Thoughts about the new NBPME I boards???

[doclm]

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Hello,

I just curious what people thought about the new format of the NBPME I boards? Additionally, did any one think is this was near minimum competency?

Personally, I thought many of the questions were harder and more specific than could be expected. The previous test taker mentioned that this test was way easier than they expect and they finished within an hour or so. However, the way NBPME wrote this new exam was like they had something to prove.

From everyone I spoke with today everyone thought this test was riduculously hard, with very little straight foreward questions. Many people took almost the entire 4 hours to take this test and walked out confident that they failed.

Is this normal for this test???

 

[Willcott]

Thank you for posting this thread. I thought this test was a demoralizing exercise in through-the-mud butt draggery. When I walked in, I felt I had a solid basis in the relevant science needed to be a "minimally competent" podiatrist. I walked out thinking that I maybe don't deserve to wear a white coat. I mean, I might actually harm the ******* that comes to me after they all got ****** from their ***** ** ******* ******...oh wait, they probably won't run to their local podiatrist when they're running to the *********.

Anyway, I felt better after commiserating with some of my friends who also had a similar assesment of the test. We agreed that many podiatrists in practice would probably have a difficult time with this test, and at the very least they would likely screw up questions on ***** ***** in *********** *****. Still, the NBPME I made me feel as though I slept through the last two years of my life.

I'm hoping this test was just some sort of experiment and that the powers that be are able to fairly determine who should pass based on the 20 or so fair questions I remember from the test.

Keep in mind, I'm venting; I don't claim to know what makes for a challenging and usefully evaluative podiatric board exam--I'm still in my podiatric infancy so to speak--but I feel that the path that led me to, and qualified me for this exam did not prepare me adequately.

I acknowledge that preparation is on me, so tell me to quit feeling sorry for myself...or let me get a witness.

"20 million Elvis fans can't be wrong"

Love, Bill

 

[Dr. Gangrene]

Friendly reminder of the NBPME agreement you sign before taking the test.

At the beginning of the examination, you will be required to
confirm that you have read and that you agree with the following
confidentiality and conduct agreement.
“The contents of this test are copyrighted, proprietary, and confidential.
Any efforts to disclose or reproduce any portion of the test, its content
or items therein in any part to any individual or entity for any purpose
whatsoever is prohibited. Should such activity be uncovered, test score
invalidation for an individual or group as well as civil and/or criminal
prosecution may occur.
I can be disqualified from taking or continuing to sit for an examination,
or from receiving examination results, or my scores might be canceled
if there is reason to believe through proctor observations, statistical
analysis, and/or other evidence that my score may not be valid or that I
was engaged in collaborative, disruptive, or other

 

[patocpm]

Well i would have to agree with the 2 previous posters that this test was brutal. In no way shape or form did the NBPME test us on just minimal competency material. I thought the lower questions and diabetic questions were fair, but other than that, this test was ridiculous. The study guide that came with the NBPME packet was not representative of the material stressed on the exam. I read on another forum on this site that NBMPE was going to test us to reflect the Vision 2015. Which would have been o.k. if someone WOULD HAVE MENTIONED THAT TO US WHILE WE WERE PREPARING FOR THIS EXAM!!! Also, I would encourage people to email the NBPME with complaints. I have included their e-mail at the bottom of this post. Please get the word out to people at your Pod Schools and respond quickly as we have only 1 week to give feed back. I' d be interested to see what other people thought of this test.

Comments/Complaints

Candidates with complaints or comments about test center facilities and/or supervision, examination content, or any other matter related to the testing program should complete the comment form at the test center or e-mail Prometric within one (1) week of the test date at the address below:​

E-Mail Address:​

[email protected]​

All correspondence must include the candidate’s name and address. If the questions or comments concern a test already taken, the correspondence should include the name of the test, the date of the test, and the location of the test center; inclusion of the candidate’s Social Security number is optional. Prometric will consider each complaint and respond to it as necessary within a reasonable length of time. Inquiries about scores or about eligibility and procedures for reexamination may also be directed to the address above.​

 

[Feli]

I'm sure you guys did well... half my class felt like they failed the test walking out, but there are many easy questions (especially LEA) that will more than make up for the hard ones. Yes, some are real tough until you've had clinic, but those questions are hard for everyone nationwide and will probably be discarded. Most of the questions that make the exam, especially LEA and clinical podiatry, are actually submitted by faculty profs at the pod schools.

In the end, it will be curved so that ~70-80% of those who took it will pass; it always works that way. Unless you really struggled during your basic sciences years or didn't study much for boards, you should pass just fine. Enjoy your summer and start planning your clerkship apps

Friendly reminder of the NBPME agreement you sign before taking the test....

Exactly^^
Might want to try and be careful about discussing specific topics/questions that were on the test.

 

[HenryH]

When are official pass/fail statistics released?

 

[Feli]

When are official pass/fail statistics released?

You have to read the bulletin...

If I remember right, they said it would be within 6wks last year. We got the letters around 4wks. The letter just says pass or fail, and if you fail, it gives you a score and a review outline for future retake efforts.

As for "statistics," those are just sent to the schools (national pass rate, school pass rate, school avg scores in each category, etc)... I'm not sure the NBPME publishes anything like that to the students or the public.

 

[Roxystar4]

I have to put in my 2 cents from down here in Miami.... our whole class had a discussion today about how difficult the material was and how it was absolutely no reflection of the 6 practice tests that were provided by the NBPME. The proportions of questions also seemed way off-- Biochem was only supposed to constitute 10% and it seemed like there were a LOT of in depth biochem questions. Just in general, the test was not what we expected from talking to older classmates about their experiences from the past years. Our professors were very surprised at our class' general reaction to the exam.

 

[Willcott]

I appreciate the reminder concerning test content...the one example was probably a little too specific.
If you're reading my previous post, just replace the asterisks with an obscure medical factoid regarding something we hopefully will never have to treat.
Thanks again to all who posted here.

 

[jonwill]

It is kind of funny (not to be mean) because this happens every year, including the year I took part one. Everyone studies their brains out and then feels horrible after the test. People are extremely upset and my year, we even had one school send a nasty letter to the NBPME BEFORE receiving the results.

Then the results are released and the majority of people do fine. I'm not sure why they make the test the way they do. There are a certain number of questions that don't even count but are being evaluated for future tests. Then, if a certain percentage get a question wrong, the question is thrown out. And of course, at the end, they play with the raw score to create a scale score.

Anyway, I'm sure most of you will have passed and are worrying about nothing. But I also remember being in your shoes. As with many other things in our profession, I'm not sure why we do things the way we do.

 

[PJAG]

There are a certain number of questions that don't even count but are being evaluated for future tests. Then, if a certain percentage get a question wrong, the question is thrown out. And of course, at the end, they play with the raw score to create a scale score.

That is very interesting to know.

 

[AshyLarry]

Two words: anal rapeage

 

[zephryus14]

I've heard from most of my classmates at Scholl, as well as people from DMU and Temple. The general sediment across the board is that the exam was very difficult, and above minimum-competency. You and your classmates should realize that the NBPME will evaluate the questions. Every school stresses different points. If they find that a high percentage of students from that one school scores well on that question, but the other 7 schools did very poorly, they will throw it out. It's important to reassure your classmates that they DID NOT fail unless they get the letter saying so. Enjoy your time at the moment, forget about the exam (easier said than done, but possible).

 

[MaseratiGT]

Two words: anal rapeage

 

[AnalBeads]

I'm sure you guys did well... half my class felt like they failed the test walking out

that's because you go to Barry

 

[165007]

that's because you go to Barry

lol
ouch!

 

[biocmp]

Obviously, your life is going well. You show up on forums to dump your sorrows on others by trying to degrade their school. 👍 for being a winner

 

[JEWmongous]

Obviously, your life is going well. You show up on forums to dump your sorrows on others by trying to degrade their school. 👍 for being a winner

Well Barry doesn't show their part 1 board score pass rates anywhere so who knows. I'm talking first time pass rates!

 

[MaseratiGT]

Obviously, your life is going well. You show up on forums to dump your sorrows on others by trying to degrade their school. 👍 for being a winner

Seconded. And what's up with the abhorrent SN?


:troll:

 

[Feli]

that's because you go to Barry

What I posted was meant to reassure those recent pt1 takers who were worried about how they performed that they probably will pass just fine. It's normal to have anxiety after a hard test even if you scored well.

In the end, DMU and Scholl pass the test pretty well (90+ percent) since it has been reformatted. AZ has been perfect also, but they are still pretty new with very small class sizes. The other 5 schools have had significantly lower pass rates. It can be debated ad nauseum whether that's due to curriculum, student selectivity, etc. That doesn't change the fact that you have some good students and poor students from all of the schools.

I don't really see the need for snide remarks, but judging from your posts, it appears that's your main goal. Good luck with that. If you're expecting me to make some comments to dispariage Scholl's program in return, I won't; the school has good students/residents based on the ones I've met. However, I hope most of them have a better personality and attitude than you display on these forums...

 

[j0ez0r]

that's because you go to Barry

please ban poster.

 

[AnalBeads]

Seconded. And what's up with the abhorrent SN?


:troll:

i'm proctology, that's what's up with it

 

[MaseratiGT]

i'm proctology, that's what's up with it

Dude...your a troll.

 

[biocmp]

Well, I really can't understand why this kind of guys are cursing Barry.
I personally chose Barry over other schools(it may be yours), only because I like the weather in Miami like California where I am from. That's the only reason. I am not abso****inglutely regreting my choise.
well, I'd like to say 'wipe your ass before you call them dirty', aight?

😕

Mr. Polykks, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul

>>>> I hope you take that as a joke, but I really have no clue as to what you are trying to say in the above quoted fragmented paragraph structure.

 

[j0ez0r]

😕

Mr. Polykks, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul

>>>> I hope you take that as a joke, but I really have no clue as to what you are trying to say in the above quoted fragmented paragraph structure.

billy madison

 

[MaseratiGT]

😕

Mr. Polykks, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul

>>>> I hope you take that as a joke, but I really have no clue as to what you are trying to say in the above quoted fragmented paragraph structure.

😆

 

[biocmp]

I'm glad you were a good sport about my poking fun. (and I completely agree with you)

 

[patocpm]

Woooo hoooo!!! I passed !!!

 

[DPMstudent]

Woooo hoooo!!! I passed !!!

congrats... now you can enjoy clinic!

 

[zephryus14]

I passed too! Now I can start studying for Part II...

 

[MstrKnotOfHnry]

Anyone know the pass rates from the exam??? I'm still waiting to get my scores back! I know a lot of my fellow classmates are really scared to see the results.

 

[doclm]

I passed too! Now I can start studying for Part II...

Same here👍

I am so glad to be done with NBPME part I.

 

[drpodnynjpa]

Hi folks:
I am so nervous about this result. I am just curious that any one with address in central nj or else where in nj and in ny got their result back. I wish you all good luck.. Any idea as yet...😳

 

[dns3110]

I passed too!! I haven't received the letter yet though. But our school received the scores already. So we were able to ask them if we passed or not.

 

[Willcott]

Woooo hoooo!!! I passed !!!

ye yeaee. wroi wraa (is the disco call). Can I get a wa wa?

....oh yeah....all that crying and complaining I did about the NBPME I, I didn't mean it... This test was obviously a fair and accurate evaluation of a students' podiatric knowledge. Whoever wrote those disparaging remarks about boards part I must've stolen my password, filthy varmint....

Hey Pat,
Let's rip Cle,OH a new south pore; you bring the mace and fuzzy handcuffs, and I'll bring the grease gun full of trailer lube.

 

[MstrKnotOfHnry]

Congrats guys, I still have no recieved my scores, and yet everyone else around me has. I think it might be alphabetical and my name is at the end. Anyways, another assumption I may have is that only passing grades were sent out thus far, and the failing grades are coming next week (GOD I HOPE NOT!!). I was wondering if anyone knows of students who have failed, just to make me feel a lot better about this situation.

 

[drpodnynjpa]

Hi:
I just want to tell 'MstrKnotOfHnry ' not to be so Negative.. Come on dude first of all act like a mature warrior. Don't bring your conspiracy theory here and try to scared other here. First of all what ever has to happened will happen. Second about other folks who talked about test being so easy and did really shows what we learned in podiatry. All I have to say after passing every test I do tell my class after me that those tests are easy... So stop talking like that too. Act in a matured fashion else it will be shame that you folks are going to represent the profession... god bless u all who still have not got the result yet..

 

[drpodnynjpa]

Hi Folks:
Let me congrat all of you who have passed the test. But those of you who did not make it this time I also want to congrat you all. To me you all are hard working great podiatric student. I can say your luck did not work this time but let me tell you don't listened to ppl who says do this and that. Listen to your own soul and you will find the solution. And yes never question your ability because this test is not about your knowledge this is about what you put that day at that time. So as always you all who did not make it this time GOOD LUCK... And go kick those asses who tried to question you at the first place. If you need advice email me at [email protected]
I will help you all... Don't listen to those jerks who tried to tell you something out of way...😍

 

[MaseratiGT]

ye yeaee. wroi wraa (is the disco call). Can I get a wa wa?

....oh yeah....all that crying and complaining I did about the NBPME I, I didn't mean it... This test was obviously a fair and accurate evaluation of a students' podiatric knowledge. Whoever wrote those disparaging remarks about boards part I must've stolen my password, filthy varmint....

 

[msa786]

No need to bash me on this statement

But aren't the USMLE's supposed to be harder??

USMLE vs. NBPME????

Which requires more effort??

 

[jonwill]

No need to bash me on this statement

But aren't the USMLE's supposed to be harder??

USMLE vs. NBPME????

Which requires more effort??

I think they pretty much require the same effort since they're over the same material (basic science). Almost all pod students use USMLE material to study for the NBPME part one.

I think the USMLE MEANS more to MD students though. The score will be considered when appying to residencies. For pods, it is simply pass/fail.