USMLE World Scores and Step II Scores

[lmh14]

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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[Jervix]

Adding to the experience as it helped me out immensely over the last few years:

Background:
Step 1: 250
Shelf scores: 84-88 (IM, Surg, Ob, Neuro)
NBME 4 (3 weeks out): 220
NBME 6 (2 weeks out) 240
UWSA (1 week out): 257
UWorld avg: ~80%

Prior to CK I hadn't completed: Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Second 6 weeks of Medicine/ICU
Study time: 4 weeks while on psychiatry. Studied ~2 hours while on site and 4-6 hrs when I got home, 6-8 hours on weekends.
Materials: MTB - spot read weak points, Step 2 Secrets x 2, UWorld (second time through)
Plan: Hit Psych, Peds and prevention hard as I had not had those rotations yet. These were very manageable with review materials and UWORLD.

Step II CK Score: 265

Tips/Advice:
Study hard during third year, it makes the test very manageable. Its doable without completing several core rotations. I would however suggest IM/Surg/OB for sure prior to the test.
-Uworld is the best, truly. I worked through the entire bank by subject, don't think it harmed me in any way. Thoroughly understand the question and why each answer is wrong/right. When in doubt keep grinding away!

 

[jr87]

Step 2: 252

I used "master the boards" by Conrad Fisher and I thought it was awesome. I read through it all the way once, then went back and re-read a few sections I felt weak on. I only did about 1000 Uworld questions, but I really took my time on all of them to understand why the answers were right or wrong. MTB does not have a single word about stats and I think that part of the test blew me away, so if you use that source make sure to refer to something else for all the biostats.

 

[nacholibre]

I did well on step I and reasonably well on all of my shelf exams 80-100, and therefore it when it came time for step II studying I was really not that motivated. I kept putting it off and getting distracted. All said and done I probably studied for 5 hours and did about 100 UW questions. Knowing the OB was my weakness I did a power review of OB/Gyn the night before the test (about 4 hours) and took the thing with significant regret about my laziness.

I scored the exact same as STEP I.

Bottom line, chances are if you studied really hard for Step I and during 3rd year, you're gonna do great.

My "read-between-the-lines" message to anyone who not feeling all that motivated - Don't sweat it.

 

[USMLE12DOC]

Starting to study this week for Step 2 CK... I will write my CK on Dec. 4th... trying to get through DIT w 44qs/day Kaplan Q bank.. then 4 weeks to do Uworld 200q/day with MTB 2 + MTB 3 for IM and specialties respectively... any opinions? Is this sufficient/manageable?

Step 1: 248
Step 2: aiming for >250

Goal: FM Residency --> Sports Fellowship

 

[Stellar Clouds]

Starting to study this week for Step 2 CK... I will write my CK on Dec. 4th... trying to get through DIT w 44qs/day Kaplan Q bank.. then 4 weeks to do Uworld 200q/day with MTB 2 + MTB 3 for IM and specialties respectively... any opinions? Is this sufficient/manageable?

Step 1: 248
Step 2: aiming for >250

Goal: FM Residency --> Sports Fellowship

Sounds like overkill to me. How did you do on your shelf exams?

 

[USMLE12DOC]

Shelf mid 80s to low 90s raw, not sure if DIT is worth it.

 

[Stellar Clouds]

Shelf mid 80s to low 90s raw, not sure if DIT is worth it.

I'd spend a couple weeks going over uworld and then take the test.

 

[ominimaxi]

Motivation everywhere

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[doc10487]

Greetings guys!
this thread has been my sole source of motivation in my journey for step 2. Keep up the good work everyone👍

I am giving step 2 CK at the end of December. I am done with kaplan lectures 🙂 and will be starting MTB. psychiatry is my weakest link so any help with that will be appreciated. 😕

another query, i know its been asked again and again but should i do Kaplan QBank or not?

with all the experiences one thing that i have learned is that exam is way more vague & harder than the uworld, so if given a chance to do it all over again what different would you do? what can we do to conquer this step 2 CK the beast that it has become.

Appreciate your help🙂

 

[elektroshok]

Welp -

That was a ridiculously hard test I thought.
I thought there were wayyy more vague questions than anticipated, a couple step 1-esque questions in each block. A couple in each block I know for sure I got wrong, a couple more in each that I had to make a best guess and not to mention the ones I prob missed and didn't realize it.

I am glad I took it after apps went in since I might be re-taking it. Much much much harder than the world test or any nbmes..

 

[ohyeahbaby]

Welp -

That was a ridiculously hard test I thought.
I thought there were wayyy more vague questions than anticipated, a couple step 1-esque questions in each block. A couple in each block I know for sure I got wrong, a couple more in each that I had to make a best guess and not to mention the ones I prob missed and didn't realize it.

I am glad I took it after apps went in since I might be re-taking it. Much much much harder than the world test or any nbmes..

any advice for me? I take mine in 11 hours.

any last minute thoughts you may have would for sure be appreciated

 

[Stellar Clouds]

any advice for me? I take mine in 11 hours.

any last minute thoughts you may have would for sure be appreciated

Get a good night's rest, even if you wanted to change something, it's much too late now. You'll be fine. It feels like a tough test when you come out of it, but you'll be pleasantly surprised with how you did.

 

[elektroshok]

any advice for me? I take mine in 11 hours.

any last minute thoughts you may have would for sure be appreciated

The only advice I have that I didn't start doing till the third block or so is, if you have those stupid drug ad or scientific paper type questions, mark and come back to at the end of the section. At least for me those took a bunch of time flipping back and forth between the ad and the question and figuring out what the hell they were asking

 

[ohyeahbaby]

Get a good night's rest, even if you wanted to change something, it's much too late now. You'll be fine. It feels like a tough test when you come out of it, but you'll be pleasantly surprised with how you did.

will do, thanks! quick question: i know that I'm expected to feel that I bombed it. How did you pull yourself together between each section and convince yourself that you'll be fine? I took the UWSA, and by the time I was done with it, I was having a panic attack because I couldn't think of a single question that I got right. I ended up doing very well on it. But I wish I was more confident.

The only advice I have that I didn't start doing till the third block or so is, if you have those stupid drug ad or scientific paper type questions, mark and come back to at the end of the section. At least for me those took a bunch of time flipping back and forth between the ad and the question and figuring out what the hell they were asking

I know exactly what u mean - thanks for the heads up

 

[Stellar Clouds]

will do, thanks! quick question: i know that I'm expected to feel that I bombed it. How did you pull yourself together between each section and convince yourself that you'll be fine? I took the UWSA, and by the time I was done with it, I was having a panic attack because I couldn't think of a single question that I got right. I ended up doing very well on it. But I wish I was more confident.

I think just knowing that it will feel that way is the best way to convince yourself that you'll be fine. Don't dwell in the past--once you finish a block, just forget about it.

 

[ohyeahbaby]

I think just knowing that it will feel that way is the best way to convince yourself that you'll be fine. Don't dwell in the past--once you finish a block, just forget about it.

took it today. I've been scoring really well on everything, and I still walked out of there thinking I failed. Hell I still think I failed. There wasn't a single question I was sure about, but at the same time I had been reading this thread (and your comments), so that made it a bit easier.

I think i'm the only one on SDN here who ran out of time on each of the 8 sections. Literally, I would have 3 or 4 questions left, then boom, i'm out. I never do uworld unless it's timed and completely random. I have always finished 10-15 minutes before the block is over. This thing was on a different level. It wasn't hard at all. It was just long as s,hit

I just really really really want to pass. I can't care less about what I got, as long as I pass.

My uworld average was 61, which should be 240 on that comparison chart someone posted on SDN.

Also, I took the free NBME practice questions. 4 blocks basically. I got 78&. Not sure what the heck that means though,😕

 

[Bleu Celeste]

I am hoping someone will have some advice-

I've been studying for step 2 about two weeks. NBME 4 after 1 week- 258, UWorld SA after 2 weeks- 242. For the specialty I'm applying for, anything lower than 250 would probably not be good. My test is in a couple days and I'm wondering if I should postpone my test a bit, take another NBME, or just super study and hope for the best... any advice???

 

[doc10487]

took it today. I've been scoring really well on everything, and I still walked out of there thinking I failed. Hell I still think I failed. There wasn't a single question I was sure about, but at the same time I had been reading this thread (and your comments), so that made it a bit easier.

I think i'm the only one on SDN here who ran out of time on each of the 8 sections. Literally, I would have 3 or 4 questions left, then boom, i'm out. I never do uworld unless it's timed and completely random. I have always finished 10-15 minutes before the block is over. This thing was on a different level. It wasn't hard at all. It was just long as s,hit

I just really really really want to pass. I can't care less about what I got, as long as I pass.

My uworld average was 61, which should be 240 on that comparison chart someone posted on SDN.

Also, I took the free NBME practice questions. 4 blocks basically. I got 78&. Not sure what the heck that means though,😕

****! is it that long. I have no problem of time management while doing u world. any suggestions? what would u say about the difficulty level?

 

[Stellar Clouds]

****! is it that long. I have no problem of time management while doing u world. any suggestions? what would u say about the difficulty level?

I definitely felt it was very long when I took it. For step 1 I finished every single section (except the last one) before the 5 minute warning appeared. When that warning appeared on the last section, it scared the **** out of me. For step 2, I submitted every section with only seconds to spare. The question stems are just very long--longer than on uworld. My advice is to practice reading the end of the stem to find out what they are asking, quickly browse through the answer choices, and then actually read the whole question stem. This way, while you are reading the question stem you know what is relevant to the actual question they are asking. Starting practicing now with uworld.

 

[ahowardmd]

Got my CK score this morning, and I'm pretty excited. If anybody has a doubt about recovering from a s****y Step 1 score, hopefully I can inspire you!

Step 1 score: 203

3rd year clerkships: Did UWorld questions once through for each clerkship (i.e. IM section during IM, surgery section during surgery, etc). Also did Case Files for OB-Gyn, Surgery, Psychiatry, Pediatrics; during the clerkship.

One month of dedicated study time before CK, got through UWorld a second time.

Step 2 CK score: 255!

Didn't imagine I would do this well, I was just hoping to make the mean. Now I'm just hoping I passed CS...

 

[annihilatorpro]

I definitely felt it was very long when I took it. For step 1 I finished every single section (except the last one) before the 5 minute warning appeared. When that warning appeared on the last section, it scared the **** out of me. For step 2, I submitted every section with only seconds to spare. The question stems are just very long--longer than on uworld. My advice is to practice reading the end of the stem to find out what they are asking, quickly browse through the answer choices, and then actually read the whole question stem. This way, while you are reading the question stem you know what is relevant to the actual question they are asking. Starting practicing now with uworld.

I took step 2 this past Monday and was also running low on time in every block. Even when I consciously started a new block with the intent to go faster, I simply couldn't because there were so many long passages / drug ads / research abstracts. It was just a completely awful experience and something I am not accustomed to because I always had time left doing Uworld and w/ Step 1. I just felt so frazzled throughout the exam, was unsure on easily 50% of the questions which had multiple answer choices that seemed correct - had to randomly pick the answer for a couple just because I had no time left. 🙁

 

[doc10487]

I definitely felt it was very long when I took it. For step 1 I finished every single section (except the last one) before the 5 minute warning appeared. When that warning appeared on the last section, it scared the **** out of me. For step 2, I submitted every section with only seconds to spare. The question stems are just very long--longer than on uworld. My advice is to practice reading the end of the stem to find out what they are asking, quickly browse through the answer choices, and then actually read the whole question stem. This way, while you are reading the question stem you know what is relevant to the actual question they are asking. Starting practicing now with uworld.

thanks man 🙂 will do and hope it works out.

 

[Stellar Clouds]

😉

I took step 2 this past Monday and was also running low on time in every block. Even when I consciously started a new block with the intent to go faster, I simply couldn't because there were so many long passages / drug ads / research abstracts. It was just a completely awful experience and something I am not accustomed to because I always had time left doing Uworld and w/ Step 1. I just felt so frazzled throughout the exam, was unsure on easily 50% of the questions which had multiple answer choices that seemed correct - had to randomly pick the answer for a couple just because I had no time left. 🙁

It's over now, nothing to do now but relax and enjoy fourth year. You can freak out when you get the email saying your score will be available later that day. Have your freak out, then feel the relief when you scored well. Best of luck! 🙂

 

[annihilatorpro]

It's over now, nothing to do now but relax and enjoy fourth year. You can freak out when you get the email saying your score will be available later that day. Have your freak out, then feel the relief when you scored well. Best of luck!

Thanks for the encouragement, I hope that's exactly how it turns out!

 

[doc10487]

I took step 2 this past Monday and was also running low on time in every block. Even when I consciously started a new block with the intent to go faster, I simply couldn't because there were so many long passages / drug ads / research abstracts. It was just a completely awful experience and something I am not accustomed to because I always had time left doing Uworld and w/ Step 1. I just felt so frazzled throughout the exam, was unsure on easily 50% of the questions which had multiple answer choices that seemed correct - had to randomly pick the answer for a couple just because I had no time left. 🙁

its common to feel you blew it after the exam, i hope you ace this exam. Is there something that one can do to prepare well for those 50% questions that u r unsure of? Is there any additional prep one should do?

 

[annihilatorpro]

its common to feel you blew it after the exam, i hope you ace this exam. Is there something that one can do to prepare well for those 50% questions that u r unsure of? Is there any additional prep one should do?

I could have been more prepared on the "what is the next step in management" questions...memorize the various algorithms for this for all the common presentations. Uworld is an absolute must like everyone else has been saying. I think the best prep would have been to prep well for the 3rd year shelves because this like I was taking a conglomeration of all the shelf exams.

 

[doc10487]

have anyone used Yale-G refined clinical review step 2CK?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/16...IN=1625909438&linkCode=as2&tag=usmleforums-20

 

[VCorp]

I'm feeling super super stressed. Just did my first block of UW in Pediatrics, since that's the rotation I'm currently on. Got a 43%, with the average being 63%. The only questions I got right were the Step 1 related questions.

Jeez, I hate this feeling. For our school you have to pass the shelf exam, to move onto your next rotation. Failing it, results in your rotations being dropped.

Did fine on Step 1, but feel I'm going to struggle with Step 2 so much. I don't know if I'm going to make it through...

 

[doc10487]

I could have been more prepared on the "what is the next step in management" questions...memorize the various algorithms for this for all the common presentations. Uworld is an absolute must like everyone else has been saying. I think the best prep would have been to prep well for the 3rd year shelves because this like I was taking a conglomeration of all the shelf exams.

gotta ha🙂 well i am done with my rotation and shelf so i would just concentrate more on MTB style learning.

 

[doc10487]

what really helped me in pediatrics was toronto notes. They are quite good with all the pearls written in the side box. Not way too much details covers all the high yield stuff

 

[aaru20red]

Got my CK score this morning, and I'm pretty excited. If anybody has a doubt about recovering from a s****y Step 1 score, hopefully I can inspire you!

Step 1 score: 203

3rd year clerkships: Did UWorld questions once through for each clerkship (i.e. IM section during IM, surgery section during surgery, etc). Also did Case Files for OB-Gyn, Surgery, Psychiatry, Pediatrics; during the clerkship.

One month of dedicated study time before CK, got through UWorld a second time.

Step 2 CK score: 255!

Didn't imagine I would do this well, I was just hoping to make the mean. Now I'm just hoping I passed CS...

that's amazing..!!!!! congratulations..😀 what exactly did you do in that one month..???

 

[firstaid2012]

hey congrats on the amazing score, how did u do on uworld and nbmes?

 

[firstaid2012]

Got my CK score this morning, and I'm pretty excited. If anybody has a doubt about recovering from a s****y Step 1 score, hopefully I can inspire you!

Step 1 score: 203

3rd year clerkships: Did UWorld questions once through for each clerkship (i.e. IM section during IM, surgery section during surgery, etc). Also did Case Files for OB-Gyn, Surgery, Psychiatry, Pediatrics; during the clerkship.

One month of dedicated study time before CK, got through UWorld a second time.

Step 2 CK score: 255!

Didn't imagine I would do this well, I was just hoping to make the mean. Now I'm just hoping I passed CS...

hey congrats on the amazng score. how did u to on uworld and nbmes if you took any

 

[Nalx]

Looking for some advice here. I'm writing in 2 days and wondering if I should push back. I wrote the UWSA and kind of ****ed up the last block with a 63% and ended up getting a 238 on the UWSA. The first 3 blocks I got 73/70/83. I've done just over 90% of the UWORLD Qbank with a Cumulative of 75% (80th percentile) on my first try. I dont think I'm going to end up finishing Uworld. The last 6% or so of the qbank I'm just going to leave. I got a 255 on Step 1. **** it and go for it? Or delay?

 

[tele turnin]

Finally took step 2 yesterday. I thought I had done everything right to study for it but left feeling like I studied for a different test.
UWSA early August: 230
NBME 6 mid August: 235
NBME 4, mid October 4 days before test: 260
Used UWorld (not sure on percent), MTB 2, and Secrets. Really felt like I bombed it and am just hoping that I match my Step 1 score which was nothing to write home about either.

 

[adr328]

Does anyone know when the next batch of scores goes out?

 

[elektroshok]

Does anyone know when the next batch of scores goes out?

I thought they go out Wednesdays

 

[Stellar Clouds]

Correct--CK scores come out on Wednesdays--it's not grouped like CS

 

[elektroshok]

When should the print permit link disappear? This Wednesday will be the third Wednesday since I took my test....

 

[Stellar Clouds]

Just wait until you receive the email Wednesday morning stating that your score report will be available later that day. That's the 100%, fool-proof way of knowing.

 

[alternatego]

I still have 2 months left before my exam (scheduled for december 27), I'm about to be done with my 1st pass of UW - should I focus on redoing UW or on reviewing my heavily annotated MTB2? Which is the consensus around here?

I've been doing UW subject-wise, timed-tutor mode with 72% overall correct. I'll be taking NBME 6 on october 31st (ie 2 days from now) to gauge where I'm standing before my dedicated study time.

Background: finished my internship year on sep 30, had to do rotations on each specialty (2 months medicine, 2 months surgery, 2 months peds, 4 months ob/gy, 1 month in the ER)

 

[WaylonS]

I still have 2 months left before my exam (scheduled for december 27), I'm about to be done with my 1st pass of UW - should I focus on redoing UW or on reviewing my heavily annotated MTB2? Which is the consensus around here?

I've been doing UW subject-wise, timed-tutor mode with 72% overall correct. I'll be taking NBME 6 on october 31st (ie 2 days from now) to gauge where I'm standing before my dedicated study time.

Background: finished my internship year on sep 30, had to do rotations on each specialty (2 months medicine, 2 months surgery, 2 months peds, 4 months ob/gy, 1 month in the ER)

Four months of OB/GYN sounds terrible. If you have access to it, try adding Secrets into the mix

 

[alternatego]

Four months of OB/GYN sounds terrible. If you have access to it, try adding Secrets into the mix

Oh, it wasn't that terrible. I actually ended up loving it (although I hated the first couple of months) and I think I might end up choosing it as my residency of choice.

 

[dozer1]

How did you get "medical intern" position as an IMG. I assume you are working in US right now.
As for me I study in Europe and did take step 1 this past summer. Graduating in 2014. Just wondering if I can do any internship in the US as I will miss one year as I prepare for step 2ck.

 

[alternatego]

How did you get "medical intern" position as an IMG. I assume you are working in US right now.
As for me I study in Europe and did take step 1 this past summer. Graduating in 2014. Just wondering if I can do any internship in the US as I will miss one year as I prepare for step 2ck.

Hi, no, I'm still working in my own country, where it is mandatory for all medical graduates to work for 2 years at a government hospital. I finished my 1st year as an intern here.

In other news, I took NBME 6 as a baseline and scored 460/229 after my 1st pass. I still have 2 months left before my exam so I have time to improve my score.

 

[elektroshok]

Took CK on 10/14 and permit link disappeared today.

 

[USMLE12DOC]

I'm planning on starting to write practice exams so do u guys recommend, NBME 4 then UWSA THEN NBME 6 or UWSA FIRST THEN NBMEs

 

[elektroshok]

who else is expecting scores this week??.... and freaking out??

 

[Bigeminy]

Took CK just last week. Had a 78% on UWorld all random/timed. Did DIT (meh...) and took the UWSA four days out (250) and NBME 6 3 days out (258) but felt like I got absolutely steam rolled on the real test! 250 on step 1 but also felt abysmal after that one. Maybe that's a good sign? What a mind f***

Are scores usually released on Wednesdays?

 

[throwaway1987]

UWorld (2nd pass, after going through it in its entirety during M3 year): 94%
USMLE Step 1: 275
USMLE Step 2 CK: 279

3 weeks of study time. Went through UWorld x1, MTB Step 2 CK, reviewed some chapters of Step Up to Step 2, and read over Pestana notes again.

UWorld was clutch. MTB/SUTS2 were both mediocre. Pestana actually nabbed me a good number of questions. On the test, I was surprised by the number of stats questions (~10% total, it seemed), and how difficult they were. UWorld is waaayyy behind on preparing test takers for stats.

Still, best prep for exam was doing well during third year, and studying hard for shelves (I got a 99 on each shelf).