step 2 - issues and problems

[maverick_pkg]

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1) Am left with a week for my step2 ck. was wondering what the ADVANTAGES are of giving NBME forms at this stage. from what i can think of, it tells one where one stands so if one wants to postpone one's test and study more - not applicable in my case as I have to give it on 31st. the other benefit i could think is that one gets to know which areas one is weak in.
The disadvantages that i can think of are that if i get too high a score , then I'll slack off, or if too low a score then become kinda depressed. It will also take up some time and disturb the rhythm.

I'm veering towards not giving it. Can u guys suggest any other advantage accrued by giving the test?


2) how is the real exam easy from usmleworld?
Is it that on the same diseases only simple and less esoteric stuff is asked OR
only common diseases are asked, leaving out the rare ones.

basically want to know whether the real exam asks something about everything OR lots of things about a few diseases. usmleworld for me would be lots of things about lots of diseases, which makes it tough.

3) ophthal and ENT - is secrets enough. or do i see usmleworld?

sorry for so many questions

 

[rugtrousers]

Okay, so I'm guessing that when you say "giving" you really mean "taking" a test. I did well on both steps of the USMLE without taking the NBME tests. I didn't want to spend any more money after buying Kaplan's Q-bank. If you have run out of questions on Q-Bank and/or USMLEWorld, and really want more, then try NBME. But it's not crucial.

 

[goldengate]

The NBME assessments are primarily for diagnostic purposes, not necessarily for practice, because you never get to review your answers. What is unique about these exams are the scores are closely correlated with your real performance. So though it's not a guaranteed predictor, it could be pretty close.

 

[maverick_pkg]

🙂 ya i meant "taking". Its just a different form of English - differs from continent to continent i guess.

ya well I know it can serve as a good predictor but then I cant change my date anyhow and am getting >65 score in UW so thought why take an unnecessary tension. just wanted to know if there are any other benefits. thanks guys