Predictive value of repeat nbme score.

[jonah]

HI guys,I am going to take my step 1 in 2 weeks. However I was wondering how accurate is NBME score if you take the exact same form twice within a one month interval.

11/7/07 NBME 2 -390/190
11/28/07 NBME 1- 380/186
12/12/07 NMBE 2 -500/219

I have not reviewed any of the answers for NBME 1 & 2. I was so happy with my score yesterday, but I am wondering since I took same form 1 month ago, how close to the actual score is this new score. Is it tainted since I have seen these questions before???

I cannot take NBME 3 & 4 because I reviewed 80% of the answers before 4 months back.

The way I prepared differently within that one month was by totally depending on God, doing more UW questions (at least 1400), reviewing FA daily, reading Kaplan Physiology thoroughly, and reading the first 30 pgs of Golgian HY.


Prior to this I have never touched Kaplan Physio, and Golgian HY, but I did do Golgian RR.
Pls i need a sincere advice regarding this situation

[Sree Cheruku]

Is it tainted since I have seen these questions before???

Yep. Retaking a previously taken NBME exam doesn't have very much predictive value. I would rely more on the 11/28 score.

[CPR_ME]

Yep. Retaking a previously taken NBME exam doesn't have very much predictive value. I would rely more on the 11/28 score.

I agree. Once you've taken it, there's not much value to retaking it again. unfortunately, there is only 4 NBME's... youre 11/28 score is probably the best predictor.

PS. it's not a bad score.. add 10 points to it and that's probably where most likely you'll be at. good luck and you should feel proud!

[jonah]

Thanks for ur responseguys, ya ia m studying hard and not letting any stone unturned

[FireFighterMD]

Thanks for ur responseguys, ya ia m studying hard and not letting any stone unturned

I see it differently . YOu did not review any answers from form 2 , so its not like you knew the answers . Also it was a while since you first took nbme form 2 , so maybe your score on form 2 may not be such a bad indicator after all .


How likely is it that you remembered 200 questions ? Thats just the questions , not answers mind you .. so maybe your score did improve genuinely ??


Retake usmle form 1 ( the one you did on 11/28 ) and see how you have done on that test . Again , you are doing the same test ..but with no recollection of the answers - also it has been some time ( almost a month ) since you did form 1 ..so retake form 1 and see where you stand ..

good luck :cool:

[FireFighterMD]

I see it differently . YOu did not review any answers from form 2 , so its not like you knew the answers . Also it was a while since you first took nbme form 2 , so maybe your score on form 2 may not be such a bad indicator after all .


How likely is it that you remembered 200 questions ? Thats just the questions , not answers mind you .. so maybe your score did improve genuinely ??


Retake usmle form 1 ( the one you did on 11/28 ) and see how you have done on that test . Again , you are doing the same test ..but with no recollection of the answers - also it has been some time ( almost a month ) since you did form 1 ..so retake form 1 and see where you stand ..

good luck :cool:

I am deliberately quoting myself and asking IMGSURVIVOR and the other experts here to weigh in on this advice . Many students face this dilemna of taking repeat NBME"S ..what are your opinions ???

[stateofequilibrium]

I am deliberately quoting myself and asking IMGSURVIVOR and the other experts here to weigh in on this advice . Many students face this dilemna of taking repeat NBME"S ..what are your opinions ???

You will be familiar with what to expect, and may have reviewed that subject matter in between the time. Doing better is not to be unexpected, but doing worse would not be a good sign.

[rokshana]

actually i did just that--used the nbme as a pre-test and post test. And just like firefighter said, you do not know the answers and there are just too many questions for you to really have tried to review material specfic to a question (and isn't that part of the point- review the material you are weak in?)

my last score (took nbme 1 as pre and post testing) 2 days before the real deal was only 3 point off my actual score.

IMHO, i think the later score is more reflective of your potential at the moment.

Anyway you look at it, you are probably ready for the real thing.

good luck!

[dpj]

I took the NBME's over throughout my studying and my score was significantly lower than what I had scored on my NBME, so if you use the repeated as a guide just make sure you have a good cushion. My score was 18 points lower than my nbme, but I still passed and you should too with a score of 500 on your NBME but if you are shooting for the 90% you might want to build more.