UWorld average in the low 50s = in danger?

[KnuxNole]

I have done a good amount of UWorld after going through First Aid and a pass of Goljan and my average is in the 53-54% range. The last set of questions was an up-down experience...I got 67% on one, and a 40% on the next 😱
Usually, I get scores in the 50-60 percent, at times on the average or below it. Which makes me think "Oh man, I got a 50 on this block and the average was a 57...I'm not doing so good!".

I have 3 weeks left and another pass of First Aid + Goljan to do, plus there are still loads more UWorld questions to go through. Right now, I'm more interested in learning the explanations and WHY they are wrong...but the low scores are a bit disheartening. Especially since you hear you need at least 65-70 to pass, and I know that UWorld gives the hard questions, but recent feedback from peers say it's almost identical to UWorld. So yeah...if it's identical, it's gonna be quite bumpy

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[zenlike]

I have done a good amount of UWorld after going through First Aid and a pass of Goljan and my average is in the 53-54% range. The last set of questions was an up-down experience...I got 67% on one, and a 40% on the next 😱
Usually, I get scores in the 50-60 percent, at times on the average or below it. Which makes me think "Oh man, I got a 50 on this block and the average was a 57...I'm not doing so good!".

I have 3 weeks left and another pass of First Aid + Goljan to do, plus there are still loads more UWorld questions to go through. Right now, I'm more interested in learning the explanations and WHY they are wrong...but the low scores are a bit disheartening. Especially since you hear you need at least 65-70 to pass, and I know that UWorld gives the hard questions, but recent feedback from peers say it's almost identical to UWorld. So yeah...if it's identical, it's gonna be quite bumpy

Not to dishearten you, but I've been getting in about that same range and, at this point, I would describe myself as woefully unprepared for the exam. Fortunately, I'm still six months out.

Have you tried any of the NBME exams or the free 150?

 

[vvinodbabu]

Time for another run of FA and definitely it will dramatically improve your UW performace. This is based on the assumption that you are doing UW for the first time. As zenlike suggested go for a NBME self-assessment and you will realize where you are weak at.

 

[KnuxNole]

Yeah this is my first go at UWorld. I haven't done half the questions yet, so quite a few more to go. I definitely plan on doing another FA pass and going through blue notes in RR.

And, to bring the confidence up....72% on a last block 😀

 

[lalakers]

Okay, here goes nothing...

I take Step 1 tomorrow. Goal is 240. Here's what I've done so far:

USMLE World:

First Pass- 45% (no pre-studying or reading)
Second Pass- 79%

USMLE Rx:

Did about 85% of the question bank, and the little estimator thing is projecting me at a 242 or something. I think that's like 70% correct or something like that. Not entirely sure.

Kaplan QBank:

Did maybe 40% of it. I think I'm at 67%. Their score projector puts me in the high 230's or low 240's. I can't remember exactly where.

UWorld Self-Assessment #1: 232 (not great testing conditions, and at the end of a long day); This was 3 weeks before the test

UWorld Self-Assessment #2: 244; two days ago

I also completed DIT.

I'm feeling pretty confident that I'll be in the neighborhood of my goal. I am likely to go into EM, and I've got my foot in the door at one program I really like already, and at another one that is starting up the year I graduate, but it is at a good hospital. But by no means am I going to assume that "foot in the door" makes me a lock.

Really, I think I'm probably in decent shape with a 230. I have done research that will be published eventually, and I also wrote a chapter in a procedures textbook. Hopefully those things will carry some weight too. But anyway, goal is 240.

Step 1: collect underpants
Step 2: ?????
Step 3: Profit

Score: 241, 99 : )

UWorld: 59%
NBME 1: 227
NBME 2: 236
NBME 3: 234
UWSA1: 236

Sources: First Aid, Goljan RR, Kaplan Books (If your basic sciences are weak, I highly recommend you read the Kaplan books)

Advice to future test takers: Do all the NBMEs because some questions on your exam will show up that will be very similar to the NBME, I had one that I can remember distinctly and I had only done 3 of the NBMEs or at least look through them all. Make sure you do Uworld (mixed and all topics) and then review thoroughly. The exam itself is just like taking an NBME and I felt my exam was a bit easier than the NBMEs. Stick to a few books and learn the material well (its key that you know first aid inside out). This exam is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be and if you prepare well you will do just fine. Good luck!

You have enough time, you can do it.

 

[macabi]

You have enough time, you can do it.

Hi. How long between your last nbme and the real deal?
I'm doing 66% on UW still got 20% of qs to finish all random unused. Have 3 weeks before my exam and would like a 240+. Took nbme form 4 last week and got a 228/520.
What do you recommend?

Thanks