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!

 

[whomikejones]

Less than a week out and ready to get this over with.
School CBSE (March): 205
NBME 13 (4/21): 254
NBME 15 (5/16): 254
UWSA 2 (5/20): 264
UWSA 1 (5/30): 265
NBME 16 (5/31): 260
Real deal (6/6): ???

I have the worst attention span so I'm just hoping I can focused for 7 full hours on the real deal and minimize careless mistakes. Would be incredibly happy with anything north of 240 so I'm hoping to just relax this week, page through my annotated first aid and trust in my prep.

After all the posts about crazy anatomy questions I'm tempted to skim the blue boxes in Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Bad idea so close to my test date? Also still pretty weak in biochem according to my NBMEs. Should i page through RR biochem or just focus on first aid?

Best of luck to everyone testing this week

 

[surgok]

Test in 2 days, can't wait to get this thing behind me.
UWSA 1: 244
UWSA 2: 263
NBME 16: 256
NBME 12: 251
CBSE : 260
NBME 11: 258
NBME 13: 260
NBME 15: 264
Free 150 : 94%

Trying to skim through pharm, some Goljan high yield notes, and picmonic..

Will update when the score comes back..

Good luck everyone

 

[Renaissance Man]

The difference between Pathoma's ovarian cancers and FA is crazy. Dr. Sattar seems to go more in depth than any other section while FA seems to barely care about it. Annoying.

 

[notbobtrustme]

go get tigers

mines on friday, lookin forward to be over with this garbage

 

[AlmostAnMD]

The difference between Pathoma's ovarian cancers and FA is crazy. Dr. Sattar seems to go more in depth than any other section while FA seems to barely care about it. Annoying.

Same with rapid review path. Especially with bones. FA lists like six bone cancers, RR doubles or triples that. How many are important for step? I dunno.

 

[Witobb]

Some people do UWSA 2 then 1, others 1 then 2.
any comments on this? or this not really an issue?

 

[ChessMaster3000]

Some people do UWSA 2 then 1, others 1 then 2.
any comments on this? or this not really an issue?

This is not an issue. If you are obsessed like me and want to compare your progress with others, then do 1, then 2, so you can see your progression and relate it to others' progression. That's about it

 

[ChessMaster3000]

Same with rapid review path. Especially with bones. FA lists like six bone cancers, RR doubles or triples that. How many are important for step? I dunno.

I think the different types of ovarian cancers are not important--but I would study the different types of bone tumors. For some reason, step 1 loves bone way more than any medical school curriculum.

 

[Witobb]

This is not an issue. If you are obsessed like me and want to compare your progress with others, then do 1, then 2, so you can see your progression and relate it to others' progression. That's about it

Of course I am 🙂 Is there any other way to prepare for this test? haha

 

[Bancrofti]

Any other sports fans pissed at the poor timing of their Step coming up? A lot of Americans don't watch soccer, but as an avid soccer and basketball fan this is literally the worst time I could ever have to take the step. Can't count how many times I turned on the tv since the NBA playoffs started to just watch the 4th quarter... only to have the game go to overtime. It'll only get worse with the World Cup starting soon. fml

 

[tribulations]

Any other sports fans pissed at the poor timing of their Step coming up? A lot of Americans don't watch soccer, but as an avid soccer and basketball fan this is literally the worst time I could ever have to take the step. Can't how many times I turned on the tv since the NBA playoffs started to just watch the 4th quarter... only to have the game go to overtime. It'll only get worse with the World Cup starting soon. fml

This is why my step 1 is scheduled for the 12. a match should be on when i finish 🙂

 

[Bojack Horseman]

Any other sports fans pissed at the poor timing of their Step coming up? A lot of Americans don't watch soccer, but as an avid soccer and basketball fan this is literally the worst time I could ever have to take the step. Can't count how many times I turned on the tv since the NBA playoffs started to just watch the 4th quarter... only to have the game go to overtime. It'll only get worse with the World Cup starting soon. fml

I've just been watching the playoffs man. Not worth any extra points I might get.

I take my exam before the World Cup starts too 🙂

 

[GadRads]

Any other sports fans pissed at the poor timing of their Step coming up? A lot of Americans don't watch soccer, but as an avid soccer and basketball fan this is literally the worst time I could ever have to take the step. Can't count how many times I turned on the tv since the NBA playoffs started to just watch the 4th quarter... only to have the game go to overtime. It'll only get worse with the World Cup starting soon. fml

Test is next week, and as a Heat fan, I have to watch the NBA finals. I have watched almost all the playoff games so far, but with some guilt. And test will be over before World Cup.

 

[gasknight]

Can't decide if I should take NBME 16 or not. I'm 8 days out. Scored well on 15.

Any thoughts?

 

[Bojack Horseman]

as a Heat fan, I have to watch the NBA finals.

Well, as a heat fan... you don't have to...

 

[Bancrofti]

I've just been watching the playoffs man. Not worth any extra points I might get.

I take my exam before the World Cup starts too 🙂

Ha, I don't know if I would go that far. If someone could guarantee that I'd get an additional 10 points isolating myself/suffering by not enjoying the best sports month quadrennially, then I would probably do it. BUT, if someone handed me free tickets to a game, I'd move my test date up to next week no questions asked.

 

[GadRads]

Well, as a heat fan... you don't have to...
View attachment 181753

Pacers' fans left game 2 before it ended and that was a close game. And I watched game 6 last year till the very end. I remember I said, "we need to foul twice, Spurs miss two free throws, we make a three, and go to OT." What are the odds? Anyways, go Heat!

 

[jjjone05]

The difference between Pathoma's ovarian cancers and FA is crazy. Dr. Sattar seems to go more in depth than any other section while FA seems to barely care about it. Annoying.

Dr. Sattar wrote the Robbins chapter for female GU and breast. That's why.

 

[dyspareunia]

The difference between Pathoma's ovarian cancers and FA is crazy. Dr. Sattar seems to go more in depth than any other section while FA seems to barely care about it. Annoying.

Isn't Sattar a breast guy?

 

[Delacroix22]

Isn't Sattar a breast guy?

nah he's more of an ass man

 

[Subconcious]

Ugghhhh

Took NBME 11 as a baseline two weeks ago with the rest of my class, got a 213

Took NBME 15 today
217

I have no idea how you geniuses get 250/260/etc. I just want to do good enough to go back to Ohio State, but I'm not even that far yet :/ 3 weeks to go...

Don't sweat the scores of others. If you're plateaued after studying more content in between your NBME scores then your weakness is not a content problem but a test taking problem. I had a friend with this challenge who was scoring 200-220 and with a couple changes pushed the score up by about 20points. Here's what I suggest, try finding someone who scored really high who you can meet up with for an hour. Go through like 5-10Qs together and explain your reasoning to them. If they are a high scorer, they should be able to tell you why you're reading the question stem incorrectly. There are certain skills you can pick up that will greatly increase your odds. For instance, when you read a uworld Q, you should be able to know if they are expecting a MC scenario answer, or a highly specific answer just off the length of the passage and amount of detail they give you (generally, the more they give you, the more detail is expected). You should also be able to realize if you do or don't know the answer to a Q because you haven't studied the content or because the reasoning required is beyond your current ability. If its content - read the answer/FA. If its reasoning - develop your visual understanding (anatomy) of the situation. You should have memorized the table of values inside FA of all the major things like Na, Ca, K, blood counts, enzyme levels, body temp (whats a low fever and high fever?). You should be able to describe buzz words in lamen english terms (bulls eye target = red ring w distinct margins that expand over time). These are all essential skills and I tent to see low scorers missing them because all they try to learn is FA for the step, but do not refine their clinical critical thinking. Also when you read a Q, learn to read the last line first. Also, learn to confirm your answer with a couple points back in the passage (this should be your last step in answering the Q, not picking an answer choice). As you practice this technique, you're rhythm will develop and speed will come with it. Also dont read uWorld passively or fill out FA thinking you're work is done. Read the explanation, major points and MC wrong answer and then dwell on it for a couple minutes to literally illustrate this new thought into your frame of current thinking. You should be able to tell yourself what you didn't understand about a particular scenario, and how that understanding has been corrected now by reading the answers. This is a method of activating your thinking.

 

[AlmostAnMD]

Good advice. I did actually do something quite like that and per another of my posts in this topic (after the one you quoted) I'm up to a 232, which is very much in the range I'd like to be in. Still workin' hard but less miserable.

 

[tribulations]

I just took my first nbme (7). It scored me a 520 or the equivalent of a 232. What's the consensus on how accurate NBMEs and in particular form 7 are in terms of predicting a score?

 

[ChessMaster3000]

Can't decide if I should take NBME 16 or not. I'm 8 days out. Scored well on 15.

Any thoughts?

If you can afford it, I would definitely go for. Then again, depends just how well you scored, and what your goals are in terms of score and specialty. If you are willing to share that, it would be helpful in advising. But if not, I would say as a general rule, take more NBMEs.

 

[gasknight]

If you can afford it, I would definitely go for. Then again, depends just how well you scored, and what your goals are in terms of score and specialty. If you are willing to share that, it would be helpful in advising. But if not, I would say as a general rule, take more NBMEs.

NBME 15 was a 264. Goal is a 255.

I worry 16 will either make me a bit worried that I won't reach my goal, or it'll make me complacent.

Am I just being a b*tch?

 

[ChessMaster3000]

Test is next week, and as a Heat fan, I have to watch the NBA finals. I have watched almost all the playoff games so far, but with some guilt. And test will be over before World Cup.

NBME 15 was a 264. Goal is a 255.

I worry 16 will either make me a bit worried that I won't reach my goal, or it'll make me complacent.

Am I just being a b*tch?

Very solid score. i dont see how 16 will make you complacent IF you take it 4 days before your test. 3 days before your test you do last minute studying. 2 and 1 day before your test you chill. there would be no time for complacency anyway.

as far as being worried, i feel you, but the chances of you bombing 16 and getting less than a 255 are pretty low honestly. what is the most likely scenario is that youll do as well as you did on 15, approx 264, and SOLIDIFY that as your "baseline".

anyway, in my mind, the only issue with whether or not to take 16 is money. if you have the funds, do it, because from a preparation perspective, at this late in the game, it is THE best thing you can do to prepare.

disclaimer: I took my test prior to 16 being released, but i have such faith in the NBMEs that I dont have to see that test to know it will be useful.

 

[MilkIsGood]

Isn't Sattar a breast guy?

yea, breast and gyn path

 

[Coffee Machine]

I want to throw my laptop at the wall when I drop off 20% on a UWorld question set. I guess I should look at the overall average instead of getting frustrated with one set, but my goodness is it annoying.

 

[tribulations]

I want to throw my laptop at the wall when I drop off 20% on a UWorld question set. I guess I should look at the overall average instead of getting frustrated with one set, but my goodness is it annoying.

It happens. I've got 18 in a row right and then dropped like the next 14 out of 16. I usually curse at my computer instead of throwing it. It seems to be better for the screen.

 

[Witobb]

That feeling when you finally hit the 250s

 

[kagman]

I was solving around a block daily in timed tutor, annotating my FA, and it was taking too long. So I'm doing random blocks in timed mode. But I'm disappointed with the score. (50-60%). What am I doing wrong ? :/

Disappointed.

 

[Ionian]

Last update.

Uworld: 1st run (Random, timed) (7-3 weeks out): 77%
CBSE 1 (12 weeks out): 238
NBME 1 (offline) (11 weeks out): 223
NBME 2 (offline) (10 weeks out): 234
NBME 3 (offline) (9 weeks out): 242
NBME 4 (offline) (8 weeks out): 245
NBME 5 (offline) (7 weeks out): 242
NBME 6 (offline) (6 weeks out): 242
NBME 7 (5 weeks out): 245
NBME 11 (4 weeks out): 247
NBME 12 (3 weeks out): 260
NBME 13 (2 weeks out): 243
NBME 15 (1 1/2 weeks out): 247
NBME 16 (1 week out): 256

NBME 16 was way too straight forward, I'd imagine the real deal to be more like NBME 13. I'd love to get a form like 16 for sure...

7,11, 12, 13, 15, 16 data:

 

[bucks900]

I agree with 16 being very straight forward. My NBMEs have all been in the 250s and on 16 I scored a 268. How does it compare to 15? I'm taking it this weekend.

 

[whomikejones]

I agree with 16 being very straight forward. My NBMEs have all been in the 250s and on 16 I scored a 268. How does it compare to 15? I'm taking it this weekend.

15 felt more like uworld to me. Longer stems, more lateral thinking. I agree with 16 being relatively straightforward compared to 13 and 15.

 

[AlmostAnMD]

I hope 16 would be straightforward. I'm taking that one this weekend as my final practice exam before the real thing on tuesday.

 

[Laplace]

Just took my first NBME, got a 254 on NBME 15. All I have done so far is DIT and a couple UWorld blocks, exam in 2 weeks, was planning in going through FA and hammering through the rest of UWorld

My goal is a 260+ and I'm about 2 weeks from my exam, does anyone have suggestions in terms of doing anything other than going through First Aid again (haven't really been through it other than with DIT) and finishing up UWorld?

I'm mainly worried my score was a fluke and that I'm actually much farther than my goal since I haven't done much other than DIT.

 

[Handinhand]

lol wrong thread.

 

[YeahNoMind]

UWSA1: 188 [12 weeks out]
NBME1: 227 [offline]
NBME2: 239 [offline]
NBME3: 244 [offline]
NBME13: 234 [5.5 weeks out]
NBME11: 235 [5 weeks out]
UWSA2: 224 [4 weeks out]

After taking UWSA2, I disagree with the majority that say that it's easier. I'm pretty sure the devil himself makes some of those questions. The wording is just too damn convoluted at times. I was scratching my mind throughout the whole thing.
That was HARD. Harder than NBME 13, and the free 138. I got wrecked on both UWSA's, The goal is a mere 250. Any thoughts, suggestions, comments, insults, nip slips are welcome.

 

[Handinhand]

04/03: CBSE: 215
05/04: NBME 11: 241
05/19: UW SA2: 265
05/26: NBME 15: 254
05/28: 2013 Free 150: 92%
05/30: NBME 13 offline: 93%
06/2: NBME 16: 262

Take the exam this Saturday. I've been ignoring parasites and 16 hit them hard, so I'm going through them. Need to cram biochem back into my head, and then review through the rest of micro/micropharm. Most of my wrong questions now are behavior/stats questions and I'm not sure how I can improve on them. Meh.

 

[surgok]

Test in 2 days, can't wait to get this thing behind me.
UWSA 1: 244
UWSA 2: 263
NBME 16: 256
NBME 12: 251
CBSE : 260
NBME 11: 258
NBME 13: 260
NBME 15: 264
Free 150 : 94%

Trying to skim through pharm, some Goljan high yield notes, and picmonic..

Will update when the score comes back..

Good luck everyone

Update: Took the exam today. Overall, I felt like the exam was nothing like NBMEs in terms of ambiguity and difficulty. I had a lot of factual questions that seemed like exam writers just took right out of some obscure journal articles. Just like majority of people, I felt DEFEATED walking out. There wasn't one subject that particularly stood out. I had a mix of easy, medium, hard, and WTFs all over. The language however, was very different from NBMEs which probably made it seem more difficult than it really was. Now the wait begins.....

 

[antelopemd]

Test in 2 days, can't wait to get this thing behind me.
UWSA 1: 244
UWSA 2: 263
NBME 16: 256
NBME 12: 251
CBSE : 260
NBME 11: 258
NBME 13: 260
NBME 15: 264
Free 150 : 94%

Trying to skim through pharm, some Goljan high yield notes, and picmonic..

Will update when the score comes back..

Good luck everyone

Update: Took the exam today. Overall, I felt like the exam was nothing like NBMEs in terms of ambiguity and difficulty. I had a lot of factual questions that seemed like exam writers just took right out of some obscure journal articles. Just like majority of people, I felt DEFEATED walking out. There wasn't one subject that particularly stood out. I had a mix of easy, medium, hard, and WTFs all over. The language however, was very different from NBMEs which probably made it seem more difficult than it really was. Now the wait begins.....

Damn, good luck man. **** this test lol

 

[bucks900]

Have you done the UWORLD subject review for biostat? It helped me get a few questions on NMBE 16 I wouldn't have otherwise gotten.

 

[notbobtrustme]

Update: Took the exam today. Overall, I felt like the exam was nothing like NBMEs in terms of ambiguity and difficulty. I had a lot of factual questions that seemed like exam writers just took right out of some obscure journal articles. Just like majority of people, I felt DEFEATED walking out. There wasn't one subject that particularly stood out. I had a mix of easy, medium, hard, and WTFs all over. The language however, was very different from NBMEs which probably made it seem more difficult than it really was. Now the wait begins.....

wtf 🙁 posts like this scare me. your scores look almost exactly like mine too, lol. I'm sure you'll end up doing fine, but **** man, scary as hell

 

[Cinematographer]

Test in 2 days, can't wait to get this thing behind me.
UWSA 1: 244
UWSA 2: 263
NBME 16: 256
NBME 12: 251
CBSE : 260
NBME 11: 258
NBME 13: 260
NBME 15: 264
Free 150 : 94%

Trying to skim through pharm, some Goljan high yield notes, and picmonic..

Will update when the score comes back..

Good luck everyone

Update: Took the exam today. Overall, I felt like the exam was nothing like NBMEs in terms of ambiguity and difficulty. I had a lot of factual questions that seemed like exam writers just took right out of some obscure journal articles. Just like majority of people, I felt DEFEATED walking out. There wasn't one subject that particularly stood out. I had a mix of easy, medium, hard, and WTFs all over. The language however, was very different from NBMEs which probably made it seem more difficult than it really was. Now the wait begins.....

How did your test compare to the UWorld self-assessments in terms of language/difficulty?

Thanks

 

[surgok]

It may have been similar to UWSA question style except I can't recall UWSA questions that well now given that it more than 6 weeks ago. That being said, my exam had a lot of extra information in the question stem, and it was generally presented in a very convoluted fashion. The answer choices were as vague as they could be. For a good number of questions, no amount of prep was useful to reason through them because they were only presented in journal articles. I hope those were experimental questions..lol

 

[orchitisphlebitis]

It may have been similar to UWSA question style except I can't recall UWSA questions that well now given that it more than 6 weeks ago. That being said, my exam had a lot of extra information in the question stem, and it was generally presented in a very convoluted fashion. The answer choices were as vague as they could be. For a good number of questions, no amount of prep was useful to reason through them because they were only presented in journal articles. I hope those were experimental questions..lol

Aaaand this is why I'm taking the day before my exam off.

 

[Gooby]

NBME 7 (3 weeks ago): 220
NBME 11 (2 weeks ago): 245
NBME 13 (1 week ago): 241
NBME12 (Today): 230

Test in 2 weeks.

Finished DIT today. Finished UWorld a week ago, now going over missed. Reading thru first aid and making anki cards for things I don't have down. Watching a little pathoma here and there. Why the hell is my score dropping? I did feel like I got extremely lucky on my guesses on nbme 11. NBME 13 felt good. Then I felt like NBME12 tore me apart. I find that if I don't immediately know the answer to a question and it requires some sort of abstract, lateral thinking, I have NO CHANCE at getting it right. I don't really feel like I'm 'burning out', just feel like I know all the buzzwords and all the knee jerk garbage, but then when I have to interpret something I've never seen or thought of before, I'm just screwed.

Any advice?

 

[Witobb]

NBME 7 (3 weeks ago): 220
NBME 11 (2 weeks ago): 245
NBME 13 (1 week ago): 241
NBME12 (Today): 230

Test in 2 weeks.

Finished DIT today. Finished UWorld a week ago, now going over missed. Reading thru first aid and making anki cards for things I don't have down. Watching a little pathoma here and there. Why the hell is my score dropping? I did feel like I got extremely lucky on my guesses on nbme 11. NBME 13 felt good. Then I felt like NBME12 tore me apart. I find that if I don't immediately know the answer to a question and it requires some sort of abstract, lateral thinking, I have NO CHANCE at getting it right. I don't really feel like I'm 'burning out', just feel like I know all the buzzwords and all the knee jerk garbage, but then when I have to interpret something I've never seen or thought of before, I'm just screwed.

Any advice?

Lateral thinking questions usually want to test a general concept in a non-obvious manner. Don't over think it! If you read an answer choice you've never heard before its probably not the one you're looking for, and most of the other ones you should be able to eliminate. Leaving you with two maybe three choices. Try to do the UWSAs, they have some good questions on there. Goljan audio can be really helpful. Try uploading it to your phone and listening to it on the car, while doing the dishes, gym, dog walking, w/e. and you'll get through it faster than you think.
Also try not to get down by NBME12. People seem to agree that its one of the harder ones.

 

[1dayatatime]

ok this is probably a simple q but for some reason i'm geting confused. UW had a q about a patient who was going into septic shock (of course it didn't say that explicitly...the last sentence just said she was HYPOXIC for a period of time). asked what the most likely lung findings would be. answer was pulmonary edema (b/c it was sepsis --> ARDS). i get that but i don't really understand why a hemorrhagic infarct wouldn't be right. the wrong asnwer choice said "wedge-shaped section of hemorrhagic necrosis" so i guess that's technically diff from hemorrhagic infarct? but also i know the lungs and liver (dual blood supply) tend to make a little wedge-shape when their blood supply is cut off. help?

 

[Witobb]

ok this is probably a simple q but for some reason i'm geting confused. UW had a q about a patient who was going into septic shock (of course it didn't say that explicitly...the last sentence just said she was HYPOXIC for a period of time). asked what the most likely lung findings would be. answer was pulmonary edema (b/c it was sepsis --> ARDS). i get that but i don't really understand why a hemorrhagic infarct wouldn't be right. the wrong asnwer choice said "wedge-shaped section of hemorrhagic necrosis" so i guess that's technically diff from hemorrhagic infarct? but also i know the lungs and liver (dual blood supply) tend to make a little wedge-shape when their blood supply is cut off. help?

In ARDS you get endothelial damage to the pulmonary vasculature due to circulating cytokines. They attract neutrophils and increase capillary permeability leading to fluid accumulation in the alveolar space. So septic shock causes ARDS. In the other hand, a pulmonary infarct is hemorrhagic and would usually present with someone who has been bedridden for a few days, has DVT, or was sitting for long periods of time(airplane, truck driver), etc.