Try your luck at USMLE

[Picklesali]

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Hey all,
I couldn't sleep last night, so I ...uh... downloaded the practice software from USMLE (or as I like to call it, "you-smile") and did block 1, just for kicks. Haha, got 36% (18/50). Has anyone else tried answering board questions pre-med school? If so, how did you do?

 

[Inuranic]

I stay away from that stuff - I don't want to psych myself out.

 

[GuzzyRon]

Hey all,
I couldn't sleep last night, so I ...uh... downloaded the practice software from USMLE (or as I like to call it, "you-smile") and did block 1, just for kicks. Haha, got 36% (18/50). Has anyone else tried answering board questions pre-med school? If so, how did you do?

If you're not yet in med school, I'd say stay away from USMLE-type materials. You'll only get yourself unnecessarily worked up, disappointed and depressed.

 

[Picklesali]

If you're not yet in med school, I'd say stay away from USMLE-type materials. You'll only get yourself unnecessarily worked up, disappointed and depressed.

I'm not really looking for advice on my sanity - I'm not one of those study-months-in-advance type people (I only had 3 weeks for MCAT.) I was just surprised that I recognized as much stuff on this practice test as I did. I don't really plan on making a habit of it, however, it is pointless to answer questions about things I have never learned. It was neat to see the types of questions they ask, though - some diagnosis, images, some basic science type, etc. I didn't find it depressing, I think it will be nice to retake this particular test in 2-3 years and see the VAST improvement (assuming someone decides to accept me to med school first.) I was just wondering if anyone else has done this.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

18/50 is actually pretty good. Keep it up and you're on your way to the beloved promise land of 250 on the step 1.

 

[Medikit]

I did the third block with my Mom who used to be a nurse during the 70s and she did really well, not sure what percentage but she definitely got a good amount correct.

 

[souslepont]

Haha, I did the same thing...the psych questions were really easy (is this person schizophrenic or bipolar?) but most of the other ones were totally over my head! We need lives.

 

[FurmanJon]

i didn't know this was online. That was fun. 26/50. I wish that could be part of my application 😛

 

[medguy83]

I haven't tried my hand at any practice tests, but I actually already bought first aid step 1. I figure it can't hurt to start early; although I think some of the material is best learned in school with traditional books and materials rather than a review book. There sure is a heck of a lot of information we'll be required to know.

 

[Hyperstudyosis]

I just did it and got 13/50- 26%. Pretty crappy, but I've still got 3 more years of undergrad before med school so I have plenty of time...

 

[copingmethods]

How do you get it? I saw something about a practice session on the USMLE website, but you have to pay or something...did you guys pay for it?

 

[Meatwad]

43/50 - 86%

I've been reading First Aid since '04. I'm going to kill this thing when the time comes. PLASTICS, HERE I COME!!!!

 

[shevie]

can you posta link??
thanks 😉

 

[smq123]

Hey all,
I couldn't sleep last night, so I ...uh... downloaded the practice software from USMLE (or as I like to call it, "you-smile") and did block 1, just for kicks. Haha, got 36% (18/50). Has anyone else tried answering board questions pre-med school? If so, how did you do?

1) I find it cruelly ironic that you pronounce the USMLE in such a cheery way, since there's nothing about the USMLE or the NBME that makes me want to smile. When I'm not thinking about how they hold my future in their sweaty, greedy little hands, I'm thinking about how they're bleeding my bank account dry. I mean, $1500 for Step 2 CS and CK? And you can only take Step 2 CS in 1 of 6 locations in the US? Please. [I suppose I shouldn't complain since I go to school in Philadelphia, where the NBME is based, so it's technically not a problem for me but still - it's the principle of the matter.]

(Yes, I'm quite bitter.)

2) The free questions from the NBME were nothing like the questions on my real exam. The free 150 questions focused heavily on diagnosis and basic science, but the real exam (for me) focused mostly on treatments and drug interactions. If the NBME is going to charge so darn much for the "opportunity" to spend 7 hours in standardized-exam-hell, then I would appreciate better free practice questions.

(All right, I'm very bitter.) 😳

If you're truly curious about what board questions look like, the next time you're in a medical bookstore or Barnes and Noble, check out Kaplan's QBook or First Aid's practice questions. I'm not recommending that you do this, but - hey, if you're really bored and really curious, go for it.

 

[Hyperstudyosis]

I went to the Examcrackers website to do the free USMLE practice test. You have to register, but you don't have to pay anything.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

1) I find it cruelly ironic that you pronounce the USMLE in such a cheery way, since there's nothing about the USMLE or the NBME that makes me want to smile. When I'm not thinking about how they hold my future in their sweaty, greedy little hands, I'm thinking about how they're bleeding my bank account dry. I mean, $1500 for Step 2 CS and CK? And you can only take Step 2 CS in 1 of 6 locations in the US? Please. [I suppose I shouldn't complain since I go to school in Philadelphia, where the NBME is based, so it's technically not a problem for me but still - it's the principle of the matter.]

(Yes, I'm quite bitter.)

2) The free questions from the NBME were nothing like the questions on my real exam. The free 150 questions focused heavily on diagnosis and basic science, but the real exam (for me) focused mostly on treatments and drug interactions. If the NBME is going to charge so darn much for the "opportunity" to spend 7 hours in standardized-exam-hell, then I would appreciate better free practice questions.

(All right, I'm very bitter.) 😳

If you're truly curious about what board questions look like, the next time you're in a medical bookstore or Barnes and Noble, check out Kaplan's QBook or First Aid's practice questions. I'm not recommending that you do this, but - hey, if you're really bored and really curious, go for it.

Agreed. As far as I can tell those 150 free questions are there so you can understand the FORMAT not the CONTENT. I really wouldn't view them as "practice questions."

 

[Law2Doc]

Agreed. As far as I can tell those 150 free questions are there so you can understand the FORMAT not the CONTENT. I really wouldn't view them as "practice questions."

Agreed. Those should really be labeled "150 Questions you will never see anything like on the USMLE". You can do yourself harm by convincing yourself you are USMLE ready based on that -- false self confidence is pretty detrimental, and fear is the best motivator for that test.

I'm not a big fan of folks preparing for the USMLE before they start med school. The biggest prep for that test, is med school. And if you think this test is going to be "fun", or something you cannot wait to try, you may want to seek professional help. 🙂

 

[adamMD]

I haven't tried my hand at any practice tests, but I actually already bought first aid step 1. I figure it can't hurt to start early; although I think some of the material is best learned in school with traditional books and materials rather than a review book. There sure is a heck of a lot of information we'll be required to know.

I bought the same book. I tried reading it but they just cut so much out that is very difficult to read. I gave it up and am just re-reading my A&P, neuroscience, histology... texts. I agree that we'll have to learn a heck of a lot. I'm not touching a sip of alcohol through out med school.

 

[Meatwad]

I bought the same book. I tried reading it but they just cut so much out that is very difficult to read. I gave it up and am just re-reading my A&P, neuroscience, histology... texts. I agree that we'll have to learn a heck of a lot. I'm not touching a sip of alcohol through out med school.

Ouch.

On the other hand, I guess you can add Loma Linda to your list of schools, though.

 

[BoilerWolverine]

I'm not touching a sip of alcohol through out med school.

First of all, yea right. Second of all, your a tool.

 

[greg1184]

Person who doesn't drink alcohol. What a horrendus concept! 🙄

 

[kingcer0x]

uh, don't get your hopes up... by the time you ms 0's are past 2nd year, Step 1 as we know it may not exist anymore, it may become Step 1 + 2 as one test after third year. The rumor is that will happen ~3 years from now.

 

[Law2Doc]

uh, don't get your hopes up... by the time you ms 0's are past 2nd year, Step 1 as we know it may not exist anymore, it may become Step 1 + 2 as one test after third year. The rumor is that will happen ~3 years from now.

I wouldn't bet on it happening so quickly (if at all). On the USMLE board, a student member of the "Committee to Evaluate the USMLE Program" posted that, while such a change is being discussed, if it even happens, the time frame they are looking at would be in at least 5-7 years.

 

[Auron]

29/50

I just took it cold. That was kinda fun.

 

[anotherpremed]

I bought the same book. I tried reading it but they just cut so much out that is very difficult to read. I gave it up and am just re-reading my A&P, neuroscience, histology... texts. I agree that we'll have to learn a heck of a lot. I'm not touching a sip of alcohol through out med school.

How do you have time to read a USMLE review book as a pre-med? If you need some thing to do why don't take advantage of the time you have pre-medical school to read novels or GASP have a social life?

 

[Pinkertinkle]

USMLE certainly makes some people smile.

 

[Law2Doc]

USMLE certainly makes some people smile.

The receipt of a good score might, but not the experience.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

The receipt of a good score might, but not the experience.

All's well that ends well, as they say.

 

[smq123]

I haven't tried my hand at any practice tests, but I actually already bought first aid step 1. I figure it can't hurt to start early; although I think some of the material is best learned in school with traditional books and materials rather than a review book. There sure is a heck of a lot of information we'll be required to know.

Hence the reason why they're called REVIEW books. Don't use First Aid to learn something for the first time.

Why did you waste your money buying First Aid now? By the time you actually get into med school and it comes time to start studying for it, you'll want to buy an updated/corrected version.

29/50

I just took it cold. That was kinda fun.

Of course it was fun. The first block is a breeze. By the sixth block, though, you almost stop caring if you pass or fail.

The 150 free NBME questions were much, much easier than the real thing. A 50-question block of USMLEWorld, however, isn't nearly so fun.

USMLE certainly makes some people smile.

Who are these people, and what types of Axis I/II disorders do they have?

 

[kuhlguy]

.

 

[thegenius]

I wouldn't bet on it happening so quickly (if at all). On the USMLE board, a student member of the "Committee to Evaluate the USMLE Program" posted that, while such a change is being discussed, if it even happens, the time frame they are looking at would be in at least 5-7 years.

I heard from one of the Deans of my medical school that in fact it is likely that the USMLE Step 1 will be eliminated. He said the time frame was around 5 years. Medical school education is changing and there have been some fundamental changes to residency requirements and medical school curricula. The old academic paradigm that our fathers and grandfathers went through is undergoing change. It's not unlikely that graduating requirements for medical school will also change.

It's something to keep abreast of, even though it won't affect me at all.

 

[EyeballLove]

Person who doesn't drink alcohol. What a horrendus concept! 🙄

Hehehe

 

[Law2Doc]

I heard from one of the Deans of my medical school that in fact it is likely that the USMLE Step 1 will be eliminated. He said the time frame was around 5 years.

Then he is jumping the gun in announcing this. From what I've heard/seen, although it is being talked about, it hasn't even been agreed upon. I tend to buy what the student rep who was posting on the USMLE boards indicated, that IF it gets agreed upon, a 5-7 year timeframe is likely. But they have to get past that IF first. Until they do, nothing is as "likely" as the status quo. According to a NBME Spring 2007 newsletter, findings and proposals of the CEUP aren't even going to be delivered to the NBME governance until 2008.