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!!

 

[PAPPAPPAP]

This conversation is now ridiculous.

Does anyone know the turn-around time for the scoring of tests taken in the last few weeks. I heard that it might be as little as 2 weeks. Is this true?? I would appreciate the help so I don't check my email obsessively.

Thanks!

 

[UCLAstudent]

Does anyone know the turn-around time for the scoring of tests taken in the last few weeks. I heard that it might be as little as 2 weeks. Is this true?? I would appreciate the help so I don't check my email obsessively.

Thanks!

My classmate got his score in 1.5 weeks (with the new software). I was shocked! It's been 1.5 weeks for me, but no score yet. 🙂

 

[CanIMakeIt]

My classmate got his score in 1.5 weeks (with the new software). I was shocked! It's been 1.5 weeks for me, but no score yet. 🙂

Same here...just checked, no score report so I guess maybe next week on 22nd

 

[logistic]

Were you guys informed that you should expect the score report in as little as 3 weeks after you finished the test? This contrasts with previous posters who are waiting upwards of 6 weeks.
Just needed to know since I'd like to have my scores in by the end of the year, have planned to take step 2 December 1st, and wonder whether instead I need to take them earlier.
Thanks

 

[PAPPAPPAP]

thanks!.. yeah. This is what I hear and I found it hard to believe. I know someone who took their test in late September and got their score ~ 1.5 weeks later. I'm thinking that the new system in combination with a less popular testing period makes the turn around super fast. I guess we should expect scores by 3 weeks or so.

 

[CanIMakeIt]

Were you guys informed that you should expect the score report in as little as 3 weeks after you finished the test? This contrasts with previous posters who are waiting upwards of 6 weeks.
Just needed to know since I'd like to have my scores in by the end of the year, have planned to take step 2 December 1st, and wonder whether instead I need to take them earlier.
Thanks

I think my printout after the exam had the standard wording that expect your scores within 6 weeks. I was hoping they will go back to 3 week reporting after the intial wave. If the scores are not released on 22nd for me then I guess it will be safe to assume that the turnaround time is 6 weeks. We will see. Only 2 call nights away 😀

Also, keep in mind the last week is holiday week and no results are released the week of christmas.

 

[taurus70]

I took CK on Aug.22, but I had the old software at MCG in Augusta. It only took me 3 weeks to get my scores. They should be back to that length of time for the score release by now for the new software.

 

[relema]

Step I 223
Step II 241
USMLE World 62% with 85% completed.
I am super excited about my score. I studied about a month during a radiology elective. About a week of that studying was not so great as it was during hurricane IKE and I was with out electricity for a week. Luckily I was able to take my test 2 weeks after the storm because my testing center had re-opened. Needless to say i was not expecting this good of a score after all that 🙂

 

[CanIMakeIt]

* Shelf Exam Scores: Mostly mid 70s (about 50th percentile I think), except Medicine (mid 80s ... don't know what percentile that was)
* UW - 64% with 100% complete (low 70s for last 6 blocks)
* NBME 3 - 620 --> 243
* Step 2 CK: 237/98

I mostly used Boards and Wards to study. Excellent book. I did do all of UW one time but I did not review most of the questions because I thought I will quickly finish UW and then go over all 50 or so tests and make notes. BIG MISTAKE 😀 ... finished UW a few days before test, didn;t go over anything, just reviewed B&W. Exam day was TOO long and by end of block 4, my mind was blank. So I was just clicking and moving after that with break every 2 blocks. Every time I will check my answer that I was doubtful about, during break, would be wrong. So i stopped checking them 🙂. Only plus this time was that my center had LCD screens instead of seizure-inducing-CRTs. If I had to do it again, I would review the UW questions immediately after finishing the block and making notes then instead of waiting until later and not being able to do anything. I am just happy for it to be over with. I thought I would either fail or get low 200s when I finished with the test. Needless to say i gave myself tachycardia-induced-cardiomyopathy while I was clicking to retrieve the score report 😀

Hopefully this will help someone from repeating my mistakes.

Good Luck

 

[Cody13]

USMLE World cum average=57% 90% completed.
NBME=510
Step 2=239 👍 This exceeds my expectations. I'm not the greatest test taker, really screwed step 1 (scored 194), and had to improve.

I'll echo previous post and say USMLE world is the best resource hands down. I studied for about 4 weeks and only did timed 46 questions blocks. I went over every explanation and took notes in a word document on topics I was consistently missing or things I thought would be high yield. I was scoring in the mid 50's on World before the test w/ an occasional 60-65%. I read through most of Crush two weeks before the test; I bought 1st aid but couldn't get through one chapter before I chucked it. Just liked Crush format better (and USMLE secrets is basically same as Crush).

Also, USMLE World gives you a breakdown by subject (ie. % correct in psych, medicine, surgery, peds) and I was strongest in psych and weakest in OBGYN. On the real exam I scored highest in OBGYN and lowest in psych...prob blew off reviewing psych a little the last week of studying as I was scoring high on the USMLE World practice blocks. Just something to think about.

I left the test feeling like crap, thought I had scored around 200. My step 1 score was low, I did below average on the shelf exams ...My advice :
-Give yourself 3-4 weeks. Take a light rotation, reading month if your school has one, or completely off if possible.
-Dive right into USMLE World. I was contemplating studying 1st aid, crush, and/or blueprints, ect for two weeks before starting questions. Bad Idea. You'll learn the high yield facts faster by doing questions.
-Do 46 question blocks. It builds stamina and mimics exam day. Try to stack a few blocks back to back.
-Read USMLE World explanations. All of them; they were some of the most high yield material I came across while studying.
-Supplement questions with 1-2 review books max. I read a few chapters of Crush or Secrets an evening after a day of review questions. Most recommend Secrets, crush, 1st aid. It really matters how you best retain info.

This is just what worked for me. Good luck to everyone.

 

[stargirl50]

Step 1= 247
Shelf exams=low to mid 80s, one higher
USMLE World= averaging 60s-70s on 25 Q blocks
Step 2= 257

I didn't take any time off to study for this thing and was worried my score would go down from my Step 1. I started studying about 6 w before the test, just 30-60 min every night after getting home. I finished about half of USMLE World, but I went through the explanation for every question I got wrong and took detailed notes. I also read Crush twice, including once in the two days before the test which I think probably helped me the most.

I wouldn't recommend taking this too far out from third year; I remembered more than I would have thought from rotations/ shelf exams.

Hope that helps... good luck everyone!

 

[MrBling]

Step 1= 247
Shelf exams=low to mid 80s, one higher
USMLE World= averaging 60s-70s on 25 Q blocks
Step 2= 257

wow.. why in the world did you take step 2 early if you got a 247 on step 1??

 

[Antoni B]

Step 1 - 269
UW - ended up around 75%, did all the questions in tutor mode.
Shelves - 90th (first shelf), then 97th-99th percentile
Step 2 - 283

I had a month off in September, of which I used three weeks studying and doing UW questions. Read through Crush twice, and quickly reread Blueprints Surgery and Peds, BRS Psych, IM Case Files, and my old second year Repro Med/OB book.

I've got a knack for taking tests, but I think part of what helped me is that I tried not to over-think Step II questions. Most of what they test is pretty common stuff, so if it came down to a common disorder or something weird, I usually went with the common answer unless it was a classic case presentation. And when in doubt, the kid in the question's development is normal...

 

[G0S2]

Step 1 - 269
UW - ended up around 75%, did all the questions in tutor mode.
Shelves - 90th (first shelf), then 97th-99th percentile
Step 2 - 283

Wow!! That is the highest I have seen. Congrats!!!!

 

[Antoni B]

Thanks, GOS. I'm still in shock about that Step II score...

 

[stargirl50]

wow.. why in the world did you take step 2 early if you got a 247 on step 1??

I got inconsistent advice from my school about when to take step 2. I had enough people tell me to take it before interview season that I just wasn't comfortable waiting. In the end, I felt like I could do well if I took it early, and honestly I'm just glad to be done.

 

[Femtochemistry]

Step 1 - 269
UW - ended up around 75%, did all the questions in tutor mode.
Shelves - 90th (first shelf), then 97th-99th percentile
Step 2 - 283

...

my lord.

 

[HamOnWholeWheat]

I choose to believe Antoni B has a fetus growing out of the side of his head.

 

[nebrfan]

I choose to believe Antoni B has a fetus growing out of the side of his head.

Minus the Nurse Hat and plus some more AWESOME. A lot of Awesome.

 

[Antoni B]

Heh. Yeah, the Prometric folks made an exception to their no headwear rule when they saw what my oversized hat was concealing. Didn't want to upset the other test-takers.

 

[Doxie]

Step 1 252
Step 2 270 😀
Usmle World 66% overall with those at end in 70s
nbme free questions 95%, 83%, 77%

 

[drguy22]

Step 1 -232/97
Step 2-235/97

NBME 2 1 weeks b4 test - 214
USMLE world 100% complete - 67 avg

Shelfs- 70-80's

i studied for approx 4 weeks, 4 hrs inititally for about 2.5 wks followed by 8 hrs /day. Used World, Secrets and FA.

My test was awfully hard....


was offered a retake....declined. 🙂

i thought i FAILED.

 

[153445]

I based my Step 2 CK studying on the advice given on this thread, so I am going to give back by sharing my study strategy.

Step 1: 236 (99)
Step 2: 246 (99)

Shelf exams: Mix of mid 70s - low 80s.

Studied for approximately 4 weeks averaging 6 hours / day ... (not including a hiatus for Hurricane Ike madness that left me without electricity and UW access for a while). I was lucky to be on a very light rotation that month.

Primary reading materials: Secrets and Kaplan Notes for internal medicine. No First Aid, no B/W, and no Step-Up as I didn't feel it served me well for the medicine shelf.

Questions: UW, completed x 1. Averaging mainly 56-60% for the first two weeks then 65-69% in the third week post-Ike. Never really broke 70% but attributed that to getting tricked by semantics. The 4th week was spent going over incorrect questions for a few days.

NBME form 2: 250 1 week before the actual exam.

I think I would stress UW. Secrets is good to get down the core material but won't help you pick up the little details. I stagnated in my 4th week of studying because I began my critical care rotation and didn't have time to hit it hard, so I would advise you to keep pushing with questions (even repeat ones) during the final week to keep your mind sharp and then rest the day before the exam.

Hope this helps. Good luck!!

 

[dr bsq]

hi , i am Dr Bushra recently jion this forum...
preparin for step-1...i need sum if u can as u have passed it..
Do u hav Goljan lectures(audio)?
if u hav plz contact me as i need that

 

[PreMedAdAG]

So - anyone have a problem on USMLE world where towards the end (last 33% of questions) were all IM b/c the random selections had used up everything else?

My scores were jumping to high 60's and low 70's - but since I ran out of Peds, OBGYN, Pysch, and Surg questions, my scores keep dropping - back to mid 60's and today a friekin' 58% 🙁

Any advice for this -

I also feel like since I used all of those questions up - I won't see them again til test day - and I have about 10 more days to study. This is so friekin' annoying!!!!

 

[FutureInternist]

You can go back and mark all the Qs, then start doing marked Qs only, while unmarking them as you go along. This ensures you see each Q a second time w/o any repeats.

 

[sandeep366]

"Step 1 -232/97
Step 2-235/97

NBME 2 1 weeks b4 test - 214
USMLE world 100% complete - 67 avg


was offered a retake....declined. 🙂

i thought i FAILED. "

my question--- Why did they offered u to retake the test?? Even i had some problem- after doing 20 bits in block 1 of my STEP1 exam- power went off because of bad UPS back up....power came after 30 minutes and we were allowed to continue our exam....i got 65% average in timed mode-random of USMLE WORLD and i got 247 in USMLE WORLD simulating exam form 2.......but i couldnt believe that i got just 212/88 in step 1 main exam.......So i applied for a score recheck by paying 55$...Is there any chances of change in my score ? i am really depressed.....

 

[drguy22]

"Step 1 -232/97
Step 2-235/97

NBME 2 1 weeks b4 test - 214
USMLE world 100% complete - 67 avg


was offered a retake....declined. 🙂

i thought i FAILED. "

my question--- Why did they offered u to retake the test?? Even i had some problem- after doing 20 bits in block 1 of my STEP1 exam- power went off because of bad UPS back up....power came after 30 minutes and we were allowed to continue our exam....i got 65% average in timed mode-random of USMLE WORLD and i got 247 in USMLE WORLD simulating exam form 2.......but i couldnt believe that i got just 212/88 in step 1 main exam.......So i applied for a score recheck by paying 55$...Is there any chances of change in my score ? i am really depressed.....

i was offered a retake because there were software issues with the STEP 2 program..i dunno if those same issues exist with step 1. I declined the offer for obvious reasons.....i dont think ur score will change, they rarely do. save ur money man.

 

[UCLAstudent]

Step 1: 272
Shelf exams: above 95th % (one 80th)
Preparation: 2.5 weeks. I read about 1/3 of First Aid and then focused solely on USMLEWorld. First Aid was good, but it would have taken me too much time to get through the entire book given my time constraints. The gyn section was particularly helpful.

USMLEWorld was VERY good and similar to the real Step 2 CK questions. It's important to take the time to read through the answers. My "routine" was to do a block of 25 questions and then spend 1.5 hours reviewing/taking notes on the answers, even for the questions I got correct. I also read the answer explanations for the incorrect choices. I didn't reread the notes I took, but just writing things down makes learning an active process.

USMLEWorld: 75% (55% complete --- all blocks random/timed)
Step 2 CK: 271

 

[PreMedAdAG]

So - anyone have a problem on USMLE world where towards the end (last 33% of questions) were all IM b/c the random selections had used up everything else?

My scores were jumping to high 60's and low 70's - but since I ran out of Peds, OBGYN, Pysch, and Surg questions, my scores keep dropping - back to mid 60's and today a friekin' 58% 🙁

Any advice for this -

I also feel like since I used all of those questions up - I won't see them again til test day - and I have about 10 more days to study. This is so friekin' annoying!!!!

well since no one is replying - thought I would comment on my own post - My scores continue to drop - today i got 60 and 63 - it's still all IM - and I still suck at it..... so far - frieking out! Words of advice? Please!

 

[drguy22]

well since no one is replying - thought I would comment on my own post - My scores continue to drop - today i got 60 and 63 - it's still all IM - and I still suck at it..... so far - frieking out! Words of advice? Please!

dont worry about the actual score. Make sure u learn something from every question. Thats the most important thing!!!

good luck!

 

[Corn Dog]

Step 1: 272
Shelf exams: above 95th % (one 80th)
Preparation: 2.5 weeks. I read about 1/3 of First Aid and then focused solely on USMLEWorld. First Aid was good, but it would have taken me too much time to get through the entire book given my time constraints. The gyn section was particularly helpful.

USMLEWorld was VERY good and similar to the real Step 2 CK questions. It's important to take the time to read through the answers. My "routine" was to do a block of 25 questions and then spend 1.5 hours reviewing/taking notes on the answers, even for the questions I got correct. I also read the answer explanations for the incorrect choices. I didn't reread the notes I took, but just writing things down makes learning an active process.

USMLEWorld: 75% (55% complete --- all blocks random/timed)
Step 2 CK: 271

wut r u going into, UCLA? Derm?

 

[jiy76]

wut r u going into, UCLA? Derm?

He's applying for family med in sheboygan, Wisconsin.

 

[UCLAstudent]

wut r u going into, UCLA? Derm?

Radiology 😍

 

[bananarama]

well since no one is replying - thought I would comment on my own post - My scores continue to drop - today i got 60 and 63 - it's still all IM - and I still suck at it..... so far - frieking out! Words of advice? Please!

Premedadag-

I had similar issues just before my test. Overall I was avg mid to high 60's just before I took my test but I stopped b/c 2 of my last tests dropped to 58 and 59 (had lots of peds left over which kills me). Got a little discouraged for test day-so just don't take it into your exam and you'll be fine.

This also depends on how well you want to do. I did well,238(99) but significantly below the SDN avg-390(153). So you may want to weight for a second opinion.

 

[PreMedAdAG]

Premedadag-

I had similar issues just before my test. Overall I was avg mid to high 60's just before I took my test but I stopped b/c 2 of my last tests dropped to 58 and 59 (had lots of peds left over which kills me). Got a little discouraged for test day-so just don't take it into your exam and you'll be fine.

This also depends on how well you want to do. I did well,238(99) but significantly below the SDN avg-390(153). So you may want to weight for a second opinion.

Latest update - now i'm down to 54 and 56% on tests of pure IM this is KILLING me - my confidence is in the waste bin .... I'm getting below avg... this is messed up for me - I did well on step 1 and on all my shelves - WTF is going on!!!

I feel like I do'nt understand the question stems in IM - I'm reading them, taking notes and feverishly trying to learn - yet no improvement and still below average when before I was comfortably sitting in upper 60's and low 70's... sigh... I'm frieking out

 

[drguy22]

Latest update - now i'm down to 54 and 56% on tests of pure IM this is KILLING me - my confidence is in the waste bin .... I'm getting below avg... this is messed up for me - I did well on step 1 and on all my shelves - WTF is going on!!!

I feel like I do'nt understand the question stems in IM - I'm reading them, taking notes and feverishly trying to learn - yet no improvement and still below average when before I was comfortably sitting in upper 60's and low 70's... sigh... I'm frieking out

the worst you can do is freak out...trust me..im the master of freaking out...ull be fine...by u freaking out ur prolly bringing your score down

 

[PreMedAdAG]

the worst you can do is freak out...trust me..im the master of freaking out...ull be fine...by u freaking out ur prolly bringing your score down

i know you're right....


i'm still annoyed....


i still want to choke my computer screen....


I need to get over it.

 

[drbetty]

.

 

[tusm2009]

Shelf exams-mostly in the mid-80s (except for an outlier in each direction--high 70s for ob/gyn and low 90s for medicine and psych)
Studied from Crush, but used FA for step 2 during 3rd year clerkships
USMLE World average- 66% (high 50s/low 60s initially, mid70s towards the end)

Step 1: 220 (not my greatest, but I was okay with it)
Step 2CK: 255

yes, i'm very happy!!

 

[HazomboL]

So, my results came out to coincide with the day Obama wins. 🙂
That's my good luck. 🙂

USMLE world: finished 100% of the Q's at an avg of 66% then revised wrong and marked items.
NBME 1: 247 (4 weeks before exam)
NBME 2: 254 (2 weeks before exam)
Step 2 CK: 270/99 Woo-hoo! 🙂

It took the results 4 looooooong weeks to come out.. I almost died! 🙂

 

[jiy76]

All you people are full of crap. Its not possible everyone on this forum scored well over 250. There are several people here reporting scores over 270. What kind of nonsense is that.Post actual scores so that others can benefit and have some sort of idea as to how to study for this exam and what they can realistically expect to score.

 

[tusm2009]

All you people are full of crap. Its not possible everyone on this forum scored well over 250. There are several people here reporting scores over 270. What kind of nonsense is that.Post actual scores so that others can benefit and have some sort of idea as to how to study for this exam and what they can realistically expect to score.

you know, I thought so too before I got my scores--but then I was pleasantly suprised (and I know I'm not exaggerating my score). But, let's face it, if you didn't do as well you're probably not gonna post your scores, so the only people doing so are those who did do really well. So, it's not accurate to say everyone does that well, it's just that only those who did post. The national average (per the score report) is 226....sooo, it is possible that a lot of people got in the 250s...

 

[DOme2009]

All you people are full of crap. Its not possible everyone on this forum scored well over 250. There are several people here reporting scores over 270. What kind of nonsense is that.Post actual scores so that others can benefit and have some sort of idea as to how to study for this exam and what they can realistically expect to score.

roflolmaoteeheegiggle. seriously, look where you are - on a forum for kinda dorky ppl who want to do well on their boards. the really dorky ppl are also really serious about test-prep. like others have posted, those that do well are more inclined to post their scores, that's all there is to it. no need to call shenanigans on nobody 😍

 

[drbetty]

you know, I thought so too before I got my scores--but then I was pleasantly suprised (and I know I'm not exaggerating my score). But, let's face it, if you didn't do as well you're probably not gonna post your scores, so the only people doing so are those who did do really well. So, it's not accurate to say everyone does that well, it's just that only those who did post. The national average (per the score report) is 226....sooo, it is possible that a lot of people got in the 250s...

roflolmaoteeheegiggle. seriously, look where you are - on a forum for kinda dorky ppl who want to do well on their boards. the really dorky ppl are also really serious about test-prep. like others have posted, those that do well are more inclined to post their scores, that's all there is to it. no need to call shenanigans on nobody 😍

the score report noted that most people score btw 140-260. i definitely agree that if my score was lower, i might not want to talk about it, and i think it could be discouraging to others. anyway, it is natural to want to share great news, even it is with anonymous strangers. 🙂

 

[HazomboL]

All you people are full of crap. Its not possible everyone on this forum scored well over 250. There are several people here reporting scores over 270. What kind of nonsense is that.Post actual scores so that others can benefit and have some sort of idea as to how to study for this exam and what they can realistically expect to score.

I didn't exaggerate my score, either. But, when I was preparing for the exams, I found that the numbers posted by people compared with their study techniques were extremely useful. I think it could be very beneficial to keep self-evaluating before the exam, by comparing to someone who eventually scored your aspired score. Also, being on a forum that shows people who score high, can give you a good motivation to prepare better for the exam, especially if you have enough time. Generally, I think it's a good idea to start checking this forum starting 4 weeks prior to the exam.. and it's a horrible idea to check this forum after taking the exam and till the results come out. For me; that worked as the best motivation plan.

 

[N-Surge]

I know, wrong place... But you guys would know.

I heard there is a FREE NBME. IS it still available? A link to that would be most appreciated. if so. Thanks!

 

[drguy22]

you know, I thought so too before I got my scores--but then I was pleasantly suprised (and I know I'm not exaggerating my score). But, let's face it, if you didn't do as well you're probably not gonna post your scores, so the only people doing so are those who did do really well. So, it's not accurate to say everyone does that well, it's just that only those who did post. The national average (per the score report) is 226....sooo, it is possible that a lot of people got in the 250s...

hmm..i feel like my score is not pretty low...haha o well

 

[HazomboL]

I know, wrong place... But you guys would know.

I heard there is a FREE NBME. IS it still available? A link to that would be most appreciated. if so. Thanks!

I donno if this is what you meant, but there's the sample material available on the ECFMG website..

 

[elr1983]

Hi all...I've just started studying for step 2 CK, which I'm scheduled to take 11/25. So far I've done about 1/4 of USMLE world. My problem is this...my scores are kind of all over the place. Out of 12 46 question tests, timed, with unused questions, I have 6 in the 80's, 3 in the 70's, and 3 in the 60's. I think the tests are starting to have more difficult IM questions on them, since the peds/ob/psych/surg questions are getting used up, similar to what another poster said. But I'm starting to get nervous that this schizophrenic performance will be with me on test day, too! Did most find that their scores evened out a bit once they had some book studying under their belts or had done more questions? Are the IM questions especially hard, or is it just me being stupid? And is the real thing pretty evenly split among specialties?

I thought I was fairly set for step 2 since I did well on step 1 (259) and on my shelf exams (99's except ob, where I got an 87). (I realize that's an extremely cocky thing to say, but hey, it's an anonymous internet forum.)