Post-step I, failed? starting again...

[TJDoc7]

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Hello,

Writing to look for a little advice from anyone who has been in (or is currently in) a similar situation and can offer any advice. Took step 1 about 5 days ago, and really don't think it went well. Out of the 7 blocks, I'd say I felt EXTREMELY rushed on about 5 of the blocks (although I worked on/practiced w/timed, unused uworld/kaplan questions/uw self assesment exams)...at times, i'd have 2, 3 even 4 questions left on some blocks with like a minute and half left (which was similar to my uworld blocks/assesment exams, but still...don't think it even went as well as those practice tests)...found myself rushing through to read a few words and make a quick choice. To sum up...I just feel REALLY uneasy how it went, and can truly not see how I even passed the exam.

What makes me especially nervous, as I am well aware (as have read and been told by countless people), "don't worry...I felt that way and then got a 230" is I was not really in "that" ballpark (wasn't being unrealistic...scored a 192/209 on my uwsa #1/#2, uworld was around 54% timed, and free 150 was around 68% if I remember correctly...so I wasn't banking on a 230...more passing). Kind of wish it was like the great stories about people saying, "I thought I failed...and then got a 240 4 weeks later"...So given my lower-stats, where I was...a feeling like this just makes me even more certain I did not pass.

I know the exam day did NOT go as great as I wanted (as I said, felt rushed, would get stressed w/the time issue at the ends of the blocks, maybe like other students do, but like I said...just have a HORRIBLE feeling right now...cannot even see how what I did would come close to a passing score, especially given where I was in terms of practice tests/questions). What my real question is, again to anyone who can offer advice from a similar experience, know someone who maybe went through it, or experiencing it themselves...where should I go from here? I know evaluating my weaknesses, trying to improve those...but more in terms of...what to do, time frame to re-take it? I've already done a kaplan class, uworld qbank, self study w/first aid/goljan, 65% of kaplan qbank...ha...I mean...what else can I even do?

I know it sounds a lot like I am defeated/upset...partially, well...because I am...and sure I know that I haven't OFFICIALLY gotten my score, so I don't KNOW anything for sure...but honestly, the feeling isn't there (even though was first try, and don't have anything to compare it to), but I'm really trying to put together some game plan for when I do get the news, and what to do. So any advice, point of views? Another class, private tutor...I can't even do uworld/qbank anymore, so a new qbank? Re-read kaplan texts, back to first aid? I just honestly have no idea where to even start and would truly appreciate any feedback.

Thanks in advance, appreciate any advice.

 

[TJDoc7]

and forgot to add...trying to really pass this thing (I would be more than happy with a 188 and on my way with family practice/peds...is where I've always wanted to be)...so really looking for ways to get up to that 188 and not transform into a 230+ student...just to point out that i'm trying to look for a realistic way/game plan to get to a realistic goal.

 

[ACSurgeon]

and forgot to add...trying to really pass this thing (I would be more than happy with a 188 and on my way with family practice/peds...is where I've always wanted to be)...so really looking for ways to get up to that 188 and not transform into a 230+ student...just to point out that i'm trying to look for a realistic way/game plan to get to a realistic goal.

I'd recommend waiting until you get your score before jumping to any conclusions. I know it's hard to do, but you have to keep busy with something else for the next month. If you keep stressing and thinking about this, then next month, IF you have to start studying for this monster again (hopefully not) you will be to burned out. Try to catch up on social relationships, working out, etc.

Also, it's not uncommon to be rushed (or even guess) on the last 3-5 questions of each block. I had some 10-15 flagged on each block and did well. Just remember that up to 10% of questions can be experimental (aka not count at all). Then, when you factor in the weird curve that no one understands, I'm sure you can have another 20% wrong and still pass.

I'm really not trying to give you false hope, but trying to help put the most positive AND realistic spin on this situation. If you need to retake it, then enjoy the month off that you have now.

Best of luck!

 

[cpants]

It's good advice. Just try to chill out and enjoy yourself now. You likely passed. Believe, me everyone walks out of that test feeling like crap. Even if you didn't, there's not much you can do now until you find out. In fact, a possible failure on the horizon is all the more reason to party now, because the S will hit the fan once you find out and have to start worrying and reprepping for real.

 

[TJDoc7]

Appreciate all the advice, and really will try to relax for a little...with that said...any suggestions of how to tackle studying (new qbanks, classes, study tools...when i've exhausted them all the first time) when (if) I need to start studying again for the second time? Anything else from people who have failed/had to repeat?

Again, appreciate the encouragement/advice...will try to enjoy myself the best I can these next few weeks.

 

[vicinihil]

I can't tell you the number of people that have walked out with the same feeling you did and killed the damn thing. I think there's a good chance you passed but worrying right now isn't going to change anything. Enjoy your time now and TRY to forget about it. I know that's difficult (I'm in your shoes) and I have a bad feeling too and I think my results come in next week. eek

Wait it out and see what the outcome is. That's really the best advice I think at this point.

 

[jeesapeesa]

same here and my results come in may 12th. im feeling more nervous now than i did when i was studying for the darn thing.

 

[TJDoc7]

yeah, def. feel/understand what you guys are saying...I guess the only thing that seems a little more dissapointing for me (not sure of anyone's situation, speaking on my own) is that I wasn't in a "position" where I was looking to score above average...was more in the pass-average ballpark, so having this feeling just makes me feel even more like I didn't pass. I have heard from TONS of friends and former students that having that "I just failed, did horrible" feeling more likely than not leads to a higher/passing score...but I guess that all depends where you were going into the test, you know? Having a HORRIBLE feeling after the test when your assesment exams are around 200 is a lot different (I guess in my own mind) than having a horrible feeling with assesment scores of 230...

Could just me being negative about my self, and truly hope it is, but feel as though I should be/NEED to be prepared with a plan when I do get bad news. As far as everyone else, wish the best, hope it all works out and everyone gets the score they need. All the best.

 

[TJDoc7]

just wanted to say thank you to everyone who posted and offered support...got my score last week and passed with a 212/89...so not the highest score, but can't be happier that I passed, can move on and start studying for step II/III and begin clinicals. DEF. felt the post-step "panic" and can say, it is true what they say about more often than not, "you're doing better than you think you are".

thanks again for all help, good luck to everyone w/their exams!

 

[username456789]

just wanted to say thank you to everyone who posted and offered support...got my score last week and passed with a 212/89...so not the highest score, but can't be happier that I passed, can move on and start studying for step II/III and begin clinicals. DEF. felt the post-step "panic" and can say, it is true what they say about more often than not, "you're doing better than you think you are".

thanks again for all help, good luck to everyone w/their exams!

Dude, that's awesome. Congrats.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Well done! Seeing such a huge improvement over your practice scores must have been really gratifying.

 

[Perrotfish]

Congrats!

 

[Pirlo]

Awesome! Now go forth and slay year 3 🙂

 

[DRJJ1]

Awesome! Now go forth and slay year 3 🙂

this step 1 exam and the players here can
drive you insane and nuts and crazy and
******ed and drive you to drink and,,,,,,,and,,,,,,and,,,,

id like to do a cohort study on how many step 1 takers
went insane before and after scores

 

[mionga]

Congrats TJDOC

I took the exam today and I am feeling the same way so when I started reading your post I was freaking out but it was great to read your post today giving us your result.

I did UW with 57% and kaplan (scored 58-62% last 17 blocks I did, total 56%)

I also got 460/209 in UWSAss and decided to take the risk but as I said I feel so bad about today's exam. I hope I at least pass.

Congrats again