USMLE World Scores and Step II Scores

[lmh14]

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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!!

 

[docjolly]

huh? I took it over 4 weeks ago, and I didn't get my score yet.

how could you get it that early. they changed the FRED software, and the delay was supposed to be 6 weeks

agree here. at the end of the test, there was a very clear statement that i should not expect to find out my score before 6 weeks, and anyone expecting to find out their score before 6 weeks after taking the test SHOULD NOT contact nbme.

 

[rmarchigiani]

Ive been one of those long time lurkers, well before Step 1. So I figured its about time to post up. Its no 99, but its consistency.

Step I: 225/94
Studied: Kaplan Course, USMLE World 56%, First Aid
NBME 2 - 450 5 weeks out
NBME 1 - 500 1 week out

Step II: 229/95
Studied: Kaplan Videos, USMLE World 59%
NBME 1: 510 5 weeks out
NBME 2: 520 1 week out

Good luck to the rest of you, both on boards and on residency interviews for those applying......

Rafe

 

[lankysudanese]

So i went to Prometric this morning and after waiting for 45 mins or so they tell me that they are having computer problem on the administrative side and won't be able to load my test today. I was so ready for this to be over with and now I have to reschedule ... darn it!!!!!!!!!!

Any suggestions what to do for the next 6-7 days while I wait around for next date to come around?
so maaaaaaaaaddddddddddddd!!!!!!

/venting done

chillax....
1. you've already got interview offers from top places...
2. your clinical knowledge is NOT gonna dwindle in these 6-7 days.
3. you're a fourth year for gods sake....chillax

 

[CanIMakeIt]

chillax....
1. you've already got interview offers from top places...
2. your clinical knowledge is NOT gonna dwindle in these 6-7 days.
3. you're a fourth year for gods sake....chillax

LOL .. will do ... hopefully this time there will be no glitches.

 

[xme17]

I studied about 3 weeks plus on light rotation before that-- sorry about the late response.

 

[doc8250]

step 1:246
NBME I 231 (3weeks out)
NBME 2 229 (2 weeks)
NBME 3 229 (1 week)
Dont recall the exact world score, probably 75% done avg mid 60's towards the end with a mid 70 to pump me up and a low 50 to bring me down every once in a while
step 2: 241

Studied bout 3.5 weeks at about 50% efficiency as step 1 studying. All I did was read first aid before the first NBME. Then did world up to the last week. Than read through secrets 1.5x's the last week. Even though it didn't seem to help my nbme world is the way to go. Secrets is money. If you are motivated and organized you should be able to knock this test out of the water. Good luck to all. I felt like crap before, during and after the test so this is a huge relief. Now i'm really thankful i didn't reschedule. Good luck to all. Any q's feel free to pm.

 

[lisagbaby]

just got scores back
USMLEWORLD total ave 65
ave of last 6 exams was 68.5

Step 1 225/94
Step 2 247/99

yayyy

 

[britelite]

I usually don't do this, but I felt the need to post cause I'm one of those average students that gets the crap scared out of them every time they read ppl talking about how they're scared they won't be able to get in the 99th percentile for the Step 2's. I scored below avg on the Step 1's, 195 (85th percentile) to be exact. My final avg for USMLE World was in the mid to high 50's. I got a 470 (estimated 210) on NMBE Form 1 exactly one week before I took the Step 2's. I found out about half an hour ago that I got a 224 (92nd percentile) on my Step 2's and I'm singing hallelujah cause I improved. I just wanted to let all the average (or even below average) med students out there know that you can improve so don't give up or freak out just cause it seems like the rest of the world is getting a 250. Keep your head up!! 🙂

 

[2muchplanning]

Anyone who took the test recently taken the USMLE free questions on their website (formerly called 'USMLE CD questions'). If so, anyone willing to share correlations to their scores?

I'm scheduled to take the test in 2 days and getting cold feet. I've been through UWorld and Secrets. Got a 62% on UWorld once, tutor, unused, random. My last dozen or so sections have been in the 67-72% range.

I was feeling pretty good about it then I did those USMLE free questions. First set I got an 85% but second set I got a 76%, which makes me pretty nervous considering (atleast for step 1) the sample questions were all chip shots. I'll take the 3rd set tomorrow (maybe).

Any thoughts or advise?😳

First off I want to thank everyone (premed7, radiomedicine, hazombol) for helping me through my mini breakdown I had the days before the test. That aside, I figured its time that I contribute to the SDN data pool.

Step I-
NBME #2 (I think) 240
65% Kaplan QBank completed, Read First Aid, BRS Path, BRS Phys and listened to Goljan
Final Score: 235/98

Step II CK-
Third year shelf exam scores 67-77%
Completed 100% of USMLE World tutor mode/random 46Qs - 62%, last dozen sets 67-72%
Read Secrets and probably half of First Aid
USMLE Free Questions 85%/76%/67% (3,2 and 1 day before test)
Final Score: 252/99

I'm elated. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread in the past and for all the support. Good luck to future test takers.

 

[bigdan]

I'm no Step 1 superstar either...

Step 1: 216/89.
Step 2 CK: 238/99 = real fuc*in' nice
- important to note, sad though it may be, that the two digit is not a percentile, but that'd be nice.

Post 'em if you got 'em. Word of mouth told me of a gal that went from 190 to 260. That's some ****.

dc

 

[gunnison]

00

 

[gold&black2005]

long-time lurker/occasional poster...this specific thread kept me sane (to some extent) during my Step II study block. I studied pretty hard (8-10 hours per day) but definitely took time to chill/multiple days off/etc.

Step I-234/98
Step II CK-
Completed ~80% of USMLE World tutor mode/random 46Qs: 65%, last dozen sets 64-74%
Studied for 30 days - started skimming FA, found it useless. Did Secrets x2 and USMLE World questions as aforementioned.
NBME #1 (taken 2.5 weeks before test): 239
Final Score: 251/99

😀

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

I usually don't do this, but I felt the need to post cause I'm one of those average students that gets the crap scared out of them every time they read ppl talking about how they're scared they won't be able to get in the 99th percentile for the Step 2's. I scored below avg on the Step 1's, 195 (85th percentile) to be exact. My final avg for USMLE World was in the mid to high 50's. I got a 470 (estimated 210) on NMBE Form 1 exactly one week before I took the Step 2's. I found out about half an hour ago that I got a 224 (92nd percentile) on my Step 2's and I'm singing hallelujah cause I improved. I just wanted to let all the average (or even below average) med students out there know that you can improve so don't give up or freak out just cause it seems like the rest of the world is getting a 250. Keep your head up!! 🙂

Hey, if you actually got a 224, then your "SDN adjusted score" would be 244. So, great job!!!

(and for what it is worth, the 2 digit score is not a percentile. I'm not sure what it is, but I know it isn't a percentile)

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

0

:...272......Congratulations on the highest score EVER!......Congrats if it's true......but seriously, if you are going to exagerate, you should pick a realistic score!...

 

[britelite]

Jk about the percentile guys. I have no idea where I pulled that from. Although I still have no idea what the 2 digit scores means. Now you see why I bust out with a 195 on my Step 1's. LOL. Hey there's still hope yet.

 

[MtnGuy]

Here is another one ment to be encouraging:

Step I: 209
Step II: 249

Honestly I didn't study very hard or long for either so I don't really know what happened...? About 2 and 1/2 weeks of 8hr days at best for Step I with First Aid once and maybe 50% or less of Kaplan Qbank. Step II was 2 weeks with Secrets once and just over 50% of USMLE World.

BTW in regards to the 273, I wouldn't believe it either except I have a friend doing an ophtho rotation right now who told me yesterday he was with the residency director here who showed him a 275 on Step I that one of the applicants got. The director said is was the highest score he'd ever seen. Apparently the guy also honored ever class in med school... Must be nice but frankly the dude must be a walking computer...

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

Here is another one ment to be encouraging:

Step I: 209
Step II: 249

Honestly I didn't study very hard or long for either so I don't really know what happened...? About 2 and 1/2 weeks of 8hr days at best for Step I with First Aid once and maybe 50% or less of Kaplan Qbank. Step II was 2 weeks with Secrets once and just over 50% of USMLE World.

BTW in regards to the 273, I wouldn't believe it either except I have a friend doing an ophtho rotation right now who told me yesterday he was with the residency director here who showed him a 275 on Step I that one of the applicants got. The director said is was the highest score he'd ever seen. Apparently the guy also honored ever class in med school... Must be nice but frankly the dude must be a walking computer...

Scores definitely aren't everything. A girl at my school last year got a 260-something on step 1 and got her 8th choice in gen surg! Needless to say, her interpersonal skills were/are lacking. (FWIW, looks like gunnison took down his/her score)

 

[GatorEM]

Randomly woke up at 2am so I decided to get out of bed and check for a score:

STEP II CK: 259 (99) - Just woke up and checked again to make sure I was not dreaming. Thankfully, I was not.

Used World for 1 mo. Finished all of the questions with an average somewhere in the mid 70's. I also read Crush but I'm not sure if that really contributed. World and hard work during third year are both key, with third year probably taking the cake. Good luck all.

 

[BuckeyeMD09]

Congrats to all who passed. I used UW for approximately 2 weeks (random, timed, unused questions) and ended up with a cumulative average of 63%. In conjunction with the tests I used Step 2 Secrets - read this three times, cover to cover, over about 3 weeks.

UW average - 63%; highest single test - 78%
Paid NBME assessment - 630 --> 252 (five days before exam)

Final Step 2 CK score - 254/99

 

[Noondoo]

Hopefully this is encouraging as well:
step 1 = 212/88
step 2 CK = 234/97
USMLE WORLD Avg.= 59%, 3 weeks of studying. Read B&W and Crush. Did not use First Aid at all, didn't even buy it. Did not do NBME tests. Good luck to everyone else.

 

[NeuroSync]

Another encouraging story -- maybe.

I absolutely bombed Step I. I had two weeks to study and horrific family issues. I was ill prepared but had no choice as to when to take the exam, and quite honestly, I'm just grateful I passed. I planned to make up for it with Step II because I know I'm good at taking standardized tests. I was going to take 3-4 weeks to study, but got a great Sub-I offer and had 2 weeks instead. My school makes us take both parts of Step II by the end of September, so there wasn't a lot of wiggle room -- again. I also had an offer to write a textbook chapter, and took it. So I spent part of the two weeks doing research for the chapter, the other part doing USMLE World. The first week I screwed around too much with First Aid, Crush, etc. I realized that it wasn't working for me and then just hit the questions hard the last week. I did tutor mode, none randomized, and got through most questions with about a 60%. Final result: 33 point improvement.

Step I: 192
Step II: 225

It wasn't ideal or what I hoped, but I'll take it, given the circumstances. 🙂

 

[lankysudanese]

BTW in regards to the 273, I wouldn't believe it either except I have a friend doing an ophtho rotation right now who told me yesterday he was with the residency director here who showed him a 275 on Step I that one of the applicants got. The director said is was the highest score he'd ever seen. Apparently the guy also honored ever class in med school... Must be nice but frankly the dude must be a walking computer...

If I am not mistaken, the US/Canadian average on Step II is somewhere around 224-225, and the standard deviation is ~23. So a 272 or 275 is definitely achievable (since it is just around 2 standard deviations above the mean). There are a few SDNers who got >270 in Step 1, and I completely believe their scores. I would expect students of such calibre to do >280 on Step II..

Scores definitely aren't everything. A girl at my school last year got a 260-something on step 1 and got her 8th choice in gen surg! Needless to say, her interpersonal skills were/are lacking. (FWIW, looks like gunnison took down his/her score)

i think that she still benefitted from her great score. who knows where she would have matched if she had 'pedestrian' 220 or 230?

 

[PlayFair]

So, I haunted this thread for weeks and months trying to scare myself into studying and to console myself when random sections on USMLE World came back with less than impressive percentages.

USMLE World ~75% done, 2-3 sections per day for 3-ish weeks
started about 60% and finished in high 60's to low 70%
(don't know more specifics USMLE World statistics because I forgot to log in after the test and write them down to save for 6 weeks while I waited for my score report), got through all of Crush before to my study month, and had been listening to podcasts based on Crush for months prior, never used First Aid

Step 2 CK 250/99 😍
Step 1 barely pass 😕

So yes, you can definitely improve on sub-par Step 1 scores with hard work, and the help of USMLE World.

Good luck to everybody else taking CK and to all of us now playing the waiting game for interviews and such.

 

[trdc3lica]

Step 1:

NBME Form 2 (2 months out)- 238
NBME Form 4 (1 month out) - 217
UWorld - 71% (85% complete)
Free 150 questions - 92%
Actual - 243/99

Step 2CK
NBME 1 - 550/229 (two weeks out)
NBME 2 - 680/254 (one week out)
NBME 3 - 750/263 (a few days out)
UW - 100% completed at about 70% average.
Actual - 256/99

 

[G0S2]

Step 1: 247/99

I used UW throughout MS3 for shelf exams and especially used it for the Int Med shelf figuring like Path for Step 1, medicine is the bulk of Step 2.

I studied for 3 weeks and began by doing 3x46 blocks of UW timed using unused Q's (approx 700) and annotated/read CRUSH. During this time my average was 73%. Once I was finished with UW I reset it and started doing 209 Q's/day. After 1400 or so Q's my average was 83%.

I reviewed my notes in CRUSH and also flipped through Step Up Med, NMS Surgery Case Files, Case Files OB and Peds.

Didn't take a NBME exam.

Oh, I also felt like crap after the exam and didn't know if I passed, honestly. I prob marked 12-15 Q's per section to go back to as compared to 4-5 per UW section.

Step 2CK 266/99.

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

Another encouraging story -- maybe.

I realized that it wasn't working for me and then just hit the questions hard the last week. I did tutor mode, none randomized, and got through most questions with about a 60%. Final result: 33 point improvement.

Step I: 192
Step II: 225

It wasn't ideal or what I hoped, but I'll take it, given the circumstances. 🙂

Congrats! I had similar scores. Went form 194 on Step 1 to 220 on Step 2. Basically did 95% of USMLEW in randomized, timed mode (avg. 59% correct), did the 3 NBME practice tests (where I was scoring the eqivalent of a 205-210), and read USMLE Step 2 Secrets twice. FWIW, I was also in the middle of my last 3rd year rotation. So, I took CS one week, the shelf the next week, and CK the week after that. Not bad, I guess.

 

[BOHICA-FIGMO]

If I am not mistaken, the US/Canadian average on Step II is somewhere around 224-225, and the standard deviation is ~23. So a 272 or 275 is definitely achievable (since it is just around 2 standard deviations above the mean). There are a few SDNers who got >270 in Step 1, and I completely believe their scores. I would expect students of such calibre to do >280 on Step II..

i think that she still benefitted from her great score. who knows where she would have matched if she had 'pedestrian' 220 or 230?

I guess my point is, great scores do NOT make great doctors. USMLE Step 1,2, and 3 are pass/fail tests intended for licensing purposes and not intended for direct comparison between students. They are NOT standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, GRE, or MCAT. Unfortunately, too many residency directors (and students!!) put far too much weight on this one component of the application.

Would you rather have a doctor who has great board scores or one who can actually think and communicate and compassionately understand your predicament? I've never been asked my scores by any patient nor have I asked any of my doctors their board scores. I think that demonstrates how much they matter in the real world.

 

[drstudychick]

Step 1 201 after 7 weeks of hardcore studying. I was happy I passed the thing... you can see my previous posts about my experiences.

Step II CK 210. I averaged 55% on UWorld. I was doing high 50% on blocks of 46 in tutor mode at the end. The occasional 70%, with more frequent 45%-55% blocks. I studied about 3 weeks using First Aid and UWorld. I discovered Crush the last few days, and thought it was much better than FA, but it was too late to help much. I'm just glad I passed. For whatever reason, these boards have been really difficult for me. My grades in school are around average, with the occasional honors. I did fairly well on my Shelf Scores (usually around average for my school, which is above national average). I got really good to great comments on my 3rd year rotation, and I honored Ob/Gyn, which is what I plan to go into, so hopefully I will match somewhere I want to go. Good luck to everyone!

 

[NeuroSync]

Congrats! I had similar scores. Went form 194 on Step 1 to 220 on Step 2. Basically did 95% of USMLEW in randomized, timed mode (avg. 59% correct), did the 3 NBME practice tests (where I was scoring the eqivalent of a 205-210), and read USMLE Step 2 Secrets twice. FWIW, I was also in the middle of my last 3rd year rotation. So, I took CS one week, the shelf the next week, and CK the week after that. Not bad, I guess.

Thanks. 🙂 Congratulations to you as well. I'm glad it is over!

 

[NeuroSync]

Step 1 201 after 7 weeks of hardcore studying. I was happy I passed the thing... you can see my previous posts about my experiences.

Step II CK 210. I averaged 55% on UWorld. I was doing high 50% on blocks of 46 in tutor mode at the end. The occasional 70%, with more frequent 45%-55% blocks. I studied about 3 weeks using First Aid and UWorld. I discovered Crush the last few days, and thought it was much better than FA, but it was too late to help much. I'm just glad I passed. For whatever reason, these boards have been really difficult for me. My grades in school are around average, with the occasional honors. I did fairly well on my Shelf Scores (usually around average for my school, which is above national average). I got really good to great comments on my 3rd year rotation, and I honored Ob/Gyn, which is what I plan to go into, so hopefully I will match somewhere I want to go. Good luck to everyone!

Congratulations on being done. I'm sure that you will match somewhere you want to be. 🙂

 

[lankysudanese]

I guess my point is, great scores do NOT make great doctors. USMLE Step 1,2, and 3 are pass/fail tests intended for licensing purposes and not intended for direct comparison between students. They are NOT standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, GRE, or MCAT. Unfortunately, too many residency directors (and students!!) put far too much weight on this one component of the application.

Would you rather have a doctor who has great board scores or one who can actually think and communicate and compassionately understand your predicament? I've never been asked my scores by any patient nor have I asked any of my doctors their board scores. I think that demonstrates how much they matter in the real world.

dude, nobody is disputing this fact. we all agree with you. but if you have read this thread closely, you will notice that nobody has made any analogy between step score and the quality of medical care provided.

i'm just tired of people always making the assumption (be it fueled by envy or suspicion or previous experiences or whatever) that people who score extremely high on the USMLE exams tend to lack in communication skills and compassion, which is NOT true. I know plenty of people with 'run of the mill' step 1/2 scores who (unfortunately) are not that great with patients, and have worked with people with 260+ who have the makings of a great physician. The point is, there is no correlation (either positive or negative) between these 2 different requirements of a physician (knowledge Vs bed side manners) so everybody should work hard to improve on both aspects.

 

[SugarDaddy]

Usmle World 90% finished, 78% overall. Crush step 2 1.5 times
Step 2Ck 279.

Hooray from Practice Q's. Good night and good luck all.

 

[ikemae]

Usmle World 90% finished, 78% overall. Crush step 2 1.5 times
Step 2Ck 279.

Hooray from Practice Q's. Good night and good luck all.

I take back my shenanigans comment.

I studied lightly for about four weeks, no where near as much as I studied for step I. I only used USMLEWorld and I thought Crush was a waste of money after skimming a few chapters.

USMLEWorld ~ 70%
Step I - 237/99
Step II - 245/99

 

[bananarama]

Okay my turn.

Step 1-198 (don't remember 2digit # . . .why would I)

NBME2 for step 2 . . . 2 days before exam- 560 (231)
Step2- 238 (99)

Studied for 3 wks. UW 98% completed with 61% average. Last 6 avg was 64%. Glanced at secrets for weak sections demonstrated on UW. Watched some of kaplan videos (only those sections I was weak in). Took some notes in 1st aid but never even got the chance to review it. Worked hard over third year (but just avg on shelf exams). Walked out of exam pissed that I even studied. I truly felt like I blew it over the first 4 blocks.

Due to my results I will demand that all who speak to me now use big words 😀

Thanks to everyone for posting

 

[sdaav]

Just got my step II score:

Step I: 236 (97)
Step II: 245 (99)

Just so you all know, that correlates with random USMLE World question banks ranging in the mid-60s. I did two practice NBME exams and actually, did not do very well on them, although I was not exactly focused for a "fake" exam. However, they were helpful to see about my fatiguability, which is certainly an issue on the real thing (who knew it was nine hours? lol). Good luck all!

 

[Corn Dog]

Man, it seems like >90% of the posters here have scored above 240 on step 2ck. I'm telling myself that this cannot be real, yet this can be real. Do you guys think it is so because people do not post unless they get high scores? Or are a lot of people just simply lying? Any thoughts?

 

[bigdan]

CornD-

1) I didn't get a 240, so we're in the same boat.
2) It's ALWAYS easier to share info when it makes you look great.
3) I suppose there might be some "typos" when posting in an anonymous internet forum; don't let those errors get to you.

dc

 

[trdc3lica]

Man, it seems like >90% of the posters here have scored above 240 on step 2ck. I'm telling myself that this cannot be real, yet this can be real. Do you guys think it is so because people do not post unless they get high scores? Or are a lot of people just simply lying? I was ecstatic when I got my step 2 score, but now I am not sure what to make out of my score anymore. Any thoughts?

LOL. Everyone getting above 235 is very hard to believe.

There are a few explanations as to this trend on SDN.

1) Only "gunners" post their scores

2) People lie

3) Gunners and People lie

A bit of friendly advice. Do not compare your score with ANYBODY on this website. Your scores matter in the REAL world. Your score (I'm guessing in the 230s-240s) is a great score and will keep you competitive.

Want a better measure? Go compare your scores with people you actually physically know. You'll start to see that you're godly in the real world.

This site is intended to make you ashamed of your own great achievement. Don't let it get the best of you.

 

[GatorEM]

Man, it seems like >90% of the posters here have scored above 240 on step 2ck. I'm telling myself that this cannot be real, yet this can be real. Do you guys think it is so because people do not post unless they get high scores? Or are a lot of people just simply lying? I was ecstatic when I got my step 2 score, but now I am not sure what to make out of my score anymore. Any thoughts?

Dude, SDNrs are animals. And to put things into perspective, I never posted my step I score of low 230's, but I was quick to post my 259 CK score. It's the nature of the beast around here. 😉 It says it right on your score report, "the mean and standard deviation for first time examinees from US and Canadian schools are approximately 226 and 23 respectively". SDN is by no means representative of the national mean for the MCAT, STEPS, shelf scores, number of interviews, or anything for that matter, if you haven't already noticed.

 

[FutureInternist]

got through all of Crush before to my study month, and had been listening to podcasts based on Crush for months prior

How does one get their hands on this. Long drives = wasted time that could be used to cram more crap into my already hurting brain 🙂

 

[Acherona]

you know what doesn't add up, it seems ~60% UWorld correlates with an above average score, but is equivalent to a UWorld percentile of below 50%, meaning you are below the average for Uworld users. It seems pretty much everyone who takes step II uses Uworld to prepare so I wouldn't think they would differ that much.

 

[vtucci]

Step I: 225(94)
NBME 3rd year shelf exams 70-89.
completed all of USMLEWORLD with avg 60-70% new questions; Kaplan 50% completed with 60% average
Step II: 253(99)

Congrats to all.

 

[HamOnWholeWheat]

Dude, SDNrs are animals. And to put things into perspective, I never posted my step I score of low 230's, but I was quick to post my 259 CK score. It's the nature of the beast around here. 😉 It says it right on your score report, "the mean and standard deviation for first time examinees from US and Canadian schools are approximately 226 and 23 respectively". SDN is by no means representative of the national mean for the MCAT, STEPS, shelf scores, number of interviews, or anything for that matter, if you haven't already noticed.

I know what you mean. I just got a 260 and I was a little disappointed. Spending too much time on SDN I guess.

My only advice for future test takers is to not spend too much time studying. Not because you're wasting time, but because your score may begin to decrease the longer you study. I'm pretty sure that's what happened to me.

I studied Step-up to Medicine (best study tool by far), and First Aid for Step II to fill in for Psych/Peds/Ob.

Step 1 = 259, took it 3 years ago

USMLEWorld = 73% @ 100% complete
NBME2 (2weeks out) = 780 (267)
Step 2 = 260

After NBME2, I tried to study for 2 weeks, but it felt like a foregone conclusion that I would break 260, so I had a lot of trouble focusing. I should've taken the real deal the next day, instead of spinning my wheels for two weeks and going down 7 pts in the process. When it came time to take the real deal, there were entire sections that had vacated my brain entirely (optho, MSK) and I ended up missing a bunch of gimmies because of that.

Overall, I would recommend:
#1 by far = Step-up to Medicine (if you've already read it for your rotations)
#2 = USMLEWORLD
#3 = First Aid for Step 2 select sections (OB is fantastic, Peds is great, Psych is sufficient, Surgery/Emergency is sufficient)
#4 = Kaplan Surgery notes (excellent review of surgery AND medicine that can be read in a day)
#5 = Study for 3 weeks and take the damn thing before your brain atrophies


HamOn

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

I know what you mean. I just got a 260 and I was a little disappointed.


HamOn

Ham, it's a good thing I know you from back in the days on SDN or else I would have done this to you:

 

[G0S2]

LOL. Everyone getting above 235 is very hard to believe.

There are a few explanations as to this trend on SDN.

1) Only "gunners" post their scores

2) People lie

3) Gunners and People lie

A bit of friendly advice. Do not compare your score with ANYBODY on this website. Your scores matter in the REAL world. Your score (I'm guessing in the 230s-240s) is a great score and will keep you competitive.

Want a better measure? Go compare your scores with people you actually physically know. You'll start to see that you're godly in the real world.

This site is intended to make you ashamed of your own great achievement. Don't let it get the best of you.

The reason I post my score and then explain what I did to achieve it is so it may help others do the same if they wish. I do not do it to be a gunner. I am so grateful for the old Step 1 forum with guys like BigFrank and Long Dong explaining what they did to get incredible board scores (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=215684&). That forum is full of super high scores and how to go about obtaining them.

If you get a passing score on your Step 1 or 2, congratulations, that is a fantastic. I personally want to know how someone gets a >250 and those are the posts I find useful. There is nothing wrong with that.

So when people write in with incredible scores, I want to know how they did it and I do not take it as a gunner tactic "to make others feel ashamed of themselves."

 

[gunnison]

0

 

[trdc3lica]

The reason I post my score and then explain what I did to achieve it is so it may help others do the same if they wish. I do not do it to be a gunner. I am so grateful for the old Step 1 forum with guys like BigFrank and Long Dong explaining what they did to get incredible board scores (http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=215684&). That forum is full of super high scores and how to go about obtaining them.

If you get a passing score on your Step 1 or 2, congratulations, that is a fantastic. I personally want to know how someone gets a >250 and those are the posts I find useful. There is nothing wrong with that.

So when people write in with incredible scores, I want to know how they did it and I do not take it as a gunner tactic "to make others feel ashamed of themselves."

I didn't mean to say there was anything wrong with people posting techniques. But when a person gets a 230 and feels ashamed of it, there's something wrong. 230+ is a great score, and anybody who gets that should be proud of themselves.

 

[G0S2]

I didn't mean to say there was anything wrong with people posting techniques. But when a person gets a 230 and feels ashamed of it, there's something wrong. 230+ is a great score, and anybody who gets that should be proud of themselves.

I could not agree with you more.

 

[Corn Dog]

I take it back. My apologies.

 

[flumazenil]

i love this useless conversation about if 230 is a great score. There is a subjective component to this. If a person struggled to get through med school and pass step 1/shelfs and got a 230- then that score is great for that person.

If a person got a 43 on his/her mcat, honored every class/shelf and got a 268 on step 1 and a 230 step 2..then that isn't " so great"

get it?