When to look at the time
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Here's how I did it
I look at the time after finishing each quarter of a block
So now there are 44 questions in each block
So look for the first time after finishing question 11 if you see that you have 45 minutes or more then you are doing well keep the same speed
Similarly after question 22 look again and if you have more than 30 min ...
Pace yourself accordingly
I look at the time after finishing each quarter of a block
So now there are 44 questions in each block
So look for the first time after finishing question 11 if you see that you have 45 minutes or more then you are doing well keep the same speed
Similarly after question 22 look again and if you have more than 30 min ...
Pace yourself accordingly
There's very important advice in this regard
Never lose quality and concentration for fear of not completing the block
Take all the time you need to answer the question
Answering 35 questions with full focus and then scribbling the rest
is certainly better than skimming through all of the 44
Never lose quality and concentration for fear of not completing the block
Take all the time you need to answer the question
Answering 35 questions with full focus and then scribbling the rest
is certainly better than skimming through all of the 44
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Well am in the middle between succeeded and Aviram ...
I think looking at the time in the manner mentioned by succeeded is a good way to gauge your speed but like Aviram said you should not speed up just to catch up.
The only time when a question need to be hurried up without further brain squeezing is when you find yourself in the middle of nowhere and you don't even know what the question is asking about then this is probably an experimental question just check your best guess and proceed to the next.
Also remember that not all blocks have the same difficulty, the computer system is interactive if they find you doing bad in a block then your next block would be easier and therefore potentially faster to finish up.
I think looking at the time in the manner mentioned by succeeded is a good way to gauge your speed but like Aviram said you should not speed up just to catch up.
The only time when a question need to be hurried up without further brain squeezing is when you find yourself in the middle of nowhere and you don't even know what the question is asking about then this is probably an experimental question just check your best guess and proceed to the next.
Also remember that not all blocks have the same difficulty, the computer system is interactive if they find you doing bad in a block then your next block would be easier and therefore potentially faster to finish up.
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Is this true ? I trust you, but Is ther any reference ? bcz I wanna read the full story !
It would be a very nice information !
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Computerized Adaptive Testing and USMLE
The NBME does not disclose the way they select questions and blocks for each candidate but there's strong argument saying that block difficulty varies and interactive.
I talked to three recent students who just took the exam. All of them told me that the first few blocks were far more difficult than the blocks at the end of the exam so that must have something to do with this speculation.
The phenomenon is called "Computerized Adaptive Testing" and it's not mentioned in the official USMLE bulletin but many believes it exists such as this page.
However, the NBME website mentions that they are currently researching this possibility see here
http://www.nbme.org/programs-services/health-professionals/special-resources.html
To be honest with you I don't have a reference for that. I was told this by University professors.
The NBME does not disclose the way they select questions and blocks for each candidate but there's strong argument saying that block difficulty varies and interactive.
I talked to three recent students who just took the exam. All of them told me that the first few blocks were far more difficult than the blocks at the end of the exam so that must have something to do with this speculation.
The phenomenon is called "Computerized Adaptive Testing" and it's not mentioned in the official USMLE bulletin but many believes it exists such as this page.
However, the NBME website mentions that they are currently researching this possibility see here
http://www.nbme.org/programs-services/health-professionals/special-resources.html
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Thank you very much..
Every day I get more encouragement & enthusiasm to start USMLE journey from this website & its staff... You are very useful.
I was scared to apply for CS when I am student...But after reading your comments I get a booster
... & I started to think seriously to apply for it during elective period if I get it...Thank you again USMLE-Forums...Thank you Staff
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You welcome
Every time we get a positive feedback it gives us another push to continue with this service and further expand it and enhance it.
It's you guys who made USMLE Forums so useful, through your valuable comments and discussions.
You most welcome my friend.Thank you very much..
Every day I get more encouragement & enthusiasm to start USMLE journey from this website & its staff... You are very useful.
I was scared to apply for CS when I am student...But after reading your comments I get a booster
Thank you again USMLE-Forums...Thank you Staff
Every time we get a positive feedback it gives us another push to continue with this service and further expand it and enhance it.
It's you guys who made USMLE Forums so useful, through your valuable comments and discussions.
Make sure you do both tutor and timed
tutor take you time answer as correctly as possible
timed get used to scanning and then never going back, going back is a mistake and changing the first answer is a mistake
Studies show that the 1st answer we put is right more then 70% of the time so thats better then 50/50
when you change an answer its only good to do so because lighting struck you with the right answer. This only happens to me 20% of the time so
80% I will change it to a wrong answer
odds
70% of time 1st answer is right
80% of time changing will be wrong
so in my book timing is ok if I do not dwell on a question
I look at the time every 5 to 10 questions depending on how long I'm taking and at times half way through I then go to the last question and move backwards if the anxiety gets to me.
I worry that the last few questions are easier and that I wasted time with harder questions I may not get right anyway.
tutor take you time answer as correctly as possible
timed get used to scanning and then never going back, going back is a mistake and changing the first answer is a mistake
Studies show that the 1st answer we put is right more then 70% of the time so thats better then 50/50
when you change an answer its only good to do so because lighting struck you with the right answer. This only happens to me 20% of the time so
80% I will change it to a wrong answer
odds
70% of time 1st answer is right
80% of time changing will be wrong
so in my book timing is ok if I do not dwell on a question
I look at the time every 5 to 10 questions depending on how long I'm taking and at times half way through I then go to the last question and move backwards if the anxiety gets to me.
I worry that the last few questions are easier and that I wasted time with harder questions I may not get right anyway.
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