Official 2014 Step 1 Experiences and Scores Thread

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kween said:
What do people do when you feel burnt out, have ZERO motivation.
and just sit at your desk, starring at your computer and first aid book? :nailbiting:
I need to be productive today.. Any recommendations?
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Find a friend who also is having trouble staying motivated, go to a restaurant that has tables outside, sit outside and get day drunk. Fall asleep early, sleep for 12 hours, and get up the next day ready to finish your last week.

At least, that's what I do when I'm having trouble staying motivated.
 
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NeuroLAX said:
Yes, that's correct. UWorld is first and foremost a learning tool to facilitate critical thinking and clinical application of the content in FA/M1-M2 material. NBMEs are obviously practice tests similar to how people take practice MCATs to gauge preparedness.
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So best time to start uworld is when during M2?
 
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Dr Dazzle said:
So best time to start uworld is when during M2?
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If I had to start over again I would probably have started reading FA earlier and maybe throw in some USMLE Rx during M2, saving UWorld for later. Still, studying for and doing well in your academic courses ensures you're not spending so much time learning anything new during board prep so you can spend time reviewing and tackling your weak areas.
 
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kween said:
What do people do when you feel burnt out, have ZERO motivation.
and just sit at your desk, starring at your computer and first aid book? :nailbiting:
I need to be productive today.. Any recommendations?
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I always enjoyed doing questions, or reading clinical vignettes. Is there any form of studying that you enjoy? Do that.
 
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Missorleans said:
I always enjoyed doing questions, or reading clinical vignettes. Is there any form of studying that you enjoy? Do that.
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AlmostAnMD is right, who "enjoys" reading clinical vignettes 😵
Any I like writing and drawing stuff out, but it seems like a waste of time now..
Settled on reviewing old nbmes for a couple of hours then @Donald Juan idea sounds great :nod:
 
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Good luck to Kirby tmrw! Ull do great!

Also may be a stupid q, the test is 7 blocks of 46 qs, 32 of which experimental, Plus 1 hr of break counting the 15 min tutorial right? I just want to confirm since fa counts tutorial as "block 1" and I saw some ppl saying to do two nbmes back to back which is actually 8 times 46.
 
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1dayatatime said:
Good luck to Kirby tmrw! Ull do great!

Also may be a stupid q, the test is 7 blocks of 46 qs, 32 of which experimental, Plus 1 hr of break counting the 15 min tutorial right? I just want to confirm since fa counts tutorial as "block 1" and I saw some ppl saying to do two nbmes back to back which is actually 8 times 46.
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Yes, except I don't know that they specifically state 32 questions on the exam are experimental.

People do two nbmes back to back (a) because it's the only option to do real NBME questions at (or above) the length of the real exam, and (b) because a lot of people follow the "prepare for something worse, so that test day doesn't seem as bad" philosophy. Keep in mind the NBMEs also have 50 question blocks, so it is really 400 questions versus about 322.
 
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Donald Juan said:
Yes, except I don't know that they specifically state 32 questions on the exam are experimental.

People do two nbmes back to back (a) because it's the only option to do real NBME questions at (or above) the length of the real exam, and (b) because a lot of people follow the "prepare for something worse, so that test day doesn't seem as bad" philosophy. Keep in mind the NBMEs also have 50 question blocks, so it is really 400 questions versus about 322.
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Doing one nbme is so bad, I don't think I'm going to attempt two before my exam. I guess I subscribe to the philosophy that you don't train for a marathon by running marathons
 
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I'm not really onboard with the whole 2 NBME back to back thing

1. Sort of a waste of an NBME. Their use is twofold: one, you see new questions and things you've seen a million times but framed in different ways, it helps; two, to gauge your progress.

2. I can tell my mental endurance has grown just from doing multiple practice exams. Doing 400 questions altogether seems overkill, and will burn you out for your next day of studying. Studying 8 to 10 to 12 hours a day is enough to prepare you for the basic mental marathon that test day demands.

It just seems like a waste of a valuable tangible resource, to build up some intangible quality that you are improving upon just by studying.

RandomHero117 said:
Doing one nbme is so bad, I don't think I'm going to attempt two before my exam. I guess I subscribe to the philosophy that you don't train for a marathon by running marathons
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this
 
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I'm about one week out from exam day (bolded = recent scores since the last post):

· USMLE Rx: 65% avg
· Kaplan qbank (random-timed): 66% avg
· Kaplan Simulated Exam 1 (3/10): 69%
· UWSA1 (4/13): 238
· Free 150 (4/18) : 87%
· NBME 13 (5/1): 245
· Finished UWorld (random-timed) (5/4/14): 73% avg
· UWSA2 (5/9): 252
· NBME 12 (5/11): 245
· NBME 11 (5/17): 247
· COMQUEST Qbank (5/19) (did this over 2 days on tutored-mode): 79%
· NBME 15 (5/22): 247
· Kaplan Simulated Exam 2 (5/23): 68%

So I don't know what to make of my latest scores. I feel like I plateaued/went back a step after doing a pass of FA--it's pretty discouraging. I know I definitely picked up a lot of new facts/mnemonics/pathways, but I felt like I dumped a lot of things that I had down pretty cold.

Over the next week I plan on doing:

1. FA enzyme deficiencies, embryology, and viral classifications/micro mnemonics.
2. As many incorrect UWorld questions as possible.
3. Biostats practice questions in UWorld/COMQUEST.
4. NBME 16 on 5/25, possibly NBME 7 on 5/26 (just to get as many questions done as possible).

I'd appreciate any suggestions you all have for the final stretch.
 
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001100010010011 said:
I'm about one week out from exam day (bolded = recent scores since the last post):

· USMLE Rx: 65% avg
· Kaplan qbank (random-timed): 66% avg
· Kaplan Simulated Exam 1 (3/10): 69%
· UWSA1 (4/13): 238
· Free 150 (4/18) : 87%
· NBME 13 (5/1): 245
· Finished UWorld (random-timed) (5/4/14): 73% avg
· UWSA2 (5/9): 252
· NBME 12 (5/11): 245
· NBME 11 (5/17): 247
· COMQUEST Qbank (5/19) (did this over 2 days on tutored-mode): 79%
· NBME 15 (5/22): 247
· Kaplan Simulated Exam 2 (5/23): 68%

So I don't know what to make of my latest scores. I feel like I plateaued/went back a step after doing a pass of FA--it's pretty discouraging. I know I definitely picked up a lot of new facts/mnemonics/pathways, but I felt like I dumped a lot of things that I had down pretty cold.
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Did you feel that the comquest bank helped? I am planning on knocking this out the week in between exams but have run out of stuff to do currently (other than read FA). My test is the 10th and 17th,.
 
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Petypet said:
Did you feel that the comquest bank helped? I am planning on knocking this out the week in between exams but have run out of stuff to do currently (other than read FA). My test is the 10th and 17th,.
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Yeah, the more questions the better. The comquest stems aren't very long and I only spent time going over wrong answers or topics I felt I needed a bit more practice on. UWorld explanations are way better. Save the OMM questions for later.
 
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Why do people wait until the last week to review OMM using Savarese and doing questions? It's big on comlex so I'm worried about saving it for last while preparing for usmle.
 
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Dr Dazzle said:
Why do people wait until the last week to review OMM using Savarese and doing questions? It's big on comlex so I'm worried about saving it for last while preparing for usmle.
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Probably because it isn't too difficult to cram. Besides, do you really want to have cranial dysfunctions and Chapman's points in your brain any longer than you need to?
 
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Dr Dazzle said:
Why do people wait until the last week to review OMM using Savarese and doing questions? It's big on comlex so I'm worried about saving it for last while preparing for usmle.
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Aaaaaaaaaaaand so glad I don't have to study this stuff.
 
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This is what OMM is like, right?

cute-gif-owl-petting-small-2.gif


I wish all of my patients were cute owls.
 
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periaqueductal said:
Just took uwsa 2 as my first practice exam. Ended up with 80% for a 258. Pretty happy with that even if it does over predict. A little under 5 weeks left, hoping I can hit my 250 goal. I'm about 50% through uworld. Anyone have any advice on whether to just do my marked and incorrects after I'm finished or reset and redo the whole thing?
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Took UWSA1 last week and got 82% for 262.
Went with NBME 15 today and got 95% for 266. Finished up UWorld first pass, 80% random timed. I was blown away by my score on 15. I feel like it is a fluke. Any advice to stay focused the last couple weeks? Keep at 12-16 hours a day or back off?
 
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periaqueductal said:
Took UWSA1 last week and got 82% for 262.
Went with NBME 15 today and got 95% for 266. Finished up UWorld first pass, 80% random timed. I was blown away by my score on 15. I feel like it is a fluke. Any advice to stay focused the last couple weeks? Keep at 12-16 hours a day or back off?
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My advice is don't get burned out, but I'm not even an MS2.

Combo_19caab_269898.jpg
 
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periaqueductal said:
Took UWSA1 last week and got 82% for 262.
Went with NBME 15 today and got 95% for 266. Finished up UWorld first pass, 80% random timed. I was blown away by my score on 15. I feel like it is a fluke. Any advice to stay focused the last couple weeks? Keep at 12-16 hours a day or back off?
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I doubt that your NBME, UWSA, and UW first pass percentage are all flukes. I don't know what your goal is, but if I was in your position I would take another NBME to confirm I was awesome, and then I would move my test date up to as early as possible.
 
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Donald Juan said:
I doubt that your NBME, UWSA, and UW first pass percentage are all flukes. I don't know what your goal is, but if I was in your position I would take another NBME to confirm I was awesome, and then I would move my test date up to as early as possible.
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+1
 
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Donald Juan said:
I doubt that your NBME, UWSA, and UW first pass percentage are all flukes. I don't know what your goal is, but if I was in your position I would take another NBME to confirm I was awesome, and then I would move my test date up to as early as possible.
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Thanks man. I guess it just feels like the test played to my strengths. I would love to move it up but the testing center is booked for the dates available. Just gunna have to suck it up for a week and a half, do the free 150s and a couple more NBMEs.
 
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16 hours a day? WTF?

If I were you, I'd take NBME 16 as well... if it is 260+ then move up your exam

As much as we like to get as high a score as possible, let's be honest... once you crack 250, anything after that is just a dick measuring contest
 
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Delacroix22 said:
16 hours a day? WTF?

If I were you, I'd take NBME 16 as well... if it is 260+ then move up your exam

As much as we like to get as high a score as possible, let's be honest... once you crack 250, anything after that is just a dick measuring contest
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Size matters.
 
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Quick question. I'm scoring well on exam..but still think i'm not prepared.
Finished UW with 72% a few days ago.

NBME 6 (10wks out) 226
NMBE 5 (9wks out) 226
School CBSE (3wks out) 248
UW1 (2.5wks out) 252
NBME 13 (2wks out) 247-today

I'm really happy with my scores. But what scares me is this: I've only reviewed FA once throughout classes and have done through half of it during the past month (dedicated study time)
Don't b**** at me plz for complaining about a good score ....i'm concerned because I legitimately feel like i'm just guessing (that won't fly on real deal).
 
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sharkbaitwhohaha said:
Quick question. I'm scoring well on exam..but still think i'm not prepared.
Finished UW with 72% a few days ago.

NBME 6 (10wks out) 226
NMBE 5 (9wks out) 226
School CBSE (3wks out) 248
UW1 (2.5wks out) 252
NBME 13 (2wks out) 247-today

I'm really happy with my scores. But what scares me is this: I've only reviewed FA once throughout classes and have done through half of it during the past month (dedicated study time)
Don't b**** at me plz for complaining about a good score ....i'm concerned because I legitimately feel like i'm just guessing (that won't fly on real deal).
Click to expand...

Part of this process is guessing well. Since you've only gotten scores that are above or around the average, you're likely fine.
 
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sharkbaitwhohaha said:
Quick question. I'm scoring well on exam..but still think i'm not prepared.
Finished UW with 72% a few days ago.

NBME 6 (10wks out) 226
NMBE 5 (9wks out) 226
School CBSE (3wks out) 248
UW1 (2.5wks out) 252
NBME 13 (2wks out) 247-today

I'm really happy with my scores. But what scares me is this: I've only reviewed FA once throughout classes and have done through half of it during the past month (dedicated study time)
Don't b**** at me plz for complaining about a good score ....i'm concerned because I legitimately feel like i'm just guessing (that won't fly on real deal).
Click to expand...
Step 1 may be a different story (haven't taken it yet so I can't say for certain) but for most of UWorld and the NBMEs you should feel confident about your answers to most questions. Obviously there will be a handful of questions you felt confident about but got wrong anyway, a handful of questions that will make you second-guess yourself and another handful that you just don't know, but for most of the questions you should have an idea about why you're answering a certain way when you pick a choice. The combination of your scores so far and the fact that you feel you're just guessing your way through tells me you have an understanding of the material, but lack confidence. Trust your practice scores and work hard for the rest of your study period. It's pretty rare for people to feel confident they demolished step 1 after walking out of the exam so don't waste time worrying about that. At the end of the day if you're happy with your practice scores then you're in a good position to meet those scores if not exceed them if you continue honing in on your weaknesses and minimizing errors.
 
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Vexare said:
Step 1 may be a different story (haven't taken it yet so I can't say for certain) but for most of UWorld and the NBMEs you should feel confident about your answers to most questions. Obviously there will be a handful of questions you felt confident about but got wrong anyway, a handful of questions that will make you second-guess yourself and another handful that you just don't know, but for most of the questions you should have an idea about why you're answering a certain way when you pick a choice. The combination of your scores so far and the fact that you feel you're just guessing your way through tells me you have an understanding of the material, but lack confidence. Trust your practice scores and work hard for the rest of your study period. It's pretty rare for people to feel confident they demolished step 1 after walking out of the exam so don't waste time worrying about that. At the end of the day if you're happy with your practice scores then you're in a good position to meet those scores if not exceed them if you continue honing in on your weaknesses and minimizing errors.
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Thats a good point, and probably true. I made a 28MCAT with VR of 6, so I wasn't really expecting to get such a good score (on nbmes). Guess past two years are paying off.
 
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