USMLE Official 2019 Step 1 Experiences and Scores Thread

[libertyyne]

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Lets get this started.
M2. Mid Tier everything.
Entertaining some surgical sub-specialties.

Goal 270
Happy with 245

 

[Diphyllobothrium latum]

Question, in vWF disease we should expect PTT to be abnormal correct? Because it helps stabilize Factor 8? Or is this not a significant effect?

Question was a "pick the most likely" ish. Stem of the question just said "PT and PTT are normal" , bleeding time was abnormal. So i picked the only other phase 1 of coag cascase option, bernard soulier, because I expected PTT to be slightly effected in vWF disease. I understand it's a rare disease so i probably should have picked vWF, just unsure whether or not I should consider the effect of factor 8 stabilization and it's effect on PTT.


edit: should have kept reading, BS disease apparently has thrombocytopenia as well and this guy didnt have this. oof

Not all vWD subtypes are quantitative defects. Type 1 (partial absence) and Type 3 (complete absence) are the main quantitative defects. Features of type 2 vWD subtypes include decreased polymer formation (2A), increased (2B) or decreased (2M) binding capability to GpIb and decreased binding capacity of factor VIII (2N). Of those, you 'd expect an elavated PTT (and use of desmopressin as a treatment) in types 1, 2N and 3. In any case that is not your typical high yield Step 1 material and chances are you 'll get the classic presentation of increased PTT + BT.

 

[Scrubs101]

Not all vWD subtypes are quantitative defects. Type 1 (partial abscence) and Type 3 (complete abscence) are the main quantitative defects. Features of type 2 vWD subtypes include decreased polymer formation (2A), increased (2B) or decreased (2M) binding capability to GpIb and decreased binding capacity of factor VIII. Of those, you 'd expect an elavated PTT (and use of desmopressin as a treatment) in types 1, 2N and 3. In any case that is not your typical high yield Step 1 material and chances are you 'll get the classic presentation of increased PTT + BT.

This is the first I'm hearing of multiple subtypes of vWD haha. Thanks a bunch this helps a lot and really clears things up!!

 

[ASGD1983]

Uworld- Also important, I did it block-by-block after I'd seen the Zanki cards. I hate doing questions I don't have a clue about, I don't think it builds any connections to guess wildly. If you have enough knowledge on the topic to think hard about it, that makes things stick. I ran out of time to do my misses, which I would have liked to do. I had to do about 65/day to get though, which meant at least 2 hours with thorough review. I read all the info, unless I thought it was a really easy question. My final percentage was 70-something, keep in mind I was making at least a partial pass of the cards before I got into a topic

I agree with most of what you said about anki and other resources, but UW is not meant to be a clue or no clue guessing game. It is essentially an online textbook broken down into small topics (questions) that you read and that's when you learn material - by reading, NOT just by answering questions. Heck, you can even just read UW pdf if one was available with just full text - without having to do MCQ.
Another thing that caught my eye is that 64 questions with full reading of material in just 2 hours - is clearly a wrong way to do it. It's not a speed reading contest. 64 questions - that's 1.5 blocks - just answering them alone would take 1-1.5hour and you need to allot 3 hours per block to just work the material after you do those questions - that's where you learn. just reading quickly all 5 answers for each of 64 questions - that's like 320 answers - each with it's own concept and details. If you did all that in 2 hours - that means you spent less than 10 sec on each answer - that's clearly not learning, but just reading.

 

[ASGD1983]

- Wake up at 7:30am, breakfast etc
- Study from 8am to 3pm - I use the Pomodoro technique with 50 minutes of work time, 5-10 minutes of break after every session - I have a slightly bigger break between the 4th and 5th Pomodoro session and grab a snack
- Lunch time, surf the web
- 4:30-6:30pm 1-2 Pomodoro sessions (optional)
- Hit the gym - If it's a day-off, I'll just do an extra 1-2 Pomodoro sessions
- 1-2 Pomodoro sessions after that
- Finish studying by 10:30pm, try to get to bed between 11:30 and 12:30.

Minimum of 7 Pomodoro sessions (I always strive for at least 8 though), maximum of 11 per day. Done 12 like 2 times but it's a burn out recipe after 11.
6 days a week x 8 months so far. Sundays are off - I work on research for 2-3 hours, and take the rest of the day off.

Right now I am trying to hit 60 questions per day. So I alternate between 1 and 2 blocks per day, always solving the Qs in the beginning of the work day so I am fresh. Then I start reviewing, trying to hit anywhere from 6-10 Qs per Pomodoro session, depending on how many new concepts I come across.

FA is always open as a reference in front of me. I skim the question stem, then before reading the explanation, I try to give a good explanation why every option is incorrect (same process should be followed when solving the block). I also try to actively recall any relevant info regarding the general concept. Then I read the explanation, annotate any new info onto FA. If I feel somewhat unfamiliar with the topic or haven't reviewed it in a long time, I also read the corresponding FA chapter.

I 've done 3 passes of FA already, so I also keep a small notebook, where I put all the small details that I haven't learnt by now so I 'll be able to review them periodically. Eg Today I reviewed a question about the side effects of SSRIs. There was an option related to SNRIs, so I reread the corresponding FA chapter, only to find out that I had no memory of venlafaxine being used for diabetic neuropathy or duloxetine for fibromyalgia. These two info bits were both underlined with two different colors - meaning I forgot this info by the time I did my 2nd pass and 3rd pass too and it still didn't stick by now. So onto the notebook it goes.

Hope that was somewhat helpful.

Are you FMG? I wish i could study for step 1 for 8 months. We have 1.5 months of dedicated only. During semesters I come home from school after 5pm tired.

 

[EMG123]

Definitely, the reddit usmle data had two data points in the chart >56 days out for nbme 17 that were a bit less than that score and those two data points scored 240 &250 respectively

Hey, would you mind sharing a link to this data on reddit? I tried searching a bit, but no luck. Thanks!

 

[751866]

Hey, would you mind sharing a link to this data on reddit? I tried searching a bit, but no luck. Thanks!

You're not missing out much on the reddit information. It's not done very well despite the pretty colors and polynomials.

 

[Scrubs101]

Hey, would you mind sharing a link to this data on reddit? I tried searching a bit, but no luck. Thanks!

 

[kb1900]

You're not missing out much on the reddit information. It's not done very well despite the pretty colors and polynomials.

It’s poorly done, sure. But their score predictor seems to be pretty accurate for recent exam takers

 

[751866]

It’s poorly done, sure. But their score predictor seems to be pretty accurate for recent exam takers

All anecdotal until people actually collect, summarize, and describe the predictive accuracy of the models; "pretty accurate" isn't really an evaluation of the model's performance on new data. Not hard to do: get predicted scores before test day, enter real scores after test day, can see how well the models actually predict the scores using several measures of predictive ability.

 

[banana_phone]

This data is totally freaking me out. Despite my best NBME being a 215, the predictor has me at a 230, which is fine, maybe not for the genius' here, but I would be VERY happy with that given a bunch of intense family stuff that happened this spring/during dedicated. My UWorld average is 70% but lately have been scoring more like 75-85%.

Juts needed to unload. I have a tutor and she thinks I'll be fine, but my test is in 11 days and it feels soon and I'm really afraid. Goal is family med, so I don't need an outrageous score. I just need to do average

 

[Agent Michael Scarn]

Gearing up for a second practice exam now that our last block is over soon. I took 16 a month ago and got a 252 prior to starting our last block (Neuro/Musculoskeletal).

Which NBME do y'all think should be next? I've been reading that these new versions are way harder, so I don't know whether I want to save 18/UW2 for last or to use 18 earlier so I can have a more reliable indicator early in dedicated (as opposed to getting destroyed by a 19-esque curve out of the gate). Or is the hype about the new forms unwarranted?

 

[751866]

Gearing up for a second practice exam now that our last block is over soon. I took 16 a month ago and got a 252 prior to starting our last block (Neuro/Musculoskeletal).

Which NBME do y'all think should be next? I've been reading that these new versions are way harder, so I don't know whether I want to save 18/UW2 for last or to use 18 earlier so I can have a more reliable indicator early in dedicated (as opposed to getting destroyed by a 19-esque curve out of the gate). Or is the hype about the new forms unwarranted?

It's a myth the exams are curved.

 

[oldnbroken]

I agree with most of what you said about anki and other resources, but UW is not meant to be a clue or no clue guessing game. It is essentially an online textbook broken down into small topics (questions) that you read and that's when you learn material - by reading, NOT just by answering questions. Heck, you can even just read UW pdf if one was available with just full text - without having to do MCQ.
Another thing that caught my eye is that 64 questions with full reading of material in just 2 hours - is clearly a wrong way to do it. It's not a speed reading contest. 64 questions - that's 1.5 blocks - just answering them alone would take 1-1.5hour and you need to allot 3 hours per block to just work the material after you do those questions - that's where you learn. just reading quickly all 5 answers for each of 64 questions - that's like 320 answers - each with it's own concept and details. If you did all that in 2 hours - that means you spent less than 10 sec on each answer - that's clearly not learning, but just reading.

That was a bad time estimate now that I think about it, I did 20 at a time usually and that was an hour, so 3+hrs a day. Zanki was my source material, there were simply not enough total hours to be had to add anything else. I had originally planned to start with B&B lectures, then downgraded that to Pathoma which is much shorter, then realized that if I wanted to finish Zanki there was not enough time for any other source material. I sprinkled in a few Pathomas here and there but other than that it was just Zanki and Uworld.

 

[Scrubs101]

Just got my amboss score back they said I got a 249 (89th percentile) with a 75% on their exam. This is based off of the cohort that took their exam i believe, not sure how many people took it. But from what I’ve heard from others that took it, it’s inflated compared to their other practice scores.

I’d be stoked if this ends up being an accurate diagnostic baseline, but im currently doubting it. Will take an NBME this weekend to compare!

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

This data is totally freaking me out. Despite my best NBME being a 215, the predictor has me at a 230, which is fine, maybe not for the genius' here, but I would be VERY happy with that given a bunch of intense family stuff that happened this spring/during dedicated. My UWorld average is 70% but lately have been scoring more like 75-85%.

Juts needed to unload. I have a tutor and she thinks I'll be fine, but my test is in 11 days and it feels soon and I'm really afraid. Goal is family med, so I don't need an outrageous score. I just need to do average

Based on your UWorld precentage you are going to be scoring above a 230. Assuming you haven't been like cheating or anything. You'll be fiiiiiine amigo/a.

 

[YoungDoc25]

264 on UW1 today. Too big of a jump from 18 (230) 2.5 weeks ago for me to believe, but I’ll gladly take it! Planning on taking one of the new NBMEs next week to compare

 

[getfat]

Just got my amboss score back they said I got a 249 (89th percentile) with a 75% on their exam. This is based off of the cohort that took their exam i believe, not sure how many people took it. But from what I’ve heard from others that took it, it’s inflated compared to their other practice scores.

I’d be stoked if this ends up being an accurate diagnostic baseline, but im currently doubting it. Will take an NBME this weekend to compare!

Took it as well. Got about 60% on it and it calculated a 235. Lol

The rumor is that it’s inflated between 15 to 20 points.
Personally I’m starting to think it might be 30

 

[getfat]

Took it as well. Got about 60% on it and it calculated a 235. Lol

The rumor is that it’s inflated between 15 to 20 points.
Personally I’m starting to think it might be 30

On top that I have another friend who scored 40% on this assessment and the predicted score was around 200.

I’m starting to think the AMBOSS assessment might not be as helpful

 

[Scrubs101]

On top that I have another friend who scored 40% on this assessment and the predicted score was around 200.

I’m starting to think the AMBOSS assessment might not be as helpful

To add to the numbers my buddy scored i think a 216 and got a 50%

So it’s basically UWSA 1 + haha, eh well it was free and the explanations were solid lol

Ill take the temporary confidence booster before getting kicked in the nuts by NBME 19 this weekend i guess

 

[getfat]

To add to the numbers my buddy scored i think a 216 and got a 50%

So it’s basically UWSA 1 + haha, eh well it was free and the explanations were solid lol

Ill take the temporary confidence booster before getting kicked in the nuts by NBME 19 this weekend i guess

I don't care if it was inflated. I needed that ego boost after NBME 13 (i took 1 month ago and wasnt even passing).

 

[Scrubs101]

I don't care if it was inflated. I needed that ego boost after NBME 13 (i took 1 month ago and wasnt even passing).

Sounds like you definitely made some solid ground since then, inflated score or not. So congrats on the grind paying off, we just gotta keep on trucking!

 

[sunshinefl]

I don't care if it was inflated. I needed that ego boost after NBME 13 (i took 1 month ago and wasnt even passing).

I took NBME 13 a month ago on spring break and got 188 :/ My goal score is 230 on June 22.

 

[JooceMan137]

Hey guys, my dedicated starts next week and i'm planning on doing all 5 of the new NBME's, UWSA 1 and UWSA2, and free NBME120 week before the exam.

I was wondering if there is a consensus on what the best order to do these practice exams (New NBMEs and UWSA's). Also, has there been any more info on when the last 2 new NBME's are going to be released?

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[aymar]

Just got my score back today and am very happy with it, but am a little weirded out that my relative strengths/weaknesses is not displaying on the score report. I can see the figure but there is no label for where I lie on spectrum. Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[mariines]

Just got my score back today and am very happy with it, but am a little weirded out that my relative strengths/weaknesses is not displaying on the score report. I can see the figure but there is no label for where I lie on spectrum. Has this happened to anyone else?

I gave something similar my score report states that I did the same as everyone else not lower or higher is that what you mean??

 

[aymar]

I gave something similar my score report states that I did the same as everyone else not lower or higher is that what you mean??

EDIT: just kidding, I finally read the fine print. It's compared to your total score, not anyone else's. My boxes just all happen to be in the "same" category & I guess I was just still in shock and didn't think to read the explanation lol

Final score: 245. Beat my goal score so I am thrilled! I'll do a write-up in the next few days, since I HATE anki and really appreciated hearing about study strategies that didn't swear by flashcards. Just goes to show you that you should study how you feel you learn best and not pay attention to everyone else!

 

[sunshine02]

Are any of you guys having trouble with the reddit score predictor? If you download it from reddit, using his template, and erase just one score, you don't get a formula-based score. You get scores in the last 3 columns but you don't get the formula-based predicted score with 95% CI. I've heard of people not taking all of the exams and were still able to use it. I haven't changed anything and have checked multiple times to make sure I've entered it correctly

 

[751866]

Are any of you guys having trouble with the reddit score predictor? If you download it from reddit, using his template, and erase just one score, you don't get a formula-based score. You get scores in the last 3 columns but you don't get the formula-based predicted score with 95% CI. I've heard of people not taking all of the exams and were still able to use it. I haven't changed anything and have checked multiple times to make sure I've entered it correctly

If someone developed a model based on certain NBMEs, you can't use that for prediction of your score if you don't have inputs for all of those predictors unless they provided all the combinations of equations so you can find the one for the set of NBMEs you took (or other predictors, more generally). The coefficients estimated are all dependent on the fact that certain variables were in the model when it was estimated, so without re-estimating the model, everything is screwed up by just "erasing" any of the required scores.

 

[banana_phone]

Are any of you guys having trouble with the reddit score predictor? If you download it from reddit, using his template, and erase just one score, you don't get a formula-based score. You get scores in the last 3 columns but you don't get the formula-based predicted score with 95% CI. I've heard of people not taking all of the exams and were still able to use it. I haven't changed anything and have checked multiple times to make sure I've entered it correctly

Hmmm....its working for me. I started by deleting all of the scores, and dates, and proceeded by filling in the ones I've done. Maybe try clearing all of them + dates and then entering yours?

 

[JooceMan137]

I recall reading when the final 2 new NBMEs were going to be released but can’t seem to remember. Anyone have any idea?

Also, I’m doing the 5 new NBMEs and 2 UWSAs for my 7 week dedicated but want to do one NBME a week before to set a baseline. Which one do you feel would be best?

 

[sunshine02]

If someone developed a model based on certain NBMEs, you can't use that for prediction of your score if you don't have inputs for all of those predictors unless they provided all the combinations of equations so you can find the one for the set of NBMEs you took (or other predictors, more generally). The coefficients estimated are all dependent on the fact that certain variables were in the model when it was estimated, so without re-estimating the model, everything is screwed up by just "erasing" any of the required scores.

Thanks! I understand. But everyone seems to get their predicted score and 95% CI by only filling out 2-3 NBMEs... On the excel sheet, it even says if you don't have the test score or date for a certain NBME/test, then leave it blank

 

[sunshine02]

Hmmm....its working for me. I started by deleting all of the scores, and dates, and proceeded by filling in the ones I've done. Maybe try clearing all of them + dates and then entering yours?

Thanks for your suggestion! I just did that and this is what I got (not my real scores but I entered in some random numbers just to show what I mean):

See how I'm not getting the formula-based score? But majority of people do not take all of the tests listed. NBME 12 isn't even around anymore. And not everyone does Rx or Kaplan. People still get their score even by entering a few NBMEs that they've done so I'm not sure what's going on...I've checked to make sure everything is entered correctly and I haven't changed anything below the red/black line

 

[sunshinefl]

I recall reading when the final 2 new NBMEs were going to be released but can’t seem to remember. Anyone have any idea?

Also, I’m doing the 5 new NBMEs and 2 UWSAs for my 7 week dedicated but want to do one NBME a week before to set a baseline. Which one do you feel would be best?

I think in June maybe?

 

[The Brodie]

I'm starting to dread studying for another 5 weeks, but most people I know are taking step even later than I scheduled mine. My goal is a 240 (interested only in non-surgical fields). I'm going to take another NBME this weekend and I was thinking if I hit 240+ I move my test up from 5/17 to 5/6. Crazy idea? I'd really appreciate any input, I can't tell if I'm being reasonable or arrogant..

Pre-dedicated NBME 16: 225 (3/9)
UWSA 2: 232 (3/23)
NBME 17: 240 (4/7)
Uworld: 77% average with ~60% completed

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I'm starting to dread studying for another 5 weeks, but most people I know are taking step even later than I scheduled mine. My goal is a 240 (interested only in non-surgical fields). I'm going to take another NBME this weekend and I was thinking if I hit 240+ I move my test up from 5/17 to 5/6. Crazy idea? I'd really appreciate any input, I can't tell if I'm being reasonable or arrogant..

Pre-dedicated NBME 16: 225 (3/9)
UWSA 2: 232 (3/23)
NBME 17: 240 (4/7)
Uworld: 77% average with ~60% completed

I told myself I would move my test date up if I scored 5+ points above my goal score on 2 NBMEs in a row that aren't historically inflated OR 10+ above my goal score once on an NBME not historically inflated.

I have no idea what you should do but if you feel comfortable, do it. Take some extra vacation days fam. Your UWorld percentage is stellar for your goal score if those prediction graphs for UWorld have any validity at all.

 

[getfat]

Has anyone taken a firecracker full-length? Is it worth it?

I'm trying to save my NMBEs for a little later. (Still 60 days out from test date).

 

[Agent Michael Scarn]

Do you mind sharing what you've been doing to have such a high baseline score?

Nothing crazy. Have FA open with lectures to make sure I'm seeing what I am supposed to see. Review old FA chapters periodically. Cross reference with Goljan RR. Only use anki for stuff that is pure memorization and for sketchy pharm.

But I just got rocked by NBME 20 today and my score dropped 10 points so looks like I'm heading the wrong direction

 

[FindersFee5]

Nothing crazy. Have FA open with lectures to make sure I'm seeing what I am supposed to see. Review old FA chapters periodically. Cross reference with Goljan RR. Only use anki for stuff that is pure memorization and for sketchy pharm.

But I just got rocked by NBME 20 today and my score dropped 10 points so looks like I'm heading the wrong direction

Bro same. Going through my wrongs now, pretty pissed at myself. I've heard from others that 20 might be the new 19 though... that's what I'm hoping at least.

 

[Scrubs101]

Took NBME 19 today and got a 240, so amboss only hyped my score up a little bit from that. Pretty excited to start dedicated with this baseline, as our true dedicated starts tomorrow (well technically this weekend but i took friday and some of sat off). Hoping this is a good sign i can hit my goal score of 250!

 

[watermelon master]

Took NBME 19 today and got a 240, so amboss only hyped my score up a little bit from that. Pretty excited to start dedicated with this baseline, as our true dedicated starts tomorrow (well technically this weekend but i took friday and some of sat off). Hoping this is a good sign i can hit my goal score of 250!

nice score! just wondering if I could get your perspective on which order to take the NBME's in. I bought NBME 17 from the old tests and I was also going to buy 18. What other tests do you recommend getting aside from UWSA 1 & 2, free 120, and does the order matter?

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

Yo. I'm trying to decide whether or not I should suspend cards that are basically like "what treatments can Abx X be used to Tx" & the card lists like 3-5 things it can be used to Tx including some 2nd line stuff.

The reason why is they are lists of info which take a little longer to memorize/card. And also, I have the Sketchy treatments for all of the bacteria/viruses/parasites down already... & I feel like UWorld has aligned with Sketchy Micro with respect to the treatments so far. Or they just ask the MOA/common AE of a drug.. none of which require memorizing a list of (potential) treatments for a certain ABx.

I'm thinking it will help me speed through the ABx Anki cards a lot faster too if I am just memorizing MOA/AE stuff & drug names.

Thoughts?

 

[Neopolymath]

Yo. I'm trying to decide whether or not I should suspend cards that are basically like "what treatments can Abx X be used to Tx" & the card lists like 3-5 things it can be used to Tx including some 2nd line stuff.

The reason why is they are lists of info which take a little longer to memorize/card. And also, I have the Sketchy treatments for all of the bacteria/viruses/parasites down already... & I feel like UWorld has aligned with Sketchy Micro with respect to the treatments so far. Or they just ask the MOA/common AE of a drug.. none of which require memorizing a list of (potential) treatments for a certain ABx.

I'm thinking it will help me speed through the ABx Anki cards a lot faster too if I am just memorizing MOA/AE stuff & drug names.

Thoughts?

I agree. I think those cards are great for when someone asks you a question directly like the card asks but little else. For board exams, I can't imagine a situation that this card helps. Delete.

 

[banana_phone]

advice on how to spend my last few days? i take step on friday. weighing the merits of drilling anki (i have a tendency to miss some pure recall questions, im decent at reasoning my way through others) vs doing Rx Q bank questions.

thinking i might take a targeted approach - do weak systems in anki followed by system-based Q bank blocks? Going to take UWSA 2 tomorrow and free 120 on wednesday, too, for what its worth.

So ready to be done with this beast ..

 

[Scrubs101]

nice score! just wondering if I could get your perspective on which order to take the NBME's in. I bought NBME 17 from the old tests and I was also going to buy 18. What other tests do you recommend getting aside from UWSA 1 & 2, free 120, and does the order matter?

At this point only 18 20 21 and 22 are available to purchase, and 23 and 24 are supposedly gonna be available relatively soon. So if that leaves you with 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 USWA 1 2 and free 120, I would recommend taking them all if you have the time. However I don't really see the benefit in taking multiple a week, maybe at most 2 a week near the end. So it depends on the length of your dedicated and what you feel helps you the most.

After seeing what the NBME explanations are like (there are none), im more partial towards recommending more qbank qs over NBMEs. But i already bought several of the older ones, and intend on buying the new ones to see if anything changed due to neuroticism.

I don't think theres really a preference on exact order, besides most people saving USWA 2 and NMBE 18 for last. Word on the interwebs is NBME 19 and 20 have harsh curves (some people say 18 does too) while USWA 1 is usually an ego booster score wise. So take whatever you feel like you want first, a swift kick in the a$$, something to boost you through, or something in between.

 

[sunshinefl]

Took NBME 19 today and got a 240, so amboss only hyped my score up a little bit from that. Pretty excited to start dedicated with this baseline, as our true dedicated starts tomorrow (well technically this weekend but i took friday and some of sat off). Hoping this is a good sign i can hit my goal score of 250!

Dang.... killing it! If I got that on my baseline I would just move my test up ASAP since it’s 10 over my goal! I’m sure you’ll reach yours *easily*!!

 

[Scrubs101]

Dang.... killing it! If I got that on my baseline I would just move my test up ASAP since it’s 10 over my goal! I’m sure you’ll reach yours *easily*!!

Thank you!!! I hope so, but my anxiety will probably keep telling me it's all a fluke all the way till this fun ride is over haha.

Hope we all hit our goals, crush this test and get it over with already haha

 

[751866]

advice on how to spend my last few days? i take step on friday. weighing the merits of drilling anki (i have a tendency to miss some pure recall questions, im decent at reasoning my way through others) vs doing Rx Q bank questions.

thinking i might take a targeted approach - do weak systems in anki followed by system-based Q bank blocks? Going to take UWSA 2 tomorrow and free 120 on wednesday, too, for what its worth.

So ready to be done with this beast ..

I wouldn't go too crazy, but You sound similar to me in that reasoning isn't the problem it's that I never really deliberately memorized anything, so when I took Step 1 and Step 2 CK, I missed 5-10 pure recall questions that I knew at one point. The question arises, though, as to how much you sacrifice and time you need to spend to actually study enough to get those 5-10 that appear on your exam. Just as easily, I could've been an Anki/Firecracker person for years and have gotten a different set of recall questions that I didn't know. I think if you've been doing Anki/FC it can't hurt to do a bit, but just make sure to relax your brain a bit before the exam.

 

[YoungDoc25]

257 on my school’s CBSE. Seemed way more straightforward than 18 though, so I think it’s pretty inflated. Ready to have 20 humble me tomorrow haha

 

[JooceMan137]

Which NBME of the old NBME's would you say would be best to take? I'm taking the 5 new ones, UWSA1, UWSA2, and need one more NBME. I'm considering 18.

 

[751866]

Which NBME of the old NBME's would you say would be best to take? I'm taking the 5 new ones, UWSA1, UWSA2, and need one more NBME. I'm considering 18.

Which are the 5 new ones?

I took 15-19 for my exam in 2017. If you want to think of "useful" in terms of smallest difference between NBME score and real score, 16 and 18 were very close to my real score and felt more like the exam in terms of difficulty (irrespective of score at the end, because 19 felt easy but my score was >10 below my actual).