Good luck all. I have my exam end of March and hope to be the 1st one to post here for 2010.
^ It's sooo weird. Some people say it works, and some say it doesn't. I guess i'll just have to try it out myself.
very likelyso having taken the step last thursday (august 26), should I expect my scores back on the 15th? or would it likely be the following wednesday?
fd212: youre not dead yet. make up some ground on step 2
Never thought I would post this, but I PASSED! YAY!! 198/81, Yeah it's not the best and I know doesn't compare to most people on this forum and probably won't be that helpful to people gunning for 230+ but maybe somewhere there's someone who was in my same situation and this might be helpful. I'm not going to get greedy since this score was WAYYY above any of my practice exams (little of which I actually did) and all I was praying for was a pass considering I only had 2 weeks of protected study time for this.
So yeah, miracles do happen!
UWSA2: 174 (can't remember, roughly a 1.5 weeks prior)
UWSA1: 184 (about 4 days after UWSA2)
Free 150: 73% (2 days after UWSA2)
Uworld: pretty much in the 40's but I was doing tutor mode throughout
Resources: Goljan audio, First Aid, Uworld (did 100% and roughly 20% of second run), Qbank (finished about 30%), random other resources
Study time: on/off for 7 weeks, but only 2 weeks of protected study time = lots of cramming and lots of stress. Basically I wouldn't recommend it.
One tip I have is that regardless of what other people say, I think you have to find what works best for you. Staring at First Aid for hours did nothing for me during the cram period. I went on flashcard exchange and looked up usmle key words (Because I'm too cheap to buy my own flashcards) and just did them over and over because that's how I learn---I need questions to stimulate myself rather than just stare at pages and hope the osmosis thing works.
Test day-- felt good about the behavioural sciences, but that was always my strength. Biochem wasn't bad at all. Not that much hard crazy anatomy imo. One tip is to check what you got wrong during breaks. Yeah people say don't do this blah blah, it'll psyche you out, but there were repeats later on (not exact question, but tested similar concepts) and you really just have to live with being wrong especially if it'll help you.
Thanks to everyone who posted here and it was extremely helpful and I'm really just relieved this thing is done and over with.
(PS: For the record, the re-applying thing trick doesn't work. I couldn't use the OASIS (not FMG) but tried to re-apply to Step 1 on NBME and it let me last night and I thought I failed. But guess not! haha)
With the emphasis many place on doing questions from USMLEWorld as preparation for the Step1 exam, why bother with the NBME series of exams at all?
Why not just concentrate on USMLEWorld (even to the point of repeating the question set in its entirety) and the two assessments they provide, along with the USMLE 150 question rehearsal?
With the emphasis many place on doing questions from USMLEWorld as preparation for the Step1 exam, why bother with the NBME series of exams at all?
Why not just concentrate on USMLEWorld (even to the point of repeating the question set in its entirety) and the two assessments they provide, along with the USMLE 150 question rehearsal?
I did much better on UWSA than NBMEs (10 points higher) and the UWSA predicted my score perfectly. Don't be so set on the idea that the NBME is a better predictor. It all comes down to the set of questions you get handed on your real test.
Never thought I would post this, but I PASSED! YAY!! 198/81, Yeah it's not the best and I know doesn't compare to most people on this forum and probably won't be that helpful to people gunning for 230+ but maybe somewhere there's someone who was in my same situation and this might be helpful. I'm not going to get greedy since this score was WAYYY above any of my practice exams (little of which I actually did) and all I was praying for was a pass considering I only had 2 weeks of protected study time for this.
So yeah, miracles do happen!
UWSA2: 174 (can't remember, roughly a 1.5 weeks prior)
UWSA1: 184 (about 4 days after UWSA2)
Free 150: 73% (2 days after UWSA2)
Uworld: pretty much in the 40's but I was doing tutor mode throughout
Resources: Goljan audio, First Aid, Uworld (did 100% and roughly 20% of second run), Qbank (finished about 30%), random other resources
Study time: on/off for 7 weeks, but only 2 weeks of protected study time = lots of cramming and lots of stress. Basically I wouldn't recommend it.
One tip I have is that regardless of what other people say, I think you have to find what works best for you. Staring at First Aid for hours did nothing for me during the cram period. I went on flashcard exchange and looked up usmle key words (Because I'm too cheap to buy my own flashcards) and just did them over and over because that's how I learn---I need questions to stimulate myself rather than just stare at pages and hope the osmosis thing works.
Test day-- felt good about the behavioural sciences, but that was always my strength. Biochem wasn't bad at all. Not that much hard crazy anatomy imo. One tip is to check what you got wrong during breaks. Yeah people say don't do this blah blah, it'll psyche you out, but there were repeats later on (not exact question, but tested similar concepts) and you really just have to live with being wrong especially if it'll help you.
Thanks to everyone who posted here and it was extremely helpful and I'm really just relieved this thing is done and over with.
(PS: For the record, the re-applying thing trick doesn't work. I couldn't use the OASIS (not FMG) but tried to re-apply to Step 1 on NBME and it let me last night and I thought I failed. But guess not! haha)
more than likely 4thTook the test 8/22 (sunday), this wait is killing me. So do you guys think I will get my score this Wed? or will it be the 4th wed?
Keeping my fingers crossed for a score of 220+
i feel your pain. if things go as expected, i'll be getting my usmle results on the 15th. i take comlex on the 16th. ugh!Took the test 8/22 (sunday), this wait is killing me. So do you guys think I will get my score this Wed? or will it be the 4th wed?
Keeping my fingers crossed for a score of 220+
I've read all of kaplan for neuro, resp, renal, cvs...BUT, is the amount in first aid good enough for the test?? Resp really seems insufficient..ahhh
FA resp plus all that you've read in kaplan should be more than enoughsomeone answer my question!!
someone answer my question!!
Personally, I felt that though First Aid seems like there are holes in it, it was good enough. The way I looked at step 1 and the shelf exams was that there will be stuff asked that you will clearly know, and some stuff where u will be like WTF. My goal was to know First Aid, cold, and I mean cold, and if I did that, I would maximize the gimme/normal questions. Some people have the philosophy of trying to hear everything once, I went the other direction of trying to know a few things really damn well. The whole thing is alot of buzz words/senarios anyways.
I say all this cause the ONLY things that I did for step 1 was First Aid, UWorld Qbank, and Pharm cards and it worked out fine (250+). My school's curriculum wasnt really taught towards the boards either... and they gave us under a month to study.
You need to maximize the points where you can, and cut your losses in low yield areas.
250+.. fantastic. No Goljan?
Personally, I felt that though First Aid seems like there are holes in it, it was good enough. The way I looked at step 1 and the shelf exams was that there will be stuff asked that you will clearly know, and some stuff where u will be like WTF. My goal was to know First Aid, cold, and I mean cold, and if I did that, I would maximize the gimme/normal questions. Some people have the philosophy of trying to hear everything once, I went the other direction of trying to know a few things really damn well. The whole thing is alot of buzz words/senarios anyways.
I say all this cause the ONLY things that I did for step 1 was First Aid, UWorld Qbank, and Pharm cards and it worked out fine (250+). My school's curriculum wasnt really taught towards the boards either... and they gave us under a month to study.
You need to maximize the points where you can, and cut your losses in low yield areas.
I'm so frustrated..everytime i get closer to my date..i always change it..i get so scared..it's really annoying!!! How do i get over this fear..ugggh
this dude was on his game from the beginning, because he was smart and planned ahead. a buddy of mine in m class was the same way and got almost the same score.Sasquatch:
A most impressive performance, congratulations.
Did you take any of the NBME exams or the other UW self-assessment?
I'm scared too, Jerry. Looks like you, Texas Triathlete, and I may be getting our scores back on Wednesday. I took my exam on Friday, August 27th, so should be this week if the traditional Saturday-Friday exam period / 3rd Wednesday model holds up. Didn't get nervous until about an hour ago.
This is going to kill me.
Somewhere, someone knows my score, but I don't.
I feel like Cartman waitinng for the Wii to come out. I wonder if I should freeze myself.
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!
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!
Congrats! Can you please share with us your study schedule (ex: how long did you study, which resourses did you use, which qbanks did you do, when did you take the nbmes...etc.) Thanks a lot!
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!