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NBME, UWSA, Qbanks Averages, Correlation with Real Step 1 Exam Score

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#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
We ask members who have just taken their Step 1 exam to post here there pretest assessment scores and question bank performances.

Any post out of the thread theme will be deleted. If you have questions to one of the posters, you can PM them. Please do not change the topic and theme of the thread.

So for example, what was your USMLE World average percentage, did you do it random or subject wise, timed or not, online or offline, once or twice, ...etc The same goes to Kaplan Qbank and any other qbank you've used.

Also mention your scores in UWSA and Free 150 and NBME self assessments if you have done them.

This will help future prospective students predict their scores based on their current performances in these question banks and assessment tools.

Sometimes students forget to post their experience in this thread, instead they mention their scores in other thread in the Step 1 Forum, in such instances, we usually copy the relevant information and list it here as an additional post.

There's a similar thread about Step 2 CK Score prediction, here's the link
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s...es-correlation-real-step-2-ck-exam-score.html

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#107 ·
when to take NBME

I hv my test date on June 24. My UW random test mode is coming 63% only 60% done till todate. When is the right time to take NBME to hv an idea of my prep?. Plz help as i hv my eligibility till July 31, so i can postpone the exam.
Will appreciate the input.
Thanks in advance.
 
#108 · (Edited)
262 experience

6 weeks studying

Before study period, I read goljan a lot, watched everything in pathoma and read it a second time, and read every chapter in First Aid once. I also did lange biochem cards once. Biochem wasn't taught well so I wanted to get familiar with the material before study time. I had also completed about 70% of kaplan before the study time and had it reset.

NBME 16 online 5.5 weeks from test - 238 -
Both UWSA 2.5 & 1.5 weeks from test - both 265
NBME 15 online 1 week from test - 251

Then I downloaded a handful of NBME's I studied a couple by doing 10 questions at a time and reviewing answer explanations I downloaded from various sites of the questions I missed or marked. If the explanations were good, I would just google "nbme 9 'question keyword". There is someone who typed out the explanation somewhere.

NBME 7 offline 4 days from test - 261

Did Uworld twice. I would 2 blocks of one subject that I studied that morning, then 3-4 blocks of random timed. By the end of the first time through U world I was getting 85-89% right on random. I got 92% right on Uworld the second time through.

I would do practice exams once a week building up to 7 blocks by week three of studying. I would usually use kaplan random blocks/uwsa/nbme 16.

After I completed u world twice, I started doing kaplan. finished about 75% of kaplan. Did my wrong answers in uworld. Then I did what I wrote above about NBME questions. In the end, I did about 7000 questions. Keep in mind, I think I did a lot less actual learning during this time because I did a lot of the learning before with goljan/pathoma. I never touched goljan during the study period. But even then, there still seemed to be so many new facts to learn from first aid and questions.

good luck. do questions.
 
#200 ·
6 weeks studying

Before study period, I read goljan a lot, watched everything in pathoma and read it a second time, and read every chapter in First Aid once. I also did lange biochem cards once. Biochem wasn't taught well so I wanted to get familiar with the material before study time. I had also completed about 70% of kaplan before the study time and had it reset.

NBME 16 online 5.5 weeks from test - 238 -
Both UWSA 2.5 & 1.5 weeks from test - both 265
NBME 15 online 1 week from test - 251

Then I downloaded a handful of NBME's I studied a couple by doing 10 questions at a time and reviewing answer explanations I downloaded from various sites of the questions I missed or marked. If the explanations were good, I would just google "nbme 9 'question keyword". There is someone who typed out the explanation somewhere.

NBME 7 offline 4 days from test - 261

Did Uworld twice. I would 2 blocks of one subject that I studied that morning, then 3-4 blocks of random timed. By the end of the first time through U world I was getting 85-89% right on random. I got 92% right on Uworld the second time through.

I would do practice exams once a week building up to 7 blocks by week three of studying. I would usually use kaplan random blocks/uwsa/nbme 16.

After I completed u world twice, I started doing kaplan. finished about 75% of kaplan. Did my wrong answers in uworld. Then I did what I wrote above about NBME questions. In the end, I did about 7000 questions. Keep in mind, I think I did a lot less actual learning during this time because I did a lot of the learning before with goljan/pathoma. I never touched goljan during the study period. But even then, there still seemed to be so many new facts to learn from first aid and questions.

good luck. do questions.
Congrats!Happy-2
 
#109 ·
Finally got score

Found this thread helpful when I was studying for step 1. Don't obsess about it like I did though! :rolleyes: Also I'm an IMG.

NBME 15: 233
NBME 13: 233
NBME 16 (10 days before test): 254

UWorld 1: 247
UWorld 2: 234

Kaplan Full Length Simulation 1: 76%
Kaplan Full Length Simulation 2: 77%
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE FULL LENGTH SIMS!!! Just like the real test!

USMLErx (started beginning of 3rd semester): 72%
Kaplan Qbank (completed, random, timed 46Q blocks): 76%
UWorld Qbank (completed, random timed 46Q blocks): 70%

Actual Score: 245 :eek:

Sources: First Aid 2014, Pathoma, and a crapload of questions (most helpful thing in my opinion).
 
#111 ·
Kaplan Full length simulation test

Congrats For the score. :)
I couldn't find these simulated tests on Kaplan website. Are these tests only available with Qbank?? Can you please post the link here?

Found this thread helpful when I was studying for step 1. Don't obsess about it like I did though! :rolleyes: Also I'm an IMG.

NBME 15: 233
NBME 13: 233
NBME 16 (10 days before test): 254

UWorld 1: 247
UWorld 2: 234

Kaplan Full Length Simulation 1: 76%
Kaplan Full Length Simulation 2: 77%
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE FULL LENGTH SIMS!!! Just like the real test!

USMLErx (started beginning of 3rd semester): 72%
Kaplan Qbank (completed, random, timed 46Q blocks): 76%
UWorld Qbank (completed, random timed 46Q blocks): 70%

Actual Score: 245 :eek:

Sources: First Aid 2014, Pathoma, and a crapload of questions (most helpful thing in my opinion).
 
#110 ·
259 experience

Exam on 07/2012

7 - 4 mo before: USMLERx: 70%
4 mo before: NBME 3 offline: 170/200 = 85%
3 mo before: Kaplan Qbank: 76%
2 - 0 mo before: UW: 79%
6 wk before: UWSA1: 730/259 (80% correct)
4 wk before: NBME 11 offline: 170/200 = 85%
8 days before: NBME 7 online: 630/252
5 days before: UWSA 2: 800/265 (84% correct)
2 days before: free 150: 92%

Step 1: 259/89
 
#112 ·
268 in 6 weeks

completed all shelf exams (after rotations) except neurology/obgyn
6 weeks completely off from clinic to study

Resources:
uworld: timed, random, blocks of 44: 81%
Kaplan Qbank timed, random, blocks of 44: 79%

Kaplan diagnostic: 87% (3.5 weeks out)
Kaplan Sim 1: 79% (2 weeks out)
Kaplan Sim 2: 84% (4 days out)
Fred 150: 94% (5 days out)

NBME3 (4 weeks out): 250/560
NBME4 (3 weeks out): 267/640
NBME6 (2 weeks out): 265/630
UWSA (1 week out) : 265/800

Real Step 2 CK: 268
 
#116 ·
If anybody is interested in getting USMLE-Rx, I have a discount code available until 9/4/14 : DOWNQMAX1 $129 for 12-month subscription, you can buy now and activate up to 6 months later if you prefer to wait. I find it to be a pretty comprehensive question bank. It's made by the writers of First Aid, making it one of the cheapest and best out there.
 
#118 ·
Step1 experience 9/11/14 - 235

Target Score 240.

Materials Used
  1. Kaplan books
  2. First Aid
  3. DIT Videos
    .............................Postponed Exam ....
  4. Pathoma Videos
  5. Golijan Audio Lectures- thrice ( 5/5 Stars for Golijan)
Question Banks used
  • Uworld............around 65%
  • USMLE RX.........79.2%
    .............................Postponed Exam ....
  • Kaplan Qbank....74%
Date.................Test.......Score

12/15/2013.......UWSA1....189
01/15/2014.......USWA2....204
11/03/2014....NBME7....183
04/13/2014....NBME11..213
05/04/2014....NBME13..213
05/17/2014....NBME15..217

...........................................................Postponed Exam ....

6/25/2014.......Kaplan Diagnostic....69%
8/19/2014.......Kaplan full sim1......72%
8/21/2014....NBME 16.............. 241 :happy: :plz:
9/02/2014.......Kaplan full sim2......77%
9/04/2014....NBME 12...............215 :rolleyes: :eek: :scared:
9/08/2014.......Golijan 150.............90%
9/10/2014.......Usmle FREE150.......89%

9/11/2014 ........ STEP1 REAL DEAL...235 :) :D
 
#121 ·
Step 1 Score

Hello everyone, here are my results! A little background, I am a recently graduated IMG, studied while in a part time job. Applying for IM next year.

Study Time
8 1/2 Months

Material Used
Kaplan lecture notes and videos.
First Aid 2014
Goljan
DIT Videos
Kaplan Q Bank
Usmle World

QBank and Test Scores
Kaplan Q bank 62%, I did this one first, helped me learn how to tackle USMLE questions, but it does not resemble the real test, it is too specific.
USMLE World: 67%, Random, unused. Very similar to the real test.
NBME 13 online: 226 , 1 month before the test.
NBME 15 online 241, 1 week before the test. It felt way easier than the real exam, but at the end my score was very similar.

Real deal: 235 :D
 
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#127 ·
step 1 experience

img

nbme 13- 220 11th july 2014
nbme 16-222 21st july 2014
nbme 15-232 28th july2014
-------postponed my exam-----
did DIT not v.seriously though
nbme 7- 170/200 offline in september
nbme 12-224 :indifferent: in october depressed
nbme 11- 245 on nov.15 was easy though
free150-85% 1 wk to exam

real deal 27th nov.2014 : 244:D:D
 
#128 ·
Step 1 Nov 2014

Uworld first time avg 69%
UWSA 1 after first time uworld - 230, 2 months out
Nbme 7 offline 5 weeks out - 30 wrong(238)
Nbme 11 online 4 weeks out - 241
Nbme 12 offline - 27 wrong(242) (did this between forms 11&13)
Nbme 13 online 3 weeks out - 232
Nbme 16 online 10 days out - 234
UWSA 2 - 250 (did this along with Nbme 16 to simulate an 8 hour exam)
Nbme 15 online 5 days out - 237
Real deal - 242
 
#129 ·
Uworld first time avg 69%
UWSA 1 after first time uworld - 230, 2 months out
Nbme 7 offline 5 weeks out - 30 wrong(238)
Nbme 11 online 4 weeks out - 241
Nbme 12 offline - 27 wrong(242) (did this between forms 11&13)
Nbme 13 online 3 weeks out - 232
Nbme 16 online 10 days out - 234
UWSA 2 - 250 (did this along with Nbme 16 to simulate an 8 hour exam)
Nbme 15 online 5 days out - 237
Real deal - 242
Congrats for that excellent score!! what did you do after doing 1 round of uworld?
 
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