Please reassure me

[han14tra]

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I took Step 1 yesterday. When I started block 5, I began feeling really nauseous (probably from exhaustion + stress). For blocks 5, 6, and 7 I felt like I was going to throw up/pass out but I forced myself through it, and I think it only impaired my focus slightly. The feeling kept coming in spells. But, I can't get this "OMG, what if I failed?" thought out of my mind.

Here's my scores:

NBME 7: 530 (228)
Free 150: 80% correct (predicted 229 from medfriends). I took this at midnight when I was extremely tired to try to estimate how I function when I don't feel well.
UWorld Average: 60% (predicted 223 from http://www.clinicalreview.com)

Reassurance? Did this ever happen to anyone else?

Also, if anyone has any questions about step 1 (not individual questions), ask while it's still fresh.

 

[fuzzywuz]

Though I didn't take the test yet, I can tell you that I feel pretty anxious. I can't imagine what I'd feel during and after the test. Just know that you are not alone and that you are done! No point in estimating and predicting the future scores. It's unavoidable, but you gotta stop yourself! It's all easier said than done, but take a moment, breathe and go outside and do something you haven't done in the longest time because of this dreadful test.

You did what you have to do and worked hard enough so that you deserve to just relax and chill until school starts again! Go outside and just get some fresh air and sun. I'm dying to do that since I've locked myself up to study for the past few weeks! Good luck!!!

 

[simpatico]

*waved magic wand, and sprinkles some fairy dust atcha*

In all seriousness, probably a lot of people felt that way (I know I sure did). I'm sure you did fine, and really, at this point, there's nothing you can do about it. Time to put some suppression into play.

Good luck!

 

[han14tra]

Thanks so much for the kind words🙂 I just wish the test would've said Pass or Fail when I clicked the last end block button. Is this exam graded on a curve or something? I don't understand how all the practice tests can spit out a score immediately, but you have to wait up to 8 weeks for the real deal's score.

Here's what I can tell you about my exam:
- A lot of biochem (which was my weakest subject). I'd say about 20% of test at least.
- Some embryology that wasn't in FA (I had about 6-7 questions total. I think 3 were in FA. The others were ridiculous).
- Most of the answers were in FA. So, make sure you memorize that the best you can.

 

[speedyk]

I also went into autopilot mode and that's when I do terribly on UWorld. I don't really think through questions and kind of give up. I definitely feel like I failed because of it.

 

[fuzzywuz]

Thanks so much for the kind words🙂 I just wish the test would've said Pass or Fail when I clicked the last end block button. Is this exam graded on a curve or something? I don't understand how all the practice tests can spit out a score immediately, but you have to wait up to 8 weeks for the real deal's score.

Here's what I can tell you about my exam:
- A lot of biochem (which was my weakest subject). I'd say about 20% of test at least.
- Some embryology that wasn't in FA (I had about 6-7 questions total. I think 3 were in FA. The others were ridiculous).
- Most of the answers were in FA. So, make sure you memorize that the best you can.

Wow thanks for the heads up.

I suck at biochem too. And I'm really scared about that. From other posts, people say that it tends to be presented with classical findings. Would you agree with that? I've pretty much given up on the pathways and enzymes and stuff. But I'm holding out hope for making a diagnosis and "easier" stuff like that.

 

[han14tra]

Wow thanks for the heads up.

I suck at biochem too. And I'm really scared about that. From other posts, people say that it tends to be presented with classical findings. Would you agree with that? I've pretty much given up on the pathways and enzymes and stuff. But I'm holding out hope for making a diagnosis and "easier" stuff like that.

The biochem was a pain in the butt. The questions were nit-picky. They did start with "The patient presents with X, Y, and Z." But, they weren't usually "what disorder is it?" The questions were about some ridiculously small detail.

 

[bruinhd]

I, as well as some of my classmates, got the 5th block massive headache. I think this has a lot to do with anxiousness combined with heavy caffeine withdrawal. I had to blast through half the questions and then take a 40 minute break to wait for tylenol to kick in before going back in.

You aren't really alone, so don't sweat it. Ps....why worry, it's over, yadda yadda yadda.

 

[fuzzywuz]

I just finished a few days ago... I was a nervous wreck and had a hard time during the first few blocks. I wasn't able to pace myself and I was forced to make rapid education/best guesses during my last 20 minutes because I still had SO MANY UNANSWERED questions...

Anyway... I'm glad to be done... But I'm really worried about it now.. Part of me thinks that my test was fairly doable. Another part of me thinks it was a "medium-hard" test. I don't know... I'm just worried about my curve. Easy forms don't get friend curves (so I've read).

Good luck to all of you.. Good luck to myself too!!!