Please calm my test day jitters by answering a few questions

[han14tra]

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1) How do breaks work? Are you required to take an hour for lunch?
2) What does the test look like? UWorld or NBME? Because on UWorld you cross out with the left-button and on the NBME you cross out with the right button.
3) Do they give you a piece of scratch paper?

 

[jopo]

1) How do breaks work? Are you required to take an hour for lunch?
2) What does the test look like? UWorld or NBME? Because on UWorld you cross out with the left-button and on the NBME you cross out with the right button.
3) Do they give you a piece of scratch paper?

1) at the end of each block it asks you if you want to take a break or continue. You have a total of 45 min plus any extra time from skipping the tutorial and finishing blocks early that can be used in any permutation you would like.

2)Highlight answer choices to cross out answers, Highlight to highlight in question stem.

3)Yes, a two dry erase boards that suck.

 

[jopo]

Also, looks just like UW.

 

[han14tra]

What does the test say when you reach the end of a block? Because when I did the NBME, I clicked "End" instead of "Pause" and it started me on the next section. And, I wanted a break

Also, do I understand correctly that there is no formal lunch break? So, I guess I'm packing a lunch rather than going out to eat for an hour? That's 45 min total, right?

 

[Fillabuster]

What does the test say when you reach the end of a block? Because when I did the NBME, I clicked "End" instead of "Pause" and it started me on the next section. And, I wanted a break

Also, do I understand correctly that there is no formal lunch break? So, I guess I'm packing a lunch rather than going out to eat for an hour? That's 45 min total, right?

lol...You're over thinking it. Its all very user friendly...you won't have a problem! GL!

 

[smq123]

What does the test say when you reach the end of a block? Because when I did the NBME, I clicked "End" instead of "Pause" and it started me on the next section. And, I wanted a break

Also, do I understand correctly that there is no formal lunch break? So, I guess I'm packing a lunch rather than going out to eat for an hour? That's 45 min total, right?

* The format of the practice NBME is NOTHING like the actual Step 1 format. Like jopo said, Step 1's format looks almost identical to USMLE World.

When you take Step 1 for real, picking a break is very easy, and almost impossible to screw up.

* No, there is no formal lunch break. You decide which sections you want to eat lunch in between.

I personally chose to pack a lunch. Why waste time and energy going outside of the building to find a lunch? However, some of my classmates did want to take a half hour to run outside and get some sunshine. Different preferences.

 

[DrYoda]

What does the test say when you reach the end of a block? Because when I did the NBME, I clicked "End" instead of "Pause" and it started me on the next section. And, I wanted a break

When you click end on the real test a screen pops up where you select break or to continue to the next block.

Also, do I understand correctly that there is no formal lunch break? So, I guess I'm packing a lunch rather than going out to eat for an hour? That's 45 min total, right?

45min plus the leftover time from blocks and the tutorial get added to break time.

 

[han14tra]

Thanks so much for the responses!! Is there anyway to view the tutorial online so that I can skip it during the test?

<--the type of person who likes a lot of information (in case you can't tell..LOL)

 

[KeyzerSoze]

Thanks so much for the responses!! Is there anyway to view the tutorial online so that I can skip it during the test?

<--the type of person who likes a lot of information (in case you can't tell..LOL)

I'm pretty sure the tutorial is the same as the one from the NBME exams. Either way, you can just skip through it. As long as you know how to use a mouse, you shouldn't really need the instructions.

 

[step1saga]

What if you run out of time and didn't click end section, does it still submit your block?

What if I click on take a break , but two minutes later decide to continue, I can just start as soon as I want to? I just dont want it to start the next section automatically if I really have to take a break, so Im thinking of hitting the "take a break" button regardless?

To the OP , Goodluck!

 

[SirGecko]

What if you run out of time and didn't click end section, does it still submit your block?

What if I click on take a break , but two minutes later decide to continue, I can just start as soon as I want to? I just dont want it to start the next section automatically if I really have to take a break, so Im thinking of hitting the "take a break" button regardless?

To the OP , Goodluck!

Yes, it submits it for you so make sure you have an answer down.

You can start whenever you want. You just need to enter your number and begin. Break time is very flexible.

 

[Malpractice]

how do you check your headphones? some ppl posted about doing that during the tutorial?


also, for the heart murmurs is there a sample of how to move the stethoscope around or is that also user-friendly and simple to figure out?

lastly how do you get a 275?

 

[dozitgetchahi]

The tutorial will show you exactly how to test the headphones. There is also a tutorial sample question on how to do the heart sounds qs.

There is one major difference between the UW interface and FRED: a "lock" button at the bottom of the screen that you can click to pause the clock if you're experiencing an "emergency". (You're not supposed to click this unless you're truly having an emergency because it implies you're leaving the testing room during a block, which can be considered a "testing irregularity".)

Also, if you run out of total break time and go over into remaining block time, a message stating "this block has reduced time" will be shown before the block starts and a yellow exclamation point icon will appear next to the clock.

As for the 275 - just get 90%+ of the qs right. lol

 

[hurdlepup]

What if you run out of time and didn't click end section, does it still submit your block?

What if I click on take a break , but two minutes later decide to continue, I can just start as soon as I want to? I just dont want it to start the next section automatically if I really have to take a break, so Im thinking of hitting the "take a break" button regardless?

To the OP , Goodluck!

the default mode it enters after you submit a block is for you to take a break. So, you actually have to tell it to go to the next block, and it will not do so automatically.

if you do nothing, it will enter break mode.

 

[LordATPSynthase]

http://www.usmle.org/Orientation/2011/menu.html

download the one for Step 1 and run it. do the tutorial

 

[jkuk]

http://www.usmle.org/Orientation/2011/menu.html

download the one for Step 1 and run it. do the tutorial

any1 know how to run it on a Mac?

 

[SirGecko]

any1 know how to run it on a Mac?

You have to run it in windows.

 

[han14tra]

The tutorial will show you exactly how to test the headphones. There is also a tutorial sample question on how to do the heart sounds qs.

There is one major difference between the UW interface and FRED: a "lock" button at the bottom of the screen that you can click to pause the clock if you're experiencing an "emergency". (You're not supposed to click this unless you're truly having an emergency because it implies you're leaving the testing room during a block, which can be considered a "testing irregularity".)

Also, if you run out of total break time and go over into remaining block time, a message stating "this block has reduced time" will be shown before the block starts and a yellow exclamation point icon will appear next to the clock.

As for the 275 - just get 90%+ of the qs right. lol

So basically what you're saying is that this test comes with a "I'm going to throw up/pass out/have an anxiety attack/call an ambulance" button? Do they at least stop the clock for that or does it use up your break time?

 

[LordATPSynthase]

So basically what you're saying is that this test comes with a "I'm going to throw up/pass out/have an anxiety attack/call an ambulance" button? Do they at least stop the clock for that or does it use up your break time?

I believe you lose time from the current block before it starts taking off for other sections/break time. Not sure (haven't taken it but did quickly run through the tutorial)

 

[dozitgetchahi]

I believe you lose time from the current block before it starts taking off for other sections/break time. Not sure (haven't taken it but did quickly run through the tutorial)

If I remember correctly, the clock stopping was somehow at the discretion of the testing staff and/or NBME (?). If either felt an actual "emergency" had occurred, you would be given all the time back (or something along those lines). If not, you wouldn't. It was pretty vague, but either way if you hit the button I believe it's noted in your score report and could be considered a testing irregularity.

Needless to say, I wasn't going to hit "lock" even if I felt like I was about to hurl. (But if I felt myself go into v-fib...maybe.)

 

[han14tra]

Do you ever really feel prepared for Step 1? Or, did you go into it wishing you had more time to study? I'm doing ok on my practice tests (230 was the last one), and my score doesn't need to be stunning (I'm going into family med). Still, I find myself pondering whether or not to delay Step 1 by a few days.

 

[SeekerOfTheTree]

Do you ever really feel prepared for Step 1? Or, did you go into it wishing you had more time to study? I'm doing ok on my practice tests (230 was the last one), and my score doesn't need to be stunning (I'm going into family med). Still, I find myself pondering whether or not to delay Step 1 by a few days.

Just go take it and get it over with. It will be the best thing you ever do once it is over. It is not as bad as you think. Trust me. I'm just an average student saying this.

 

[DrYoda]

Do you ever really feel prepared for Step 1? Or, did you go into it wishing you had more time to study? I'm doing ok on my practice tests (230 was the last one), and my score doesn't need to be stunning (I'm going into family med). Still, I find myself pondering whether or not to delay Step 1 by a few days.

There's so much stuff to know that you're never going to feel 100% ready. You've just got to figure at one point you're prepared as you're going to be, given the time constraints, and take it.

 

[han14tra]

It's over!! I was doing ok, but around block 5 I started feeling really crappy. Racing heart, nausea, dry mouth, the works. I think it was just from sheer exhaustion and prolonged stress. I actually had to use carotid massage because I felt like I was going to pass out my heart was pounding so hard. This only happens during exams or when I'm extremely tired!!

Next time I take a test, I'm also taking a beta blocker 🙄

 

[xlr8]

lastly how do you get a 275?

type in idkfa and iddqd during the 3rd block

 

[Dallas]

type in idkfa and iddqd during the 3rd block

Or if you need a break just type in noclip

 

[defcon8]

lastly how do you get a 275?

type in idkfa and iddqd during the 3rd block

Or if you need a break just type in noclip

DWL.. good old days