Okay MCAT to Stellar USMLE1 possible?

[YankeesfanZF5]

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Hello SDN,

I was wondering about how much the USMLE differs from the MCAT? I have read studies that they correlate (high mcat might equal high usmle) My concern is that I am interested in surgery and the many surgical pathways an M.D. can go. I know they are usually highly sought after specialties with high USMLEs. So, is it possible to get a high USMLE (245+) after only receiving a 507 MCAT (126,126,127,128)? How would you reccomend going about it? Motivational stories where you crushed the USMLE are more than welcome! Thanks in advance!

 

[Quantal Reasoning]

Dunno man, did you grow as a person since taking your MCAT? New study techniques? Better resource utilization?

Sure, you can do better.

 

[YankeesfanZF5]

Dunno man, did you grow as a person since taking your MCAT? New study techniques? Better resource utilization?

Sure, you can do better.

Actually I did. I realized the way to go was practice problems and tests for me. There appears to be a plentiful amount of USMLE resources (sketchymed, pathoma, Uworld) that would be more beneficial than the kaplan books I read for a majority of my MCAT prep. Any study techniques you recommend and was there any major differences for you when studying between the two? Thanks!

 

[Oh_Gee]

Hello SDN,

I was wondering about how much the USMLE differs from the MCAT? I have read studies that they correlate (high mcat might equal high usmle) My concern is that I am interested in surgery and the many surgical pathways an M.D. can go. I know they are usually highly sought after specialties with high USMLEs. So, is it possible to get a high USMLE (245+) after only receiving a 507 MCAT (126,126,127,128)? How would you reccomend going about it? Motivational stories where you crushed the USMLE are more than welcome! Thanks in advance!

Low MCAT, high Step 1 stories

Hi, wondering if anyone on this board was in the position where they got a low MCAT score, but a high Step 1 score - if so, mind sharing some specific, actionable tips as to how you approached the pre-clinical years / studying for Step 1, with your undergrad as a point of comparison? Much...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[jhenj529]

Scored similar to you on the MCAT. Haven't taken s1 yet, but I will say that the resources out there are MUCH better, in terms of learning content. S1 is more of content test focused on detail, with some critical thinking. MCAT is the other way around. I think you're at a big advantage with the MCAT if you've had experience with analyzing experimental data, which is what 50% of the test is. Also the MCAT probably favors those that can directly learn from a book too, not a lot of good video resources out there. An unpopular opinion is that I don't think Khan Academy is as organized as BnB. Nevertheless, our scores are good enough to indicate we're competent in critical thinking that medical school and board exams require. If you told me you got a 496 on it, then that's a different story

 

[rball]

It is entirely possible to do well on the exam, and even demolish it.

From day 1 of med school focus on understanding in detail every word presented in first aid/pathoma (sketchy for micro/pharm if you like memory palaces) and the relevant school material. Key is understand first, then commit to memory. Follow along with classes, dont just go rogue and focus on those review sources only because they wont give you a good foundation and the info wont be as salient as if you are keeping up with class too and making connections to class material.

Use a spaced reptition approach from day 1 (if you like flashcards id recommend zanki-youtube “anking” channel has great tips on how to use it) to ensure the material you learn stays in your brain forever and that you are slowly and steadily building a strong knowledge base. By your block exam, you should have mastered every word in first aid corresponding to that block, mastered the key concepts from your course content, and have a spaced repetition strategy in place such that you can continually review that material throughout the year.
Continue in 2nd year and do bunch of question banks alongside that (e.g. usmlerx and kaplan, around 5,000+ questions) prior to nearing dedicated, and then do uworld and master it before and during dedicated. Make sure you give yourself couple months to get through uworld and focus on understanding every word of it cold. Make own anki cards from incorrects to ensure you will never forget.

This is a recipe for success that will essentially guarantee you the score you’re looking for. STEP is a more content than innate ability based test vs mcat (though both are important), and if you make it a priority from day 1 to do well and use a plan similar to the one above you will do well. I have some experience tutoring med students and this is the approach I recommend, particularly for students who didnt do as well on mcat. If you have a strong history of test taking, the above strategy may be overkill.

 

[GadRads]

I know quite a number of people with sub-30 MCATS who scored 245+.

Low MCAT, high Step 1 stories

Hi, wondering if anyone on this board was in the position where they got a low MCAT score, but a high Step 1 score - if so, mind sharing some specific, actionable tips as to how you approached the pre-clinical years / studying for Step 1, with your undergrad as a point of comparison? Much...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[InternistDO]

I did substantially better on Step than on the MCAT. The reason they correlate is because some people are good at taking tests, which means they're going to score decently on both.

If it helps, Step material is both far more interesting than MCAT stuff, and the board prep material is also much better.

 

[YankeesfanZF5]

It is entirely possible to do well on the exam, and even demolish it.

From day 1 of med school focus on understanding in detail every word presented in first aid/pathoma (sketchy for micro/pharm if you like memory palaces) and the relevant school material. Key is understand first, then commit to memory. Follow along with classes, dont just go rogue and focus on those review sources only because they wont give you a good foundation and the info wont be as salient as if you are keeping up with class too and making connections to class material.

Use a spaced reptition approach from day 1 (if you like flashcards id recommend zanki-youtube “anking” channel has great tips on how to use it) to ensure the material you learn stays in your brain forever and that you are slowly and steadily building a strong knowledge base. By your block exam, you should have mastered every word in first aid corresponding to that block, mastered the key concepts from your course content, and have a spaced repetition strategy in place such that you can continually review that material throughout the year.
Continue in 2nd year and do bunch of question banks alongside that (e.g. usmlerx and kaplan, around 5,000+ questions) prior to nearing dedicated, and then do uworld and master it before and during dedicated. Make sure you give yourself couple months to get through uworld and focus on understanding every word of it cold. Make own anki cards from incorrects to ensure you will never forget.

This is a recipe for success that will essentially guarantee you the score you’re looking for. STEP is a more content than innate ability based test vs mcat (though both are important), and if you make it a priority from day 1 to do well and use a plan similar to the one above you will do well. I have some experience tutoring med students and this is the approach I recommend, particularly for students who didnt do as well on mcat. If you have a strong history of test taking, the above strategy may be overkill.

Thank you very much! I will apply this information to school because I want that great score! I had to study hard for the MCAT because most of my prerequisites were 3 years ago. You guys have given me hope the step1 is a different beast and I'm ready to fight it!

 

[YankeesfanZF5]

I did substantially better on Step than on the MCAT. The reason they correlate is because some people are good at taking tests, which means they're going to score decently on both.

If it helps, Step material is both far more interesting than MCAT stuff, and the board prep material is also much better.

I bet the material is significantly more interesting and that will help a bunch! By the way, I'm guessing you are going into EM? I have an interest in that as well. What is a good step1 score standard for EM? Thanks

 

[YankeesfanZF5]

I know quite a number of people with sub-30 MCATS who scored 245+.

Low MCAT, high Step 1 stories

Hi, wondering if anyone on this board was in the position where they got a low MCAT score, but a high Step 1 score - if so, mind sharing some specific, actionable tips as to how you approached the pre-clinical years / studying for Step 1, with your undergrad as a point of comparison? Much...

forums.studentdoctor.net

Good to know that it is possible! Is 245 a good baseline to shoot for? Or too low still? Thanks

 

[InternistDO]

I bet the material is significantly more interesting and that will help a bunch! By the way, I'm guessing you are going into EM? I have an interest in that as well. What is a good step1 score standard for EM? Thanks

The average Step 1 for EM is like 234 I think--nothing crazy. More important than your step is getting good letters of recommendation, called SLOES, which you'll get doing away rotations at EM programs at the end of your 3rd year/beginning of your 4th year. But obviously a good Step 1 score never hurts.

 

[cardsguy2017]

I did. Got 250 and 260 and step 1/2, 29 on old mcat. I was not good at standardized tests like mcat and sat, and felt you could't really study for it. Whereas USMLE I studied my butt off. I knew a few other people who had avg. mcat and good usmle, it's a different type of test.

 

[Goro]

Hello SDN,

I was wondering about how much the USMLE differs from the MCAT? I have read studies that they correlate (high mcat might equal high usmle) My concern is that I am interested in surgery and the many surgical pathways an M.D. can go. I know they are usually highly sought after specialties with high USMLEs. So, is it possible to get a high USMLE (245+) after only receiving a 507 MCAT (126,126,127,128)? How would you reccomend going about it? Motivational stories where you crushed the USMLE are more than welcome! Thanks in advance!

The MCAT is, at best a weak predictor of boards performance.

 

[survivingDO]

Got a 23 on the MCAT, and 247/258 on step 1/2. Physics and o chem were my downfall, tried hard to study out of workbooks for the McAT due to lack of money to spend on study materials. Found a good resource for step and made sure to study my ass off, plus the material was way better for step for me, more interesting

 

[Dr.Bruh]

I go to a DO school with a 505 mcat average and our step score average is just a few points below national average with 3/4 students taking it. I know a ton of people with 230-240+ in the class above me. Statistically most of them had a lower mcat than you. Also matched 25+ ACGME EM this year.

 

[Deecee2DO]

Hello SDN,

I was wondering about how much the USMLE differs from the MCAT? I have read studies that they correlate (high mcat might equal high usmle) My concern is that I am interested in surgery and the many surgical pathways an M.D. can go. I know they are usually highly sought after specialties with high USMLEs. So, is it possible to get a high USMLE (245+) after only receiving a 507 MCAT (126,126,127,128)? How would you reccomend going about it? Motivational stories where you crushed the USMLE are more than welcome! Thanks in advance!

Screw the MCAT what really matters is how well you did in preclinical coursework that is the better predictor not the MCAT. Regardless a 507 isnt even a bad score

 

[Deecee2DO]

Got a 23 on the MCAT, and 247/258 on step 1/2. Physics and o chem were my downfall, tried hard to study out of workbooks for the McAT due to lack of money to spend on study materials. Found a good resource for step and made sure to study my ass off, plus the material was way better for step for me, more interesting

This is impressive. Thats what i like to hear! I can relate to the poor mcat. I just hated the mcat material it was pointless and bored me to tears. I cant compare my step score yet because I havent taken it but i can surely say that my mcat doesnt even close to compare to my performance in med school-probably one of the worst mcats in my class and im top quartile gradewise

 

[deleted645092]

28 MCAT to 249 Step 1. You have to have a good balance between studying for classes and board prep. Even if your school doesn’t do a great job teaching board-relevant material there is still a consistently good correlation between class grades and board scores.

 

[libertyyne]

yes it is possible. a poor performance on the mcat does not seal your destiny. Even if you did average on step it does not necessarily close all surgical doors for a US MD.

Work hard.
Make connections.
And publish stuff in your interested field.

 

[silkysmooth]

27 mcat, 263 step 1

Bust your ass and you will do well

 

[ArdorAyurveda]

of course it's possible, this is a silly question

 

[Quantal Reasoning]

Actually I did. I realized the way to go was practice problems and tests for me. There appears to be a plentiful amount of USMLE resources (sketchymed, pathoma, Uworld) that would be more beneficial than the kaplan books I read for a majority of my MCAT prep. Any study techniques you recommend and was there any major differences for you when studying between the two? Thanks!

Well there you go!

 

[afib123]

yes. Hard work and more hard work

 

[VincentAdultman]

Your MCAT score determines your worth as a human for the rest of your days.

Tough break.

 

[Daria Morgendorffer]

.

 

[YankeesfanZF5]

Your MCAT score determines your worth as a human for the rest of your days.

Tough break.

This is the truth I needed

 

[swivelj]

30 mcat / 261 step 1

Also, got pretty close to where I should have based on reddit models, and was peaking at the perfect time when I took step. So not too crazy of an outlier.

These are two completely different exams imo.

I think the MCAT might help identify the absolute ceiling for step, but there is a ton of ground you can make up with consistent hard work on step, and is probably
more important.

I could have studied for years and don’t think I would have broken a 35 on the mcat with any consistency.

 

[westsidestoryz]

50th percentile (25) on my first MCAT to 260 Step and straight honors on clerkships

what habits did you obtain or change?

 

[YankeesfanZF5]

what habits did you obtain or change?

I would like to know as well.