Should I do an NBME?

[Water011]

---

Members don't see this ad.

It seems like everyone here does the NBME tests. Do you guys think it is a bad idea not to do one? I have Kaplan Qbank and am about to buy USMLE World, so is an NBME really necessary? I realize that it would be a good way to gauge my progress, but my test is in less than two weeks, and I feel like I'm doing everything I can do, so I don't know what good another predicted score would be. I am not aiming for a 250 or anything (I am aiming for as high as possible, obviously, and am going to just study as much as I can, but I would be happy with anything 230+), and my Qbank percentages put me pretty safely above 230. Would it be stupid not to do an NBME? I don't want to do one, get a low score and freak myself out, but I also don't want to be totally surprised by a different question style when I get to the real test.

What do you guys think?

 

[SeminoleFan3]

It seems like everyone here does the NBME tests. Do you guys think it is a bad idea not to do one? I have Kaplan Qbank and am about to buy USMLE World, so is an NBME really necessary? I realize that it would be a good way to gauge my progress, but my test is in less than two weeks, and I feel like I'm doing everything I can do, so I don't know what good another predicted score would be. I am not aiming for a 250 or anything (I am aiming for as high as possible, obviously, and am going to just study as much as I can, but I would be happy with anything 230+), and my Qbank percentages put me pretty safely above 230. Would it be stupid not to do an NBME? I don't want to do one, get a low score and freak myself out, but I also don't want to be totally surprised by a different question style when I get to the real test.

What do you guys think?

I think taking a morning or afternoon to do one is a good idea. People seem to get used to the UW format, and it's probably good to see the real deal. It takes less than four hours, and it's better than being surprised on test day.

 

[silas2642]

I think taking a morning or afternoon to do one is a good idea. People seem to get used to the UW format, and it's probably good to see the real deal. It takes less than four hours, and it's better than being surprised on test day.

I'm inclined to agree... if you do horribly on an NBME, it's not a good sign and you either want to take another one to see if it was a fluke or think about pushing your boards back.