Step I doubling Biostats and Epi

[lildave2586]

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So my microbiology course director went to the micro educators conference this past week and he said they had a lecture from the main man at the NBME. Apparently he told them that they are going to be doubling the amount of stats and epi on both Step I and II, since this subject sees the largest decline in scores between Step I and II. My professor pushed them for an answer as to when they would begin increasing the questions on these subjects, but he said they were very vague in their response.

Has anyone heard anything about this?

 

[MilkmanAl]

Epi meaning...epidemiology? That's fine by me. Those are gimme points. Step 1 is supposedly changing dramatically some time in June, so I'd guess it'll either happen then or a few years down the road, assuming it happens at all.

 

[Gozar]

Step 1 is supposedly changing dramatically some time in June

What the heck is that supposed to mean?

 

[username456789]

What the heck is that supposed to mean?

They reduced the number of questions per block slightly and also it's in braile.

 

[badasshairday]

It isn't really a dramatic change. But by June the exam will have 46q's per block rather than the traditional 48q's per block. The timing per block will remain the same. They will likely have a few more multimedia questions and all questions are clinical vignettes (a few use to be non-vignettes).

As for as what the OP is talking about in terms of biostats and epidemiology, I don't think it will be implemented by June.

Anyways, all of these changes are going into effect to slowly morph Step 1 and Step 2 into one combined test. Ie. more vignettes, more biostats epidemiology etc.

 

[AggieSean]

They reduced the number of questions per block slightly and also it's in braile.

I thought binary?

 

[username456789]

I thought binary?

Sorry, the press release was in French and I guess I mistranslated.