Predicting your score and assigning specific feelinngs to each possible score?

[tfom08]

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Has anyone else found themselves doing this, or is it just my mental state that is becoming more tenuous by the minute. I have found myself thinking about individual numbers within a range of 10 or so that I think my score is likely to fall and imagining my happiness/satisfaction level with each score with ratings varying from slightly disappointed, neutral, slightly pleased, and very exuberant. I just hope my real score is not below where my scale starts or I will have to come up with a new feeling on the spot and I'm not sure I will be able to.

 

[Law2Doc]

Has anyone else found themselves doing this, or is it just my mental state that is becoming more tenuous by the minute. I have found myself thinking about individual numbers within a range of 10 or so that I think my score is likely to fall and imagining my happiness/satisfaction level with each score with ratings varying from slightly disappointed, neutral, slightly pleased, and very exuberant. I just hope my real score is not below where my scale starts or I will have to come up with a new feeling on the spot and I'm not sure I will be able to.

It's probably psychologically best to resolve to be thrilled with anything in the passing range, and elated if you do above the average for your target specialty. It's out of your hands, and presumably you took your best shot, so it's wonderful however it pans out. And if it's borderline, a good showing on an early Step 2 can sometimes help.

 

[lord_jeebus]

I think it's hard to say what score matches your ability until you take the thing.

The most important thing is that you don't leave thinking you could have done much better. Otherwise you probably maximized your potential, which is the best you can hope for.

Alternatively:

Pass: 🙂
Fail: 😡

 

[Knicks]

Statistically speaking though, shouldn't most U.S. graduates be 🙂ing?

Compared to IMGs, US graduates' passing rate on their first try is somewhere in the 90% pass-rate range, as opposed to like 68% first try pass-rate range for IMGs (I'm ball-parking these figures by the way; I remember reading about this in one of those FIRST AID for THE MATCH books).


So for US grads, shouldn't the 🙂 compared to the 😡 be more about passing with a high score or low score [for the most part]?

 

[Hassler]

<185 = suicidal
185-209 = depressed
210-219 = unhappy
220-229 = neutral
230-239 = super happy
>240 = die of happiness

 

[tfom08]

I have not been able to stop thinking my score since this morning. Before today it wasn't really that bad at all. I started thinking through every score I think I might get and have decided the following scale. I'm afraid I am setting myself up for disappointment because my goal was 240 and I know that is a great score but after all the preparation and long hours I have convinced myself that 240 isn't enough at this point. Not that it's not enough for my career goals, but just that it isn't enough for how I wanted to perform. It's like for all the hard work I put into studying I didn't want just enough to get a residency, I wanted to crush it just for the sport of it. Hopefully I'll realize that it's not that important later, but for tonight that's just how it's going to be for me. Hopefully it goes well.

<240 = will be very disappointed and wondering what happened
240 - 245 = surpassing my original goal and a great score, but will be quite disappointed after my performances during preparation and my feeling leaving the exam.
245 - 250 = not happy with the score, but know it's good enough for any residency
250 - 255 = slightly dissatisfied, but still happy after I get over my inflated expectations
255 = satisfied
256 = highly satisfied
257 = highly satisfied
258 = happy
259 = very happy, but will wish I scored 260
260 = ecstatic
261 = ecstatic
262 = amazed
>263 = all the same to me at this point unless above 270 which is frankly impossible judging from my practice scores

 

[DrLalich]

Less than 185 = > 0.2% BAC
185-209 = 0.15% BAC
210-219 = 0.5% BAC
220-229 = 0.5% BAC
230-240 = 0.15% BAC
Greater than 240 = > 0.2% BAC

Hmmm... Mine has much less of a Gaussian distribution

 

[lilzelda2]

^ Jesus( to 2nd post above mines)


I'll be happy with anything above 225
Below= 😱
Above=

 

[Helo]

d

 

[drblueshades]

For the record, I'm interested in peds and psych, so I don't really feel the pressure as much as some on this board.

<185: Go to ER with suicidal ideation
185-199: Severely depressed
200-209: Depressed
210-219: Grumpy and dissatisfied
220-229: Mildly dissatisfied
230-239: Satisfied
240-249: Very happy
>250: Ecstatic

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

 

[osli]

<230 dissapointed (underperformed my potential, judging from all assessments)
230-235 just a little disappointed that I didn't improve much, but still alive for many residencies
235-240 pretty happy, sort of what I expect
240-250 very happy, sort of what I hope
>250 absolutely floored

 

[The Angriest Bird]

<185: Score recheck
185-210: Depressed
210-220: Mildly depressed
220-230: Not happy but it's okay
230-240: Happy
240-250: Thrilled
>250: OMG

 

[Knicks]

wow, a lot of really high standards/expectations here..... not that that's necessarily a bad thing.

 

[ShyRem]

Very simple:

Pass: 🙂
Fail: :cry:

 

[humuhumu]

I'm with drblueshades. I could have written that post. My response is based largely on what I believe is possible for me based on several practice exams (NBME and Kaplan).

 

[rvca1981]

Very simple:

Pass: 🙂
Fail: :cry:

i agree with you after the way i felt leaving the exam.

 

[LadyWolverine]

Very simple:

Pass: 🙂
Fail: :cry:

Totally. Simple as that. GL!!

 

[drdr2010]

< 230 Feel sorry for myself and decide once and for all I am a poor standardized text taker (as compared to the grades I get in class)
230-240 Not quite my goal, but drink celebratory beer anyway
>240 Satisfied, drink several beers
>250 Elated!! Probably run around the block screaming out loud with joy.
>260 Speculate that my score was switched with someone else, but rejoice with my good luck on getting mixed up with a much smarter person

 

[synapse lapse]

As usual SDN is full of people who won't be satisfied with <240... Anyhow, I personally will feel accordingly:

<200=cry
200-210=very sad
210-220=satisfied
220-230=happy
230+=ecstatic (jumping up and down)
240+ = will never happen

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

259 = very happy, but will wish I scored 260

Hahaha, that was my exact reaction when I got my score.

I was so freaking happy for the whole day and it didn't hit me until that evening...."Sheesh, one freaking point more and I would have had a 260"

I'm a terrible human being.

 

[tfom08]

Hahaha, that was my exact reaction when I got my score.

I was so freaking happy for the whole day and it didn't hit me until that evening...."Sheesh, one freaking point more and I would have had a 260"

I'm a terrible human being.

Yeah, I would definitely be greedy and want that extra point. I'll take a 259 with a big fat ass smile on my face, but of course you have to think about a few questions that would have gotten you 260. Geez, I'm probably jinxing myself with all this talk. If I never post again just assume I didn't break 230.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

Hahaha, that was my exact reaction when I got my score.

I was so freaking happy for the whole day and it didn't hit me until that evening...."Sheesh, one freaking point more and I would have had a 260"

I'm a terrible human being.

Yes, you should be shot..😉

It's amazing how obsessed we all become with Step 1 during 2nd year to how little we think about it once we match/graduate med school.

G'luck to everyone waiting for scores!

 

[Ice dude]

hey docsaib ur name sound like an img, i think u might help me ,i wanna know where an img needs to log on to find the score tonite, oasis????

 

[BrisketAttack]

<230 dissapointed (underperformed my potential, judging from all assessments)
230-235 just a little disappointed that I didn't improve much, but still alive for many residencies
235-240 pretty happy, sort of what I expect
240-250 very happy, sort of what I hope
>250 absolutely floored

ditto this post. to the letter.

 

[tfom08]

ditto this post. to the letter.

Is that because you didn't feel good after the test or because you just don't care above 250? Because I suspect you will score 260 or above judging by your posted scores from other stuff. I've tried to talk myself into lower, more reasonable expectations, but I just can't seem to do it. I could lie, but it's just not what I'm really hoping.

 

[tfom08]

260 = ecstatic

 

[78222]

Hahaha, that was my exact reaction when I got my score.

I was so freaking happy for the whole day and it didn't hit me until that evening...."Sheesh, one freaking point more and I would have had a 260"

I'm a terrible human being.

Heh, thats basically how I felt about my 248. Then I was like "dude that score is awesome stfu"

 

[BrisketAttack]

Is that because you didn't feel good after the test or because you just don't care above 250? Because I suspect you will score 260 or above judging by your posted scores from other stuff. I've tried to talk myself into lower, more reasonable expectations, but I just can't seem to do it. I could lie, but it's just not what I'm really hoping.

I did average on the SAT, MCAT, ACT, and every standardized test I've ever taken. Scoring above average (especially something crazy like >250) on such an important test as step 1, is all I'm really looking for. As such, >250 is phenomenal. Since I got a 257, I'm beyond happy, and have no desire or care at all for a higher score. Screw a 260. Seriously. after you get above 240, everyone's pretty much even in my opinion. You can get an interview anywhere with a 240. then it's just a matter of what else you did. as I see it, if a person has a winning personality and a 240 on step 1, they will outmatch a jerk with a 270+ every time. this is just human nature.

 

[78222]

I did average on the SAT, MCAT, ACT, and every standardized test I've ever taken. Scoring above average (especially something crazy like >250) on such an important test as step 1, is all I'm really looking for. As such, >250 is phenomenal. Since I got a 257, I'm beyond happy, and have no desire or care at all for a higher score. Screw a 260. Seriously. after you get above 240, everyone's pretty much even in my opinion. You can get an interview anywhere with a 240. then it's just a matter of what else you did. as I see it, if a person has a winning personality and a 240 on step 1, they will outmatch a jerk with a 270+ every time. this is just human nature.

I completely agree and I think the "Charting Outcomes" pdf backs that statement up with number. 240 is at least in the 75% for every specialty and the "failed to match" numbers for 240 and 260 are about the same.

 

[mjc48]

I did average on the SAT, MCAT, ACT, and every standardized test I've ever taken. Scoring above average (especially something crazy like >250) on such an important test as step 1, is all I'm really looking for. As such, >250 is phenomenal. Since I got a 257, I'm beyond happy, and have no desire or care at all for a higher score. Screw a 260. Seriously. after you get above 240, everyone's pretty much even in my opinion. You can get an interview anywhere with a 240. then it's just a matter of what else you did. as I see it, if a person has a winning personality and a 240 on step 1, they will outmatch a jerk with a 270+ every time. this is just human nature.

What about people with a winning personality and a 270? Does anyone have proof that people getting above 260 have some fixed social derangement that makes them unfit for selective programs? Or is that just an assumption made by people that don't score that high....

 

[BrisketAttack]

What about people with a winning personality and a 270? Does anyone have proof that people getting above 260 have some fixed social derangement that makes them unfit for selective programs? Or is that just an assumption made by people that don't score that high....

You've missed the point. I was merely pointing out that a 240 is a strong enough score to win interviews, and then from there, personality reigns supreme. I imagine, everything else being equal, a person with a stellar personality and a 270 will land the residency of their choosing.

 

[ZonaRidicularis]

z

 

[BrisketAttack]

Studies show that higher USMLE scores (particularly 255+) are strongly correlated with lower number of sexual relations as well as the ability to socialize with people (talking with members on SDN and your mom doesn't count).

I scored above 255 and I've made passionate love to many ladies. They might not all be the same species as me, but let's not split hairs now.

 

[mjc48]

I scored above 255 and I've made passionate love to many ladies. They might not all be the same species as me, but let's not split hairs now.

don't worry- they count as long as they don't have gills.

in all seriousness, i would imagine that the relative importance of step 1 scores in general is determined by both the specialty and the institution. i'm sure this goes doubly for the top 15% of all test takers, as some places may just have a different opinion about what it means to score 5 points or 20 points above 250. and of course personality is important, but a simple truth that people overlook is any field with stringent admission standards will be populated by people that have previously met them.

 

[ZonaRidicularis]

z

 

[Helo]

d

 

[mjc48]

nah, i am well above a 260 with no derangements. its easy as hell to say that people who score real well must have some personality problems while in reality you probably don't know many of these real people to make an accurate judgment. and SDN does not really count as knowing these people, lol.

real great work all around on this board!

if you go by SDN, 250+ isn't even that great of a score. which means we're all liars or we're all socially ******ed...

 

[mudphudwannabe]

It's probably psychologically best to resolve to be thrilled with anything in the passing range, and elated if you do above the average for your target specialty. It's out of your hands, and presumably you took your best shot, so it's wonderful however it pans out. And if it's borderline, a good showing on an early Step 2 can sometimes help.

👍 This is how I thought about it:

<185 - embarrassing and disappointing, but not the end of the world
>=185 - woohoo! I don't have to take it again!

Anything beyond that is just icing. 😀 Set your goals high but your expectations low.

 

[lankysudanese]

👍 This is how I thought about it:

<185 - embarrassing and disappointing, but not the end of the world
>=185 - woohoo! I don't have to take it again!

Anything beyond that is just icing. 😀 Set your goals high but your expectations low.

That works just fine if you have those magic 3 letters behind your name....PhD.

for the rest of us, a better showing in Step 1 might be the only thing to seperate us from another applicant. I'm not saying that aiming low means that somebody won't do well, but having a high goal to aim for might be all the inspiration one needs for a stellar score.

 

[mudphudwannabe]

Actually, for competitive residencies, those 3 letters may look nice but really don't make much difference. We still have to have competitive boards scores just like everyone else.

Like I said - set your goals high, but I think it's counterproductive to obsess too much over the numbers. Do your very best, and that's all you can do. As long as you pass the exam, you can't retake it, so what good is it to be depressed if you got a passing score? If your score is lower than you'd hoped, the productive thing is to let it motivate you to excel in your rotations and on Step 2.

 

[McMD]

So...I didn't read all the above posts, but read the first few...I think my feelings might be slightly different from the rest. Was scoring upper 240s on NBME's...so yes, before the test, my goal was 240+...after the test, perhaps 220+

240+: HELL YES!!!!!
220-230s: Ok, that'll get me in. At least I tried my best.
185-210s: DAMN!!...I didn't do as well as I wanted AND I can't take it again!
<185: YESSS!!! I can at least take it over!!!