Step 1 Score: 199- Is there hope to match?

[medskoolnoob]

Well it was quite the wait with all the score reporting issues this week. I have been freaking out for the last 3 weeks thinking that I just got booted from school. Yesterday, I was able to see that I passed via FSMB but only to be crushed when my scores came out as 199 this morning. Much lower than my practice scores, but I also felt like I received a ridiculous exam that was no where near UW or NBME questions. It was the luck of the draw sadly. I am an US citizen IMG, am I even going to match at this point? I know I still have my rotations and step 2/3 to pick up the slack. I never wanted to do anything competitive, IM/FM and then do a fellowship was always my go to... but at this point that even seems impossible. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO THINK. SOMEONE HELP. Did I just screw myself? This feeling really sucks.

UW1: 230 UW2: 230
NBME 20: 198 NBME 21: 203 NBME 22: 208 NBME 23: 215 NBME 24: 219
Step 1: 199

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[AngryAsian]

https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Charting-Outcomes-in-the-Match-2018-IMGs.pdf

You may have already found this, but if not take a look. It has graphs showing probability of matching into different specialties by Step 1 score for US-IMG and non-US-IMG. Your chances of matching into FM or IM with 199 Step 1 are not zero, based on the report. It's too bad Step 1 is currently treated more like a residency screening tool and less like the medical licensing exam it's intended to be. Maybe that's why there's talk of making Step 1 pass/fail. Anyway, best of luck to you.

 

[medskoolnoob]

https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Charting-Outcomes-in-the-Match-2018-IMGs.pdf

You may have already found this, but if not take a look. It has graphs showing probability of matching into different specialties by Step 1 score for US-IMG and non-US-IMG. Your chances of matching into FM or IM with 199 Step 1 are not zero, based on the report. It's too bad Step 1 is currently treated more like a residency screening tool and less like the medical licensing exam it's intended to be. Maybe that's why there's talk of making Step 1 pass/fail. Anyway, best of luck to you.

Thanks will take a look right now. Its a tough situation, at this point i have two options 1) gamble, continue, haul ass and pray for the best or 2) play it safe and give up... and I really don't want to give up.

 

[deleted604824]

Thanks will take a look right now. Its a tough situation, at this point i have two options 1) gamble, continue, haul ass and pray for the best or 2) play it safe and give up... and I really don't want to give up.

I think it's still a good thing that you passed. I'd go balls to the walls on Step 2 prep and aim for community Family Medicine programs. You still have room to pull this off!

 

[ciestar]

It’s great you passed! But as an IMG, you’re going to need to apply to a LOT of programs (FM/IM) and knock CK out of the park.