Official 2016 Step 1 Experiences and Scores Thread

[Transposony]

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Let's continue the tradition for a very useful thread which has helped many.
Title says it all.
Good luck !

Must read thread:

Just took Step 1! It was a tornado of integration!!

My USMLE Step1 Thoughts and Experience, by Phloston

Official 2015 Step 1 Planning and Strategy Thread

 

[bbjeans]

Look at an exam like NBME 11 or the earlier ones - a lot of the "hard" questions back then are very obvious now because of resources like FA, Pathoma, etc. I don't think it's too "out there" to think that the NBME has been making their questions harder. I don't think it's a conspiracy, it's more like "there are better resources out there now, so we have to alter our questions to accommodate for previously-hard-now-easy questions."

Good test taking comes with not merely doing practice questions to see if you get them right and to read the explanations, but also with metacognitive observation of your own weaknesses. In terms of actually taking an exam, fine-tuned strategy (ie, not reading the question stem word-by-word starting from the first word, and not reading every question choice slowly word-by-word) and agility also play a large role. Some of this is natural ability (for example, I didn't really do practice questions until the 2nd half of MS2), but a lot of it comes with practice.

Test day performance is a conglomerate of confidence, anxiety control, knowledge foundation, and luck.

Oh wow, thank you for that thoughtful wisdom!! So what you're saying is, you need a PhD? I'm kidding hehe 🙂 Granted I'm in the early phase of my Step 1 preparation with another 8 weeks to go, those are some high yield tips to start being more observant of to trial and error with.

I began 2 months ago with USMLE Rx to help facilitate the coverage reading of First Aid but it's very buzzword heavy; often to where your mind is very reflexive but without so much cognitive thought processing when seeing those trigger words. The goal with that question bank was merely to try and make going through First Aid less passive. I also started about 3 weeks ago UWorld and haven't taken any other NBME yet aside from our school's CBSE from 2 months back. However, I vaguely do recall that the CBSE wording was phrased much differently that both USMLE Rx and Uworld though. I'm not using these practice questions as estimators but a way to bring life to things I've read about from class... will leave the real NBME stuff for that every few weeks.

All in all, it's a lot of practice as you had emphasized because it's a night and day difference as I'm seeing on trying to apply book reading into practice questions!

Interestingly, I found myself at near fault with mirroring some of your "not reading" errors... in light of what you had expanded on, I can definitely see how some of those habits if not ironed out early, can carry onto affecting the real deal. Good points on stressing the fact of not just doing questions just to do and that you have to have a mental conversation with yourself on surfacing sticking points. I suppose then, you'd have to go back to those sources to study over again.

What's a better way to practice and queue the question stem and answers when you see it? e.g. do you start at a particular place within the question or glance first at the answers to queue what topic the question might be about? I've heard in case of the latter about falling into distractor traps when cherry picking sentences. There were many times where I've completely glossed over a word or sentence which could have led to the correct answer. It's mind numbing on how a few sentences inside that question, can catch you off guard and that you know the correct answer is right in front of you hehe.

Hmm, refreshing way of new things to think about this afternoon. Thanks for this!

 

[Postictal Raiden]

I echo what's being said above. Older NBME's are very outdated in terms of resembling the difficulty and higher order knowledge testing of the real test. Heck, even NBME 17 was too easy compared to my test. Only NBME 18 was something that remotely resembles the real test. Of course, YMMV and you may be lucky and end up getting an easier form.

 

[Molly Silkowski]

Right, but that doesn't change the fact that the poster wanted a new mnemonic for lab tests, and someone posted a more convoluted mnemonic to memorize what SNOW DROP tells you...

I (the poster) was just hoping for for a resource that can expand the testing styles. I understand SNW DRP, but I had a question the other day where the answer choices were immunochemistry, something about affinity centrifuge, etc. so I was wondering if there was a good website or book that I can learn more about the testing styles outside of SNWDRP. Sorry for the confusion!

 

[TheShaker]

This is true, unfortunately for us test takers. I noticed some of the older NBME questions, that would have otherwise been true WTF questions, were answerable because this information was updated in FA, etc. This made the exam overall seem "easier" as well, but concurrently tightened the scale.

I personally used sketchy, and thought it was useful to learn micro. When I got to the exam, I was disappointed to see that i had exactly zero questions that tested me on random trivial minutiae of microorganisms. If it was specific, it was more for the higher yield organisms and was information that was found in all resources. I also had a question which had 4 answer choices of bugs that weren't ever mentioned in sketchy (or uworld, or FA as a matter of fact). Made me think they are constantly updating and reviewing questions. They are probably reading this post right now, in fact.

It's not a "conspiracy," in the literal sense. It's just the test takers working to ensure the exam doesn't turn in a binge and purge exercise. And otherwise, we would be seeing perfect scores all the time on this board.

I'm pretty sure they know exactly what students prioritize and what resources they're using. There can't be any other explanation as to why I got more parasites than I did through my whole time in UW. Almost every time I got a micro question, I was just thinking, "they totally know I blew off parasites and that sketchy kinda sucked for worms."

I KNOW YOU'RE READING THIS, RANDOM INTERN AT NBME. I HATE YOU.

 

[postbacpremed87]

Random question. I plan on applying exclusively to ACGME programs - do I even need to include my COMLEX scores on ERAS? I plan on taking USMLE Step 2 CK. Would a PD even care about COMLEX if a student does well on Step 1 and Step 2?

 

[recycledpaper]

I don't think so. I think COMLEX is just needed to graduate from a DO school.

 

[gobigorgohome22]

Random question. I plan on applying exclusively to ACGME programs - do I even need to include my COMLEX scores on ERAS? I plan on taking USMLE Step 2 CK. Would a PD even care about COMLEX if a student does well on Step 1 and Step 2?

I think the ERAS wording is something along the lines of "you must include all board exams taken" meaning you have to include both. No one in this thread would be able to really ans this question though. Best to ask someone who has already used ERAS or a rising 4th yr.

 

[manu23]

Ok guys so just got done taking the beast.

School administered CSSBE- 230 (pre-dedicated)
NBME 15- 245 (4 weeks out)
UWSA1- 256 (3 weeks out)
NBME18- 256 (2 weeks out)

Advice I wish I would have known before showing up today: Bring a jar of lube it makes it easier on you. Bring a pillow, now some prefer biting some prefer using it to muffle the screams.

That thing was no joke feel like a train hit me

Were you referring to the test on 17th

 

[manu23]

Did anyone find usmle step 1 on 17th more difficult than practice tests and some even more than uworld. I can remember quite a few not in any review books and a lot of the questions were long and abstract and required some good educated guessing.

 

[plasmodium]

Did anyone find usmle step 1 on 17th more difficult than practice tests and some even more than uworld. I can remember quite a few not in any review books and a lot of the questions were long and abstract and required some good educated guessing.

It is highly unlikely that you got the same exam form as anyone else did. Your experience sounds exactly like everyone else's who has taken step 1.

 

[recycledpaper]

Everyone always feels like they took the hardest version of Step lol

 

[ActinicKeratosis]

Did anyone find usmle step 1 on 17th more difficult than practice tests and some even more than uworld. I can remember quite a few not in any review books and a lot of the questions were long and abstract and required some good educated guessing.

Everyone always feels like they took the hardest version of Step lol

This is a very normal feeling. When you take an NBME exam, you have a freak out moment from the moment you finish the fourth block to seeing your results immediately a few seconds later. When you take the real deal this freak out moment instead lasts for weeks until you know your score. During that time your mind plays tricks on you coming up with all the ones you got wrong and not thinking about the questions you answered correctly. Therefore you think the test must have been harder even though it was most likely on par with UWORLD or NBME exams in terms of difficulty.

 

[Strawman24]

Has anybody who has taken step 1 post May 9th received score reports. I know the USMLE announcement made reference to July 13th, but the verbiage did not make it seem like all exams would be delayed until then.

 

[apr27]

Hey guys! there are a lot of posts. I would take time to read but my exam is Friday. Anyway, how did you guys feel on time? NBMEs are 50qs/65 min and I know this is 40qs/60 min. Did you feel like you had more time or were the question stems longer? Any tips on how to manage breaks?

 

[AlgernonMed]

Hey guys! there are a lot of posts. I would take time to read but my exam is Friday. Anyway, how did you guys feel on time? NBMEs are 50qs/65 min and I know this is 40qs/60 min. Did you feel like you had more time or were the question stems longer? Any tips on how to manage breaks?

I finished most blocks with around 5-10 minutes to go over marked questions, which is very similar to the amount of time I had on my practice exams. Stems weren't abnormally long or short....very similar to NBME practice exams. I took a 5-10 minute break after every block except for one and then I took a longer (20 minute) break after my 5th block.


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[mes1990]

This is a very normal feeling. When you take an NBME exam, you have a freak out moment from the moment you finish the fourth block to seeing your results immediately a few seconds later. When you take the real deal this freak out moment instead lasts for weeks until you know your score. During that time your mind plays tricks on you coming up with all the ones you got wrong and not thinking about the questions you answered correctly. Therefore you think the test must have been harder even though it was most likely on par with UWORLD or NBME exams in terms of difficulty.

@ActinicKeratosis accurate x1000, like as accurate as actinic keratosis is in foreshadowing SCC

 

[sunealoneal]

Hey, I'm 10 days away from Step 1.

NBME 18: 500 / 228
14% left on UWorld.

I'm a DO wanting to do rad onc, so I'm "needing" to be in the 240s to be remotely competitive. Is a ~12 point jump in 10 days realistic? My weaknesses seem to be clustered in 2-3 areas if that means anything.

 

[gobigorgohome22]

Hey, I'm 10 days away from Step 1.

NBME 18: 500 / 228
14% left on UWorld.

I'm a DO wanting to do rad onc, so I'm "needing" to be in the 240s to be remotely competitive. Is a ~12 point jump in 10 days realistic? My weaknesses seem to be clustered in 2-3 areas if that means anything.

Is that your only NBME? Considering you've gone through a significant amount of Uworld, 12 pt jump is probably not realistic but not impossible. Also, rad onc is extremely competitive for MD and even more so as a DO. You'll probably need 245+ if not 250+.

 

[sunealoneal]

Is that your only NBME? Considering you've gone through a significant amount of Uworld, 12 pt jump is probably not realistic but not impossible. Also, rad onc is extremely competitive for MD and even more so as a DO. You'll probably need 245+ if not 250+.

I took the school proctored NBME ~6 weeks ago, got 180/185 on that one I think.

 

[sunealoneal]

Is this performance profile a reliable guide on what to focus on? Or is it too specific for this NBME?

 

[ActinicKeratosis]

Hey, I'm 10 days away from Step 1.

NBME 18: 500 / 228
14% left on UWorld.

I'm a DO wanting to do rad onc, so I'm "needing" to be in the 240s to be remotely competitive. Is a ~12 point jump in 10 days realistic? My weaknesses seem to be clustered in 2-3 areas if that means anything.

If you are needing to be in the 240s unfortunately you aren't ready to sit for the exam. I would push if back a few weeks and get a couple more solid NBME scores under your belt. I found that my performance profile was more variable as compared to my composite score across different NBME forms.

 

[sunealoneal]

If you are needing to be in the 240s unfortunately you aren't ready to sit for the exam. I would push if back a few weeks and get a couple more solid NBME scores under your belt.

Do you consider 3 weeks a meaningful increase from 10 days?

I found that my performance profile was more variable as compared to my composite score across different NBME forms.

I guess that means I can't just study the MSK and Psych sections and expect a big jump in my score...

 

[ActinicKeratosis]

Do you consider 3 weeks a meaningful increase from 10 days?



I guess that means I can't just study the MSK and Psych sections and expect a big jump in my score...

The more time the better. Ten days is simply not enough to jump 12 points especially considering that you are essentially done with UWORLD. You need a different strategy. It's really hard to say as I don't know your prep history or what you are doing on a daily basis in terms of studying. Do your UWORLD scores reflect the fact that you need to do more work on MSK and behavioral science? Feel free to send me a PM and I can work with you to identify your potential weaknesses. It's hard for me to help without more information.

 

[sunealoneal]

The more time the better. Ten days is simply not enough to jump 12 points especially considering that you are essentially done with UWORLD. You need a different strategy. It's really hard to say as I don't know your prep history or what you are doing on a daily basis in terms of studying. Do your UWORLD scores reflect the fact that you need to do more work on MSK and behavioral science? Feel free to send me a PM and I can work with you to identify your potential weaknesses. It's hard for me to help without more information.

Thanks for the offer, I might take you up on that tomorrow.

Unfortunately I've hit another snag. I can't find a single prometric center near me with July test dates. Must be a popular month.

edit: Nope I'm an idiot. my 3 month eligibility period expires. Yay.

 

[W19]

Hey, I'm 10 days away from Step 1.

NBME 18: 500 / 228
14% left on UWorld.

I'm a DO wanting to do rad onc, so I'm "needing" to be in the 240s to be remotely competitive. Is a ~12 point jump in 10 days realistic? My weaknesses seem to be clustered in 2-3 areas if that means anything.

You might need 250+ for rad onc as a DO student...

 

[AnalisCanalis]

You might need 250+ for rad onc as a DO student...

Honestly that won't even do it. 2/2 independent applicants with 260+ failed to match according to the most recent charting outcomes. There even seems to be a negative correlation between score and probability of matching. Tough situation.

 

[Cdm279]

Has anybody who has taken step 1 post May 9th received score reports. I know the USMLE announcement made reference to July 13th, but the verbiage did not make it seem like all exams would be delayed until then.

I'm still waiting. Took the test May 27th. I'm praying they decide to release them earlier.

 

[Sartorius_BIG]

I've been following this board for the past couple of weeks, I'm taking the exam tomorrow. Didn't start freaking out until this morning. I've been studying for 5 weeks. I've taken NBMEs 15-18, and they have all been around 15-20 points lower than the two UWSAs. I don't know what to think because some people say their NBME and UWSA scores are more consistent with each other, and some say their NBME underestimated the real deal and their score was closer to the UWSA, or that they scored grossly higher/lower on practice tests than the real deal. Basically what I'm trying to say is that I don't really know where I stand. I know the whole "which is a better predictor" topic is SO overdone but I just had to vent... I have had a solid, steady upward progression in Uworld though so I guess that's a good thing.

Anyway, I looked over the high yield points in FA earlier today and Goljan High Yield 36pgs (which I am not 100% sure if this is still very relevant since it has been out for a while). Debating on doing one last block or two of Uworld since I have about 100 questions left, but part of me thinks trying to cram more in is just going to stress me out and be counterproductive. Advice? Am I being too dramatic? Do I already know all that I am going to know? Maybe I should just go outside for a while...

 

[takeitdownanotch]

Hello peeps. First time posting here. I have a few concerns. I still have 3 weeks to go for my exam, 19% left on UW and doing UFAP + DIT. My scores have been:

NBME 13: 224
NBME 15: 233
NBME 17: 233

That right there bugged me. The fact that I seem to have kind of plateaud, or maybe be I'm getting ahead of myself. You think I could get at least 10 more points till my exam? I'm leaving 16 till the end and 18, too.

 

[ActinicKeratosis]

Hello peeps. First time posting here. I have a few concerns. I still have 3 weeks to go for my exam, 19% left on UW and doing UFAP + DIT. My scores have been:

NBME 13: 224
NBME 15: 233
NBME 17: 233

That right there bugged me. The fact that I seem to have kind of plateaud, or maybe be I'm getting ahead of myself. You think I could get at least 10 more points till my exam? I'm leaving 16 till the end and 18, too.

What subjects do you feel that you are particularly weak in?

 

[ActinicKeratosis]

I've been following this board for the past couple of weeks, I'm taking the exam tomorrow. Didn't start freaking out until this morning. I've been studying for 5 weeks. I've taken NBMEs 15-18, and they have all been around 15-20 points lower than the two UWSAs. I don't know what to think because some people say their NBME and UWSA scores are more consistent with each other, and some say their NBME underestimated the real deal and their score was closer to the UWSA, or that they scored grossly higher/lower on practice tests than the real deal. Basically what I'm trying to say is that I don't really know where I stand. I know the whole "which is a better predictor" topic is SO overdone but I just had to vent... I have had a solid, steady upward progression in Uworld though so I guess that's a good thing.

Anyway, I looked over the high yield points in FA earlier today and Goljan High Yield 36pgs (which I am not 100% sure if this is still very relevant since it has been out for a while). Debating on doing one last block or two of Uworld since I have about 100 questions left, but part of me thinks trying to cram more in is just going to stress me out and be counterproductive. Advice? Am I being too dramatic? Do I already know all that I am going to know? Maybe I should just go outside for a while...

At this point your best bet is to relax, watch some T.V., take a bubble bath, and go to sleep early. A good night's rest is more important than cramming some last minute details.

 

[takeitdownanotch]

What subjects do you feel that you are particularly weak in?

Anatomy and Embryo. I am TERRIBLE at those. I guess some biochem here and there but I'm reviewing that now. I did well on 1rst year. And just memorization of nit picky details like ovarian tumors and nephrotic/nephritic syndrome.

 

[Safari21]

Does anyone know the latest USMLE Step 1 May test date that has already received their score?

 

[AlgernonMed]

Does anyone know the latest USMLE Step 1 May test date that has already received their score?

I would guess anybody who took it before the May 9th cutoff date. Just a guess though.


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[ActinicKeratosis]

Anatomy and Embryo. I am TERRIBLE at those. I guess some biochem here and there but I'm reviewing that now. I did well on 1rst year. And just memorization of nit picky details like ovarian tumors and nephrotic/nephritic syndrome.

Forget about ovarian tumors. Nephrotic /nephritis is high yield. I would redo all anatomy and embryo questions in UWORLD and re-read the appropriate sections in First Aid. If you have a solid foundation in the BASICS you can score high. At this point you need to focus on weaknesses. Try to figure out why you are getting questions wrong. Minimizing stupid errors in things that you know will yield big gains.

One other thing...as much as I dislike Kaplan Q Bank, the one thing that Kaplan is strong in is anatomy. It may be worth checking out Kaplan (just get a one month subscription) to crank out some of their anatomy questions.

 

[Safari21]

I would guess anybody who took it before the May 9th cutoff date. Just a guess though.


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In the past when they updated USMLE step 1, did they make people wait until the projected score release date or did they come out earlier?

 

[takeitdownanotch]

Forget about ovarian tumors. Nephrotic /nephritis is high yield. I would redo all anatomy and embryo questions in UWORLD and re-read the appropriate sections in First Aid. If you have a solid foundation in the BASICS you can score high. At this point you need to focus on weaknesses. Try to figure out why you are getting questions wrong. Minimizing stupid errors in things that you know will yield big gains.

One other thing...as much as I dislike Kaplan Q Bank, the one thing that Kaplan is strong in is anatomy. It may be worth checking out Kaplan (just get a one month subscription) to crank out some of their anatomy questions.

Thank you so much! Yeah I can't learn those ovarian tumors for the life of me. I'll check Kaplan out.

 

[Sartorius_BIG]

At this point your best bet is to relax, watch some T.V., take a bubble bath, and go to sleep early. A good night's rest is more important than cramming some last minute details.

Ha. Exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks for replying!

 

[W19]

Forget about ovarian tumors. Nephrotic /nephritis is high yield. I would redo all anatomy and embryo questions in UWORLD and re-read the appropriate sections in First Aid. If you have a solid foundation in the BASICS you can score high. At this point you need to focus on weaknesses. Try to figure out why you are getting questions wrong. Minimizing stupid errors in things that you know will yield big gains.

One other thing...as much as I dislike Kaplan Q Bank, the one thing that Kaplan is strong in is anatomy. It may be worth checking out Kaplan (just get a one month subscription) to crank out some of their anatomy questions.

Thank God!

 

[worldhealer]

Took the beast today (June 21) and wanted to throw in my impression because lots of posts about exam experience on this thread have helped me.

I definitely felt like it was a mix of UWorld and NBME, most like NBME 18. I even had one repeat from NBME 18, same picture and vignette but a different question about it. I thought it was a fair and mostly straightforward test (especially pharm) if you are able to keep it altogether throughout the test. I was actually afraid that the 8 hour day would be so draining (it was, as soon as I walked out of the testing center), but through the test, I felt like the blocks flew by. I went in knowing I could be hit with things more complicated than I could imagine and have come across in practice tests, so when they came my way, I wasn't caught off guard and there were enough clues to help me reason my way through a good number of them. Surprisingly, questions I found myself stuck between two or three answers were things I've always seen and studied but just never looked at it from the point of view that the exam presented it. Or sometimes the questions seemed too easy to make me doubt that there must be something they're trying to trick me about. Overall, though, the test is there to determine not only how much high-yield and minute details you can remember, but mostly, how well you have incorporated and internalized the overarching concepts throughout the first two years.

Best of luck to all those yet to take it, and I know it's easy to say it after it's all over, but take a deep breath and trust all the hard work you've put in.

 

[Neuronistic]

Hi guys, first time poster in a bit of time crunch (exam on Monday) - I need input on the social sciences part. Do recent test takers feel what's mentioned in first aid is enough? Kaplan added a fairly lengthy chapter on this in their 2016 behavioral sciences book and I am struggling to bring myself to read through it. There's just so much abstract detail that i'll probably find it hard to recall even if i went through it a few times. The Kaplan qbanks social sciences questions are fairly hard too and I'm doing relatively poorly on them (averaging in the 60s while my overall is mid 80s). Would be great to hear if people had something to say about this, or if there was some stuff in their exams that stood out and wasn't mentioned in first aid. Thanks in advance!

 

[ActinicKeratosis]

Hi guys, first time poster in a bit of time crunch (exam on Monday) - I need input on the social sciences part. Do recent test takers feel what's mentioned in first aid is enough? Kaplan added a fairly lengthy chapter on this in their 2016 behavioral sciences book and I am struggling to bring myself to read through it. There's just so much abstract detail that i'll probably find it hard to recall even if i went through it a few times. The Kaplan qbanks social sciences questions are fairly hard too and I'm doing relatively poorly on them (averaging in the 60s while my overall is mid 80s). Would be great to hear if people had something to say about this, or if there was some stuff in their exams that stood out and wasn't mentioned in first aid. Thanks in advance!

Social sciences were not that bad on my test. First Aid and UWORLD were plenty. Kaplan does a great job freaking students out by presenting lots of material that is not on the exam.

 

[azjfrankl]

I was expecting my score today, but did not get it. I know the best thing to do is not think it about it and wait for the email, but who can really do that? Do all students who take the test on a given day (my test day was May 31) receive their scores the same days? I ask because my testing center had issues with its fingerprint reader I wonder if that will delay the release at all.

Faaack, just saw the USMLE announcement Re: delayed scores. These are good times, ya'll.

 

[cardiologist624]

hello guys
my physio and biostsatic/bihaviorial permormance are less than border line on the nbme
did first aid a lot +twice UW
planing to do usmlerx
what do you recommend ?should i do other qbanks?

 

[jds112]

Social sciences were not that bad on my test. First Aid and UWORLD were plenty. Kaplan does a great job freaking students out by presenting lots of material that is not on the exam.

Did you buy the biostats module from Uworld?

Did anyone else? Thoughts on using it for Step 1 or is it not necessary?

 

[Strawman24]

I was expecting my score today, but did not get it. I know the best thing to do is not think it about it and wait for the email, but who can really do that? Do all students who take the test on a given day (my test day was May 31) receive their scores the same days? I ask because my testing center had issues with its fingerprint reader I wonder if that will delay the release at all.

Faaack, just saw the USMLE announcement Re: delayed scores. These are good times, ya'll.

My exam was May 25 and I still haven't heard anything -_-

 

[Ophthoseidon]

My exam was May 25 and I still haven't heard anything -_-

July 13 is the expected date. I took mine the 19th. It's torture.

 

[Neuronistic]

Social sciences were not that bad on my test. First Aid and UWORLD were plenty. Kaplan does a great job freaking students out by presenting lots of material that is not on the exam.

Thanks, thats encouraging.

 

[ActinicKeratosis]

Did you buy the biostats module from Uworld?

Did anyone else? Thoughts on using it for Step 1 or is it not necessary?

I did use biostats from UWORLD however it did not help me on the actual exam. When you are studying biostats are you just memorizing the equations? It helps to have an understanding of what each of the formulas mean instead of simply "plugging and chugging."

 

[gem4667]

took step 1 on 21st. I believe test was fair and was mostly filled with u world type questions and some nbme 17/18 mix. lot of pharm and neuro on it. some the concepts that were really straight forward while reviewing the material prior to exam were presented in a twisted fashion in the exam. I was kinda frustrated by it because I knew that material really well but the way they presented the concepts in the exam, I was somewhat flustered and confused by it because it left me with 2 to 3 answer choices to pick my best answer from. not much of systemic path on it (much much less than I expected). hope they take in to consideration that by decreasing the number of questions and making the questions some what more tricky increases the probability of getting qs wrong on the exam. wish they were more clearer and concise if they were to test a concept.. God knows how they are gonna grade this exam. hopefully there is a good curve. good luck to any one taking the test. Hoping for 220+.