Official 2014 Step 1 Experiences and Scores Thread

[900829]

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Too early? Pff nah it's not.
It's our time to shine bright like a diamond!
It's our time to make step 1 our Goliath.

. . . and may the odds be ever in your favor.
WE GOT THIS!

 

[ChessMaster3000]

I've heard from MS4s that a lot of schools are starting to look down on this "strategy". Time will tell.

Can you say a little about what you did before dedicated prep time (besides DWB Anki) that you think helped you? You were obviously well prepared from coursework considering you started at ~247.

I listened to goljan audio twice, but that was about it. other than that it's all about coursework

 

[MilkIsGood]

Took NMBE15 as diagnostic. Start of my study period. Got 224. Possible to get 250+ at the end of 6 weeks?

These NBMEs arent very helpful without correct answers

 

[Donald Juan]

Took NMBE15 as diagnostic. Start of my study period. Got 224. Possible to get 250+ at the end of 6 weeks?

These NBMEs arent very helpful without correct answers

I was able to find a lot of answers to the NBME I recently took by just googling the question verbatim. It usually would fill in after a few words. Granted, it's basically just message board responses, but if it made sense I was willing to go with it.

 

[Apoplexy__]

Thanks again for all the help on this forum, I'll try to return the favor as much as I can. PM with any questions!

Hey man, congrats on that incredible score. Truly inspirational.

I was interested in what you said about going above and beyond to really get the full scope of important info about the most high-yield diseases. How did you go about doing this? What resources did you use? Did you basically Wikipedia search it and read the whole entry, or did you look up the disease in a bunch of review books...or something else?

Thanks in advance. FYI, I think you have your PM's disabled.

 

[funseats]

Hey everyone, just wanted to share my experience and put in a personal plug.

I go to a top 20 med school w an avg step 1 among the class of 2014 of 240

My score: 261

What I did

Studied for 6 weeks
FA once over and then Uworld 2 blocks on tutor mode each day. Rather than just go through Uworld and make notes for all the right and wrong answers, I would look into the corresponding section in FA. This really helped reinforce FA. I made cards for everything I didnt know.
Uworld avg: 85%

I only did 3 NBMEs:
3 weeks out NBME 13: 245
2 weeks out NBME 15: 254
1 week out NBME 12: 259

Got 267 on both UWSAs - clear overestimations like we all already knew

The test is very much like the NBMEs in my opinion. I had looked through bootleg copies of NBME 1-4 and actually had one question exactly from there. There will inevitably be questions that you completely dont know how to do, but the key is to learn how to approach a problem like that so you can eliminate wrong answers and give yourself the best shot of getting it right.

I thought this whole Step 1 process was quite the ordeal and if anyone is looking for a cheap tutor to go through topics or better understand the NBME answers or anything else, I would be happy to be of assistance. PM me if interested. Good Luck to everyone!

 

[BlueArc]

. FYI, I think you have your PM's disabled.

Yea i couldn't PM you either.

 

[Polymyxin]

I made cards for everything I didnt know.

funseats, congrats on that awesome score!
What do you mean you made cards for everything you didn't know? Like on index cards? Did you make cards all the way to the last week?

 

[funseats]

funseats, congrats on that awesome score!
What do you mean you made cards for everything you didn't know? Like on index cards? Did you make cards all the way to the last week?

I made anki cards is what I meant. Sorry, should have been more specific. Typically I would make them available for sharing, but I took pics of Uworld figures to include in my cards so I cannot share them, unfortunately. I made cards as long as I learned something new, even 2 days before the exam when I read something in FA that I didnt remember.

 

[Phloston]

Congrats to everyone! Great scores this week!

Just a word about 2CK. I have seen a few posts suggesting that 2 CK plays a role in residency applications. It really does not. Program directors do not look at that test because everyone is essentially expected to pass it and we have been officially told in our school that we should look at it as a "pass or fail" test. Most students do not really prepare for it either. Just concentrate in preparing well for Step 1 and then chill!

I actually disagree here. I know someone on an admissions committee of a top program of a competitive specialty, and I've asked about 2CK. The hard truth is that it's subjective depending on who's reviewing the application. Whilst it's certainly not as crucial a factor as Step1, it's downplaying it to suggest that it's simply pass/fail. At this particular program, applicants are rated in different categories, and 2CK factors into the miscellaneous column, but still has importance.

 

[BrainBuff]

this is so obscenely false that your post should be wiped clean from this thread with no hint of it left behind. CK =/= CS, and is not in any way looked at as a P/F test. I know it's officially March Madness, but please, spare us.

Wow- I had forgotten how many drama queens like to roam around here.

I have been officially told this at UPenn and someone asked the same question while I was doing an elective rotation at Hopkins. Maybe it has something to do with the particular schools, but it is unreal to think that these schools will be passing out wrong information. This may be the way "they" look to scores beyond Step 1. And I am quoting the P/F statement, btw.

A poor showing in Step 1 is overcome by strong clinical grades, letters of recommendations, dean's letter and other aspects of your application. The effect of 2 ck is really questionable since most students won't have it. Let's put the time and energy where it is really going to count.

 

[pandoraone]

Starting my dedicated block soon; I am around a 215 or so now and have 4.5 weeks of hard study time. Is it possible to get to a 240?

Also, can you guys offer suggestions as to what I should do during the study block? Before I start the block I will have finished pathoma and gone through FA once annotating everything, the block would be more to get everything down pat.

Advice?

Thanks all!

 

[WilliamsEph]

I have a week before my exam and can't postpone it. I have 1000 Uworld questions to do. I haven't done a dedicated read through of First Aid yet. Been reading various sections when I needed to look stuff up. Which would be more high yield at this point, finishing Uworld or doing a full read through of FA?

 

[Alacran]

Not sure if anyone has posted this, but the 2014 FA errata has been posted finally

 

[Transposony]

Not sure if anyone has posted this, but the 2014 FA errata has been posted finally

Maybe this errata needs an errata?
Page 395:

In the entry for acute myelogenous leukemia, as the mechanism for
DIC in AML is not completely understood, delete "...and can be
induced by chemotherapy due to release of Auer rods.”

 

[Phloston]

Maybe this errata needs an errata?
Page 395:In the entry for acute myelogenous leukemia, as the mechanism for
DIC in AML is not completely understood, delete "...and can be
induced by chemotherapy due to release of Auer rods.”

This erratum is OK.

Although APL (AML M3) has been associated with DIC, the myeloperoxidase within Auer rods association may not be as concrete, so it's not harmful to remove it.

 

[pandoraone]

Anyone know where i can find the 2013 Taus method review plan?

 

[Transposony]

This erratum is OK.

Although APL (AML M3) has been associated with DIC, the myeloperoxidase within Auer rods association may not be as concrete, so it's not harmful to remove it.

I understand the concept but it is not made entirely clear (or maybe it's just my poor comprehension) which part to delete or retain like the others where it is clearly mentioned replace "this" with "that".

 

[swoopyswoop]

I understand the concept but it is not made entirely clear (or maybe it's just my poor comprehension) which part to delete or retain like the others where it is clearly mentioned replace "this" with "that".

They quote the part for you to delete. There isn't anything to replace it with.

In other news:
NBME 13 - 239!!!!

NBME 7 two weeks ago was 226
school NBME in january was 190

 

[ChessMaster3000]

Hey man, congrats on that incredible score. Truly inspirational.

I was interested in what you said about going above and beyond to really get the full scope of important info about the most high-yield diseases. How did you go about doing this? What resources did you use? Did you basically Wikipedia search it and read the whole entry, or did you look up the disease in a bunch of review books...or something else?

Thanks in advance. FYI, I think you have your PM's disabled.

Thanks man for the heads up, I think my PM should be working now.

so i know I was pretty nonspecific about that. The reason is because it's very hard to say how one can define the "full scope of important information". It comes down to having a "feel" for what might be important on a test, and that is not necessarily something I can put a finger on. It's definitely not simply reading a full wikipedia article (too much info), or looking up the disease in a bunch of review books (too much time). As a general rule making sure you understand every word or phrase in First Aid will get you there. I'll try and post some examples later when I think of them. also I'd be happy to comment on certain topics that I think would or wouldn't be important (with the caveat that it's just my opinion, of course).

 

[900829]

They quote the part for you to delete. There isn't anything to replace it with.

In other news:
NBME 13 - 239!!!!

NBME 7 two weeks ago was 226
school NBME in january was 190

Awesome! Keep up the good work. Will be taking my next NBME sometime this weekend. Hope there's improvement (fingers crossed)

 

[001100010010011]

Just took Kaplan simulated 1 (69%) and am about 9 weeks out from exam day. I definitely do not have the stamina yet to take a full exam. It was really tough getting through the middle blocks.

I'm beating myself up about all of the silly mistakes I made because words just kept running together.

 

[Numba1Plumma]

Just finished up annotating my first aid heavily from both USMLE Rx and Kaplan Q bank. Without a doubt, the annotating questions bit takes up quite a bit of time. I have 7 wks to study for step 1 over summer and was planning on starting uworld then.

My questions is pretty simple: for those who have done USMLE Rx and Kaplan Q Bank, would you say that UWorld has additional KNOWLEDGE/FACTS not found in Rx, Q bank or First Aid. I'm not talking about multistep questions or about the quality of questions or question difficulty; I know Uworld is gold. But, if I know that most of my time can be spent answering questions and reading explanations and not having to annotate more information, such as new drugs, microbes, etc. b/c I've already seen them in Qbank or Rx, then I know I will be able to save a lot of time.

Hope this question makes sense. I'm hoping that b/c I spent so much time on Rx and Qbank and annotating first aid, that I don't have to annotate as much once Uworld comes around and I can spend my time elsewhere.

 

[witzelsucht]

Yes UWorld has additional KNOWLEDGE/FACTS no found in first aid or rx

 

[ChessMaster3000]

Just took Kaplan simulated 1 (69%) and am about 9 weeks out from exam day. I definitely do not have the stamina yet to take a full exam. It was really tough getting through the middle blocks.

I'm beating myself up about all of the silly mistakes I made because words just kept running together.

Since you have plenty of time until your test, I wouldnt worry too much about silly mistakes. I made a ton when I started, and tried whittle them down to zero, and as long as you focus on reading every word of every question, you should eventually get there. The stamina will come as well. I recommend doing 2 NBMEs back to back at least one time, and not looking at the score in between.

 

[Jemeni]

Since you have plenty of time until your test, I wouldnt worry too much about silly mistakes. I made a ton when I started, and tried whittle them down to zero, and as long as you focus on reading every word of every question, you should eventually get there. The stamina will come as well. I recommend doing 2 NBMEs back to back at least one time, and not looking at the score in between.

That's where I'm at. I'm just making silly mistakes. My UWorld percentages would be a good 10% higher without them.

Just finished up annotating my first aid heavily from both USMLE Rx and Kaplan Q bank. Without a doubt, the annotating questions bit takes up quite a bit of time. I have 7 wks to study for step 1 over summer and was planning on starting uworld then.

My questions is pretty simple: for those who have done USMLE Rx and Kaplan Q Bank, would you say that UWorld has additional KNOWLEDGE/FACTS not found in Rx, Q bank or First Aid. I'm not talking about multistep questions or about the quality of questions or question difficulty; I know Uworld is gold. But, if I know that most of my time can be spent answering questions and reading explanations and not having to annotate more information, such as new drugs, microbes, etc. b/c I've already seen them in Qbank or Rx, then I know I will be able to save a lot of time.

Hope this question makes sense. I'm hoping that b/c I spent so much time on Rx and Qbank and annotating first aid, that I don't have to annotate as much once Uworld comes around and I can spend my time elsewhere.

How could you have possibly annotated that much from Rx? I got next to nothing out of it compared to what I'm getting out of UWorld annotation-wise. There's a lot in Uworld to jot down, in my opinion. I get more annotation out of one question set of UWorld than I do of like 30 question sets of Rx.

 

[Bancrofti]

Just took Kaplan simulated 1 (69%) and am about 9 weeks out from exam day. I definitely do not have the stamina yet to take a full exam. It was really tough getting through the middle blocks.

I'm beating myself up about all of the silly mistakes I made because words just kept running together.

My intent is to do the 2 full lengths during dedicated study, I'm dreading it though. That being said, gotta do what you gotta do. Have you taken any other full lengths that you can compare the Kaplan simulated to? I'm just wondering how bad it's going to be. I took the diagnostic in January, only 3 blocks and even that was annoying to try and keep focus.

 

[Fatalis]

alright guys, this is my last post on here for a bit. Sitting for the exam tomorrow.
Just wanted to say, its been awesome working with all of you during these past 2 months. I hope everything goes well for all of you!
As an aside: is it normal to be hella nervous/ feel like you know nothing/ feel like you have forgotten everything? Its what I am feeling now :S

 

[sadaca]

fatalis! Gluck buddy! U were very helpful for alot of my doubts. You're gonna ace it! My exam is coming up too. Stay blessed

 

[Flamen04]

So I just took my first NBME exam. It was NBME 11, and I ended up getting a 220. I have about 4 weeks until my exam. Can I raise my score by 20ish points by then?

 

[001100010010011]

My intent is to do the 2 full lengths during dedicated study, I'm dreading it though. That being said, gotta do what you gotta do. Have you taken any other full lengths that you can compare the Kaplan simulated to? I'm just wondering how bad it's going to be. I took the diagnostic in January, only 3 blocks and even that was annoying to try and keep focus.

I can't compare it to any others because I've only done the Kaplan diagnostic, but I think a 69% on the simulated is supposed to be a decent starting point. How long are NBME exams?

Since you have plenty of time until your test, I wouldnt worry too much about silly mistakes. I made a ton when I started, and tried whittle them down to zero, and as long as you focus on reading every word of every question, you should eventually get there. The stamina will come as well. I recommend doing 2 NBMEs back to back at least one time, and not looking at the score in between.

Thanks for the advice. I'm moving on to UWorld now so I hope that helps me improve where I am at.

 

[ChessMaster3000]

I can't compare it to any others because I've only done the Kaplan diagnostic, but I think a 69% on the simulated is supposed to be a decent starting point. How long are NBME exams?



Thanks for the advice. I'm moving on to UWorld now so I hope that helps me improve where I am at.

4 sections, 50 questions each section. It should take you about half a day. Of note, the sections on real tests are 46 questions.

 

[swoopyswoop]

So I just took my first NBME exam. It was NBME 11, and I ended up getting a 220. I have about 4 weeks until my exam. Can I raise my score by 20ish points by then?

definitely! have you finished UWorld? just keep memorizing FA and doing questions.

 

[Brain Bucket]

a valid message.

 

[Brain Bucket]

a valid message.

 

[alicealicealice]

alright guys, this is my last post on here for a bit. Sitting for the exam tomorrow.
Just wanted to say, its been awesome working with all of you during these past 2 months. I hope everything goes well for all of you!
As an aside: is it normal to be hella nervous/ feel like you know nothing/ feel like you have forgotten everything? Its what I am feeling now :S

Yes. (PS: You didn't).

 

[900829]

alright guys, this is my last post on here for a bit. Sitting for the exam tomorrow.
Just wanted to say, its been awesome working with all of you during these past 2 months. I hope everything goes well for all of you!
As an aside: is it normal to be hella nervous/ feel like you know nothing/ feel like you have forgotten everything? Its what I am feeling now :S

Sending positive energy ur way. Come back and visit us after ur results come out, don't be a stranger.
I wish u the very best! Murder the **** out of that exam

 

[Fatalis]

back from the exam
WOW....thats all I can say!
1/2 of it you couldn't prepare for the other 1/2 was straight out of first aid! Its a really long test but the fatigue didnt affect me until after the test. Some questions I found just straight up unfair [like the stupid research genetics questions....like give me a f*cking break! (had too many of them)]
Felt that nmbes and uworld gave you more sx to work with, while the real deal was so vague about stuff; honestly at times iam like both can be right. Some of the questions had no correct answer, just a BEST answer so that was stressful.
Overall I walked out feeling stunned...kind of like "omg what just happened" I feel just terrible right now.

 

[Bancrofti]

Question on BHS:

1st aid says normal development up to 36 months, a child should be able to stack cubes # = age x 3

Just got a Kaplan question wrong b/c the kid could only stack 8 blocks at 3 years of age. I assumed they were deficient, but answer choice says building a tower of 8 cubes by 3 is the milestone...

Obviously I'm going to continue going with what's in 1st aid, but am I reading into this wrong? 71% of people got it right so maybe I'm just missing something.

 

[NeuroLAX]

Question on BHS:

1st aid says normal development up to 36 months, a child should be able to stack cubes # = age x 3

Just got a Kaplan question wrong b/c the kid could only stack 8 blocks at 3 years of age. I assumed they were deficient, but answer choice says building a tower of 8 cubes by 3 is the milestone...

Obviously I'm going to continue going with what's in 1st aid, but am I reading into this wrong? 71% of people got it right so maybe I'm just missing something.

What were the answer choices?

 

[Bancrofti]

I don't know if this screenshot will work... hopefully it does. Also, I apologize in advance Kaplan, don't sue me 🙂 @NeuroLAX

 

[NeuroLAX]

View attachment 179714
I don't know if this screenshot will work... hopefully it does. Also, I apologize in advance Kaplan, don't sue me 🙂 @NeuroLAX

I see what you mean. FA2013 had the rule of 3 x age for 12-24 months, while FA2014 says 12-36 months. I think 8 vs 9 is most likely trivial detail because childhood development is a continuum. It's nice that First Aid makes those quick reference clues but in reality those milestones are spread over several months. For what it's worth I looked at my class notes and we learned 3 x age for 12-24 mo. and the Tower of 8 before 36 months.

 

[dyspareunia]

Ugh that's annoying. I miss questions like that on school exams ALL THE TIME because I remembered a tiny detail from the syllabus.

 

[Bancrofti]

I see what you mean. FA2013 had the rule of 3 x age for 12-24 months, while FA2014 says 12-36 months. I think 8 vs 9 is most likely trivial detail because childhood development is a continuum. It's nice that First Aid makes those quick reference clues but in reality those milestones are spread over several months. For what it's worth I looked at my class notes and we learned 3 x age for 12-24 mo. and the Tower of 8 before 36 months.

Thanks, I really appreciate the help. I hate getting questions that should be simple wrong.

 

[BlueArc]

Just logged into my picmonics account, they have a new set of cards on thyroid diseases and apparently i have to subscribe again to do them. Not cool.

 

[Xorthos]

Thanks, I really appreciate the help. I hate getting questions that should be simple wrong.

I kind of look at block stacking with a "3 x year" rule as a decent rule of thumb...but not really a firm thing.
The way I kind of look at it is...okay a 1 year old can stack with 3 blocks.
A 2 year old should be able to build with more than 3 blocks...so I would probably consider anything from 5-7 normal.
A 3 year old should be able to build with more than they could at 2 years old...so anything from 8+.

First aid really should just do (Age x 3)+/- 1.

 

[Phloston]

This is why everyone makes mistakes on the real deal. No matter how thorough you think you are, with 322 questions, you're going to over-analyze at least one.

 

[Ionian]

back from the exam
WOW....thats all I can say!
1/2 of it you couldn't prepare for the other 1/2 was straight out of first aid! Its a really long test but the fatigue didnt affect me until after the test. Some questions I found just straight up unfair [like the stupid research genetics questions....like give me a f*cking break! (had too many of them)]
Felt that nmbes and uworld gave you more sx to work with, while the real deal was so vague about stuff; honestly at times iam like both can be right. Some of the questions had no correct answer, just a BEST answer so that was stressful.
Overall I walked out feeling stunned...kind of like "omg what just happened" I feel just terrible right now.

Damn, that sucks man, been hearing that more and more recently.

Since there have been new updates, which is when they start doing those 'experimental questions' again, I assume all those hard ones are the ones that aren't graded.

 

[Jemeni]

back from the exam
WOW....thats all I can say!
1/2 of it you couldn't prepare for the other 1/2 was straight out of first aid! Its a really long test but the fatigue didnt affect me until after the test. Some questions I found just straight up unfair [like the stupid research genetics questions....like give me a f*cking break! (had too many of them)]
Felt that nmbes and uworld gave you more sx to work with, while the real deal was so vague about stuff; honestly at times iam like both can be right. Some of the questions had no correct answer, just a BEST answer so that was stressful.
Overall I walked out feeling stunned...kind of like "omg what just happened" I feel just terrible right now.

It's outta your hands now bro. Just trust that you tried your absolute best and be happy with that. That said, many people seem to feel like you did coming out of it, and they mostly all hit the range their practice tests predicted.

It would be a great help if you could update us with your study plan and final result (if you're comfortable sharing) in a couple weeks.

 

[1dayatatime]

congrats to Fatalis! I'm sure you did AWESOME! just remember everyone felt bad walking out and gets pleasantly surprised! you worked hard so no regrets!

i was curious about what lorian said about the experiemental q's -- arent there experiemental q's on every single test?

 

[bulldogmed]

I kind of look at block stacking with a "3 x year" rule as a decent rule of thumb...but not really a firm thing.
The way I kind of look at it is...okay a 1 year old can stack with 3 blocks.
A 2 year old should be able to build with more than 3 blocks...so I would probably consider anything from 5-7 normal.
A 3 year old should be able to build with more than they could at 2 years old...so anything from 8+.

First aid really should just do (Age x 3)+/- 1.

We were taught...
12mo - 1 block
15mo - 2 blocks
18mo - 3 blocks
24mo - 4-6 blocks

You remember the last part b/c 4*6 = 24.

Having not had a pediatrics clerkship, I can't attest to the veracity of this information, but that's what we were taught by a developmental peds guy