Some interesting talk with residents/interns about the Step

[domer621]

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I was talking with some residents/interns about their Step 1 experiences. I thought some of the things they said were interesting/weird:

1) People cheat on the exam. Not sure how, but they said that some of the exam centers do not provide adequate surveillance of test-takers (i.e., the proctor walking around ever 10 mins to check on people). This disturbed me.

2) Two blocks of your test are entirely experimental. Interesting thought... I'm sure it's just speculation.

 

[afterwords]

Really? People cheat? To me thats more sad than unfair!

Anyhow, I had heard that one section is experimental.

 

[Law2Doc]

I was talking with some residents/interns about their Step 1 experiences. I thought some of the things they said were interesting/weird:

1) People cheat on the exam. Not sure how, but they said that some of the exam centers do not provide adequate surveillance of test-takers (i.e., the proctor walking around ever 10 mins to check on people). This disturbed me.

2) Two blocks of your test are entirely experimental. Interesting thought... I'm sure it's just speculation.

There have been pretty significant changes in the computerization and administration of tests in the last few years. Nothing a resident has observed in Step 1 is going to be current. I've talked to not-so-old physicians who had only a vague sense that there was such a thing as a qbank.

 

[GOGETA]

Let me start by saying that 2 blocks of experimental questions is 100 questions so Im been grade based on 250 question, I dont think so.

2- cheeting on USMLE thats the STUPIDEST idea I have EVER heard in my life, is even worst than my writting😱. Who will want to risk everything 😕

I think that they are overwork, werever you are, or they are just pulling your leg

 

[Arctic Char]

i remember reading somewhere that 15% of the Q's on the exam are experimental . . that works out to about ~52 questions total. sounds fair.

cheating on the otherhand . . . spooky thought

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

Yeah, I've always heard 10 to 20% are experimental.

As for cheating, I can't think how it would work. You'd have to have someone feed you answers for individual questions. And I think your proctor would surely notice you mumbling into your cell phone or wakie talky? If you bring in a crib sheet, it'd have to be the thickness of First Aid to even be useful, wouldn't it? And good luck hiding that.

 

[txguy]

I was talking with some residents/interns about their Step 1 experiences. I thought some of the things they said were interesting/weird:

1) People cheat on the exam. Not sure how, but they said that some of the exam centers do not provide adequate surveillance of test-takers (i.e., the proctor walking around ever 10 mins to check on people). This disturbed me.

2) Two blocks of your test are entirely experimental. Interesting thought... I'm sure it's just speculation.

hmmm....interesting? 😕😱

-tx

 

[Roy7]

I was talking with some residents/interns about their Step 1 experiences. I thought some of the things they said were interesting/weird:

1) People cheat on the exam. Not sure how, but they said that some of the exam centers do not provide adequate surveillance of test-takers (i.e., the proctor walking around ever 10 mins to check on people). This disturbed me.

2) Two blocks of your test are entirely experimental. Interesting thought... I'm sure it's just speculation.

If my test was open book, under the time constraints, it would have made absolutely NO difference... at least on my test.

 

[joe6102]

If my test was open book, under the time constraints, it would have made absolutely NO difference... at least on my test.

If you had a cell phone with internet access, it could help, but not much. Maybe 3-4 questions like the moa of a drug you've never heard of.
You'd be risking your entire career for like 8 points on step 1. I know the test is really important, but unless you failed the first two times, the reward is not worth the risk.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

If you had a cell phone with internet access, it could help, but not much. Maybe 3-4 questions like the moa of a drug you've never heard of.
You'd be risking your entire career for like 8 points on step 1. I know the test is really important, but unless you failed the first two times, the reward is not worth the risk.

Man i shuda got an iphone.