Question about NBME Subject Exams

[tripwm]

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M1 here.

I've got a few general questions about the NBME subject exams (i.e. Biochemistry). Many are more opinion based.

- Do most classes take the individual subject exams?

- Would you say that most classes requiring the NBME subject exam implement it as part of the final course grade? (for instance, if you're required to take it, how hard does everyone usually study?)

- Is your NBME percentile a nice judge for where you stand in the country on a certain subject? (obviously this is dependent on how the above 2 questions are answered)

I ask this since I'm not in a T25 medical school, but I still hope to have an awesome Step 1. It seems that the NBME might be my best indicator of how I'm doing with material.

 

[Morsetlis]

For n=1, we don't until the end of each year 🙂

 

[2012mdc]

M1 here.

I've got a few general questions about the NBME subject exams (i.e. Biochemistry). Many are more opinion based.

- Do most classes take the individual subject exams?

During M1 we took shelf exams after we were done with a particular subject. Had them in Biochem, Physio, Histo, Anatomy, and Neuro.

During M2 we took all of them at the end of the year and took Path, Micro, Pharm, Behavioral Sciences

- Would you say that most classes requiring the NBME subject exam implement it as part of the final course grade? (for instance, if you're required to take it, how hard does everyone usually study?)

They were always some part of our grade but never a large portion (usually 10 - 20%) People studied hard for them if they were borderline for a particular letter grade.

- Is your NBME percentile a nice judge for where you stand in the country on a certain subject? (obviously this is dependent on how the above 2 questions are answered)

YMMV but I found it a very accurate judge of where I stood. 1st year it gave me the reassurance and 2nd year it was the same. I scored in the 95+ percentiles on all of the 2nd year shelf exams and ended up in the same range for Step 1 thankfully.

I ask this since I'm not in a T25 medical school, but I still hope to have an awesome Step 1. It seems that the NBME might be my best indicator of how I'm doing with material.

.

 

[tripwm]

Thanks guys!

 

[SlickNickMD]

These exams are great preparation for step 1, everyone should take them