USMLE Official 2020 Step 1 Experiences and Scores Thread

[EMDoc22]

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Since one hasn't been started, figured I'd start this for all us M2s and M3s taking Step this coming year.

DO student interested in EM. Estimated test date is mid June.

Goal is 230+ but I'd be happy with 225+.

Good luck everyone!

 

[Ganon]

If you want a fire lit under your a**, take an NBME first.

I did this method
It succeeded in terrifying me

 

[studentdr12]

Hi everyone, I am a longtime lurker and wanted to join the chat as I buckle down for boards. I will be writing Step 1 in July and was trying to figure out a plan to tackle boards. I have kept up with Anking from since M1 year and have around 5000 cards to go. My question is, since I have kept up with anki, how in depth of a content review should I do? I have done uworld irregularly and my scores range from 40% to mid 70s. I'd love ya'll's feedback, thanks!

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Has anyone thought about rescheduling for a less hit area? I think it's a bit early for me to do this, but I'm scheduled to test in Florida and am getting anxious.

 

[Steve_Zissou]

Has anyone thought about rescheduling for a less hit area? I think it's a bit early for me to do this, but I'm scheduled to test in Florida and am getting anxious.

I thought about rescheduling in Idaho or Montana since their political climates make them more likely to reopen earlier. I’m gonna wait till prometric definitively tells me to change before I do anything though.

 

[EMDoc22]

Coronavirus Update—ARE 5.0

Explore the latest COVID-19 news related to the ARE, appointments, and test center protocols.

www.ncarb.org

So apparently Prometric is randomly canceling 50% of test dates in May and June starting next week. And med students apparently won’t be prioritized.

 

[Steve_Zissou]

Coronavirus Update—ARE 5.0

Explore the latest COVID-19 news related to the ARE, appointments, and test center protocols.

www.ncarb.org

So apparently Prometric is randomly canceling 50% of test dates in May and June starting next week. And med students apparently won’t be prioritized.

Well that ****ing sucks.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Coronavirus Update—ARE 5.0

Explore the latest COVID-19 news related to the ARE, appointments, and test center protocols.

www.ncarb.org

So apparently Prometric is randomly canceling 50% of test dates in May and June starting next week. And med students apparently won’t be prioritized.

What the hell.....

So, should we reschedule now to avoid the mass hysteria? I would imagine most people haven't heard about this. I'm scheduled for the last week of June, I could push into July..except there probably aren't any dates...

 

[EMDoc22]

I can't believe that this is the best solution they could come up with. Like this makes no sense and will only create more chaos in the long run considering most places are booked through the summer.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

This is insane. I found dates near my school for July but it's once I'm already on clerkships so I can't just go ahead and schedule from now. It's also like a month after when I'm currently scheduled and I don't know if I can handle another month of studying. This is insane.

 

[EMDoc22]

What the hell.....

So, should we reschedule now to avoid the mass hysteria? I would imagine most people haven't heard about this. I'm scheduled for the last week of June, I could push into July..except there probably aren't any dates...

I guess we're supposed to receive a call early next week if our date is canceled. What if one of our exams is canceled but not the other? I'm not about to go months between exams. What if half the class gets theirs canceled but the other half doesn't? How do we start rotations on time?

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I guess we're supposed to receive a call early next week if our date is canceled. What if one of our exams is canceled but not the other? I'm not about to go months between exams. What if half the class gets theirs canceled but the other half doesn't? How do we start rotations on time?

My COMLEX is scheduled for July 1st so I guess that has no potential of being cancelled? Man, I really did not want to take COMLEX first and then have to wait a month to take Step. There's a date available for a week after I start rotations which would be a month after COMLEX, part of me wants to grab it but I don't know.....this sucks.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

You know what sucks? I debated so hard between taking Step last week of June or first week of July. Decided to give myself an extra week of vacation......and this is what I get.

 

[EMDoc22]

My COMLEX is scheduled for July 1st so I guess that has no potential of being cancelled? Man, I really did not want to take COMLEX first and then have to wait a month to take Step. There's a date available for a week after I start rotations which would be a month after COMLEX, part of me wants to grab it but I don't know.....this sucks.

My school said to keep our dates as scheduled but we wouldn't be penalized if it gets pushed back. There's open dates at the end of July by my house and I'd love to jump on those now but my school is still planning to start rotations on time in early July so likely I'll have to wait and see if things get canceled. Should be a fun weekend!

 

[fldoctorgirl]

My school said to keep our dates as scheduled but we wouldn't be penalized if it gets pushed back. There's open dates at the end of July by my house and I'd love to jump on those now but my school is still planning to start rotations on time in early July so likely I'll have to wait and see if things get canceled. Should be a fun weekend!

Same. Have no idea if I would be allowed to miss a day of rotations to take Step, especially if I'd already have COMLEX done. Could totally see my school not giving an eff.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

It'd be nice if Prometric themselves would come out and say something. Lots of conflicting things on the Step 1 reddit, with some people saying their school told them about this and some saying their school said Prometric told them medical exams would not affected. So basically, who knows.

"Really? My school just told us that prometric said that medical exams are not being touched. They said that other exams are being canceled or rescheduled to maximize capacity for medical exams."

 

[EMDoc22]

Same. Have no idea if I would be allowed to miss a day of rotations to take Step, especially if I'd already have COMLEX done. Could totally see my school not giving an eff.

Apparently some schools are already telling their students to reschedule for July or beyond so they won't have their date canceled. My school is just like well keep your date and hope it doesn't get rescheduled! And if you're part of the unlucky half that does, we'll let you take it in third year but won't give you any time off to study for it.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Some more info: NHADACA - IC&RC Testing Update from Prometric

 

[Chelsea FC]

This might explain the sudden disappearance of all those test dates in all states. THey prob capped some so they can fill them up with people who they reschedule.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

In a virtual meeting right now with our deans and faculty. According to them, medical exams are considered essential and should be given priority. They're not sure exactly how that will play out but...

 

[EMDoc22]

In a virtual meeting right now with our deans and faculty. According to them, medical exams are considered essential and should be given priority. They're not sure exactly how that will play out but...

I've seen this on Reddit as well from other students and their admin. But then I've also seen that med students won't be given priority so like you said, who really knows. I somewhat objectively agree that we should be given priority since doctors are needed now more than ever.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I've seen this on Reddit as well from other students and their admin. But then I've also seen that med students won't be given priority so like you said, who really knows. I somewhat objectively agree that we should be given priority since doctors are needed now more than ever.

Same. I've seen both. Everything seems unknown.

 

[iforget2]

Every email notification just makes my heart skip a beat now. I hope they let us know soon..

 

[fldoctorgirl]

But then, their website says this: American Society For Quality (ASQ) | Prometric

 

[EMDoc22]

But then, their website says this: American Society For Quality (ASQ) | Prometric

Still not feeling confident that Prometric won't pull some BS that screws us all over. Apparently the 50% capacity was news to the NBME as well per another thread on that subreddit so no idea if this will affect us or not.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Still not feeling confident that Prometric won't pull some BS that screws us all over. Apparently the 50% capacity was news to the NBME as well per another thread on that subreddit so no idea if this will affect us or not.

Oh I feel confident in nothing. They need to come out with an official statement instead of playing the game they did last time where they waited till a week before to make an announcement.

 

[JDDrCOX]

Oh I feel confident in nothing. They need to come out with an official statement instead of playing the game they did last time where they waited till a week before to make an announcement.

I saw that Video u posted on Biostats, that is heavenly. I have watched them every day for the last week. Thanks those videos are pure gold!

 

[EMDoc22]

So someone on the Step 1 reddit spoke to Prometric today and they were told there will be a 50% random selection at least in May (that's the only month they asked about but it will likely include June as well) and that USMLE will be given priority but they didn't get any further information. They took that to mean that they will try to cancel other exams first to reach the 50% threshold and if that isn't enough then they will likely cut some USMLE examinees as well.

 

[Chelsea FC]

So someone on the Step 1 reddit spoke to Prometric today and they were told there will be a 50% random selection at least in May (that's the only month they asked about but it will likely include June as well) and that USMLE will be given priority but they didn't get any further information. They took that to mean that they will try to cancel other exams first to reach the 50% threshold and if that isn't enough then they will likely cut some USMLE examinees as well.

I got something completely different from the exchange. I think the Prometric person was just saying their exam wont be canceled that doesn't mean it wont be rescheduled. Overall they dont seem to be too informed,.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I got something completely different from the exchange. I think the Prometric person was just saying their exam wont be canceled that doesn't mean it wont be rescheduled. Overall they dont seem to be too informed,.

Yeah I agree, the person didn't really seem like they knew much anyways. Seemed weird to keep saying the exam wouldn't be cancelled rather than it wouldn't be rescheduled.

 

[EMDoc22]

I got something completely different from the exchange. I think the Prometric person was just saying their exam wont be canceled that doesn't mean it wont be rescheduled. Overall they dont seem to be too informed,.

I was referring to a comment in that thread, not the person who started the thread. It was posted about half an hour ago and is at the very bottom of the thread. They said they also spoke to Prometric today and that they were told there would be a 50% reduction but that USMLE would be prioritized. Sorry for the confusion! But yeah it definitely seems like no one knows what's going on.

 

[Hippocrates II]

So.. am I supposed to be getting my ass decisively handed to me in uworld? I can't believe how many questions I get wrong from topics I know, but cannot decipher the answer from the way uworld wrote it.

 

[Steve_Zissou]

So.. am I supposed to be getting my ass decisively handed to me in uworld? I can't believe how many questions I get wrong from topics I know, but cannot decipher the answer from the way uworld wrote it.

How many questions have you done so far?

I’m nearly 70% done and in the beginning I was often getting high 50s-low 60s. Now I’m averaging low 70s to low 80s

 

[iforget2]

So.. am I supposed to be getting my ass decisively handed to me in uworld? I can't believe how many questions I get wrong from topics I know, but cannot decipher the answer from the way uworld wrote it.

Did you do another qbank before uworld? I started with Kaplan and it took me 3-4 blocks of uworld to get used to the wording and start improving.

 

[Chelsea FC]

How many questions have you done so far?

I’m nearly 70% done and in the beginning I was often getting high 50s-low 60s. Now I’m averaging low 70s to low 80s

How much of zanki have you completed so far ?

 

[Steve_Zissou]

How much of zanki have you completed so far ?

Matured 45%, seen 66%,the majority of the 1/3 I haven’t seen is biochem and pharm. I’m fairly confident I’ll be consistently in the 80s once I’m done with pharm, I miss a ton of pharm questions because I don’t have the mechanisms down yet.

I also have the OMM deck that I have yet to do.

 

[Chelsea FC]

Matured 45%, seen 66%,the majority of the 1/3 I haven’t seen is biochem and pharm. I’m fairly confident I’ll be consistently in the 80s once I’m done with pharm, I miss a ton of pharm questions because I don’t have the mechanisms down yet.

I also have the OMM deck that I have yet to do.

Thats good, that means your ceiling is high. Keep up the grind.

 

[Steve_Zissou]

Thats good, that means your ceiling is high. Keep up the grind.

Thanks man, I hope so. You too, only a few more weeks (hopefully).

 

[deleted915325]

So.. am I supposed to be getting my ass decisively handed to me in uworld? I can't believe how many questions I get wrong from topics I know, but cannot decipher the answer from the way uworld wrote it.

That's why its better to do more question banks throughout M1 and M2 instead of just pounding Anki. 😛

JK I just wanted to bump the thread so I can stay up to date on all this 50% cancellation stuff at prometric

 

[iforget2]

This was just posted on the physical therapy website. I'm assuming if physical therapy students are considered "essential", medical students will be as well. Maybe it's possible the 50% they were originally planning on cutting will come from test takers considered non-essential?

 

[EMDoc22]

View attachment 303284
This was just posted on the physical therapy website. I'm assuming if physical therapy students are considered "essential", medical students will be as well.

You would definitely think so. Also we aren't allowed by law to practice medicine without first passing our board exams and I'm not sure how many other fields have that requirement.

 

[Steve_Zissou]

View attachment 303284
This was just posted on the physical therapy website. I'm assuming if physical therapy students are considered "essential", medical students will be as well.

Why is there nothing like this for us? I hate that there’s no single good source for medical updates.

 

[Deecee2DO]

You would definitely think so. Also we aren't allowed by law to practice medicine without first passing our board exams and I'm not sure how many other fields have that requirement.

Exactly. A PT practicing without passing a board exam isn't really THAT dangerous. A medical student/physician/resident practicing without passing boards is extremely dangerous lol

 

[EMDoc22]

Exactly. A PT practicing without passing a board exam isn't really THAT dangerous. A medical student/physician/resident practicing without passing boards is extremely dangerous lol

Yep. And I would think that of the step exams they'd prioritize step 1 and 2 since you have to complete both of those to graduate and be eligible for step 3. You can take step 2 without taking step 1 but you can't take step 3 without taking both parts of step 2 so in my opinion they'd want to prioritize 1 and 2. But who really knows, it'd definitely be nice to get more concrete info about all this craziness.

 

[Deecee2DO]

COMSAE update-Guys this test was insane lol. Nothing like the real thing according to many 3rd and 4th years I have talked to at my school and on the reddit forums. Two of my third year buddies scored 150-170 points higher on real deal. Anyways, the test was littered with questions like "who do you call if you suspect substance abuse in your anesthesiologist? A. CDC B. state licensing board C. Federal licensing board D. AT still. I ended up doing better than I thought maybe because I guessed well but regardless it is literally nothing like UWorld or any question bank you have ever done. First question I got on section 1 was like 130 year old female presents with malaise and fever. Whats the diagnosis? A. L4 E SrRr B. AT still C. melanoma D. MCcune Albright

 

[Steve_Zissou]

COMSAE update-Guys this test was insane lol. Nothing like the real thing according to many 3rd and 4th years I have talked to at my school and on the reddit forums. Two of my third year buddies scored 150-170 points higher on real deal. Anyways, the test was littered with questions like "who do you call if you suspect substance abuse in your anesthesiologist? A. CDC B. state licensing board C. Federal licensing board D. AT still. I ended up doing better than I thought maybe because I guessed well but regardless it is literally nothing like UWorld or any question bank you have ever done. First question I got on section 1 was like 130 year old female presents with malaise and fever. Whats the diagnosis? A. L4 E SrRr B. AT still C. melanoma D. MCcune Albright

Was it A.T. Still for both?

 

[Deecee2DO]

Was it A.T. Still for both?

Dude how'd you know

 

[Hippocrates II]

Did you do another qbank before uworld? I started with Kaplan and it took me 3-4 blocks of uworld to get used to the wording and start improving.

Yeah I did maybe a 1/4 each of kaplan and rx each. Not a lot, but the questions I did were so much easier than uworld. I've only done ~150 questions in uworld so maybe I just need to adjust.

 

[fldoctorgirl]

COMSAE update-Guys this test was insane lol. Nothing like the real thing according to many 3rd and 4th years I have talked to at my school and on the reddit forums. Two of my third year buddies scored 150-170 points higher on real deal. Anyways, the test was littered with questions like "who do you call if you suspect substance abuse in your anesthesiologist? A. CDC B. state licensing board C. Federal licensing board D. AT still. I ended up doing better than I thought maybe because I guessed well but regardless it is literally nothing like UWorld or any question bank you have ever done. First question I got on section 1 was like 130 year old female presents with malaise and fever. Whats the diagnosis? A. L4 E SrRr B. AT still C. melanoma D. MCcune Albright

I can't stop laughing this is how it feels taking my school OMM exams lol

 

[Steve_Zissou]

I can't stop laughing this is how it feels taking my school OMM exams lol

Literally had an exam question asking "what state was A.T. Still born in?"

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Literally had an exam question asking "what state was A.T. Still born in?"

"What year did AT Still fling the banner of osteopathy to the breeze?"