Which NBME to take as the first diagnostic test?

[hrain]

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Hey guys,

Any tips on which NBME to take the first (early) diagnostic test? I'm looking at taking my exam in April, but since I'm trying to decide how much dedicated study time to take (debating between 5 and 6 weeks...craving a vacation, so I'm hoping I can pull it off in 5), I'd like to take an early NBME maybe this weekend. I've completed almost everything but Derm/Optho and a review of Inflammation/Infectious Diseases at this point, so I feel like it can at least give me a slightly decent estimate.

Any tips on which one I could use now vs. which ones I should save for my dedicated study diagnostic/prep?

Thanks!

 

[Phloston]

Hey guys,

Any tips on which NBME to take the first (early) diagnostic test? I'm looking at taking my exam in April, but since I'm trying to decide how much dedicated study time to take (debating between 5 and 6 weeks...craving a vacation, so I'm hoping I can pull it off in 5), I'd like to take an early NBME maybe this weekend. I've completed almost everything but Derm/Optho and a review of Inflammation/Infectious Diseases at this point, so I feel like it can at least give me a slightly decent estimate.

Any tips on which one I could use now vs. which ones I should save for my dedicated study diagnostic/prep?

Thanks!

Take the earlier ones first. If you want an "accurate" score prediction, do NBME-5 online.

 

[hrain]

Thanks! I really appreciate all the time you've taken to give all of us tips. Good luck with getting your score back soon!

 

[Zuhal]

Take the earlier ones first. If you want an "accurate" score prediction, do NBME-5 online.

Really? NBME 5 is the most accurate? I thought it was the easiest? This is just what I heard from people, I haven't taken any of them.

 

[Phloston]

It is the easiest, but compared to the other NBMEs, the curve is ridiculously harsh, so it's not really that "easy" after all.

I had 9 wrong on NBME5 and got a 257, but had 8 wrong on NBME12 and had a 266 on that one.

NBME12 was with extended feedback, so I'm certain I had 8 wrong on it.

There was no extended feedback available for NBME5, but I had spent innumerable hours searching the forums/Google/PubMed for answers, and could only arrive at 9 wrong.