[lepidoptera]

Hello everyone,

I have been studying step 1 for 8 months, but as far I couldn't get any higher score than 450(=214) in nbme tests I got disappointed and I didn't take the test....:notsure:

Today, one year after I decided to at least give a shot..I am already studying 1 and a half month, but still the nbme7 remained low: 460(=216)...
I have studied everything: Goljan, kaplan notes, uw qbank, kaplan qbank, student consult, BRS physio...but still no progression..My performance is almost similar in all the topics...In uwsa tests however my performance was 550..Much better, but I know they are not so predictive..

Pls what would you suggest me to do? I am an IMG and I need a high score.
Furthermore, I have done all the NBME tests (big mistake) and I don't know for how long I should keep studying...When I will understand that I can purcase a 95+...

Any inputs are very welcomed..
Thank u for your time

 

[Haisook]

You didn't mention First Aid for the USMLE. Have you read that book many times? If not, you should do so!

It's strange that your UWSA yielded a higher score, although they are known to be more difficult than the NBMEs and usually underestimate the scores.

 

[lepidoptera]

Thanks for the reply Haisook,

Of course First Aid has been all this time my basic study tool..I have included inside everything I learn from the qbanks..
As far the uwsa tests I have heard that they overestimate the score, despite its difficulty, in contrary to NBME tests..

Do you think I should do another qbank, ex:UsmleRx, or I'd rather repeat everything that I've done up to now??

I'm very confused

 

[Haisook]

But still a 100 points of overestimation is too much!

Do you remember your cumulative scores in UW and Kaplan Qbanks? or what you would score on average in a timed random block?

 

[Sabio]

My suggestion

Do you think I should do another qbank, ex: UsmleRx, or I'd rather repeat everything that I've done up to now??

You have to analyze your performance yourself. Dig deep in the wrong questions and see why you are not getting them right.
Is it because of lack of knowledge, then you need to review books again.
Is it because of inaccurate analysis of the question stem (you know the answer but you just did it wrong) then you need to do more questions.

One big advice here,

Get a friend who has taken the test recently and who got high score. Ask the friend to sit with you while you read and answer the question and he/she should point you out to inappropriate techniques such as reading too fast or reading too slow or some other improper test taking strategies that you might be having.

 

[lepidoptera]

If I have to judge myself, I think that I read too fast...
I don't have the patience to study one concept for a long time...and I answer too fast...I make so many silly mistakes, that I shouldn't..

I think I should first study very well all the notes that I have made from qbanks all this period of time, since I haven't still had the chance to go them through.I believe there is no reason doing more questions...I just have to slow down...to get familiar with the concepts.

Thank both of you for your valuable advice
I really appreciate your words and I hope I'll finaly make it this time!!

 

[lepidoptera]

To Hisook,

I forgot to mention that my scores overall in kaplan was 74% and in UW 69%. first time, timed.
Just for the record!

 

[Haisook]

To Hisook,

I forgot to mention that my scores overall in kaplan was 74% and in UW 69%. first time, timed.
Just for the record!

These are very good scores! You should easily get a 95+. I don't know what to say. May be you read too fast as you say, but how did you get these scores in the Qbanks?! May be NBMEs are way different from those Qbanks?

According to people here, many who got 95 in the exam had scores between 60-65% in UW!

 

[lepidoptera]

Maybe I was too nervous when I was taking the nbme tests, as long I knew that they are very crucial for my final performance...
Who knows??
I'll try my best for 1 month more and I will take the test this time, no matter what!
I'll let you know for my progress
Thank u again!!

 

[donofitaly]

Maybe I was too nervous when I was taking the nbme tests, as long I knew that they are very crucial for my final performance...
Who knows??
I'll try my best for 1 month more and I will take the test this time, no matter what!
I'll let you know for my progress
Thank u again!!

Its good if you are feeling positive. And its nice to read from the posts what mistakes can be made even after rigorous studying. ALL THE BEST and do let us know how you do.

 

[dr.valium]

Work on ... calming down your nerves

well, i think your problem arose b'coz u took a lot of anxiety during ur NBME, thinking this will predict ur final performance in the exam .. remember that is NOT always the case ...

It happens ... but remember that although you are preparing for an yr. don't let it build up on u .. prepare for a 99 before u take the NBME .. prepare ur best .. but when u r taking the NBME .. i mean, the moment u open the test n skipping the tutorial, u need to stop thinking "How big this NBME is, or i got to do well in this " - the moment u open the NBME questions .. think about the next question n the right option, move on ... and NOTHING ELSE .. it is the anxiety and the thought that this NBME exam will predict - which really puts a lot of pressure itself when u r taking the exam .. a huge amount of ur final performance in the final Step 1 exam depends on how u take the exam in a stressed out situation .. n tht's why they add difficult questions too .and make it an 8 hour ordeal .... to unsettle u during the exam .. u just need to calm down ..

My advice -

- Take another NBME after 1 week .. if u hav used up all, then use the first one u used .. n test urself but this time .. focusing on ur stress management skills .. n not just the question at hand .
- ALso, it is very important to revise well before u take ur NBME .. like u take the final exam .. so tht's why u need to stick to FA only during the very last days b4 the exam .. make sure u concise the whole data n read SELECTIVELY b4 the exam .. the thing here is being selective .. only u knw what ur strengths n weaknesses .. wht u need to revise n what u can just skip right b4 the exam ..
- WEAKNESSES - work on ur weaknesses .. since all the exams show similar performance as u said in ur post, see the subjects which are holding ur score back .. these are the subjects which are bringing ur score down .. work on those concepts exclusively .. make them ur strength ..

- RELAX - it will all be fine ..u hv done ur hard work ..ur aim is to give ur best shot.period. --- u just need to be relaxed while taking the exam - tht's the best way to take it - be it the NBME or the final one .

All the best .

 

[ashishkabir]

Maybe I was too nervous when I was taking the nbme tests, as long I knew that they are very crucial for my final performance...
Who knows??
I'll try my best for 1 month more and I will take the test this time, no matter what!
I'll let you know for my progress
Thank u again!!

I've actually seen people go through your experience and the opposite as well - ie: they did well on the NBME and the final result wasn't up to what they were expecting. My suggestion, keep calm and do another NBME yet again. It's not the ideal comparison to the step1 but its the best we have so if you stay calm, relax though the questions and manage to keep your focus completely through the nd of the fourth block you'll do great.

Good luck!

 

[kamal2003p]

hey

you should be fine on the step according to your performance on your qbanks and UW...my friend jest got his result back and he got a 217/92, he also took all of his nbme's and averaging a 460, his performance on the UW was 57% and he still managed to get a 92 percentile...so you should easily get a 95+ or even hopefully a 99...

 

[lepidoptera]

I would like to thank all of you for your tips-advice!
It was the first time that I posted in this forum and I am so glad that you honestly responded to my problem..
You gave me all the courage to keep trying and not to quit for once again!
God bless you