Step 1 low score vs pass/fail: which is better?

[Freddy1]

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Hello guys! An IMG infront of a dilemma here. Currently in my dedicated period for Step 1. If one is about to get a low score (e.g. 200-210) in Step 1 is it better for the future residency application to give the exam or wait for it to transit into the pass/fail mode? Many thanks.

 

[Freddy1]

Yes. An FMG. Thank you for your response! Will try. But what if my NBME shows below 220 right before the exam?

 

[treatem-and-streetem]

In my experience NBME exams undershoot slightly

 

[Freddy1]

Yes. An FMG. Thank you for your response! Will try. But what if my NBME shows below 220 right before the exam?

For how much? 5 points?

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

if you're scoring 200, take it as pass/no pass and focus on step 2 and 3. I don't see how FMGs will be able to match anymore without a step 2 and 3 on file

 

[Freddy1]

if you're scoring 200, take it as pass/no pass and focus on step 2 and 3. I don't see how FMGs will be able to match anymore without a step 2 and 3 on file

Is 200 on the NBME enough to be comfortable I don't fail? Do Do you mean the Step 3 is necessary now?

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Is 200 on the NBME enough to be comfortable I don't fail? Do Do you mean the Step 3 is necessary now?

No, you could easily fail if you're scoring in the 200s. People easily score 10 points under projection. If I were you, I wouldn't take it until I'm scoring 220

There is no hard requirement to take step 3, but it might as well be a de facto requirement. I don't see how FMGs think they'll match if they only have 1 score

 

[Freddy1]

No, you could easily fail if you're scoring in the 200s. People easily score 10 points under projection. If I were you, I wouldn't take it until I'm scoring 220

There is no hard requirement to take step 3, but it might as well be a de facto requirement. I don't see how FMGs think they'll match if they only have 1 score

Yes, you are probably right about 220. Thank you for your comment!

 

[Ganon]

I wouldn't trust the NBMEs as predictive for scoring purposes

The Reddit Excel predictor was fantastic for my class. Aside from that, UW2 was the closest for me and everyone I asked