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!!

 

[drbetty]

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.)

you are doing great on UW, especially given your step1/shelf history, and will likely do very well on CK. my range was generally 60-80 like many posters and the %correct started tapering down toward my test, but still did well on the real thing. focus on the learning why you missed questions or got them right, rather than % questions right per block. GL, not that you really need it! besides, since you are doing peds, board scores don't matter that much anyway 🙂

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

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

Way to repeat over 270 UCLAstudent *Internet High5*

 

[elr1983]

you are doing great on UW, especially given your step1/shelf history, and will likely do very well on CK. as i posted yesterday, my range was generally 60-80 like many posters and the %correct started tapering down toward my test, but still did well on the real thing. focus on the learning why you missed questions or got them right, rather than % questions right per block. GL, not that you really need it! besides, since you are doing peds, board scores don't matter that much anyway 🙂

Yea, you are right--it's just hard not to look at the scores and think you're doing better/worse. 🙂 I'm hoping on the real thing, I have a "better" day. Did you find your test pretty evenly split b/w medicine, peds, ob, etc? The way the questions are on USMLEWorld, it's mostly IM...one of my friends said her test was, "all peds." I guess like step one, people will have heavy on one thing or another? (Or perhaps it just seems that way!)

 

[G0S2]

My exam was a lot like UW with mostly med and a good helping of peds, OB-GYN, surgery (trauma) and psych.

People always think that their most difficult subject was "overrepresented" on the exam.

 

[UDbiochem]

posts of scores would be awesome if they included dates of exam. I'm anxiously waiting for mine..... took it on 10/18

 

[drbetty]

posts of scores would be awesome if they included dates of exam. I'm anxiously waiting for mine..... took it on 10/18

you might be in the next round for score releases - next wed when the clock strikes midnight, get your email the morning before...

 

[PreMedAdAG]

so...

anyone have the issue of way different scores on 2 diff. NBME's???

I took two tests within 2 days of each other

Form 2 (11/7/08): 730
Form 3 (11/9/08): 640

What the heck is up with that????😱

Anyone have a similar experience?😕

 

[PreMedAdAG]

Well I took it....

then I cried...

then I ate McDonald's.... then I went shopping... then... I'm not going to lie - I had a cigarette


That was the worst test I've ever taken. I felt completely underprepared for it and while I think I had a tough form - all 8/8 blocks were atrocious

The hot topics for my test:
1. Respiratory
2. Nephro
3. Rheum
4. Immunodeficiencies
5. Weird storage/errors of metabolism
6. and plenty of "easy" scenarios with impossible answer choices!!!

I will be sooo happy if I get the bare minimum to pass. That was a horribly painful process that I hope I don't have to repeat.

My UW scores were: 65% (did 100% all random timed blocks)
My USMLE free questions were: 87% after one week of studying
My NBME #2 (4 days before test) was 730/261
My NBME#2 (2 days before test) was 640/247

I do not expect to even come close to those scores and just felt pathetic after that test. I couldn't remember JACK SQUAT and after a while just felt brow beaten. I usually take approximately 45-50 minutes to do a timed block - during the test however I used every last second in every single block.

I started at 8:45am and finished at 5:40 pm.

Painful... painful...painful...👎scared:😡

 

[merd]

I feel strongly about posting my scores. I have been reading these blogs for about 3 months now. I took it that USMLE world and any other reading source would be sufficient for Step 2 CK. I did well in all my 3rd yr clerkships - 85-98 on my shelf exams.
Step 1 - 222
NBME 1 - 214 on Aug 23rd
NBME 2 - 237 1 wk before CK
USMLE world - 69% avereage (range 55-92%)- I did 46 qs timed blocks in respective subjects and then mixed qs during my last wk - I studied for 2.5 wks during my family med rotation.
I also read the medicine section of Board & wards.
Step 2 CK - 249

My conclusion, like many others, USMLE world is the key to this exam!!!

 

[yayarea]

Step 1: Studied for about 4.5 weeks with various books. Didn't really like first aid but powered through it. Used books like micro made ridic simple and brs pathology to get through all the subjects. Did NOT use usmle world as I thought the questions were too easy and did 100% of Kaplan Q bank, averaging about 70%.

Score: 254/99

Step 2: I hated studying for this test and basically every time I sat down I wanted to kill myself, so I basically pretended to read cardio, pulm, and GI from step up to medicine, bought first aid for step 2 and read only the OB and GYN sections because it was very clear from Kaplan that I had no idea what I was talking about, and did about 75% of Kaplan Q bank in about 9 days, averaging 60%. It calculated my probable score as 215, because at Kaplan, they want to scare you into doing well.

Score: 253/99.

My frank opinion on this test is that you are going to do similarly to step 1 unless you have an aneurysm (bad) or study a whole lot (good). Honestly, I thought I messed up really badly, so the scoring may be easier or we may just know more than before to offset the laziness. Good luck everyone.

 

[Dr 501]

Hi all, I know it's not the best place to post but I need some advice about scheduling next year. I did fairly well on step 1 (249) and want to apply to some competitive residencies in the west but I'm not really sure what I want to go into. so here's the dilemma
1. I'm torn between 2-3 specalities that I think i might like (plastics, REI, & ER... I know random but thats a different story) but I'm not going to get a lot of experience in em during 3rd year so...
2. I'd like to do some electives in these before I have to apply sometime in Sept but...
3. I only have Jun-Aug 09 for said electives and...
4. wouldn't mind doing better on step 2 and it looks like June may be my best bet since I have Family and IM in march-may and It'll all be fresh, so...
I'm trying to figure out do I take time to do well on step 2 and take it early by cutting into elective time/choosing a carrear or bag step 2 till later, figure life out, and hope to get in with just the step 1. sorry so complex

 

[sestamibi]

With a score that high, I wouldn't take Step 2 until your school mandates it.

It can only hurt you. A higher Step 2 isn't going to impress anyone. It's clear from your Step 1 score you are an intelligent person and an excellent test-taker.

 

[Medicinewarrior]

step 1 228/95

step 2 244/99

My UW was low 70s.

I did it on tutor mode and did all the questions twice. That really seemed to help.

 

[dreamfox]

UW: 65% (only made it through about half the questions, untimed)

Step1: 240/99
Step2: 260/99

 

[Bandit]

what I cant seem to understand is how EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU are 2 standard deviations above!!!!

 

[jiy76]

what I cant seem to understand is how EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU are 2 standard deviations above!!!!

I can understand it. it's called BS

 

[Lucy May]

Yes, gotta love those 260 scores that say they barely did half of UW and probably studied for a week.

Anyway, here's my junk:
Step 1 score 206/85
Step 2 score 237/98 (exam date Oct 27, got score today)
UW: 53%
USMLErx CK qbank (from First Aid):71%
NBME2 one week before exam: 227

I wrote an extensive post on my study prep and experience here if any are interested. I benefitted and also drove myself nuts pouring over forums, so I thought I'd share the love.

 

[jiy76]

You had a 53% on UW and got a 237? thats pretty impressive. Although your score is outstanding at least its somewhat believable.

 

[riverie]

Hey all,
Here's the stuff:
Step 1 - 245
Step 2 - 259
UW at ~67% after finishing 54% of questions
Free USMLE questions (demonstrating the new FRED software) - 75%.. btw the Step 2 score calculator said I would fail with this score, totally freaked me out!
Didn't do any NBMEs.
Read through Crush and First Aid; thought Crush was a little too simplified and First Aid had much better detail.

 

[Lucy May]

You had a 53% on UW and got a 237? thats pretty impressive. Although your score is outstanding at least its somewhat believable.

Human nature demonstrates that people will typically only report outstanding scores, then downplay their prep to make the rest of us ******s feel inferior. 😀 At least...that's how I totally feel when I see effortless scores of 250 and above.🙄

The UW score reflects the fact that I used the bank as an honest study tool early on in my preparation. It doesn't reflect my improvement the last few weeks before the exam.

I hope to be an inspiration to all UW underachievers.

 

[Pianoboe01]

Took Step 2 CK today - how are scores reported? Email? Online? Snail mail?

 

[FutureInternist]

Just to make all the other mere mortals out there feel better 🙂

UW avg - 58% (tutor & timed)
Step 2 - 207/85

I only had about 2-3 mins left at the end of each section (which really scared me since I finished Step 1 in 5 hours) so definitely relieved.

 

[jiy76]

Just to make all the other mere mortals out there feel better 🙂

UW avg - 58% (tutor & timed)
Step 2 - 207/85

I only had about 2-3 mins left at the end of each section (which really scared me since I finished Step 1 in 5 hours) so definitely relieved.

Congrats on doing well, Its nice to see a realistic score correlation. Was getting tired of hearing a 60% turning into a 265.

 

[darrvao777]

What does a 63% translate into?

Just started and I'm rather full of pride considering I started with UW scores of ~40% in Step 1 testing.

 

[workhardplayhar]

Just got my score last night...I got an e-mail yesterday that my score report would be available after midnight on the webiste...only 2.5 weeks after my test
anyway, usmleworld avg-64% (did 100% of it, mostly random 25-40 q blocks)
NBME-translated to a 227
FRED free questions-high 80s
CK score- 238/99

Was very excited to outdo my nbme...did not expect that

 

[LouisianaDoctor]

I took step 2 yesterday. The testing facility's computers were screwed up so we didn't start till about 10:15. Got out at 7:15pm lol. I found it extremely difficult. Some of the questions I couldn't even find the clue, and on some of the questions I just had no clue 🙂 They don't even touch buzz words now, and I think they are making it impossible for non-English natives to pass (I am a native english speaker), because they will use synonyms for buzzwords, so if you don't have the vast english vocab you'll never catch it.

Anyway, I did the PASS program a couple of weeks ago, and my USMLE world average is about 52%, but the average since I finished the pass program has been closer to 60%. I got a 195 on Step 1. Honestly, if I even passed this exam I will be happy. I feel completely horrible about it.

 

[Nuriko]

Step 1: 215/89

USMLE World: ~63%
NBMEs: 215, 207, 229

Step 2 CK: 211/87

 

[Pianoboe01]

Step 1: 256
Step 2: 268!!!!

I only used USMLE World to study for Step 2 CK. I completed just over half of the questions and had an overall average of 68%.

 

[dgruntledmizzou]

Can someone tell me how the day is structured?

8 1-hr blocks
46 questions per block
is the entire test 9 hrs then? (We're given 1 hr to divert into different breaks?)

thx

 

[elr1983]

Can someone tell me how the day is structured?

8 1-hr blocks
46 questions per block
is the entire test 9 hrs then? (We're given 1 hr to divert into different breaks?)

thx

Yeah, 8 one hour blocks, 46 questions/block, and one hour to divide up in breaks as we see fit. I only took about 30 minutes of break the whole day, so mine was like 8.5 hours......but yea, the max it would be would be 9 hours. Good luck--it's really tiring!

 

[DwightKShrute]

how accurate are the free FRED questions?

I'm getting high 80s on these when I usually get low 60s on USMLE World?

What does that translate to?

 

[elr1983]

how accurate are the free FRED questions?

I'm getting high 80s on these when I usually get low 60s on USMLE World?

What does that translate to?

Yeah, I did a lot better on the fred questions as well....when I went to estimate my score on that medfriends website, it was like 30 points lower using the fred score as opposed to the usmle score, despite the actual percentage being higher. I haven't got my actual test score yet, but probably this week (took it first week of dec). I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[5639953]

Please advice.

I have step two date in one week. I have been scoring average of 50% on USMLE world.

What does that translate into usually? If I don't take my step 2 in a week my graduation will be delayed for a whole year, but at the same time, I hope I can pass with an average of 50%. Do you think 50% is sufficient? How does the 50% translate when it comes to the actual step 2 score?

Thank you.

 

[jiy76]

Please advice.

I have step two date in one week. I have been scoring average of 50% on USMLE world.

What does that translate into usually? If I don't take my step 2 in a week my graduation will be delayed for a whole year, but at the same time, I hope I can pass with an average of 50%. Do you think 50% is sufficient? How does the 50% translate when it comes to the actual step 2 score?

Thank you.

Hard to say. There are those that pass with around that score and those that don't. Take an nbme those are more accurate if you are passing those easily you should be fine.

 

[elr1983]

Any scores from the first week of December?

 

[logistic]

**

 

[DantheMan05]

Any scores from the first week of December?

Yeah, just got my score back today - took on Dec 2nd. Step 1 -> 265 with tons of prep. Step 2 -> 272 with minimal prep and motivation, maybe 300 usmleworld questions. Best prep for the exam really is just 3rd year...

 

[anesthesiarocks]

usmle world last ten random unused sets of 46 questions: all above 75%, with an 84% average

took step2ck yesterday and am thinking I made about a 200. There was very little medicine on it. USMLE world vastly overrepresents the amount of IM type stuff on the test, or maybe I just got a weird test.

 

[DwightKShrute]

usmle world last ten random unused sets of 46 questions: all above 75%, with an 84% average

took step2ck yesterday and am thinking I made about a 200. There was very little medicine on it. USMLE world vastly overrepresents the amount of IM type stuff on the test, or maybe I just got a weird test.

I highly doubt it with an 84% avg

 

[jiy76]

Step 1: 288

Step 2: 290 Wasn't really excited as I had to study an entire weekend for this exam. UW average 99%
All you need is 2 days to study and a magical leprechaun to sit on your shoulder and feed you answers.I thought after embarrasing myself with such a low score on step 1 my career was over. ...It can be done people! Use me as your inspiration.

 

[DantheMan05]

Step 1: 288

Step 2: 290 Wasn't really excited as I had to study an entire weekend for this exam. UW average 99%
All you need is 2 days to study and a magical leprechaun to sit on your shoulder and feed you answers.I thought after embarrasing myself with such a low score on step 1 my career was over. ...It can be done people! Use me as your inspiration.

Cute. My point was that I felt step 1 was much more about studying weird **** whereas step 2 was about using knowledge that ideally you already had (except for ob/gyn, which apparently I know nothing about. and I'm fine with that).

 

[DwightKShrute]

Step 1: 288

Step 2: 290 Wasn't really excited as I had to study an entire weekend for this exam. UW average 99%
All you need is 2 days to study and a magical leprechaun to sit on your shoulder and feed you answers.I thought after embarrasing myself with such a low score on step 1 my career was over. ...It can be done people! Use me as your inspiration.

My magical leprechaun was defective. I'm going to file for a replacement but my career is probably over.

 

[jiy76]

My magical leprechaun was defective. I'm going to file for a replacement but my career is probably over.

Let the NBME know I think those are grounds for a retake.

 

[Gaswitch]

Step 1: 223 (93)
Step 2: 232 (96) received score in exactly 21 days

Prep: Secrets, Crush and read some chapters in Step Up to Medicine.Step Up is really good so is Secrets. For questions used world mostly tutor mode. Did ~90% with 62% average, over 2 months while doing interviews (not a great idea, unless you always have internet access and don't want to go sightseeing in the various interview locations). Total focused time was probably only 2 weeks.

My weakest area was Peds and strongest was OBGYN on world....on the real thing Medicine and Surgery were my strongest, weakest was OBGYN (probably got too comfortable while studying).

I think that it is not deathly difficult but I did get out of there with uncertainty thinking I would just die if I got 185!

Some questions you will see on world, some are just basics, some are crazy (fewest). So most is stuff you should know and it depends on whether you remember everything you read.

Good luck if you have not taken it yet. If you keep pushing it back, just do it because you can.

I am an average student even when I am putting 100% so I am not super excited but I am glad my score went up.

Happy Holidays folks.

 

[DwightKShrute]

186 is passing?

 

[Gaswitch]

186 is passing?

My report says 184 is passing. So I meant I would die if I just passed by a point 🙂.

 

[5639953]

184 is pass for Step II CK.

 

[elr1983]

Took the exam Dec. 1st, score report became available today. E-mail alerting me to the posted score also came today.

Step 1 >260
USMLEworld: >90% completed, 74% average, was getting consistently 75-80% the last two weeks of studying. Studied approximately 6 weeks, 6 hours a day..would wake up early in the am before I had to take care of my other responsibilities. Went over First Aid and B&W 3-4 times. Did a few Kaplan medicine chapters and all of Peds when watching football on Sundays.
Step 2: >260

Surprisingly, not very excited. On the interview trail, I was rarely asked about these, one PD said that he doesn't take step 2s into consideration since not everyone has it available, and multiple interviewers were discussing my score as '99' rather than the three digit score. Would be worth it, however, if it impressed any PDs of my top choices.

But at least it did help with one of the clinical questions I was asked on the interview trail.

Congrats, awesome score. I took my test about the same time as you, in the mid-west, and haven't heard anything. But like you said, it probably won't be that exciting when I do.

Happy New Year!

 

[marr]

Need to give back to the community.

step uno- 235/98-->didn't study that much, 4wks, questions, gave away tons of easy point. On retrospect, should of stick to first aid. Oh well, F**K IT!!!

3rd year shelfs: mostly 80% except medicine 99%

step deux-247/99-->1.5 weeks right after 3rd year, nms+usmleworld+pocket medicine, 8hrs a day, no studying on the weekend.
On retrospect, Step II tested really simple concepts but each question has a paragraph that's like 20 pages long. Last 3 blocks, just picked answers and moved on. It's a long test. Gave away tons of point on heart sounds and dementia. It seemed like every block I had 5 patients with dementia. Oh well, should I have studied harder? On retrospect, step II doesn't matter for getting an interview since none of the PD really cared about it. If you need step 2 score to boost your apps it ain't gonna happen.

 

[radoncadonc]

I took the test Dec 4 and no email for me yet. Anyone else in this situation, and can anyone post a link to the site where I could check my score. Thanks.