Just received my Step 1 Results (Failed 180/73)

[J10sstar]

It's almost like immotile-cilia and I are TWINS........

This was my second time taking Step 1......here are my stats

1st attempt = 170 (I forget the 2nd digit score)
Kaplan Live Prep (6 wk program)
Kaplan Qbank = 63% cumulative avg. (timed/unused)
Read 1st Aid a few times

2nd attempt = 180/73
UW = 54% (timed/unused)
Pass Program (5 wks)
Read 1st Aid 2 times
Goljan Audio right before the Pass program
NBME 1 = 390* Taken at the pass program, was told by the director not to take another NBME because I'd already received a passing NBME score. My bar distribution was extremely narrow, supposedly meaning proficiency of the subjects tested. Only had one distribution below the "gray" zone (borderline proficiency zone).

So I listened to the director because he has more experience than I do and I did not take another NBME.

Any suggestions? I've thought about going back to the Pass program, but what for you know? Not that I don't believe the program didn't help, but because of the study environment

I've already used Kaplan QBank and I did UW twice, so I guess I'm moving on to USMLE Rx, Robbins, and Webpath questions. Any other suggestions?

How is USMLE Rx?

[Ikjot]

I havent taken Step One yet, I am taking it soon. But from what I hear, you should not take Step One unless your nbme score is 450 or above. People say there is a standard deviation of about +/- 10 points on your 3-digit score on the actual step. So if its borderline its better to put it off than risk it. Again, I havent taken step one yet, but this is what I read as the best advice when it comes to the nbme. Cheers

[stateofequilibrium]

The Pass director really lead you astray. You should take all of the NBMEs spread out over time. It gives you a real sense of how you would perform and where you strength and weaknesses lie.

[BTH]

Salutations "J10sstar":

First off, my condolences on not passing Step 1.

Second, keep at it. I don't know why you didn't continue to take NBME like "SOE" keeps telling everyone. It will measure how you are progressing. I used USMLErx when I was studying for Step 1 and found it to be pretty good. The explanations are not as good as USMLE World and the questions seem to be much easier but at least they are a new set of questions. Plus, they have explanations which are linked to First Aid (they basically copy a part from First Aid) and just paste it there. So not too bad as a question set. Keep studying and work at it buddy and it will eventually pay off. Now is not the time to give up, especially since you've made it this far! Good luck.

[J10sstar]

Thanks for the advice/tips SOE and BTH. I thought I should've taken at least another NBME exam, and I expressed this to the Pass director. He was very adamant about not taking another one, and I believed him because he has a wealth of experience in teaching Step 1 to students compared to myself.

Here's my plan I've decided to use for this time around.........
USMLE Rx (since I've already used UW x 2)
Review Pass program notes
Kaplan books for the big time subjects such as Physio, Pharm, Path, Biochem
1st Aid
ALL THE NBMEs (I'll repeat NBME #1, but I'll do it in the beginning to gauge where I'm currently at)
**Study partner to drill back and forth**
I'm planning on taking about 6 wks to study with a goal of taking it again the week before Thanksgiving.

I welcome all advice on my NEW plan of attack

[immotile-cilia]

J10sstar (http://www.valuemd.com/members/j10sstar.html),

Sorry and condolences on not passing. As you said, we both are pretty much in the same boat! No worries, God willing we'll get through it the next time!

Just some advice:
Personally, I would stay away from the PASS notes! I too had done a 4 week PASS program, and to no avail did not pass the Step 1. After having done Kaplan Live Prep, my score on the Step 1 improved over 30 points! I have never referred back to my PASS notes or videos in preparing for the Step. I would advise that you stick to Kaplan videos/books, Goljan audio/book, First Aid, NBME's, and questions questions questions.

A great question to ask yourself would be if PASS didn't work the first time around, then why would it work this time? Save yourself the time and energy, and hit it hard with Kaplan and Goljan. Do all of the NBME's to gauge your performance and like others have said, do not sit for the Step unless you are passing in the high 190's or higher.

Take a step back, relax, breathe, then get back into it and conquer this exam in the next 6 weeks. You can do it buddy!

Good luck my friend :)

[J10sstar]

Thanks for the advice immotile-cilia! Yes, we are in the same boat but like you said WE CAN DO THIS!

I was planning on using the Kaplan books, but I like the Pass program notes (the new version = powerpoint, not the Bart Simpson notes). Anyways, I was only going to use those notes as a quick review. I also like the PP clues he has.....they helped a lot with the exam.

I think the two most important things are NBMEs and QUESTIONS! Don't worry, God has a plan for all of us, it just so happens you and I must take the longer path than most, but in the end WE'RE ALL PHYSICIANS!

Good luck, ALL THE BEST

Keep us on ValueMD posted

[Ross09]

Both of you guys are really very strong. I really applaud for you guys. Watch you guys will definitely be better and value your career more than people who did really well in STEP. (just my opinion...pls i don't wanna offend anybody). The reason why i think these guys are going to be better physicians is because at the end of the day they would realize the hardships that they had to go through to get the degree...I don't think a person who has gotten 99 will value and appreciate their degree to the same extent. Again, i am not trying to offend you guys nor the guys who have gotten high 90s. I am sure they have worked hard for their 90's as well, but this is what i think.

Again, i really really applaud for you guys. Make me proud.

[sammy123]

That makes me nervous. I actually used the Pass notes (Bart Simpson one) and videos, and I am waiting for my score. OH NO!!!!!!! Am I screwed?

[MDXRS22]

Sorry to hear that also. Just hang in there and go back to pass that test.

[step1sucks]

Just some advice (based on my experience):
First time around I took the kaplan retreat program and scored a 179. I hadn't done any NBME's and did only 25% of kaplan q bank. Second time around I took the pass program 4 wks prep.... did all of UW q bank and took all 4 NBME's; also did FA 2 times --> scored a 212. I felt PASS program was good for "basic physio concepts" and Goljan is THE MAN for PATH and the pathophys!!! PASS helped me ALOT for pharm (kaplan was to in depth) and also for heart murmurs. I never used the PP clues. So in my opinion you should go along with Kaplan I do think it prepares you really well but for pharm and heart murmurs look at PASS again (along with FA of course).

Hope that helps!