Shelf Exams before Step 1?

[Ramoray]

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I have been reading alot on subject shelf exams for first 2 years subjects and I have no idea what these are, my school does not use them. However if they are mini boards or prep for step 1, how do I get a hold of these questiosn or tests myself? or is it possible to get a hold of the shelf exams if your school does not offer them.. and really waht are these shelf exams first two years? I have never heard of them someone enlighten me please and tell me how to get them. thanks

 

[orthoman5000]

They are subject exams put out by the NBME. A lot of medical schools use them for the finals in their classes. My medical school uses them and for the first year they offer tests in biochemistry, cell biology and histology, gross anatomy (with or without a block of embryology), neuroscience (with or without neuropathology and/or neuropharmacology), and physiology. I've taken all but the physiology test and I'll take it this Friday.

The tests are not available to individuals only to medical schools. They are considered proprietary information and the NBME is really pretty secretive about them and their grading.

Check out the following for all you will ever want to know about shelf exams.

http://www.nbme.org/PDF/NBME2003SubjExams.pdf

http://www.nbme.org/pdf/guide2000.pdf