USMLE Official 2018 Step 1 Experiences and Scores Thread

Your USMLE Scores Increased, Guaranteed!
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Sort by date Sort by votes
Just took the exam today...was a bit rough, but just glad it's over with. Congratulations to everyone who got what they wanted! and heads up to all that had a bad testing day...now the month wait for me.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
delimitedtab said:
Because he is confident in himself and knows that a single practice exam, good or bad, doesn't reflect the totality of his preparation.
Click to expand...

This is exactly right — I also know 19 isn’t that useful for actual prediction and I wanted to keep up my routine. It was more for rhythm and mental focus than it was for a score.

It also had the happy effect of me seeing 250+ and losing my absolute s*** about every 6 hours since scores came out.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Goal score = 230 (want psych)

CBSE = 223 (six weeks out)
NBME 15 = 225 (four weeks out)
NBME 16 = 221 (three weeks out) -- (the point where I had officially given up on reaching a 230)
NBME 18 = 236 (two weeks out)
UWSA 1 = 257 (one week out)
UWSA 2 = 241 (four days out)

Real deal = 248

All I can say is Sketchy, Sketchy, Sketchy.
I could never get into Pathoma but got through SketchyPath several times. (I did do the first 3 chapters of Pathoma that wasn't covered in sketchy)
Spent about half of dedicated re-watching Sketchy videos, the other half doing uworld questions.
Always had First Aid open but didn't really sit and read it, just used it as a reference.
I feel like SketchyPath gets a lot of hate, but I spent most of M2 watching cartoons and reached my target score, and that's the main reason that I felt the need to make one of these posts.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
xoxobubbles said:
Goal score = 230 (want psych)

CBSE = 223 (six weeks out)
NBME 15 = 225 (four weeks out)
NBME 16 = 221 (three weeks out) -- (the point where I had officially given up on reaching a 230)
NBME 18 = 236 (two weeks out)
UWSA 1 = 257 (one week out)
UWSA 2 = 241 (four days out)

Real deal = 248

All I can say is Sketchy, Sketchy, Sketchy.
I could never get into Pathoma but got through SketchyPath several times. (I did do the first 3 chapters of Pathoma that wasn't covered in sketchy)
Spent about half of dedicated re-watching Sketchy videos, the other half doing uworld questions.
Always had First Aid open but didn't really sit and read it, just used it as a reference.
I feel like SketchyPath gets a lot of hate, but I spent most of M2 watching cartoons and reached my target score, and that's the main reason that I felt the need to make one of these posts.
Click to expand...

Excellent work!!! Proof positive that there’s no single right way to do this thing!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
On the real deal...how does the timing work if you run out of time on a block? For example, on block one, let's say you use up the entire hour. Can you stay in block one and roll into your block 2 time, or does the system kick you out of block one and move you onto block 2?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SynapticDoctah said:
On the real deal...how does the timing work if you run out of time on a block? For example, on block one, let's say you use up the entire hour. Can you stay in block one and roll into your block 2 time, or does the system kick you out of block one and move you onto block 2?
Click to expand...

99% sure that the block will automatically end after the allotted time.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SynapticDoctah said:
On the real deal...how does the timing work if you run out of time on a block? For example, on block one, let's say you use up the entire hour. Can you stay in block one and roll into your block 2 time, or does the system kick you out of block one and move you onto block 2?
Click to expand...
It kicks you out and asks you whether you want to take a break or continue.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SynapticDoctah said:
On the real deal...how does the timing work if you run out of time on a block? For example, on block one, let's say you use up the entire hour. Can you stay in block one and roll into your block 2 time, or does the system kick you out of block one and move you onto block 2?
Click to expand...
comlex will let you stay in block 1 and roll into block 2 time
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Chemstudent said:
NBME 18-225 (3 weeks out)
UWSA1-245 (2 weeks)
UWSA2-245 (5 days out)
NBME 19-223 (3 days out)
Free 120-83%

Actual-257??
Have no idea what happened....but i'll take it haha. Was literally expecting a 230 and would have been happy with 230+.
Click to expand...
Awesome, congrats! When did you take it?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I'm feeling sick right now. I just started OME for Step 2 in surgery right now, and I know that I def messed up a few Step 2 management questions on my Step 1 exam.

I'm just praying for at most an underperformance of 14 pts putting me at 220s.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
250
DO 4th year student.
Chickened out at the last minute last year.
3.5 weeks dedicated at the end of 3rd year. 1 pass of UW during this time, reviewed Pharm, Biochem, Micro, Immuno and Biostats from FA (never got a full pass, I hate this book), 1 pass of Pathoma.
The exact average of NBME 18 and UWSA2. The reddit predictor is also chillingly accurate. It gave me 249.9
Third year rotations and shelf exams make it so much easier for Step 1.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
UnoMas said:
250
DO 4th year student.
Chickened out at the last minute last year.
3.5 weeks dedicated at the end of 3rd year
The exact average of NBME 18 and UWSA2. The reddit predictor is also chillingly accurate. It gave me 249.9
Third year rotations and shelf exams make it so much easier for Step 1.
Click to expand...

Congrats

Hope that you have a successful match in the next 12 months
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
US MD

NBME 17 11/29: 213
NBME 13 5/20: 225
NBME 15 6/02: 255
NBME 16 6/08: 259
NBME 18 6/15: 250
UWSA 1 6/15: 264
NBME 19 6/22: 257
UWSA 2 6/22: 258
Free 120 6/27: 89%

Test day 6/29: 263

Looking back I took way too many practice tests, but that's what everyone else in my school did so I did it too.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
IMG.

Uworld average first pass (only pass): 77%
NBME 16 on 6/8 (was done with 65% uworld at this point): 238
UWSA 1 on 6/22: 262
Free 117: 85%

Real thing on 6/27: 248

Exam day: came out, felt like crap because i got some freebies wrong. As an example (not what the q was) confusing folate and b12. Counted about 28 definite wrongs. And many more harder ones i'm sure.

Very happy with it though! 🙂
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
Black Coffee 24/7 said:
224 on the real thing

I'll take it

I only took UWSA1 and UWSA2

UWSA 1 was 54%, giving me a predicted score of 188 into my dedicated
UWSA 2 was 72%, giving me a predicted score of 234 three days before my exam

I underperform by about 10 pts from UWSA 2

Considering that I want to do either Anes or Neuro, I have options now

I'm satisfied with my score

Good luck to everyone
Click to expand...

Hey congrats on the score!! I have been following and would love to hear your study resources used and what you thought was most helpful and stuff/ anything you wish you would have done? Thank you!!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
UnoMas said:
250
DO 4th year student.
Chickened out at the last minute last year.
3.5 weeks dedicated at the end of 3rd year. 1 pass of UW during this time, reviewed Pharm, Biochem, Micro, Immuno and Biostats from FA (never got a full pass, I hate this book), 1 pass of Pathoma.
The exact average of NBME 18 and UWSA2. The reddit predictor is also chillingly accurate. It gave me 249.9
Third year rotations and shelf exams make it so much easier for Step 1.
Click to expand...

Congrats on the score!! I have heard a lot of students saying that about taking Step 1 after clinicals. However, is there anything that you recommend to do/study for those who have to take it before rotations? Thank you!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Just wanted to give an update.

uworld average first pass 69% 2nd pass 85% (1/4 of the way through)
CBSE (9 weeks out) - 184 (before dedicated)
Free 117/120 (6 weeks out) - 78%
NBME 15 (5.5 weeks out) - 213
UWSA1 (5 weeks out) - 237
NBME 16 (4 weeks out) - 215
NBME17 (2 weeks out) - 236
UWSA2 (6 days out) - 243
NBME 18 (6 days out) -215 (WTF)

Step 1 (6/29) - 236

My goal was in the 230s so needless to say, I’m ecstatic. Especially after that last nbme.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Step2myLou said:
Hey congrats on the score!! I have been following and would love to hear your study resources used and what you thought was most helpful and stuff/ anything you wish you would have done? Thank you!!
Click to expand...

Pathoma is high yield. Don’t bother to Zanki that crap. It’s a waste of time. I highly suggest for you to make 2-3 passes before dedicated. Zanki and Bros at this stage for Pathoma is fine. In the last 2-3 days before the exam, you need to make a final pass through his videos by watching them, not ANKIng it.

UW is a necessity. Do everything in random and make flashcards from it. Know everything in Sketchy Micro and Sketchy Pharm. Sketchy Micro needs to be supplemented with slide images and diagnostic preps and results.

Pay attention to all MD lectures in class. I got hit w/ 10-15 Derm quests that weren’t found in any Zanki, Bros, or UW resources. Sadly, I didn’t listen to any Derm lectures near the end bc some upperclassmen told me that Derm is low yield. LOL

I only did UWSA1 and UWSA2. But, if I have time, I would do the free 120 quests and at least two NBMEs. I would probably boost my score to 230s if I did more assessments and quests. But, what’s done is done. What matters is your targeted specialties. My score doesn’t lock me out of my two dream specialties.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Black Coffee 24/7 said:
Pathoma is high yield. Don’t bother to Zanki that crap. It’s a waste of time. I highly suggest for you to make 2-3 passes before dedicated. Zanki and Bros at this stage for Pathoma is fine. In the last 2-3 days before the exam, you need to make a final pass through his videos by watching them, not ANKIng it.

UW is a necessity. Do everything in random and make flashcards from it. Know everything in Sketchy Micro and Sketchy Pharm. Sketchy Micro needs to be supplemented with slide images and diagnostic preps and results.

Pay attention to all MD lectures in class. I got hit w/ 10-15 Derm quests that weren’t found in any Zanki, Bros, or UW resources. Sadly, I didn’t listen to any Derm lectures near the end bc some upperclassmen told me that Derm is low yield. LOL

I only did UWSA1 and UWSA2. But, if I have time, I would do the free 120 quests and at least two NBMEs. I would probably boost my score to 230s if I did more assessments and quests. But, what’s done is done. What matters is your targeted specialties. My score doesn’t lock me out of my two dream specialties.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the response! I have never been a anki user and dont think I am going to start now. I have a 2.5 months until my exam so I am going to UFAPS it up as best as I can. I am an US IMG and my school lectures were honestly not that great so I never really used them when studying. Do you think those derm questions were in First aid or Pathoma? Did you do any other question banks? Also, how did you feel coming out of the exam? I was a below average student during preclinicals and am hoping for anything above a 210+ so would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for responding!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
US MD

Materials: FA 2018, UW

CBSE: 230 (at my school, 7 weeks before exam day)
NBME 19 225 (5 weeks before exam day)
NBME 16 246 (3 weeks before exam day)
NBME 17 250 (2 weeks before exam day)
NBME 18 257 (1 week before exam day)
UWS1 254 (4 weeks before exam day)
UWS2 260 (2 weeks before exam day)

Test day (6/29/18): 258

Exam day: I felt it was a hybrid between NBME 18 and UWS2. Coming out of the exam, I felt confident but I really had no idea what my score would be. I had estimated a range of anywhere between 240-260. I had around 15 questions I knew for a fact were wrong and a couple more that I was unsure of. During the first couple days after the exam I felt pretty good about the test. But, after about a week I started getting worried and thinking of a couple questions I had changed from right to wrong and I started to doubt myself. My best advice is to trust your practice scores and make a range of where your score could fall.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
redwheelbarrowIMG said:
IMG.

Uworld average first pass (only pass): 77%
NBME 16 on 6/8 (was done with 65% uworld at this point): 238
UWSA 1 on 6/22: 262
Free 117: 85%

Real thing: 248

Exam day: came out, felt like crap because i got some freebies wrong. As an example (not what the q was) confusing folate and b12. Counted about 28 definite wrongs. And many more harder ones i'm sure.

Very happy with it though! 🙂
Click to expand...

Congrats on the score! I am an IMG also and was wondering if you mind sharing what resources you used and what your study plan looked like? Also how long was your prep in total? I have 2.5 months until my exam and am kind of lost so just wanted to see your comments to get a sense of direction. Thank you!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Step2myLou said:
Thanks for the response! I have never been a anki user and dont think I am going to start now. I have a 2.5 months until my exam so I am going to UFAPS it up as best as I can. I am an US IMG and my school lectures were honestly not that great so I never really used them when studying. Do you think those derm questions were in First aid or Pathoma? Did you do any other question banks? Also, how did you feel coming out of the exam? I was a below average student during preclinicals and am hoping for anything above a 210+ so would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for responding!
Click to expand...

Those Derm questions weren't in FA or Pathoma. I know Derm really well, especially the ones emphasized in FA and Pathoma. All of my Derm questions were Step 2 level, in which 60-70% of them are covered by my Dermatologist in class lectures. Unfortunately, I didn't listen to any of them. I really regretted that.

Best of luck and study hard. I left the exam with no regret and am satisfied with my results despite the emotional train wreck that I've been for the past 4-5 weeks.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Step2myLou said:
Congrats on the score!! I have heard a lot of students saying that about taking Step 1 after clinicals. However, is there anything that you recommend to do/study for those who have to take it before rotations? Thank you!
Click to expand...
I don't know what year you are but I learned A LOT during my 3rd year. It got me quite comfortable with all the bread and butter clinical problems in the real world across all specialties. In addition, to prepare for the shelf exams I took all NBME practice tests for all IM, Peds, OB, Psych, Surgery, FM (total of 1200), read 3-4 review books, 80% of Uworld for Step 2 to prepare for the shelf exams. It has gotten me very comfortable with dealing with NBME type questions and the long list of labs that Step 1 likes to throw at you. The tradeoff to this is that I forgot a lot of my basic sciences and relearning them was quite painful but with a good clinical foundation, you'll pick them back up very quickly. I feel like Step 1 is a clinical reasoning test moreso than a memorization/regurgitation test. I studied for about 5 hours a day for 3.5 weeks, even though my practice scores were good, I was so nervous walking into the exam thinking I will get slaughtered with nitpicky details that I didn't learn/relearn from FA. I counted 4-5 really nit-picky details (the -zumumab, obscure drug side effects, pharm equations, which chromosome is this dz associated with, obscure parasites etc) out of 280. After the test, I counted 15+ I missed for sure walking out. The vast majority of the test is clinical reasoning. A good amount of questions felt a lot like IM and OB shelf questions (I think these are the ones that freak the 2nd years out). Walking out, I felt quite confident that I made the 225-230 cut.

All that is really hard to replicate as a budding 3rd year who hasn't done any rotations at all and I don't think it's necessary at all seeing how many 2nd years you have on here scoring 240+. That being said, I felt very different taking a practice NBME test this year compared to last year. There are dark places on the web you can go and look at the practice NBME 3rd year shelf exams if you want. It's quite fast to go through them.

I took NBME 13, 15 and UWSA1 last year and I capped out at 241 on UWSA1 (which is nothing) and high 220s on NBMEs. I did not study for Step 1 at all during third year. After going through the first half of Pathoma for 4-5 days, I retook NBME 13 and 15 early June this year and I scored 236+ on both of them without going over any Basic Sciences at all except half of Path.

Sorry if my answer wasn't at all helpful- I had a few beers in me
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
UnoMas said:
I don't know what year you are but I learned A LOT during my 3rd year. It got me quite comfortable with all the bread and butter clinical problems in the real world across all specialties. In addition, to prepare for the shelf exams I took all NBME practice tests for all IM, Peds, OB, Psych, Surgery, FM (total of 1200), read 3-4 review books, 80% of Uworld for Step 2 to prepare for the shelf exams. It has gotten me very comfortable with dealing with NBME type questions and the long list of labs that Step 1 likes to throw at you. The tradeoff to this is that I forgot a lot of my basic sciences and relearning them was quite painful but with a good clinical foundation, you'll pick them back up very quickly. I feel like Step 1 is a clinical reasoning test moreso than a memorization/regurgitation test. I studied for about 5 hours a day for 3.5 weeks, even though my practice scores were good, I was so nervous walking into the exam thinking I will get slaughtered with nitpicky details that I didn't learn/relearn from FA. I counted 4-5 really nit-picky details (the -zumumab, obscure drug side effects, pharm equations, which chromosome is this dz associated with, obscure parasites etc) out of 280. After the test, I counted 15+ I missed for sure walking out. The vast majority of the test is clinical reasoning. A good amount of questions felt a lot like IM and OB shelf questions (I think these are the ones that freak the 2nd years out). Walking out, I felt quite confident that I made the 225-230 cut.

All that is really hard to replicate as a budding 3rd year who hasn't done any rotations at all and I don't think it's necessary at all seeing how many 2nd years you have on here scoring 240+. That being said, I felt very different taking a practice NBME test this year compared to last year. There are dark places on the web you can go and look at the practice NBME 3rd year shelf exams if you want. It's quite fast to go through them.

I took NBME 13, 15 and UWSA1 last year and I capped out at 241 on UWSA1 (which is nothing) and high 220s on NBMEs. I did not study for Step 1 at all during third year. After going through the first half of Pathoma for 4-5 days, I retook NBME 13 and 15 early June this year and I scored 236+ on both of them without going over any Basic Sciences at all except half of Path.

Sorry if my answer wasn't at all helpful- I had a few beers in me
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for that post! I am going to stick to UFAPS and look at those 3rd year practice exams if I need more. You think the IM shelf questions would be enough to quickly go through or do you recommend looking at OB also based on your exam experience? Thank you!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
scrublyfe21 said:
Need a confidence boost, give me a goal score:laugh:. I'm going for 240, you think I can crack 250 with 1 week to go?;

NBME 13: 219 (12 weeks out)
UWSA1: 241 (10 weeks out)
NBME 18: 242 (4 weeks out)
NBME 19: 236 (2 weeks out)
UWSA2: 249 (8 days out, today)

Any recommendations on how to crack 250 with 1 week to go? Definitely weak on biochem, derm, cardiovascular phys, neuro, and musculoskeletal. Should I just Zanki hard the subjects I missed on this past UWorld assessment?
Click to expand...

Hey those are some awesome practice test scores, how did you come into dedicated with such high scores? If you have taken the exam already mind sharing your resources/ experience? Thanks!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Step2myLou said:
Hey those are some awesome practice test scores, how did you come into dedicated with such high scores? If you have taken the exam already mind sharing your resources/ experience? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I didn't start reviewing for boards until January, and even then I just did an hour a night of old material, bumping it up by a half hour every month. I would review 1 system a week, doing anatomy Monday, physiology Tuesday, etc. Then a special topic like ethics or biochem on the weekends. I started using Uworld on random timed at the beginning of February, 20 a day. I was doing poorly but my scores improved as time went on, and getting questions on stuff I hadn't looked at in a long time really jogged my memory.

I watched 3-4 sketchy micro videos a night on top of my review material and did 1-2 Pathoma videos of material from the fall semester.

Other than that I focused on classes, including the relevant Pathoma, rather than just "High yield First Aid Material" like everyone else. That way I basically knew the phys -> pathophys cold for each system, doing 2 a month during the semester.

I used Anki almost exclusively as my study notes so spaced repetition and brute force paid off for the raw facts.

I just took Step 1 and COMLEX, and really wish I'd taken them earlier. I felt like I peaked mid-June and was forgetting the minutiae that definitely lost me points on both exams. I doubt I broke 220. As for resources, I wish I'd discovered Boards and Beyond earlier on. Absolutely the best all around lecture series.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Upvote 0 Downvote
Step2myLou said:
Congrats on the score! I am an IMG also and was wondering if you mind sharing what resources you used and what your study plan looked like? Also how long was your prep in total? I have 2.5 months until my exam and am kind of lost so just wanted to see your comments to get a sense of direction. Thank you!
Click to expand...

Thanks! Sure, happy to help. I studied for 5-6 months ~ 6 hours a day, what i followed is the the trend in my school. It may be an overkill for you since you have half the time i did. Background: i'm in the first quartile of my class of 100. Above average. My medical school is one of the best in Asia.

December through Jan i went through Kaplan (lecture notes and video) Physio, Anatomy, Biochem, Biostatistics (2010 version), Pharm. I also did Pathoma (with video lectures) 2 times before starting FA. Started my proper studying in February, i did FA for a month (4 weeks), flew to the US for my CS exam and didn't study for ~ 3 weeks. I started my second go of FA from Mid-march to mid-april (3 weeks). I also did Sketchy micro at the end of the "active" part of my day for 45-60 mins almost everyday. The goal was to go through all the videos 2-3 times before my exam. I managed twice and EVERYTHING stuck. I started Uworld in early May, went through it on timed/random which took 5 weeks, and then did the incorrects which took another 3-4 days. I had 23% incorrects which is not too bad...
3 weeks out, at 65% uworld, i took an online NBME 16. The purpose was to see where i stand and if i'm in the neighborhood of 240. I got 238. I was mildly disappointed since i felt i couldn't change much in just 3 weeks. I was wrong, i still had 1/3 of uworld left.
6 days out, i had to take a practice test to see where i was sitting and decide whether to postpone my date. I decided on UWSA 1 (cheaper, NBME curves in my opinion are strict, i had a uwsa 1 lying around, my last nbme proved i was sitting near a 240). I got 262. I knew it overpredicts, but i knew it can't be wrong by 20 or more so i felt comfortable. Last 5 days, went through incorrects of Uworld and the basic sciences section of FA. I did Free 117 on the last day.

I never did any qbanks... my friends swear by them. I didn't have the time.

I do think i was sitting on 255+ but exam day didn't go well, i changed some answers i shouldn't have and made some very dumb mistakes that on any other day i wouldn't have.

What I'd do differently:
1. I wouldn't do kaplan for anything but biochemistry and anatomy (with the video lectures). Both those teachers (turco, and seidel) are excellent and in my school we didn't do these subjects well.
2. I would do FA a third time rapidly right before my exam, or do a bit everyday during uworld. It's easy to forget the small details. I did go through all of basic sciences once. But i didn't get the time to do systems. This mattered on exam day.

In a nutshell: Pathoma x 2, FA x 2, Uworld (1 pass), towards the end of Uworld NBME 16, finish Uworld, UWSA 1 (do 2 as well even though i didn't...). My advice is not to leave longer than 7-10 days between the end of Uworld and the exam. Momentum is key.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I think my experience with step 1 is a bit unique so I want to post on here. Most of what I see on here and reddit is >230 performances so I am contributing to the information relating to the bottom 20%.

4 weeks in I took UWSA1 and got a 181. A week later took UWSA2 and got a 177. after this I had one week left before my step date and had no way to get out of taking it (I talked with admins etc.)

Throughout my prep I became gradually more frustrated with Uworld because I did not have enough content base to reason through the problems thoroughly so in the last week I only read FA all day every day.

Real deal = between 200-215

My percentile on Step was equivalent to my avg percentile on the UW sims. I have drawn two conclusions from my experience.

1) spending time memorizing content can be more efficient for those on the extreme low end when compared to grinding through questions.

2) UW sims may under-predict scores on the low end while over-predicting on the high end. Uworld’s motive would be to encourage more consumption of their product on the low end of performance and to increase consumer satisfaction on the high end.

Ultimately, I learned humility and finally found the limits of my capacity to coast through academic challenges. I am motivated to start step 2 prep on the first day of 3rd year and study a little every day to peak my score and make up for this low step 1. Would love to match psychiatry if possible. I am grateful to have passed.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
scrublyfe21 said:
I didn't start reviewing for boards until January, and even then I just did an hour a night of old material, bumping it up by a half hour every month. I would review 1 system a week, doing anatomy Monday, physiology Tuesday, etc. Then a special topic like ethics or biochem on the weekends. I started using Uworld on random timed at the beginning of February, 20 a day. I was doing poorly but my scores improved as time went on, and getting questions on stuff I hadn't looked at in a long time really jogged my memory.

I watched 3-4 sketchy micro videos a night on top of my review material and did 1-2 Pathoma videos of material from the fall semester.

Other than that I focused on classes, including the relevant Pathoma, rather than just "High yield First Aid Material" like everyone else. That way I basically knew the phys -> pathophys cold for each system, doing 2 a month during the semester.

I used Anki almost exclusively as my study notes so spaced repetition and brute force paid off for the raw facts.

I just took Step 1 and COMLEX, and really wish I'd taken them earlier. I felt like I peaked mid-June and was forgetting the minutiae that definitely lost me points on both exams. I doubt I broke 220. As for resources, I wish I'd discovered Boards and Beyond earlier on. Absolutely the best all around lecture series.
Click to expand...

Worst case scenario for you is 220s-230s with 230s being the more likely results
You have a solid chance of being in the 240s with a slim chance of breaking 250s if you have a good form
Keep your chin up
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Thelonious Chunk said:
I think my experience with step 1 is a bit unique so I want to post on here. Most of what I see on here and reddit is >230 performances so I am contributing to the information relating to the bottom 20%.

I did not do well during 2nd year. I was close to failing most every class but didn’t fail any. When I started dedicated (we get 6 weeks) I felt like I was learning almost everything in FA for the first time.

4 weeks in I took UWSA1 and got a 181. A week later took UWSA2 and got a 177. after this I had one week left before my step date and had no way to get out of taking it (I talked with admins etc.)

Throughout my prep I became gradually more frustrated with Uworld because I did not have enough content base to reason through the problems thoroughly so in the last week I only read FA all day every day.

Real deal = between 205-210

My percentile on Step was equivalent to my avg percentile on the UW sims. I have drawn two conclusions from my experience.

1) spending time memorizing content can be more efficient for those on the extreme low end when compared to grinding through questions.

2) UW sims may under-predict scores on the low end while over-predicting on the high end. Uworld’s motive would be to encourage more consumption of their product on the low end of performance and to increase consumer satisfaction on the high end.

Ultimately, I learned humility and finally found the limits of my capacity to coast through academic challenges. I am motivated to start step 2 prep on the first day of 3rd year and study a little every day to peak my score and make up for this low step 1. Would love to match psychiatry if possible. I am grateful to have passed.
Click to expand...


I am glad to hear your story to give a bottom 20% student like me some hope! Thanks for sharing!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Taking the test tomorrow:

Practice tests:

NBME 16-19 (236-245): took these last year when I was prepping for COMLEX
UWSA: 258: also took last year when prepping for COMLEX

USMLERX: 80%
Kaplan: 78%
UW: 85%

Free 120 (at Prometric): 85%
UWSA2 on 6/18: 251

Goal is 250.

Any chance?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SynapticDoctah said:
Taking the test tomorrow:

Practice tests:

NBME 16-19 (236-245): took these last year when I was prepping for COMLEX
UWSA: 258: also took last year when prepping for COMLEX

USMLERX: 80%
Kaplan: 78%
UW: 85%

Free 120 (at Prometric): 85%
UWSA2 on 6/18: 251

Goal is 250.

Any chance?
Click to expand...

Good chance. Here's the final boost to get you there: There is not a single trick question on the entire test. There are hard questions, sure, but zero trick questions. Don't talk yourself out of the obvious, and if a question seems too easy just accept the gift and move on (don't overthink it!).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SynapticDoctah said:
Taking the test tomorrow:

Practice tests:

NBME 16-19 (236-245): took these last year when I was prepping for COMLEX
UWSA: 258: also took last year when prepping for COMLEX

USMLERX: 80%
Kaplan: 78%
UW: 85%

Free 120 (at Prometric): 85%
UWSA2 on 6/18: 251

Goal is 250.

Any chance?
Click to expand...

Excellent chance. UW2 is the best predictor these days it seems especially in the 60th-95th percentile range. You’re in a good place!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Black Coffee 24/7 said:
Worst case scenario for you is 220s-230s with 230s being the more likely results
You have a solid chance of being in the 240s with a slim chance of breaking 250s if you have a good form
Keep your chin up
Click to expand...

I appreciate it. Hopefully it's just the typical post-test doubt where I'm remembering mostly the ones I got wrong and forgot the ones that were so easy they didn't warrant a second thought. As of right now I can remember maybe a little under 100 questions, with 10-15 I certainly got wrong, mostly freebie first-order questions like drug mechanisms. I'm also at the point where I remember a question but can't remember if it came from Step 1 or COMLEX.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Transposony
Official 2024 Step 1 Experiences and Scores Thread
Replies
0
Views
2K
Transposony
Transposony
D
Step 1 and Level 1
Replies
1
Views
2K
DOcSto
D
C
Step 1 tutor available!
Replies
0
Views
734
chauhanjugalkishor
C
A
USMLE Step 1 resources for sale
Replies
0
Views
1K
accurate_branch20
A
C
USMLE Understanding Public Health in STEP 1?
Replies
0
Views
1K
Cheerios5789
C
Top