be taken for this year (2011), or just for next year? How does the cycle work - have they created the "new" batch of tests already? How long are they in circulation?

I attached the board committee letter that was just released. These changes I mentioned will not affect those taking it in 2011. The new changes will be implemented at the beginning of 2012.

 

[Pennywisdom]

1) Answer choices will now consist of a) A; b) B; c) C; d) (A and B); e) (A and B and C), e) (none of the above).

2) You will now have to place sequences or steps in order. Given I, II, III, IV, and V choose the correct order from below...

We just took a biochem exam with this type of format, and while it wasn't necessarily hard, you had to know / understand the material a little better to do well. You couldn't really use process of elimination. You would have to know exactly what was right and exactly what was incorrect. Sometimes with multiple choice you may know that one answer is definitely right and be unsure about 2 others, but since you can only choose from A, B, C, or D you go ahead and choose the one you know is right. In our Biochem exam, some answers were only A, some only B, some A and B, and some A, B, and C. Since the boards cover such an extensive amount of information, I am little nervous that these types of questions will make it harder. For those who have taken the boards, what do you think. Is it really irrelevant, because you will have to know the material extremely well to pass anyways, or will these new questions really test the extent of your knowledge? Let me know if my explanation doesn't make since and I will try to clarify.

Yea, I absolutely agree with you. I've experienced those questions and they can be tricky, especially when you have to choose either or both answers (say A, B or A and B).

Can't really argue against the new format, because it comes at the expense of the new P/F system.

BTW, thanks for sharing.

 

[Streetwolf]

It will probably be a little tougher. There's always that one answer you aren't 100% sure about and it's the difference between choosing (A and B only) or (A, B, and C).

By the time you take the exam you SHOULD know the material enough to do well but I'm sure a few questions will give you some problems.