Surgery Shelf NBME results
Raw Score:90
Percentile 99%
Resources Used:
UWORLD-Surgery, Pulm,GI,Renal X1.5
NBMEs- Three exams. Averaging between 22-25.
PestanaX3
DeVirgilioX2 (Once throughout rotation, once the week before shelf).
OnlineMedEdX1
Comments:
I am a pretty average Student, PC most of my rotations, got in the 230s for STEP. I also did NOT have internal medicine before this. This score was such a surprise to me, I almost feel like I lucked out with a perfect set of questions or something.
Some tips:
DeVirgilio is so Gold. You will see it online that it is the new standard and it is 100% true. Best book I have ever read in medicine hands down. It takes you through cases in a logical, engaging manner and has high yield Diagnostic and Management flowcharts which made the " next best step" questions a breeze.
UWORLD, online med ed and Pestana are standard resources you need to get the lay of the land for surgery. They are essential for gaining a basic understanding and you should memorize them as best as you can. However it will NOT get you a good grade on the shelf. This shelf is medicine heavy and those three resources do not cover in depth medical management involved in Surgery.
NBMES- Do all 4. I only did 3 because I slacked off and did them all two days before. I would HIGHLY recommend them. So many repeat concepts its ridiculous. Do them the week or two leading to the shelf and try to do one the night before to get yourself in test mode. Try to study missed questions as well.
Overall, NBMEs and Devirgilio is what will push you to the 90th+percentile so study them well. There is very little time in surgery and you will have 0 desire to study. However, if you just push yourself every day to do some studying and go HAM on the weekends, you will be well above the curve.