NBME Explanations

New Launch of Test Pirates Downloads with NBME answers and explanations

NBME Explanations

WHICH NBME IS MOST PREDICTIVE?

Discussion in 'USMLE Step 2 CK' started by nitro lugard, May 13, 2016.

  • by nitro lugard, May 13, 2016 at 12:25 AM
  • nitro lugard

    New Member
    Expand Collapse

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2016
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    CALIFORNIA
    I did NBME 6 scored 239
    NBME 7 scored 229
    NBME 3 scored 225

    What do you think will be my score on the real exam?

    Can i find somewhere to get the answers to the new Clinical Mastery Series 3 and 4?
     
  • Categories: Uncategorized

Comments

Discussion in 'USMLE Step 2 CK' started by nitro lugard, May 13, 2016.

  1. orthopod
    @nitro lugard - NBME 7 is definitely more predictive as it is the most recent NBME released for step 2ck. Make sure to review all your answers as you will get very similar style questions on the real thing.

    We are working on clinical mastery series now! Check for that soon.

    Let me Know if you have any other questions.
  2. nitro lugard
    Thanks for your prompt response once again.
  3. nitro lugard
  4. nitro lugard
    @ Orthopod, I did NBME 4 recently- Scored 252 (5/17/2016)
    Uworld assessment- Scored 254( 5/20/2016).
    My test is in 2weeks. What should I do now?

    I
  5. orthopod
    @nitro lugard great job increasing your scores! I think you're on the right track. I hope you are spending time reviewing your incorrect answers and focusing on your weak areas. Given that you have no more NBMEs to take, you should spend the last two weeks going through First Aid (or whatever review book you've been using), and really hitting UWorld hard. Do as many questions as you can, even if it means doing the Qbank over again.

    Use a couple days to go over questions from NBME 7, as that is the most similar to the real deal.

    In addition, spend the last few days reviewing stats, as this is high yield and EASY points you do not want to miss. Look at some antibiotics/micro, and high yield algorithms (trauma, thyroid mass, breast mass, Pap smear, etc), along with high yield guidelines (HTN, pap smear, cholesterol, etc...)

    Let me know if you have other questions, and make sure to post your exam experience after your exam! Good luck!
  6. nitro lugard
    Thanks for much for the encouragement. I will do as you have said. I will definitely post my experience after my test.
    orthopod likes this.
  7. nitro lugard
    @orthopod, I will be taking my test within a week from now. I read on the USMLE website about the reduction in the number of items per block. I really dont know how to manage my time. I always finish the block on time but I dont have enough time to run thru for errors. I finish with just 1 minute left. WHAT DO YOU THINK I CAN DO CONCERNING TIME MANAGEMENT.

    http://www.usmle.org/announcements/default.aspx?ContentId=182
  8. orthopod
    @nitro lugard It's true that the USMLE has decreased the number of questions per block for upcoming test takers. You can read more about the updated version of the exam here:

    http://testpirates.com/index.php?threads/changes-to-the-usmle-step-1-format.626/

    Regarding test-taking technique, it's sorta hard to personalize it for you here. But, you should hone on in where you're slowing down. Is it taking you too long to read the passage? Maybe that involves a language barriers that some face. Remember that almost all passages are structured the same, with patient identification info and reason for visit at the beginning, vitals in the middle, and more relevant info towards the end. As you do more and more practice questions, you will see that you can sift through the excessive info so you can focus on the details that will help you answer the question. If you have a really long passage, I actually recommend glancing (just look) at the answer choices to give you an idea of the type of question.

    For example: Long passage--> Glance at answer choices, and see they are all diagnoses. Then I know when I'm reading the passage they're looking for me to diagnose the patient, so I better focus on the info that will allow me to make this differentiation. Doing that helped me skim a lot of the long passages and arrive at the correct answer.

    Try to only mark those you are on the fence about. If you are not going to change an answer, just leave it and move on. A lot of time is wasted by students trying to go over EVERY answer on their exam. Just do the question, and move on. Leave as few blanks as possible.

    Lastly, make sure you approach the blocks aggressively and keep moving. Look at your clock periodically so you can allocate time appropriately. Don't waste too much time on any question, you MUST answer every question on the exam!


    Good luck!
  9. nitro lugard
    Thanks so much sir! This is so encouraging. I was about postponing my test. I will heed to your advice squarely.
  10. orthopod
    Stay confident. Only you will know when you are ready. If you're in a US medical school, there is usually a required deadline by when you need to have taken Step 2, especially if you're looking to include the score on your ERAS application. Otherwise, you should take your time, and make sure you're scoring in the range your comfortable with. Continue to review your study material, and ask any questions you have along the way.

    Very important: only you will be able to know when you are ready.

    Good luck, let me know if you have any other questions!
  11. nitro lugard
    I feel I am 100% ready. i was at the center 3 days ago for the practice test so as to catch a feeling of what the real exam looks like. This was my result

    Section 1- 89%( 1 min left)
    Section 2-90% ( 50 secs left)
    Section 3 -93%( 40 secs left)

    I was just finishing in the nick of time. Are the pratice questions similar to the main exam? Majority were lengthy. I mean very very lengthy.
  12. nitro lugard
    My overall score was 91%
  13. orthopod
    Solid score. Real deal is similar, although NBME 7 might be even more similar in style (lengthy management-style questions). Spend any last time you have on high yield info. You will find a lot of cardiopulmonary questions, so make sure you have that down cold.

    Good luck
  14. nitro lugard
    Cardiopulmonary? Or Cardiovascular? I only reviewed Cardio recently. But did not review Pulmonary. When you say " spend time on Highyield info" what exactly are you referring to?
    THANKS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT.
  15. orthopod
    Quoted from above:
    "In addition, spend the last few days reviewing stats, as this is high yield and EASY points you do not want to miss. Look at some antibiotics/micro, and high yield algorithms (trauma, thyroid mass, breast mass, Pap smear, etc), along with high yield guidelines (HTN, pap smear, cholesterol, etc...)"
    bmed99 likes this.
  16. mle
    Hi orthopod

    I need advice.
    I have taken nbme 4 two months back & got 242.
    Next, nbme 6 one week after nbme 4 & got 210. (shocked)
    Postponed my exam. And 1.5 months later took nbme 3, in which I got 215.
    I am really lost. I don't get where things are going wrong.
    My uw 1st pass in 73%. Step 1 score (10 months back) is 243.

    I have never expected this much discrepancy.

    Could you please guide me.

    Thank you
  17. orthopod
    Variation between two exams is normal. Such a large variation might not be, however. Some questions you should ask yourself:

    1. Was there something about one of the tests that made it easier/harder?
    2. Was focus an issue?
    3. What can I do to quickly improve my scores

    As you work through your incorrect answers, pay attention to the reason why you missed a question. Was it lack of knowledge, or lack of test-taking abilities.

    As previously stated, NBME 7 is more predictive. I would continue practicing, studying, and doing UW questions. Take NBME 7 when you feel more ready. Good luck!
  18. mle
    Thank you very much for the advice. I will plan accordingly.
  19. ChinaPaw
    Does anyone know which alcoholic drink is the most addictive?
    Or are they all the same? Just out of interest more than anything else.

Share This Page