Should I Prepone Step 1?

[rootcanalz]

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So I'm 4 weeks away from Step 1 and here's where I am:
1) Have read FA 1x along with courses in school; currently doing a 2nd pass through my annotated FA
2) Finished UWorld completely 1x about 2 weeks ago doing timed, organ system-specific blocks of 46 questions; currently doing a 2nd pass of UWorld doing timed, random blocks of 46 questions each. Overall percentage on my 1st pass of UW was 77%, but that might have been biased by the fact that I was doing organ-specific (instead of random) timed blocks.
3) Currently reading Goljan's RR Path book along with relevant chapters in FA; have listened to all his audio
4) Took NBME 11 last week -- scored 251
5) Took the CBSE offered by my school -- predicted score between 255 and 260; weakest in behavioral science, anatomy/embryology, and reproductive/endocrinology

To be honest, I'm getting a little antsy at this point; I just don't see how I can keep studying for 4 more weeks without feeling like I've already peaked/start to lose high-yield info from my brain. My goal all along was to get 250+ and now I'm wondering if I should up my goal to something unrealistic like 280 to sort of "fire myself up," or whether I should just take Step 1 about 1 or even 2 weeks earlier. FWIW I plan on doing another NBME and a UWSA to simulate the real deal this weekend. What do you guys think I should do if I score between 250-260 again???

Thanks in advance for the answer!!

 

[pd1112]

Move it up at least a week. Maybe buy a month of Kaplan Qbank to get some fresh questions and see things asked differently. I'd strongly consider moving it up 2 weeks if not. Without something fresh, I'd guess it's even more likely you'll plateau.

 

[scoKraz4]

If your test is in 4 weeks and you are hitting above 250 on practice, absolutely do not delay it! Scoring above a 250 already tells someone you know your stuff. Delaying it is just wasting time and letting small details you studied a month earlier crawl out of your mind.

 

[pd1112]

OP said prepone not postpone.

 

[rootcanalz]

I just took NBME 12 today and got 254. I feel like I'm already starting to plateau. So now my question is, if I push my test up by 2 weeks, is that good enough? Thanks in advance for replies!

 

[GUH]

My goal all along was to get 250+ and now I'm wondering if I should up my goal to something unrealistic like 280 to sort of "fire myself up,"

No.

 

[pd1112]

I would get Kaplan, do as many Q's as you can in a week, and take another nbme. If still around mid 250s, take it ASAP. If you see a jump, move it up 2 weeks. I haven't taken the test yet, just going off of others' experiences and what I would do personally.

 

[Jabbed]

OP said prepone not postpone.

To be fair, "prepone" isn't exactly standard English.

 

[pd1112]

To be fair, "prepone" isn't exactly standard English.

Cool story bro.

 

[ChessMaster3000]

I agree, I am a big fan of moving the test up when you feel like you are ready. there is definitely a point of diminishing returns. I'm not sure where all this kaplan Q bank advice is coming from though--I would do more NBMEs for starters, and review UW as well as really hit FA hard. I'm not sure there is value in adding another qbank.

 

[pd1112]

That was just my opinion based on where OP is at - already reached desired score range, so I suggested new questions to try to avoid plateau/decline being 2-4 weeks out. Since NBMEs are more for score prediction and having already done 3, I think there's more value in a Qbank for $100 with 2500 questions vs. $50-60 for another NBME with 200 questions and no answer explanations. I was assuming continuing the 2nd pass of FA was a given. If plateau/decline is the fear, I would choose fresh questions vs. repeating old ones.

 

[ChessMaster3000]

That was just my opinion based on where OP is at - already reached desired score range, so I suggested new questions to try to avoid plateau/decline being 2-4 weeks out. Since NBMEs are more for score prediction and having already done 3, I think there's more value in a Qbank for $100 with 2500 questions vs. $50-60 for another NBME with 200 questions and no answer explanations. I was assuming continuing the 2nd pass of FA was a given. If plateau/decline is the fear, I would choose fresh questions vs. repeating old ones.

Yeah I guess youre right on the new questions. however I still would argue that an NBME x2-3 is more useful. Sure there are no explanations, but there is truly no better way to practice. If you have the knowledge to get 250+, I really think practicing well can get you an extra 5-10 points. Plus, you can often google the questions to see most of the answers.