![]() ![]() In other words, to pass the exam, you must achieve a score that is better than the lowest 5% of all test-takers. When examining the nomograms provided by the test-makers, this equates to approximately the 5 th percentile. According to the NBME/FSMB, the passing score for Step 1 in 2018 was 194, up from 192 in years prior. The change by the NBME and FSBM of the USMLE Step 1 to a Pass/Fail system by January 2022 will dramatically change the interpretation of scores for medical students. I’m not the greatest test taker, so boards are always a really difficult time for me.Elite Medical Prep and UWorld Masterclass: Step 1 Study Strategies From Classroom to Exam Prep Score Percentiles for USMLE Step 1 So that’s that for now! Once I get my score I’m sure I’ll have a lot more feelings about how it all went. I just wasn’t comfortable ditching UWorld since it’s the resource everyone uses and recommends. The topics seemed a little different and broader, so maybe it really does offer a more effective study plan. ![]() I do wonder if using the AMBOSS question bank would have helped. I’ve been through UWorld more than once, and most of the things that were confusing aren’t things that more UWorld would have helped. I don’t really think studying more would have helped. I didn’t have time to go back and review, so there was a lot of trusting my gut going on. Long question stems meant I was pressed for time on every single section. But of course, somehow they manage to come up with incredibly hard and confusing questions! I took the test the same day as a large portion fo my class and all of us felt pretty destroyed. I thought questions would all feel familiar and I would feel confident about my knowledge. I think because people often talk about how Step 2 is so much better than Step 1, I was expecting the actual testing situation to feel easier. I’ve read all kinds of things about how different practice tests over or underestimate actual scores but I obviously don’t know that yet! I’d say if you’re only going to take two, do the UWorld. The UWorld questions were much more similar to actual questions and I thought were more reflective of the real test. They weren’t very much like the actual test. The NBMEs were a little easier due to much shorter question stems. I took two NBME and both UWorld practice tests. It was truly one of the best resources I had. I used it constantly to look up different topics. And MVP goes what I call the “Google for Medicine” – the AMBOSS library! It was free for me in exchange for writing an article for them, but I am so glad I had it. I made flashcards on UWorld and reviewed them frequently. I used mostly UWorld to study, along with some review from Master The Boards Step 2 ( a decent general overview, not super detailed), Online Med Ed (love the videos, didn’t use the notes), and a little Sketchy Pharm. Boards are strange like that - normal life kind of stops while you’re preparing for them. I thought I’d be a little more relaxed and able to get some other work done, but no such luck. Surprisingly I had the same, “Can’t do anything but study” mindset that I had with Step 1. I just wanted to do my best to improve my residency application and there is always stress with that. This test is important, but people generally do better on Step 2 and my practice test scores were reflective of that. I will still stressed throughout the studying process, but nothing like Step 1. My 4-ish weeks felt like plenty, but I also felt like I could have kept learning forever. It felt like things I wanted to and should know to be a good physician! That’s not to say there weren’t some curveballs thrown in there, but in some ways, studying was a fun challenge. No little (and often irrelevant) microbiology and biochemistry. The material and topics were all at least somewhat familiar after taking all of my shelf exams, plus it’s actual medicine. ![]() Studying for Step 2 was much better than for Step 1. However I will share what I did and how I felt about the test in general. I can’t speak too well about how well my studying worked since I don’t have my score back yet. I’ve gotten lots of questions! I took the test a little over a week ago. One of the things on that to-do list is to share more about Step 2 CK with you all. ![]() And I’ve slept in, got in good workouts, walked Winnie, and am casually checking things off of my to-do list. I have no set plans for what might be the last time all summer, so I’m taking advantage! This morning I grabbed a spontaneous “be there in 10 minutes!” second breakfast with my brother and his girlfriend at Egg, which was so delicious. I’m having quiet the relaxed weekend over here. Talking about my experience of studying for and taking Step 2 CK, the second written part of my medical boards. ![]()
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