I saw that there was a similar thread for 2011 that had plenty of useful info so I figured its best to start one for 2012. 👍
Any ideas on when July 5th test results should come out? I was thinking 3 weeks which means 2 days from now![]()
Took the test today. Wasn't bad, nothing seemed crazy and most could be identified in uworld/fa. I'd say in a block, most was FA/uworld gimme's, 35% as hypothetical researcher questions, and another 15% that are little weird. If i score really well itll be because i managed to answer correctly these researcher type questions so im a little nervous. I feel bimodal, either >240 or <220 lol.
I'm not sure how much of my final week of studying helped. It was either you knew it or you didnt. With more time I still dont think i wouldve covered what i was unsure of on the test.I think the most useful thing was questions because for me knowledge wasnt a big problem. as you study a lot youre familiar with everything. the problem comes with how to answer the question with the "best" choice. Sometimes you feel like you know too much and it can hurt because you lose sight of big picture. (I did goljan audio/RR/BRS phys/DIT/Pathoma/FA 3x/Uworld 1x)
I wish i did stuff like GT and 2 other qbanks before hand but unfortunately discovered this site late. it seems everyone who comfortably scored 250+ did this.
I feel like I studied extremely hard and honestly learned medicine really well. I think step 1 studying was great for my knowledge base but im not sure if it will show in my score. Other than additional qbanks not much more i feel i couldve done.
What do all you guys suggest for Step 2 and shelves? I want to better prepared next round. Any suggestions? Uworld/kaplan throughout the year? Appreciate it and thanks in advance!
I'm July 5th, and if it the whole link disappearing theory is true, we're getting our scores tomorrow. Very scared.
wikipedia on Step 1 "Each exam is dynamically generated for each test taker; while the general proportion of questions derived from a particular subject is the same, some test takers report that certain subjects are either emphasized or deemphasized."
An exam being dynamically generated means there is a question bank and every test you get will randomly pull out the 330 or so questions from it, thus, no two exams are alike.
I wish this had a citation on it. Any recent test-takers have a thought on this?
I'm glad you reinforce through this post what you now feel is the power of doing questions. I just finished my second cover-to-cover pass on FA, and although I learned a lot this time through, I question whether I'd even score higher now compared to having come straight out of a QBank. But yeah, I'll be sitting NBME3 within the next few days, so we'll see how that goes.
Post here what you get on it. Just curious. I can actually give you some real Step 1 feedback if you do.
My school required every student to take NBME 3 exactly 1 week before their Step 1. They told us most past students go up 10-15 pts on the real one. I didn't really believe them at the time, but it seems to be accurate.
Me: NBME3 228, Real test 1 week later 239
Friend1: 235, 248 (this year)
Friend 2: 235, 250 (from year before)
Kid in my class: 219, mid-high 220s I believe.
Several other ppl, who actually expected themselves to go up the 10-15 pts based on my school's claim, confirmed they got their predicted scores based on that. Don't know exact scores, but I'd say 240+ for those kids.
Dude, 8 weeks out is a lot different than 1 week out. 8 weeks out I was scoring like a 200, and I got mid-240's. Don't freak out about ANYTHING this far from your test (which is like what, 5 months away?!)
I took the test July 5th, and I felt that while esoteric questions were still present, the majority of the test was mostly normal stuff that had been hit upon during my classes at school, FA, and qbank questions. I left the Prometric testing center uncertain about my score, but since I had some OMM to study for my COMLEX two days later it quickly left my mind...
It was difficult for me to decide when to really start to study for boards. Spurred on by some of my classmates' motivation to start in December, I hunkered down and did some questions during Spring break this year. Classes were still in full force, though, and I preferred to put more attention to them so board studying took the back burner, but mostly the no burner. It wasn't until a week after school ended (I had to give myself a nice break) that I really started studying. I did, however, use FA 2011 to organize ideas during the course of MS2, as well as select chapters of Goljan's path book and audio lectures.
I had 6 weeks of dedicated board study time. I went through most of Kaplan's QBank (avg 68%, done in blocks of 10 from specific subjects) with a full read of FA in about 3 weeks. I averaged 70-100 questions per day (+ reading through the answers for most) and 10-20 pages of FA. At this point I wanted to see how I was doing so I took UWSA1 and got 240. Pleased with this score (that was my goal), I continued my studies but turned my attention to the much better UWorld QBank. I went through another run of FA, again doing 10 question blocks. I finished FA the second time and most of UWorld with about a week remaining. I considered taking UWSA2 (since I had already paid for it, after all) but I felt my last week would be better spent reviewing the "forgettables" - mainly pharm and micro. I started studying around 5 hours per day and slowly worked up to 8ish by the end - my tolerance for studying/boredom is very low.
When test time came around I felt prepared, but my goal was never to destroy the exam. I packed lots of protein foods (nuts, Cliff bars, PB&J sammich, etc) and drove off into the sunrise. The rest, as they say, was so three weeks ago.
I am a DO student in the top 10% of my class.
UWSA1 (3 weeks out) - 240
Real thang - 261/89
My resources: Kaplan QBank (85% comp, 68% avg) + UWorld (90% comp, 74% avg) + FA 2011
I certainly didn't have everything in FA memorized, but I knew the gist of most of it and how it worked and it served me well. The bulk of my underlying knowledge came from classes and I used FA to organize it and UWorld to refine it.
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate Qbank on usefulness? I'm very interested in knowing your opinion because your plan resembles mine a lot.
Post here what you get on it. Just curious. I can actually give you some real Step 1 feedback if you do.
My school required every student to take NBME 3 exactly 1 week before their Step 1. They told us most past students go up 10-15 pts on the real one. I didn't really believe them at the time, but it seems to be accurate.
Me: NBME3 228, Real test 1 week later 239
Friend1: 235, 248 (this year)
Friend 2: 235, 250 (from year before)
Kid in my class: 219, mid-high 220s I believe.
Several other ppl, who actually expected themselves to go up the 10-15 pts based on my school's claim, confirmed they got their predicted scores based on that. Don't know exact scores, but I'd say 240+ for those kids.
That's interesting that you say that. Some bloke who had posted on here a week or so ago with a 274 on the real thing had gotten a 240 on NBME3 8-weeks-out.
So I'll try not to bug out if NBME3 doesn't go so well (but I'll freak out regardless).
Anonymous222 said:End of April, 8 weeks out, NBME 3: 240
I freaked out a little bit after this NBME. I had been aiming for a 250. I had studied a lot (done ~4000 QBank type questions + added all of GT, 5000 flash fact cards, skimmed a few books). I was afraid that I wasn't going to improve because I had already studied so much.
Real deal: 274
I just sat NBME3. After the first three blocks, I was certain I had been doing fairly well, but the 4th block was slightly more difficult and I had a few more 50/50s than expected. Anyway, a few people have PMed me about wanting me to post some sort of actual score on this thread. In terms of my prep so far (as succinct as possible), I've finished USMLE Rx and some other question sources + 2 cover-to-cover reads of FA; I have not yet touched Kaplan QBank or UWorld.
My status:
IMG at Australian medical school (UQ)
Currently 5-months-out (sitting the Step1 late-December)
NBME3 = 250
I'm a bit disappointed quite frankly, so I pray that Rocketbooster's above bold statement holds even the most minimal degree of validity.
I just sat NBME3. After the first three blocks, I was certain I had been doing fairly well, but the 4th block was slightly more difficult and I had a few more 50/50s than expected. Anyway, a few people have PMed me about wanting me to post some sort of actual score on this thread. In terms of my prep so far (as succinct as possible), I've finished USMLE Rx and some other question sources + 2 cover-to-cover reads of FA; I have not yet touched Kaplan QBank or UWorld.
My status:
IMG at Australian medical school (UQ)
Currently 5-months-out (sitting the Step1 late-December)
NBME3 = 250
I'm a bit disappointed quite frankly, so I pray that Rocketbooster's above bold statement holds even the most minimal degree of validity.
I just sat NBME3. After the first three blocks, I was certain I had been doing fairly well, but the 4th block was slightly more difficult and I had a few more 50/50s than expected. Anyway, a few people have PMed me about wanting me to post some sort of actual score on this thread. In terms of my prep so far (as succinct as possible), I've finished USMLE Rx and some other question sources + 2 cover-to-cover reads of FA; I have not yet touched Kaplan QBank or UWorld.
My status:
IMG at Australian medical school (UQ)
Currently 5-months-out (sitting the Step1 late-December)
NBME3 = 250
I'm a bit disappointed quite frankly, so I pray that Rocketbooster's above bold statement holds even the most minimal degree of validity.
haha, you're more than at a good point for your goal at this point. I felt the NBME3 score is fairly consistent with your current score if you took it now. The 10-15 point jump 1-week later I think comes from a combination of everyone studying their ass for that final week and also the real curve being slightly more generous.
In your case, since I think you said you aren't doing hardcore study days (8-12 hours of studying per day, 7/days per week), I suppose it may not be as a big of a jump for you if you were to take Step 1 or another NBME in 1 week. There's really no way to say.
You could also argue that it'd be easier for you to gain 10 pts in 1 week since the difference in 250-260 is definitely less questions wrong than a 230-240. However, those fewer questions needed to go from 250 to 260 are also the smallest minutia, so you could also argue it's even harder to increase your score when you're that high since you have to study a bunch of low yield topics. Who knows haha.
I just sat NBME3. After the first three blocks, I was certain I had been doing fairly well, but the 4th block was slightly more difficult and I had a few more 50/50s than expected. Anyway, a few people have PMed me about wanting me to post some sort of actual score on this thread. In terms of my prep so far (as succinct as possible), I've finished USMLE Rx and some other question sources + 2 cover-to-cover reads of FA; I have not yet touched Kaplan QBank or UWorld.
My status:
IMG at Australian medical school (UQ)
Currently 5-months-out (sitting the Step1 late-December)
NBME3 = 250
I'm a bit disappointed quite frankly, so I pray that Rocketbooster's above bold statement holds even the most minimal degree of validity.
I think I would shoot myself if I studied for five months to add maybe 20 points to my Step 1 score.
I just sat NBME3. After the first three blocks, I was certain I had been doing fairly well, but the 4th block was slightly more difficult and I had a few more 50/50s than expected. Anyway, a few people have PMed me about wanting me to post some sort of actual score on this thread. In terms of my prep so far (as succinct as possible), I've finished USMLE Rx and some other question sources + 2 cover-to-cover reads of FA; I have not yet touched Kaplan QBank or UWorld.
My status:
IMG at Australian medical school (UQ)
Currently 5-months-out (sitting the Step1 late-December)
NBME3 = 250
I'm a bit disappointed quite frankly, so I pray that Rocketbooster's above bold statement holds even the most minimal degree of validity.
I just sat NBME3. After the first three blocks, I was certain I had been doing fairly well, but the 4th block was slightly more difficult and I had a few more 50/50s than expected. Anyway, a few people have PMed me about wanting me to post some sort of actual score on this thread. In terms of my prep so far (as succinct as possible), I've finished USMLE Rx and some other question sources + 2 cover-to-cover reads of FA; I have not yet touched Kaplan QBank or UWorld.
My status:
IMG at Australian medical school (UQ)
Currently 5-months-out (sitting the Step1 late-December)
NBME3 = 250
I'm a bit disappointed quite frankly, so I pray that Rocketbooster's above bold statement holds even the most minimal degree of validity.
My status:
IMG at Australian medical school (UQ)
Currently 5-months-out (sitting the Step1 late-December)
NBME3 = 250
I'm a bit disappointed quite frankly, so I pray that Rocketbooster's above bold statement holds even the most minimal degree of validity.
Damn, my school gave us a whopping 12 days off between finals and rotations starting so I had to take mine while on FM.
Took the beast yesterday, it was rough. Really difficult to gauge how I did, guess I'll find out in a few weeks.
I would go nuts if I had only 12 days between finals and rotations. IMO that is a poorly planned out school schedule. Leaves no time for any break
Haha yes well that's what you get when you have a DO school 100+ years old thinking they are so good why would they have to change 🙄
It's not as if it hasn't been brought up.
wow you guys must have buttkickin' match rates or something if your school doesn't feel the need to give you guys more time for studying
That's exactly the excuse. ~80% get their first choice.
I don't see why that's an excuse not to improve.
Oh well test is taken for better or for worse, now its time to relax👍
can't choose something that won't interview you because your board score is too low and you didn't apply.
Hi ya'll,
first time poster, long time viewer to SDN. So I just got my board score back. I know I shouldn't be complaining but I'm somewhat perturbed. First off, my experience taking the exam was not a good one. I almost got there late which was insane because I even stayed in a hotel the night before just so I could get the morning wake up call, but apparently Marriott phone operators dont like to do their damn job so no wake up call. Then the buffet was awful, the omelet bar wasn't even open. I know it might sound like I'm overreacting but when you dream about these experiences and then it doesnt match up it can really throw you off. Then at the center, there was construction work going on. They stopped after the first ten minutes since os many people complained but getting off to a good start is crucial which is why I was so pissed about my morning experience.
Finally, the test itself was so esoteric. Uworld was somewhat helpful, Goljan not so much. I found Pathoma to be really helpful as well as Harrison's Hematology (just for reference) and Casefiles internal medicine as it really beefed up the basics. Wished I had studied more though. 6 months was definitely not enough. Friggin ethics killed me.
Anyways, I'm hoping a 253 is enough to get my derm residency. Im starting to second guess my chances. Ive been doing everything I can, president of the derm club, read derm journals, and my dad put my name down on some of his research so I've got that covered but it's just so competitive. Ugh, fml. 😡
You should ask daddy to make a donation to that new library the school wants to build 😀. Also, you're above avg for derm based on the 2011 charting outcomes data and it sounds like you have the ECs and research to back it up. Just kill it 3rd year and you should be gold.Hi ya'll,
first time poster, long time viewer to SDN. So I just got my board score back. I know I shouldn't be complaining but I'm somewhat perturbed. First off, my experience taking the exam was not a good one. I almost got there late which was insane because I even stayed in a hotel the night before just so I could get the morning wake up call, but apparently Marriott phone operators dont like to do their damn job so no wake up call. Then the buffet was awful, the omelet bar wasn't even open. I know it might sound like I'm overreacting but when you dream about these experiences and then it doesnt match up it can really throw you off. Then at the center, there was construction work going on. They stopped after the first ten minutes since os many people complained but getting off to a good start is crucial which is why I was so pissed about my morning experience.
Finally, the test itself was so esoteric. Uworld was somewhat helpful, Goljan not so much. I found Pathoma to be really helpful as well as Harrison's Hematology (just for reference) and Casefiles internal medicine as it really beefed up the basics. Wished I had studied more though. 6 months was definitely not enough. Friggin ethics killed me.
Anyways, I'm hoping a 253 is enough to get my derm residency. Im starting to second guess my chances. Ive been doing everything I can, president of the derm club, read derm journals, and my dad put my name down on some of his research so I've got that covered but it's just so competitive. Ugh, fml. 😡
Hi ya'll,
first time poster, long time viewer to SDN. So I just got my board score back. I know I shouldn't be complaining but I'm somewhat perturbed. First off, my experience taking the exam was not a good one. I almost got there late which was insane because I even stayed in a hotel the night before just so I could get the morning wake up call, but apparently Marriott phone operators dont like to do their damn job so no wake up call. Then the buffet was awful, the omelet bar wasn't even open. I know it might sound like I'm overreacting but when you dream about these experiences and then it doesnt match up it can really throw you off. Then at the center, there was construction work going on. They stopped after the first ten minutes since os many people complained but getting off to a good start is crucial which is why I was so pissed about my morning experience.
Finally, the test itself was so esoteric. Uworld was somewhat helpful, Goljan not so much. I found Pathoma to be really helpful as well as Harrison's Hematology (just for reference) and Casefiles internal medicine as it really beefed up the basics. Wished I had studied more though. 6 months was definitely not enough. Friggin ethics killed me.
Anyways, I'm hoping a 253 is enough to get my derm residency. Im starting to second guess my chances. Ive been doing everything I can, president of the derm club, read derm journals, and my dad put my name down on some of his research so I've got that covered but it's just so competitive. Ugh, fml. 😡
Hi ya'll,
first time poster, long time viewer to SDN. So I just got my board score back. I know I shouldn't be complaining but I'm somewhat perturbed. First off, my experience taking the exam was not a good one. I almost got there late which was insane because I even stayed in a hotel the night before just so I could get the morning wake up call, but apparently Marriott phone operators dont like to do their damn job so no wake up call. Then the buffet was awful, the omelet bar wasn't even open. I know it might sound like I'm overreacting but when you dream about these experiences and then it doesnt match up it can really throw you off. Then at the center, there was construction work going on. They stopped after the first ten minutes since os many people complained but getting off to a good start is crucial which is why I was so pissed about my morning experience.
Finally, the test itself was so esoteric. Uworld was somewhat helpful, Goljan not so much. I found Pathoma to be really helpful as well as Harrison's Hematology (just for reference) and Casefiles internal medicine as it really beefed up the basics. Wished I had studied more though. 6 months was definitely not enough. Friggin ethics killed me.
Anyways, I'm hoping a 253 is enough to get my derm residency. Im starting to second guess my chances. Ive been doing everything I can, president of the derm club, read derm journals, and my dad put my name down on some of his research so I've got that covered but it's just so competitive. Ugh, fml. 😡
253 isn't bad. It's actually pretty good.