USMLE UWSA vs NBME 4 accuracy?

[danvasta]

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I am about 4ish weeks out, I'm done with about 1/4th of UW for the 2nd time and averaging between 70-80%. I want to take 2 self assessments, I'm kind of getting worried I don't want to stress myself out knowing I can't push the exam after doing bad on an self assessment .. how do you think I should space out these self assessments, and which one's should I take and in which order i.e. NBME4 /UWSA?
Any help is appreciated!!

 

[thehundredthone]

Both assessments are fairly predictive. UWSA has questions along the lines of what you would see on the exam, so maybe take that one first ~2 weeks out. NBME4 questions are also fairly close to the real exam, and it is considered to be slightly more accurate, so take that ~1 week out.

 

[danvasta]

Both assessments are fairly predictive. UWSA has questions along the lines of what you would see on the exam, so maybe take that one first ~2 weeks out. NBME4 questions are also fairly close to the real exam, and it is considered to be slightly more accurate, so take that ~1 week out.

Thanks. Which one is harder?

 

[Bagheera]

will post a reply here when I see my score compared to UWSA and NBME 4. NBME 4 definatley felt easier but scores were similar though atleast for me. UWSA high 240s while NBME 4 was around 250.

 

[thehundredthone]

Thanks. Which one is harder?

UWSA tends to have more voluminous questions while NBME tends to have quite the opposite where you need to fill in possible and probable details to get to the answer. I personally tended to find the NBME questions trickier while doing them, but I scored a little lower percentage wise on the UWSA. My predictions were maxed out on both, but sadly I scored closer to the UWSA prediction. Look out for Bagheera's next post, and go through the experiences thread.

 

[danvasta]

UWSA tends to have more voluminous questions while NBME tends to have quite the opposite where you need to fill in possible and probable details to get to the answer. I personally tended to find the NBME questions trickier while doing them, but I scored a little lower percentage wise on the UWSA. My predictions were maxed out on both, but sadly I scored closer to the UWSA prediction. Look out for Bagheera's next post, and go through the experiences thread.

Thanks! My exam is in a week and a half, I will finish UW for the 2nd time around tuesday next week .. I'm not sure what to do the last week..? I was thinking my UW notes plus MTB... I am also pretty burnt out at this point. I scored 246 on NBME 4 I am aiming for a 250 .I'm not sure when to take a UWSA... as in before I start reviewing my notes or after finishing UW or tomorrow?

 

[Bagheera]

Id take it soon so u can review the answers of the uwsa though they similr concepts.....focus on ur notes n high yield stuff in ur last week.....make sure u hve concentration n well rested for exam

 

[thehundredthone]

Take the UWSA at the end of your 2x of UW, i.e. a week out. You'll take a couple of days to go through the explanations. Another couple of days to revise your notes and MTB. Then relax for a day or two before your exam.

 

[danvasta]

Take the UWSA at the end of your 2x of UW, i.e. a week out. You'll take a couple of days to go through the explanations. Another couple of days to revise your notes and MTB. Then relax for a day or two before your exam.

Thanks I actually took a UWSA with a score of 250. My nbme 4 was 246.. I'm shooting for >250.. do you think its doable in a week..? after I finish UW (about 82% overall) just going to stick to my notes and MTB like you said. I'm not sure if I have the energy to study for this for another week if I postpone.

 

[thehundredthone]

The assessments tend to be fairly predictive. You should be in the ballpark as long as you are performing fairly equally (well) in all subjects. Do the Free 150 2-3 days before your exam too if you haven't already. Most people find it easier to jog their brains through questions rather than by reading the notes over and over.

 

[danvasta]

The assessments tend to be fairly predictive. You should be in the ballpark as long as you are performing fairly equally (well) in all subjects. Do the Free 150 2-3 days before your exam too if you haven't already. Most people find it easier to jog their brains through questions rather than by reading the notes over and over.

I haven't really done a full run through my notes so I'm going to take about 6ish days to do that and then do the 150 questions about 2 days before the test. Does that sound reasonable? Or am I spending too much time reading ?

 

[thehundredthone]

Sounds reasonable.

 

[Bagheera]

Danvasta, for you my friend....



heres my scores

UWORLD 70% 1st time
UWSA: 1 week out 247
NBME 4: 250
Step 2ck: 249

Thankfully, I did not deviate too much from my prac exam scores. I remember making a few really stupid errors, but as you can see right around my practice test scores. Try to avoid making those careless errors and you will break 250 my friend. Good luck!!!

 

[danvasta]

Danvasta, for you my friend....



heres my scores

UWORLD 70% 1st time
UWSA: 1 week out 247
NBME 4: 250
Step 2ck: 249

Thankfully, I did not deviate too much from my prac exam scores. I remember making a few really stupid errors, but as you can see right around my practice test scores. Try to avoid making those careless errors and you will break 250 my friend. Good luck!!!

Thank you very much for your advice! I am 1 week out right now.. kind of getting burnt out and I'm not sure if reading all those notes are doing me any good at this point but I'm still going to plough through! Thanks again! Also did you go through everything again before your test or just weaknesses?

 

[liluoke]

Wanted to ask for some advice; test is in 1 week.

Took UWSA like 2 weeks ago, scored 240. Took NBME 4 today, scored 242. I scored 252 on step 1. I am a DO planning on going into internal medicine. Given that the test is a week out, i'm not sure if I can improve that much from this point on my step 2 score. What would you all recommend? My 4th year schedule is packed and won't have room to take the test again later.

 

[thehundredthone]

Well if you won't have the time to take the test later then your decision has been made for you. Just revise your weak areas, consolidate the strong ones, take a day off before the test and give it your best shot.