Out of time and don't feel ready for Step 1. Have I screwed up?

[genteel-mug-sting]

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Hello all. I'm a DO student and have recently taken COMLEX Level 1 as of last week. I am scheduled to take USMLE Step 1 on July 14 as well, but I have a problem - I really don't think I'm ready yet. The problem is, I can't push it back any more, as I'm supposed to start clinical rotations on the 21st.

I really don't feel ready for it because I haven't been getting consistent 60% or better scores in UWorld. I also haven't done super well on the NBME practice tests; I've taken two so far and the results were a 92% and a 72% chance of passing, with both score percentages in the barely-passing range.
On top of this, I feel burnt-out and in a mental fog. I've been resting quite a bit since COMLEX and took some time off for family stuff, but it doesn't seem to have done any good. I don't feel more able to get back into things, and I'm not getting the scores I want to see. I don't feel ready for Step 1.

I'm running out of time. I feel like I'm set up to fail this exam at this point. I don't know what to do. Have I screwed up too badly?

 

[Futureleader2024]

Do not take it! You dont need it to take step 2. It's better not to take it than to take it and fail. I don't know what you want to do. It for your residency but The surgery program directors just signed on to comlex parity.

 

[genteel-mug-sting]

Do not take it! You dont need it to take step 2. It's better not to take it than to take it and fail. I don't know what you want to do. It for your residency but The surgery program directors just signed on to comlex parity.

I appreciate your input. I posted this 2 weeks ago when I was panicking. A couple of days afterward I decided that I would push USMLE back a week and do some more "bootcamping" in the form of 200 board questions a day. I took Step 1 yesterday, so here's to passing.

For my information, however, what exactly was just signed? Because I was told some residencies won't accept COMLEX and it might be a good idea to take both just to be safe. I'm looking at several specialties; I'd say neurology is at the top of the list.

 

[Ho0v-man]

Don’t take it

 

[pigsinacloth]

I appreciate your input. I posted this 2 weeks ago when I was panicking. A couple of days afterward I decided that I would push USMLE back a week and do some more "bootcamping" in the form of 200 board questions a day. I took Step 1 yesterday, so here's to passing.

For my information, however, what exactly was just signed? Because I was told some residencies won't accept COMLEX and it might be a good idea to take both just to be safe. I'm looking at several specialties; I'd say neurology is at the top of the list.

What do you mean just signed?

Are you asking us what this means for you depending on the result?

If you pass, great nothing more to do. Study well over the next 10 months to crush step 2 and level 2.

If you fail, you need to decide if you want to just not submit your step scores or if you want to take step 2 and submit a failed step 1 and a step 2 score. If you choose the second option, you also need to probs take step 1 again and pass to show that you can.

 

[genteel-mug-sting]

The surgery program directors just signed on to comlex parity.

This is what I'm referring to.

 

[pigsinacloth]

This is what I'm referring to.

So I don't know exactly what that document they signed is because I can't find it online, but it suggests that they are saying they will view COMLEX and USMLE as equal.

Don't hold your breath on that. Everyone knows the exams are not equal and that USMLE is king and always will be. In pediatrics they have the same agreement, but there is legit no way to enforce this. Anyone that thinks they will ever be seen as equal needs to have a neuro and psych eval.

 

[Futureleader2024]

A study was published recently that showed that comlex correlates better with success on surgery in service exams during residency than USMLE. So the surgery program directors professional org - whatever it is called- signed a document recognizing comlex parity with usmle. Does that mean all program directors will look at them The same- no. But it's a nice step in the right direction.

 

[pigsinacloth]

A study was published recently that showed that comlex correlates better with success on surgery in service exams during residency than USMLE. So the surgery program directors professional org - whatever it is called- signed a document recognizing comlex parity with usmle. Does that mean all program directors will look at them The same- no. But it's a nice step in the right direction.

Can you share this study as well as this signed document.