New Step 2 CK software

[ranmyaku]

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I just got this email.

A new version of the software used to deliver the USMLE Step examinations is scheduled to be introduced in mid-August 2008. Migration to the new version will occur first in the Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) examination, and will be phased in over several weeks. If you plan to take the Step 2 CK examination in August 2008 or later, you should familiarize yourself with both the current test delivery software and the new version.

The sample test materials using both the current test delivery software and the new version are available on the USMLE website at
http://www.usmle.org/Orientation/2008/menu.html.

The change to the test delivery software will be accounted for in scoring the examination results, so that scores will be comparable to those of exams using the older software. Because of this change, it will be necessary to delay the reporting of scores for some examinees. The normal turnaround time for reporting scores to Step 2 CK examinees is 3 to 4 weeks. However, during this transition, turnaround time may be as long as 6 to 8 weeks.

How exactly does just changing the software affect the scoring of the examination results? I would think that no matter what the delivery is of the questions, that shouldn't change the fact that you either got a certain number right or not.

 

[domer621]

But can you take Step 2 in August for instance and then have the option of releasing your score or not for the purpose of NMRP depending how you do?

Yep. There's a checkbox that you can check to tell the NBME whether or not you want your scores released automatically or not. If you check "no", then it's up to you to decide when you want to send out your Step 2 scores.

 

[cgk]

Yep. There's a checkbox that you can check to tell the NBME whether or not you want your scores released automatically or not. If you check "no", then it's up to you to decide when you want to send out your Step 2 scores.

Do you think it looks bad in the eyes of Residency directors if you did not have the NBME release you scores automatically?

 

[docnizzi]

The announcement said the first places will start on August 14. Hopefully, since I'm taking it on the 12th I won't be a delayed score casualty.

 

[Javad]

any feed back from people who used the new software?

 

[HolyMoly]

so whether I take my exam on September 2nd or September 10th should not make a difference in the time it takes to get scores out?

 

[Javad]

so whether I take my exam on September 2nd or September 10th should not make a difference in the time it takes to get scores out?

correct i think you will get your results at the same time.

 

[Taurus]

Did people see this email they sent?

USMLE recently began the migration of the Step 2 CK examination to new test delivery software. This new test delivery software includes a calculator function; however, a problem has been identified with the calculator function and an updated calculator function will be installed as soon as possible. While we are working to fix the problem, examinees may find that the calculator function has been disabled during their exam. An announcement will be posted to the USMLE website (http://www.usmle.org/general_information/announcements.html) when the updated calculator function is available. In the meantime, examinees are advised not to use the calculator function.

Please note that the calculator function is included as a generic feature of the test delivery software and is not necessary for taking the Step 2 CK examination; there are no test items that require complex mathematical computations.​

Real nice. First, they give us 2 week advanced notice about this test change. Now, they tell us that they didn't even bother to debug the program before they released it. How are they so sure that some of us test takers wouldn't find the calculator useful? This is BS. What do you expect from the NBME? The same company who sold out to the nurses and who got reprimanded by the AMA.

 

[NBK]

I took the USMLE Step 2 today 8/20/08. I experienced what I consider to be a major problem with the new version of the exam. Every time I would click to go to the next question the screen would stall for 5 to 8 seconds, every time I would click on the lab value button the screen would stall for 4 seconds. When there were multiple question in a row with the same answer choices clicking between those question would make the screen freeze for 5 seconds. When the "two minute warning" box came up to get back to the test would take up to 10 seconds. Three to four times a block the program would flicker once and put the mouse to sleep up in the right hand corner of the screen and it would take a few shakes of the mouse to wake it back up. On block 9 between question 45 and 46 the screen froze for 45 seconds. I estimate that I lost at least 10 seconds per question per block and if you do the math that is around 7 minutes per block and a total of 73 minutes over the span of the entire 9 blocks of wasted time that I could not use any function of the exam. Anybody else have this problem?

 

[flumazenil]

I am so glad you mentioned that. As it is I am a slow test taker and i noticed that when i flipped back and forth between questions..chunks of 3-5 seconds would get taken off. Not only that, when the warning comes saying you have 2 minutes left..you have to click "ok" and when I did, the timer went from 2:00 to 1:53..can't help but be anal because on the last block i didn't get time to even guess on the last question. Also, same thing used to happen to me. The mouse would automatically and randomly scroll to various areas of the screen and i had to retrieve it many times. One time it went to the bottom right where the " lock" button was. Also the new searchable lab value panel is useless.
I kept getting questions that needed a certain lab value that wasn't even in the fricken panel and they didn't give me a normal to compare it to..and no it wasnt something basic like paO2 or Pco2 im talkin a hormone that is rare ie we normal people wouldnt have that value memorized

at first I thought it was the computer, but I took it at a high tech facility, so I am now thinkin it was the software.

 

[Dr McSteamy]

what a disaster.

i take the test in 2 days.

This is horrible. You lose at least 46 x 5 = 4 minutes per block because the software is buggy, or a resource hog?

that's 4 questions worth right there. and with 8 blocks, that's 32 questions that you could potentially lose.

that's the difference between a 200 and 230.

jesus fkin christ!

how could they not notice this when they were doing practice runs with this software?

The new software on the "usmle cd" doesn't lag like that. how could they fck it up in the real test center?

time to complain AGAIN to nbme.
They better curve this chit big time

 

[Dr McSteamy]

On block 9 between question 45 and 46 the screen froze for 45 seconds.

did the clock count down 45 seconds too while it froze?

 

[gonogo]

The mouse would automatically and randomly scroll to various areas of the screen and i had to retrieve it many times.

I took the test first week of this month with the older software, but this also happened to me several times during the test.

 

[Taurus]

We need to complain to the NBME about this BS.

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

Nbme = Fubar.

 

[NBK]

the timer froze at 1:40 and when the next question popped up there was 0:55 secs left

 

[Dr McSteamy]

the timer froze at 1:40 and when the next question popped up there was 0:55 secs left

you need to write a formal complaint to the NBME.

i would be furious and demand a retake.

did you use an old-azz computer?



i just got back from visiting my test center, and they said received no complaints about the step 2 software freezing up and crap

 

[NBK]

yeah I am writing a complaint, I complained during the exam after the exam and wrote a long complaint in the survey. If they let me take it again I would that is how much I think this affected things, but I just don't see them letting me do that. I mean they would have to totally wipe out my previous score so it looks as if I had only taken the exam once for it to be worth it. I don't know I'm totally bummed I studied for a long freakin time for this test. I feel like I got a dre from a ms1 with huge fingers against my will.

 

[Dr McSteamy]

Yep. There's a checkbox that you can check to tell the NBME whether or not you want your scores released automatically or not. If you check "no", then it's up to you to decide when you want to send out your Step 2 scores.

i didn't see a checkbox when I took the test??






anyway, the new ck software is fine. it works. There was no lag or freezing.
though i did get a javascript error once. it looks like it's internet explorer based.

if it froze, then either your computer was too old, or the internet connection sucked. I think it uses the internet to load up new sections or questions or something.

 

[taurus70]

I took CK on Aug. 22 and it looked like the old software was used. I practiced with the new software, but I didn't need it. I guess some places are slower than others to upgrade.

 

[Skills of House]

Yep. There's a checkbox that you can check to tell the NBME whether or not you want your scores released automatically or not. If you check "no", then it's up to you to decide when you want to send out your Step 2 scores.

The checkbox is on the ERAS application

But I don't think this is accurate...well to clarify, I think it's dependent. I mean I think that if you take CK/CS before Sept 2 and you release the transcript at all, which you have to do even for them to be able to see your Step 1 score, then any USMLE test taken up to the date the apps open on Sep 2 will be included in that transcript. However, no new score will be automatically sent (i.e. for a test taken AFTER the ERAS application has been submitted). This is mainly applicable to all those who plan on submitting ERAS on day 1, just know that if you've already taken CK/CS the score(s) will likely be on that transcript. This is my understanding because don't forget there are two checks, one to release the scores at all (which again you have to do for them to know that you've at least succeeded in passing Step 1) and then a second checkbox for automatic update. Since any exam prior to submission has already been taken, they aren't considered "updates"

 

[Ice dude]

yeah I am writing a complaint, I complained during the exam after the exam and wrote a long complaint in the survey. If they let me take it again I would that is how much I think this affected things, but I just don't see them letting me do that. I mean they would have to totally wipe out my previous score so it looks as if I had only taken the exam once for it to be worth it. I don't know I'm totally bummed I studied for a long freakin time for this test. I feel like I got a dre from a ms1 with huge fingers against my will.

Hey, i experienced the same bullchit problem n the staff at prometric didnt listen to me, i even showed it to him n wasted my 3 min n couldnt finish my block in time, did u receive any response from nbme.

 

[PamIsHorny]

I took step II on a very slow computer as well. This was actually not what bothered me though. Apparently, they've been having trouble with lab values being impossible to read. Some people have had "egyptian like" characters. While others have had reversed and upside down numbers. Lastly, some have only been able to visualize the top portion (25%) of the numbers. the font is too large for the space provided. So you would never be able to differentiate between 14 and 1.4 for example.

The reason I have this info is because I had a relatively long conversation with the prometric people. I talked with a very nice lady that was sympathetic. She had filled out many complaints with the above problems. So who knows how long I'll be waiting for my test result.

Knowing what I know now, I would never have taken the test. Not having lab values is pretty distressing during Step II. I'm advising my friends to wait a month if they can possibly do it. 👎

Pam

 

[Ice dude]

I took step II on a very slow computer as well. This was actually not what bothered me though. Apparently, they've been having trouble with lab values being impossible to read. Some people have had "egyptian like" characters. While others have had reversed and upside down numbers. Lastly, some have only been able to visualize the top portion (25%) of the numbers. the font is too large for the space provided. So you would never be able to differentiate between 14 and 1.4 for example.

The reason I have this info is because I had a relatively long conversation with the prometric people. I talked with a very nice lady that was sympathetic. She had filled out many complaints with the above problems. So who knows how long I'll be waiting for my test result.

Knowing what I know now, I would never have taken the test. Not having lab values is pretty distressing during Step II. I'm advising my friends to wait a month if they can possibly do it. 👎

Pam

i think u should send out an email to them.

 

[Javad]

Hello All took the exam yesterday in a center in Queens NY everything was fine ,i was told all the center are upgrading to LCD monitors so its worth calling them up mine was an old monitor. i didnt have any problems with the software

 

[boilerbeast]

Just curious if anyone noticed a few mistakes in questions on the "new" USMLE step 2CK. In one question, the question stated that there was a head CT to review and it actually included a chest CT. In one of the multimedia questions, the question asked about development of a 6 month old, but the kid featured was walking/talking, so I wasn't sure how to answer the question...

quite frustrating! I expected something fabulous for the 500 bones it cost to sit for the exam. Just curious if anyone noticed similar things.

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

Took the test on 29 August and just thought I'd add my two cents about the software:

1. I didn't experience any true technical problems or blatant mistakes with the software
2. The infamous calculator button wasn't even present at all. FWIW, there were absolutely NO questions that required any math calculations
3. I had exactly 3 of the "locked" two part questions. Unlike the practice software, I didn't think the second part of the question really revealed much about the first part of the question.
4. I had 2-3 videos to watch. For the first couple of questions, you didn't really need the video to answer the question or you only needed to watch a few seconds (like the parkinson guy in the demo software). The third video was the very last question on the test and dealt with developmental milestones--you essentially had to watch the entire 2 minute video to answer the question. Suffice it to say, it was the very last question in 9 hours of test, so I said "f--K it" and answered "c"
5. I had a a handful questions where you listen to heart sounds. I didn't find the audio all that helpful and answered the questions based on the verbiage in the question.

Overall, I'm not really sure WHY they changed the software when they did. Moreover, I'm not sure why the change in software will delay my score reporting by 3-4 weeks! Overall, there weren't a whole lot of changes form what I expected. Makes me wonder why they even bothered to change things at all.

Hope that helps .

 

[172821]

I said "f--K it" and answered "c"

Love it.


I felt that way too at the end.

 

[PamIsHorny]

Suffice it to say, it was the very last question in 9 hours of test, so I said "f--K it" and answered "c"

hahahhahah. I said "f--k it" and answered "A". I waited forever for the video to start and then when I saw how long it was, there was no way...