USMLE World Scores and Step II Scores

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Probably been discussed before, but can't find a recent thread....

I'm just curious about what scores people were getting on USMLE World, and then how you ended up doing on Step 2.

All you have to do is post two numbers...... 🙂

Thanks folks, and good luck with everything!!
 
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Slade said:
Well, when you hear CHOP people bragging about their 250s average on STEP 1, it's certainly not reassuring 🙄

But I'm trying to get into a CA program, coming from the East coast, which is pretty competitive, and since there's all this secrecy around applicants' test scores (would it really hurt them to publish average scores??), I have no idea where I fall compared to others.

Sorry if I was inadvertently bragging, definitely not my intention.
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Here is the data: http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2011.pdf

Granted this is in 2011...still I don't think it has changed that drastically. You will have your pick of programs so long as you are not some psycho on interviews.
 
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RUcereus said:
Here is the data: http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2011.pdf

Granted this is in 2011...still I don't think it has changed that drastically. You will have your pick of programs so long as you are not some psycho on interviews.
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Yes but when you are looking at top tier programs, you can basically throw that out the window. Even peds is super competitive at places like CHOP, Boston, Hopkins, Stanford, etc. For example, there are about 10 people at my school applying to peds as we speak, Step 1 scores above 250, published, several are AOA and they all are gunning for the big dogs. You'll get the interview, but it's not a slam dunk.
 
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Took the beast yesterday will my score be out Sept 5th or 12th? Anywho.... UW is where the money is at. I did UW x2 and Secrets, gave up on First Aid. Also did Kaplan during my rotations and prepared for the shelfs.

NBME 4 was a joke compared to the exam. The UW assessment was more on point, but we'll see when I get my score. I had 9 blocks (5 45 questions, 2 44, 1 42 and 1 23 my last block) ALL block had 60minutes on them even the 23 question one for which I only took 40 min and that was me being lazy, it was a nice end to exam. I felt like I had a lot of time, finishing 5-10 min and being able to go back to my flagged questions. MVA accidents, post-partum complications and some peds cases seem to come about more often than just straight up IM.

Step: 1 235
UWSA: 234 (~1 week out)

I just hope that feeling ok about the exam doesn't mean I failed :s ... :xf:
 
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Pedi FTW said:
Yes but when you are looking at top tier programs, you can basically throw that out the window. Even peds is super competitive at places like CHOP, Boston, Hopkins, Stanford, etc. For example, there are about 10 people at my school applying to peds as we speak, Step 1 scores above 250, published, several are AOA and they all are gunning for the big dogs. You'll get the interview, but it's not a slam dunk.
Click to expand...

See, this is what I thought. Everyone thinks peds is so noncompetitive, but when you're talking about top programs, it's a whole other ball game.
 
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coralis said:
Took the beast yesterday will my score be out Sept 5th or 12th? Anywho.... UW is where the money is at. I did UW x2 and Secrets, gave up on First Aid. Also did Kaplan during my rotations and prepared for the shelfs.

NBME 4 was a joke compared to the exam. The UW assessment was more on point, but we'll see when I get my score. I had 9 blocks (5 45 questions, 2 44, 1 42 and 1 23 my last block) ALL block had 60minutes on them even the 23 question one for which I only took 40 min and that was me being lazy, it was a nice end to exam. I felt like I had a lot of time, finishing 5-10 min and being able to go back to my flagged questions. MVA accidents, post-partum complications and some peds cases seem to come about more often than just straight up IM.

Step: 1 235
UWSA: 234 (~1 week out)

I just hope that feeling ok about the exam doesn't mean I failed :s ... :xf:
Click to expand...

Sept 26th for most/all August test takers - sorry to burst your bubble lol.
 
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coralis said:
Took the beast yesterday will my score be out Sept 5th or 12th? Anywho.... UW is where the money is at. I did UW x2 and Secrets, gave up on First Aid. Also did Kaplan during my rotations and prepared for the shelfs.

NBME 4 was a joke compared to the exam. The UW assessment was more on point, but we'll see when I get my score. I had 9 blocks (5 45 questions, 2 44, 1 42 and 1 23 my last block) ALL block had 60minutes on them even the 23 question one for which I only took 40 min and that was me being lazy, it was a nice end to exam. I felt like I had a lot of time, finishing 5-10 min and being able to go back to my flagged questions. MVA accidents, post-partum complications and some peds cases seem to come about more often than just straight up IM.

Step: 1 235
UWSA: 234 (~1 week out)

I just hope that feeling ok about the exam doesn't mean I failed :s ... :xf:
Click to expand...

Could you comment more about how the exam compared to UW? Many others mentioned the new changed exam in August was much harder than UW with much longer questions (2x UW). Did you find this to be the case at all? Thanks!
 
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rankin said:
Could you comment more about how the exam compared to UW? Many others mentioned the new changed exam in August was much harder than UW with much longer questions (2x UW). Did you find this to be the case at all? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I took mine on July 31 in Australia (July 30 in the US), and I thought the same thing about long/difficult questions. I don't think it has anything to do with the "new exam."

I'm hoping that means that I got a friendly curve.
 
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Exam date: 29July
My schedule permit just disappeared, however the link for "extending the eligibility period" is still there!!
Is there anything wrong? What does it mean?
 
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didi2000 said:
Exam date: 29July
My schedule permit just disappeared, however the link for "extending the eligibility period" is still there!!
Is there anything wrong? What does it mean?
Click to expand...
Your scores will probably be out this wednesday!!
 
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😱😱😱

Now that Wednesday's drawing near, I'm not so sure I want to see my score !!!

:xf::xf::xf:
 
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rankin said:
Could you comment more about how the exam compared to UW? Many others mentioned the new changed exam in August was much harder than UW with much longer questions (2x UW). Did you find this to be the case at all? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Aug 12 tester here. I would not agree with this. I found the questions to be on par with UW in both difficulty and length - I certainly did not see any question that was even 50% longer than the longest UW questions. I really do not think the changes being implemented are as significant as some would have you believe.
 
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beyondbethany said:
Aug 12 tester here. I would not agree with this. I found the questions to be on par with UW in both difficulty and length - I certainly did not see any question that was even 50% longer than the longest UW questions. I really do not think the changes being implemented are as significant as some would have you believe.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input. Seems interesting the different experiences.
 
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rankin said:
Could you comment more about how the exam compared to UW? Many others mentioned the new changed exam in August was much harder than UW with much longer questions (2x UW). Did you find this to be the case at all? Thanks!
Click to expand...

No I did not find any of the questions longer than on UW. The drug ads and summary questions were the same style and length. In fact I felt like I had more time in the actual exam, but then again I used to take my sweet time and NOT have stress drive me when I was doing tests at home. Although, when I took the UWSA I was finishing without any time to spare. When I took the NBME 4, I took it offline but I finished in like 3 hours. Cheers
 
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coralis said:
No I did not find any of the questions longer than on UW. The drug ads and summary questions were the same style and length. In fact I felt like I had more time in the actual exam, but then again I used to take my sweet time and NOT have stress drive me when I was doing tests at home. Although, when I took the UWSA I was finishing without any time to spare. When I took the NBME 4, I took it offline but I finished in like 3 hours. Cheers
Click to expand...

Ah I see, thank you for the input.
 
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Do free questions available at USMLE.org have any predictive value?

I happened to score 80% in three of those blocks. Any correlation...😕
 
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512TA said:
Do free questions available at USMLE.org have any predictive value?

I happened to score 80% in three of those blocks. Any correlation...😕
Click to expand...

Medfriends has a score prediction based on the free questions, you could plug your overall % in to see what the score correlation would be. Although all of their predictors have very wide confidence intervals. I wouldn't put too much stock in it.

FWIW if you scored 80% on every block in the actual test I suspect you would get a pretty good score.
 
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eeeeeek said:
When it comes to all specialities, all the good programs are competitive IMO
Click to expand...

Not really an opinion. You're correct. Now, the relative benefits of the "top" programs is a little iffy versus the solid programs, especially in places where fellows dominate. I have a friend at CHOP for fellowship who was an IMG with mediocre scores at best and went to a lower tier residency, but worked her butt off to get the spot.
 
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I got mine around 11:00AM or so.

They send me an email an hour prior telling me to get ready


This is obviously in the past couple of months
 
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SDN is the only place in the world where you can post such a random question and immediately get so many answers...

took my exam the 30th, am hoping it comes out today. I had forgotten how fun it is to sit in front of the computer and wait...interrupted only by trips to the bathroom
 
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Step I: 247
Step II: 239

specialty applying for: IM. glad it is done, hope the drop doesn't kill me.
 
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I felt terrible leaving the test too.

Step I: 227 (although I was very disappointed with that based on my recent practice test scores)


UWorld: 74%
UWSA: 244, about 4 weeks out
NBME 4: 253, about 1 week out

Step II: 242 - again, lower than predicted based on my practice test scores, but not as big of a drop as my Step I score. So I'm satisfied.
 
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Step 1: 250

NBME 3: 235 before starting Uworld (half of kaplan Qbank by category)
UWorld: 70-72%...just pretty much stayed there the entire month. Did 3 blocks a day, timed, random unused questions.
UWSA 10 days before Step 2: 247

Step 2 CK: 242

felt like I failed it when I walked out...it felt a lot harder than UWorld and the questions stems felt a bit longer but really the length wasn't the problem, it was the ambiguity. like on UW, I could read the questions and know what it was, but have a little trouble picking an answer, but on the test I'd be confused about what it was disease-wise to begin with. and that brought on panic and then i found myself rereading the question 2-3 times. also biostat questions didn't help so I found myself rushing more on the real exam then on Uworld practice blocks. I didn't really have a chance to read most of my Drug Ads...but they were 1 page vs. 2 pages on UW. The abstract I had was ridiculous...3 questions and I picked C for all 3.

I used Step Up to Step 2, DIT and UWorld. I think just doing lots of questions is the best way...if I could go back I'd probably do as many questions as I could and make notes on them. I wish there was one book out there that was more comprehensive for Step 2, like Step 1 FA. Some friends liked MTB and FA Step 2. I think it doesn't really matter, as long as you do questions.

I'm happy that I didn't fail, but kind of depressed that my score dropped 8 points. I want to go into IM and I'm hoping this drop doesn't screw up my chances in some competitive programs. Its just the perfectionist in me talking, but I know it'll be a few days before I'm over it.

Good luck to everyone! 🙂
 
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floja2 said:
similar issue here. while two digit score isn't a great indicator, i went from 99 --> 85; kind of a 1.5 standard deviation drop assuming that these things correlate? oh well, should not have used first aid. if i were to do it again, i'd use DIT.
Click to expand...
they changed the two digit scores. Im pretty sure 85 is still really high like 250+?
 
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Took it today.

Step 1: 255+

Prep for step 2: Took 3 weeks and did Uworld from scratch. Random and timed. Ended up with 77% correct as my overall average and 80% for the last 20 blocks. Used SU2S2 exclusively. I have a brand new copy of Secrets that I never opened.

Test:
Test was harder than I expected it to be. I don't know if it was simply due to the fact that it was different than I was expecting or what. I had 2-3 stat questions per block and went 41, 43, 44, 45, 45, 45, 44, 41 or something like that. Felt good for about 4-5 of the 8 blocks. Had two blocks that were harder than the other ones. Strange applied physiology stuff that would have been reasonable if the writers would use normal terminology and such, but instead they use cryptic language and try to view an organ from all possible angles. Can't really say what it was in particular or it would give away too much. I feel like I have a great background in physiology and struggled with some of these questions.

Unlike some others on here, I had 3-4 pharm questions per block as well. Nothing too crazy, but there were a couple of really strange, that even with all of my books and the internet I still can't find the answer to.

Other than that there were a lot of freebie questions as well. Uworld had a quite a few that were virtually verbatim to the questions on the test. I didn't take a practice exam so I can't talk about that. I did not do Secrets either.

I'll post again once 9/26 comes.. Unless I'm crying in the corner. Lol.
 
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I'm part of today's 11AM batch.

Step1: 256/99
Step2: 272/89

Both tests used the same game plan: UWorld qbank & Kaplan qbank, 2 NBME tests, my own personal notes & 4 weeks dedicated studying.

For those of you who still haven't taken step 2 (or step 1 for that matter), check out Kaplan qbank, it's one of the most under-rated tools. It worked for me twice, and I'll probably buy for Step 3 too.

EDIT:
Kaplan qbank step 2: 77%
UWorld qbank step 2: 83%
NBME Form 2/4: both 260 equivalent based on scoring chart
 
Last edited:
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Hey, since you guys are posting scores on this thread... Maybe post your UWorld %correct? In the spirit of the title, at least? That keeps the thread ostensibly useful. I've noticed a lot of you posting just Step scores.
 
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floja2 said:
similar issue here. while two digit score isn't a great indicator, i went from 99 --> 85; kind of a 1.5 standard deviation drop assuming that these things correlate? oh well, should not have used first aid. if i were to do it again, i'd use DIT.
Click to expand...

Still can't believe people are talking about this. The two-digit score is absolutely and completely irrelevant. Sure, back in the day it was used in some capacity (and incorrectly) to gauge applicants. In fact, an article has been published using it as a measure of future success in particular residency programs. This is hard to believe since the old system dictated that anything >229 was a 99. This is all on the official USMLE website.

The two-digit score is not a percentile. The state medical board and your official transcripts are where it shows up. When your scores are reported through ERAS it is omitted. The three digit score is the only way to reliably show how you did on the USMLE. You will be solely judged for your performance on the USMLE by the three-digit score. Why is this so? Because the programs will no longer be able to physically see your two-digit score.

Yes, they changed the scale of the two-digit score last year. It doesn't matter.
 
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Pedi FTW said:
Yes but when you are looking at top tier programs, you can basically throw that out the window. Even peds is super competitive at places like CHOP, Boston, Hopkins, Stanford, etc. For example, there are about 10 people at my school applying to peds as we speak, Step 1 scores above 250, published, several are AOA and they all are gunning for the big dogs. You'll get the interview, but it's not a slam dunk.
Click to expand...

'Anecdotal claim that I know 12 people that scored in the 220s and matched MGH peds'

No but for real, my point is he has the scores to make him competitive in that area. Hell, those scores are competitive for most specialties. He is in the top 300 applicants for board scores when it comes to peds. I wasn't saying peds was uncompetitive on the west coast, just that the applicant IS competitive for those programs. Also, his first post mentioned nothing about where he wanted to go, simply that he wanted peds, which is fair to say is a less competitive specialty to match.
 
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neulite30 said:
Still can't believe people are talking about this. The two-digit score is absolutely and completely irrelevant. Sure, back in the day it was used in some capacity (and incorrectly) to gauge applicants. In fact, an article has been published using it as a measure of future success in particular residency programs. This is hard to believe since the old system dictated that anything >229 was a 99. This is all on the official USMLE website.

The two-digit score is not a percentile. The state medical board and your official transcripts are where it shows up. When your scores are reported through ERAS it is omitted. The three digit score is the only way to reliably show how you did on the USMLE. You will be solely judged for your performance on the USMLE by the three-digit score. Why is this so? Because the programs will no longer be able to physically see your two-digit score.

Yes, they changed the scale of the two-digit score last year. It doesn't matter.
Click to expand...

Actually there really is no evidence that higher USMLE scores correlate with residency performance. Maybe they were onto something at just looking at the 2 digit score...
 
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Hi all,

I've never posted on this site, but feel like I should as it helped me gauge where I was at through my studying.

Step 1: 227

One pass through Uworld, FA and DIT
UWorld percent was 68% if I recall correctly.

Not a stellar score, but respectable. Throughout my first two years, I honored our courses, and I also honored medicine and surgery shells during third year. I used FA for third year, and reset it for my step 2 study time.

Step 2: 268

I studied for three and a half weeks during a light rotation, and averaged 5-6 hours a day.

UW during third year: 68%
UW during study time: 77%

The key to doing well is UWORLD. I used it to learn, as well as practice questions. For step 1, I wish I would have focused on just UW and FA rather than using DIT. My bump for step 2 was because I did UW twice, and then the incorrect questions after my second pass.

Good luck to all.
 
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HalladayWeekend said:
Actually there really is no evidence that higher USMLE scores correlate with residency performance. Maybe they were onto something at just looking at the 2 digit score...
Click to expand...

Have to use something to screen applicants. Can't interview 1000 applicants for 6 spots.
 
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HalladayWeekend said:
Actually there really is no evidence that higher USMLE scores correlate with residency performance. Maybe they were onto something at just looking at the 2 digit score...
Click to expand...

I beg to differ.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21036416

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21292930

'High USMLE Step 1 scores have been shown to correlate with high Orthopaedic In-Training Examination scores and improved surgical skill ratings during residency...'

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8431254

(From the USMLE predecessor, but still): 'Both NBME Part I and NBME Part II were useful predictors; however, the relationships with NBME Part II were generally stronger. Strong relationships were observed between specialty board pass-fail outcomes and NBME scores: examinees whose NBME scores were below 400 were at much greater risk for failing their specialty board examinations.'

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21156308

'USMLE Step 1 scores showed limited utility in predicting later ABSITE scores whereas Step 2 scores were more predictive of all years of ABSITE scores.'


There are a blizzard of papers like this out there, some of which link USMLE performance not only to specialty board pass rates but to clinical performance evaluations. If anything, the evidence supports the exact opposite conclusion vs yours.
 
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Hey guys,

I first off wanted to thank all the SDN folks who took the exam ahead of me and posted their advice on here for all of us! Got me through Step 1 and now through Step 2 CK!
I tried MTB out the first few days, though I found it to be too simple and superficial so I switched to DIT!
I watched DIT in about a week and a half to first off to get myself acquainted with the exam and learn the kind of things I'll have to study for the exam.
I went through UWorld 1.5x, 1st round averaged 72%, mix of timed and tutor mode, I annotated everything into my SUS2. --For about 2 and a half weeks.
Last day and a half, I read Secrets for the sections I was weakest in and though it wasn't that helpful, it was good to get away from staring at a computer screen all day.

NBME 4 (3 weeks before): 246
UWSA (1 week before): 256

Step 2 CK: high 250's😍😍----- I'm ridiculously excited as I thought i got murdered by that exam and thought I just ruined all my high hopes for residencies. For all of those left to take it, stay calm, don't freak out, and if you're doing well on your practice exams then you should have no reason to worry about your actual performance even if you feel like absolute crap walking out of the exam! Good luck to all that are yet to take it!
 
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Oh and as everyone has always said UWorld is ABSOLUTELY the single best source for this exam!! So keep grinding through it!!😀
 
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dozitgetchahi said:
I beg to differ.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21036416

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21292930

'High USMLE Step 1 scores have been shown to correlate with high Orthopaedic In-Training Examination scores and improved surgical skill ratings during residency...'

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8431254

(From the USMLE predecessor, but still): 'Both NBME Part I and NBME Part II were useful predictors; however, the relationships with NBME Part II were generally stronger. Strong relationships were observed between specialty board pass-fail outcomes and NBME scores: examinees whose NBME scores were below 400 were at much greater risk for failing their specialty board examinations.'

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21156308

'USMLE Step 1 scores showed limited utility in predicting later ABSITE scores whereas Step 2 scores were more predictive of all years of ABSITE scores.'


There are a blizzard of papers like this out there, some of which link USMLE performance not only to specialty board pass rates but to clinical performance evaluations. If anything, the evidence supports the exact opposite conclusion vs yours.
Click to expand...

Virtually all of the papers that you quote correlate exam performance in residency and beyond with Step 1 and Step 2 scores. This is rather obvious- good test takers do well on tests. I'd like to see more data about linking USMLE scores to orthopedic surgery skill. The NBME itself doesn't recommend using scores other than for Pass/Fail.
 
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