The right time for all practice tests- NBME,UWSA,USMLE Prac test

[tootheye]

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At this stage of preparation with 50% in everything and 8 weeks to go

UW Qbank - 60% done- cumulative 54%( System based tests)

FA- 1st pass with Kaplan- only to familiarize
2nd pass with UW( half done)

RR Path- 1pass - 3 rd ed book along with audio

What would be a good time to take

1. NBME and which one? With all the new ones which one would be an ideal "First" NBME that wouldn't scare me out at this stage.

2. USMLE practice test

3. UWSA- first time to take

I'll appreciate your inputs and experiences.

 

[tootheye]

Bump again. Which seems the most popular 1st NBME half way thru prep. Can some one who's taken pl tell. I am undecided.

 

[RySerr21]

i took:

1 - NBME 5, first exam after school ended used as baseline
2 - NBME 4
3 - UW1
4 - UW2
5 - NBME 6
6 NBME 7
7 - free 150 at practice site



each was 1 week apart (with the exception of free 150, which I just took today, a few days before my actual exam), and i took on the same day and time as i would be doing the real thing.

Not sure if 4 and 5 are still available. I thought 5 was a fine one to start off with as a base line. I wouldnt' waste your time with 6, its a terrible exam. You can substitute for maybe 11 or 12? Haven't read much about the feedback on those two exams but i guess they reflect the changes to the exam....thought NBME 7 was a really well done test,, would definitely recommend taking towards the end of your studying as its supposed to be a really good predictor. UW exams I thought we were way harder questions but the curve is more generous so you'll feel like crap taking but be presently surprised when you see your score. I'd take them earlier rather than later b/c you can use them as a learning tool and not so much a score predictor b/c they give you answers and explanation...unlike the NBMEs which give you nothing unless you give them 10 more dollars to just see what you got wrong (not even which answers are correct or any explanations). Keep in mind if you take tests like NMBE 7, 11, or 12 early on in your studies, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage with your score b/c most people that take those exams are at the end of their studying, not at the beginning. So, if you do choose to take those exams first, don't be discouraged by your score.

So yea, that was my attack. Seems to have worked well. Try not to compare UW scores with NBME scores, they are different scales. UW2 and NBME 6 had a 30 point difference for me, but when I took NBME 7 there was only a 10 point difference......hope this has been helpful. GL!

 

[tootheye]

@RySerr21

Thanks a lot. I think I'll try NBME 5 to strat with. How ever I have another qn. I've been doing untimed/tutor(initially) mode only. At some point I need to change the trend to timed. This also makes me feel diffident to try NBMEs. I've got to break the ice at some point. I have 800 more UW world qns to go still. Would you recommend that I take NBMEs after I'm done with UW one pass atleast.

 

[unsung]

At this stage of preparation with 50% in everything and 8 weeks to go

UW Qbank - 60% done- cumulative 54%( System based tests)

FA- 1st pass with Kaplan- only to familiarize
2nd pass with UW( half done)

RR Path- 1pass - 3 rd ed book along with audio

What would be a good time to take

1. NBME and which one? With all the new ones which one would be an ideal "First" NBME that wouldn't scare me out at this stage.

2. USMLE practice test

3. UWSA- first time to take

I'll appreciate your inputs and experiences.

I am in the same boat as you. 8 wks to go. (Counting some time off.)

UWorld -- mostly undone, as I'm only doing sections I've already reviewed.

FA -- yeah, mostly unread.

(This is worrying me lol).

What I HAVE been doing is GT (88% banked!). Plus GT actually has a ~ 2000Q Q-bank, and I'm making progress on that.

Also have done a pretty careful read through of Gojan, maybe ~ 80% read, listened to audio multiple times.

Have the Robbinson's Review of Pathology Q-book, and have done maybe 4 chapters in it, with careful review of answers.

I think I'm going to do the UWorld tests first. I don't know when though. Like you, I'm a little wary of taking the plunge. lol

Would it be bad to wait another 3-4 wks before attempting a practice test? I haven't even gone over some sections that are my major weak spots (like musculoskeletal)... so I don't think a practice test at this point would be pleasant. 😉

I was at passing on the exam our school gave prior to end of year... but that's all I know. I haven't taken any assessments since. Guess I don't want to scare myself.

 

[tootheye]

@ unsung
I just did musculo skeletal in UW- far more than whats in FA but only a little more than in RR path-tho a combination of those 2 would work wonders. Its pointless attempting UW without having a concept or without going thru FA +RR path. you should be prepared for many disheartening scores- UNLESS you are exclusively using it as a learning tool. A mix of assessment and learning is what most seem to be using it for.

 

[RySerr21]

@RySerr21

Thanks a lot. I think I'll try NBME 5 to strat with. How ever I have another qn. I've been doing untimed/tutor(initially) mode only. At some point I need to change the trend to timed. This also makes me feel diffident to try NBMEs. I've got to break the ice at some point. I have 800 more UW world qns to go still. Would you recommend that I take NBMEs after I'm done with UW one pass atleast.

no i think you can definitely do the NBMEs while going through UW. Either way I dont think it will matter. Best to start doing them timed tho!