USMLE Official 2020 Step 1 Experiences and Scores Thread

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
did anyone see the reddit post where someones score report got changed 3 days later and they got a score 10 points less than the original score?
 
did anyone see the reddit post where someones score report got changed 3 days later and they got a score 10 points less than the original score?
So the only 2 people who posted about it both tested in India. So I wouldn't worry about it too much, maybe an issue with that site or something.
 
So would you recommend doing more blocks of UWorld in a day, or adding in questions from another qbank? Or maybe just do some more NBMEs instead? Orrrr, I could do more blocks of UWorld a day so that I finish earlier and then do my incorrects?
I would just finish UWorld at your current pace (imo 80 questions per day is perfect with a 5-10 mins rest between just like test day and then if you can try and hit 120 per day a week or two before your exam date to get used to stamina) and then if you finish UW early then start Kaplan or Amboss questions. Based on the literature I have read from pubmed and other sources unique/new questions beats all (even better than UW incorrects unless you are able to do incorrects on top of new questions). But like @GoCards05 's said the exam is most like UWorld so optimally you would want to do new UWorld questions right up to week before test day-which is why saving UWorld until dedicated is so crucial. I think you have it figured out though youre killing it.
 
When is everyone else testing? Feel like I'm the only one testing in July
Im July 16th! got pushed back from late june. Honestly greatful for it. COVID has really messed with my ability to study ,and I lost a month of studying during my schools heme onc skin course because there was just too much going on. Now I'm 4 weeks out and I feel like I was able to save my dedicated time.

Starting to get a little antsy about comlex in two weeks though....
 
So in reviewing NBME 24, most of my mistakes are honestly just so dumb and frustrating. But, I feel like I'm not really lacking any content knowledge at this point. I finished my first pass (technically second since I did it throughout the year) of Pathoma on Thursday, and I was gonna do a 2nd. Thinking it may be a waste of time? It's just kind of annoying cause content issues are easy to fix, stupid mistakes I don't know what to do about lol

This is really specific, so I don’t know if it’s going to help anybody but me, but I’m setting a minimum time limit for each block. As in, I’m not allowing myself to move to the next block until a certain amount of time has passed. So, that will force me to spend extra time going over every question, and even doing a third pass maybe. Hopefully that will help me avoid making stupid/careless mistakes if I have to fully process every single question more times than I would otherwise be willing to look them over.

I’m trialing that idea starting today with uworld to see how it goes.


When is everyone else testing? Feel like I'm the only one testing in July

June 23rd for step 1 and June 26th for level 1. :dead:
 
About to take NBME 18, absolutely prepared to get wrecked by the curve and widen my CI even further on the predictor lol

I took mine off the predictor because there's no way an 80% correct is significantly under 230 on the real thing. I just don't buy that at all and it was bugging me that it was bringing my CI down so much. I would do it for the questions but don't put much stock in your 3 digit score and look at your percent correct instead.
 
This is really specific, so I don’t know if it’s going to help anybody but me, but I’m setting a minimum time limit for each block. As in, I’m not allowing myself to move to the next block until a certain amount of time has passed. So, that will force me to spend extra time going over every question, and even doing a third pass maybe. Hopefully that will help me avoid making stupid/careless mistakes if I have to fully process every single question more times than I would otherwise be willing to look them over.

I’m trialing that idea starting today with uworld to see how it goes.




June 23rd for step 1 and June 26th for level 1. :dead:
Let me know how it goes! The only problem that I could see having with this is that I tend to second guess and overthink a lot if I give myself the opportunity. I am trying to take it slower throughout 18 right now though, because I always finish with a lot of time left. I'm thinking for me it might be better to just go through the questions slowly and even re-read the prompt to make sure I didn't miss anything rather than come back at the end. I find that coming back at the end typically causes issues for me.
 
It is WILD how well anki works.

I've been working on maturing the neuroscience deck in Zanki (BARF) and I never thought I would be able to get it. 2 weeks later and I fly through those cards with barely any issue. Already seeing a increase in how fast I can do the biochem cards too. Scared to start those uworld biochem and neuro questions but also chomping at the bit to get back on the field. Kaplan Qs are fine but they just are not stimulating enough.
 
Signing off until tomorrow, will report back after. Thanks to all you guys for the support! See the rest of you on the other side!


Screen Shot 2020-06-06 at 12.51.06 PM.png
 
Let me know how it goes! The only problem that I could see having with this is that I tend to second guess and overthink a lot if I give myself the opportunity. I am trying to take it slower throughout 18 right now though, because I always finish with a lot of time left. I'm thinking for me it might be better to just go through the questions slowly and even re-read the prompt to make sure I didn't miss anything rather than come back at the end. I find that coming back at the end typically causes issues for me.

The UWorld gods heard my plans and laughed. I got a bunch of questions that were straight up definition questions of things I’ve never heard of before (1562, I’m looking at you!), where no amount of critical thinking would have helped me, so it was a 65% block. :laugh: I’m hopeful for the next block though!

Signing off until tomorrow, will report back after. Thanks to all you guys for the support! See the rest of you on the other side!

May the Force be with you! You’re going to kill it.
 
anyone else get questions wrong because they studied the abbreviation for something but the answer spelled it out? I'm looking at you PPAR-y
 
anyone else get questions wrong because they studied the abbreviation for something but the answer spelled it out? I'm looking at you PPAR-y
GPI = Glucosylphosphatidylinositol (the one missing in PNH)
RANKL = Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand

have gotten those 2 wrong at some point
 
So I did a dive through last weeks NBME 21 today. Turns out I do not know how to read lol. I counted 10-15 questions I got wrong because I missed a word or did not think. Almost all of my WTF questions on the exam were because I was not able to make a connection to my knowledge base a a specific word in the question stem. I think I am going to start following a step-wise rigid formula for how I answer questions and not deviate from it at all and see if that causes an improvement in my scores.
 
So I did a dive through last weeks NBME 21 today. Turns out I do not know how to read lol. I counted 10-15 questions I got wrong because I missed a word or did not think. Almost all of my WTF questions on the exam were because I was not able to make a connection to my knowledge base a a specific word in the question stem. I think I am going to start following a step-wise rigid formula for how I answer questions and not deviate from it at all and see if that causes an improvement in my scores.
Sounds like a solid tactic.
 
hey guys. now that im chillin lets get to it. def know ur biochem (glycogen storage diseases for sure), GI, renal phys and for some weird reason msk phys lol. ethics imo u dont have to study for its all too obvious (as opposed to the nbmes) but def know ur stats. micro was a joke literally u dont have to know anything super detailed. pharm def know ur cyp450 inducers/inhibitors cuz 100% that will be asked in some shape or form.
 
Half way through COMLEX, this feels way worse than Step. Also, think I may have had a panic attack during the first block, which I’ve never had before and did not see coming.

Its just the volume. And remember, if you have a Step your score isn't a big deal.

Are you allowed to use your phone during prometric breaks btw? I had no idea!
 
You are, and that’s what I’m counting on. That felt like **** tbh, but everyone else says they feel that way too.

Is this a 'by center' thing? Jesus. I just sat there during my Step 1 break staring at a wall and stretching my legs. Granted if I had my phone I prob would have gotten distracted, but wow... I feel dumb.
 
I have, I didn't take it but people said it had all this obscure crap and was very anatomy heavy if I recall correctly.
Well thats at least good to hear lol I think the only NBME i am touching after today is 18. Im so over their obscure bs vague questions that literally aren't in any board review source. Honestly though NBME 24 didn't feel bad and felt actually pretty fair but the other new ones were horrible
 
Well thats at least good to hear lol I think the only NBME i am touching after today is 18. Im so over their obscure bs vague questions that literally aren't in any board review source. Honestly though NBME 24 didn't feel bad and felt actually pretty fair but the other new ones were horrible


24 by far has the least obscure crap on it. I personally think it’s the best of the new ones and most similar to the real deal. Use the other ones for practice but don’t dwell too heavily on them.
 
When yall are using the score predictor, do you not get an average score if you don't put in old NBMEs? I haven't done any of the old ones and it doesn't give me any data for 2017. My average just says DIV/0. It gives me an average for 2016, 2018, 2019 but nothing for 2017. So do I just manually average those 3 average score predictions that it gaves me from 2016, 2018, 2019?
 
When yall are using the score predictor, do you not get an average score if you don't put in old NBMEs? I haven't done any of the old ones and it doesn't give me any data for 2017. My average just says DIV/0. It gives me an average for 2016, 2018, 2019 but nothing for 2017. So do I just manually average those 3 average score predictions that it gaves me from 2016, 2018, 2019?
I still get an average. Removed NBME 18, my only old one (also removed the dates for anonymity)
1592273786806.png
 
Top