Update: New Version of USMLE Test Delivery Software / Step 1 / May 2009

[ShadyMedicine]

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I received this email today from the NBME, even though I've already taken Step 1. I thought I would pass it on:

A new version of the software used to deliver the computer-based USMLE Step examinations was introduced in mid-August 2008. The Step 1 Examination is scheduled to be migrated to the new version in May 2009.

The migration is expected to begin on or about May 15, 2009 at a small number of test centers, and will then be phased in at remaining test centers over a period of several weeks. If you plan to take the Step 1 examination in May 2009 or later, you should familiarize yourself with both the current test delivery software (FREDv1) and the new (FREDv2) version.

The sample test materials using both the current test delivery software and the new version are available on the USMLE website at http://www.usmle.org/Orientation/2009/menu.html.

The change to the test delivery software will be accounted for in scoring the examination results, so that scores will be comparable to those of exams using the older software. Because of this change, as well as routine modifications to the test item pool, it will be necessary to delay the reporting of scores for some examinees. The normal turnaround time for reporting scores to Step 1 examinees is 3 to 4 weeks. However, during this transition, turnaround time for some examinees may be as long as 6 to 8 weeks.

The target date for reporting Step 1 scores for most examinees testing from mid-May through late June will be Wednesday, July 15, 2009.

 

[iceman77_7]

Some of the differences are highlighted here: http://www.usmle.org/General_Information/FredV2/FAQs.html

The most interesting one, IMO, is the sequential item set. Looks like the follow-up questions in the sequence change depending on your first answer! I'm kinda glad I'm taking my test pre-May 15.

 

[swtiepie711]

The most interesting one, IMO, is the sequential item set. Looks like the follow-up questions in the sequence change depending on your first answer! I'm kinda glad I'm taking my test pre-May 15.

Q - from looking at it - it says that in a set, you have to answer #1 & then can't change your answer after you proceed to #2 in that set. Is that correct?

What's the current system like? Are there no "sets" currently and can you jump around as you see fit?

 

[iceman77_7]

Q - from looking at it - it says that in a set, you have to answer #1 & then can't change your answer after you proceed to #2 in that set. Is that correct?

What's the current system like? Are there no "sets" currently and can you jump around as you see fit?

Correct, my interpretation of a set (say #1-3 for example) is that you have to answer #1 and based on your answer to #1, you may get a different question for #2 and same for #3. However, they may also be doing this because something in the question stem for #2 and/or #3 may give away the answer to #1 or #2. The current system allows you to jump around within your 48 question block as you see fit.

 

[davosPlatz]

Some of the differences are highlighted here: http://www.usmle.org/General_Information/FredV2/FAQs.html

The most interesting one, IMO, is the sequential item set. Looks like the follow-up questions in the sequence change depending on your first answer! I'm kinda glad I'm taking my test pre-May 15.

Iceman, I don't believe that's correct.

The items are fixed if I understand correctly, but because the subsequent questions have information that might aid you in your answer choice selection for prior questions, you must make a selection and cannot change it after moving forward. However, the subsequent questions do not change based on your response. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Mortal_Lessons]

Iceman, I don't believe that's correct.

The items are fixed if I understand correctly, but because the subsequent questions have information that might aid you in your answer choice selection for prior questions, you must make a selection and cannot change it after moving forward. However, the subsequent questions do not change based on your response. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes-your explanation seems to make the most sense with my interpretation of this new feature. I guess it's possible to immediately know if your previous answer was correct based on subsequent items in the set. The website also states that there won't be more than five per exam...

 

[iceman77_7]

Iceman, I don't believe that's correct.

The items are fixed if I understand correctly, but because the subsequent questions have information that might aid you in your answer choice selection for prior questions, you must make a selection and cannot change it after moving forward. However, the subsequent questions do not change based on your response. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I don't know for sure either way. It makes the most sense that subsequent questions give the previous answers away, but no one knows for sure until someone actually takes it. I don't think their explanation is completely clear on that.

 

[trp2006]

Yes-your explanation seems to make the most sense with my interpretation of this new feature. I guess it's possible to immediately know if your previous answer was correct based on subsequent items in the set. The website also states that there won't be more than five per exam...

When you say not more then five per exam, does that mean five questions per exam or five sets of questions (meaning 15 questions) per exam?

 

[swtiepie711]

When you say not more then five per exam, does that mean five questions per exam or five sets of questions (meaning 15 questions) per exam?

Not more than 5 sets per exam, I believe.... 🙁

 

[nlax30]

Has anyone seen a list of test locations that will be using the new version in May?

The mentioned a "small number" to begin with and then phasing it other locations over the next few weeks..... would kind of be nice going in knowing which version I'll be getting.

 

[Depakote]

I poked around the Fred 2 demo that you can download from the USMLE website. The question sets are described in the orientation.

You get a single vignette for 2 questions, the second question looks like it tells you the answer to the first question. Once you proceed to the second question, you won't be able to change your answer to the first. You can skip the linked sets, leave in the middle of one and come back and you can still do the rest of your block at your leisure, the only thing you need to do is answer question 1 before you see question 2 in the set.

If this is confusing, d/l the fred 2 demo software from the USMLE website and go through the tutorial. It really helped me understand these things were.

They're not much to sweat about.