95 percent pass rate!!!

[smu79]

according to the new news letter, smu still has a first time pass rate of 95 percent.... great job guys/gals...keep up the great work.:-smiley7:-smiley7

[WSUCougar]

according to the new news letter, smu still has a first time pass rate of 95 percent.... great job guys/gals...keep up the great work.:-smiley7:-smiley7

that is very good news. The Basic Science Curriculum here is definitely one of SMU's strongest assets.

[azulpanther]

no way i believe that. To many students failed on their 1st attempted.

[MDTOB]

according to the new news letter, smu still has a first time pass rate of 95 percent.... great job guys/gals...keep up the great work.:-smiley7:-smiley7

SMU propaganda...

[Future MD | DM erutuF]

What's more important is the amount of 90's that this school pumps out.

[smu79]

SMU propaganda...

And this is coping from an smu defector aka. Transfer…..do you smell what smu79 is cooking?..... jealousy

[Ashram64]

actually I'll buy that idea. I am among the last miami class, and pretty much all the classmates took the step PASSED. Those who are shaky they probably won't take it. This is going to be on our record forever, everyone is taking it pretty seriously.

The clinical newsletter seems to did a fairly good job. Everyone is offered a clinical spot 1 week after registration... i do know many many of us are in rotation now.

[gschneid]

So is there a practice test you take before the USMLE and only if you pass that you take the real step 1? Is that why the pass rate is so high?

[smu79]

so Is There A Practice Test You Take Before The Usmle And Only If You Pass That You Take The Real Step 1? Is That Why The Pass Rate Is So High?

Yes Indeed..its Called Kaplan

[guitarheroMD2B]

according to the new news letter, smu still has a first time pass rate of 95 percent.... great job guys/gals...keep up the great work.:-smiley7:-smiley7


Not a chance this is true. I was in Miami this past fall and out of about 60 kids in our class I know 7 for sure that have failed....this kills the 95% claim right there.

[guitarheroMD2B]

What's more important is the amount of 90's that this school pumps out.


The school average is probably around 200-205. The US average is 217.

Seemed like about 10% of my Miami class was over 220 on the exam. But only about 5% were between 210-220. While the majority were between 190-205.

So there are a lot of high end students in the school for sure.

[smu79]

Not a chance this is true. I was in Miami this past fall and out of about 60 kids in our class I know 7 for sure that have failed....this kills the 95% claim right there.

huh...this is probably for the current year you genious.:-smiley7

[gschneid]

Didn't they boast 97% last year?

[guitarheroMD2B]

huh...this is probably for the current year you genious.:-smiley7

Most of the kids took the exam between Feb-May 2008 who were in Miami this fall

[smu79]

Most of the kids took the exam between Feb-May 2008 who were in Miami this fall

However, you need to account for the students prior to your semester...as bad as it is, students wait a long time but still, it is there first time take the step, nevertheless.

[IWillBeMD1day]

If you fail on your 1st attempt, does that basically mean you have no chance of getting residency?

I know that if you get a low passing score, you virtually have no shot to get residency unless you do research....And you are not allowed to take it again!

Does anyone have more info on this (Cz im not sure the info Im stating is accurate, just what I heard from other people)?

[STRONG FINISHER MD]

THE 95% PASS RATE IS TOTAL HYPE AND ** ! FIRST OF ALL , THEY SCREEN FOR THAT BY MAKING STUDENTS TO TAKE A USMLE EXAM SIMILAR TO THE ACTUAL ONE BEFORE THE ACTUAL USMLE, AND IF U DONT PASS THAT, YOU HAVE TO REPEAT KAPLAN/ PREP COURSE. SO THAT IS TO SAY, OF COURSE IF YOU PASS IT ON THE FIRST ROUND ON THE PRACTICE ONE, YOU SHOULD PASS THE ACTUAL USMLE, HECK, THE PASS RATE SHOULD BE 100% . HOWEVER, WHAT THEY DONT TELL YOU , IS HOW MANY STUDENTS FAIL THE PRACTICE USMLE EXAM AND ARE BANNED FROM TAKING THE ACTUAL USMLE, AND HAVE TO REPEAT THE PREP COURSE !!! MY ADVICE IS TO FOLLOW KAPLAN, AND DO AS MANY PRACTICE Q BANK Qs, USMLE WORLD, AND EXAM MASTER DURING BASIC SCINCES TO BE HEAD TO HEAD WITH US MED STUDENTS.

[got milk?]

who cares if you have to pass an entrance exam to take the real exam.
ross does the same thing, and inflates their pass rate accordingly.

as long as YOUR pass rate is 100% on the first try, that's all that matters.


if they don't let you take step 1, that's for your own good, because you are not ready.

[WSUCougar]

THE 95% PASS RATE IS TOTAL HYPE AND ** ! FIRST OF ALL , THEY SCREEN FOR THAT BY MAKING STUDENTS TO TAKE A USMLE EXAM SIMILAR TO THE ACTUAL ONE BEFORE THE ACTUAL USMLE, AND IF U DONT PASS THAT, YOU HAVE TO REPEAT KAPLAN/ PREP COURSE. SO THAT IS TO SAY, OF COURSE IF YOU PASS IT ON THE FIRST ROUND ON THE PRACTICE ONE, YOU SHOULD PASS THE ACTUAL USMLE, HECK, THE PASS RATE SHOULD BE 100% . HOWEVER, WHAT THEY DONT TELL YOU , IS HOW MANY STUDENTS FAIL THE PRACTICE USMLE EXAM AND ARE BANNED FROM TAKING THE ACTUAL USMLE, AND HAVE TO REPEAT THE PREP COURSE !!! MY ADVICE IS TO FOLLOW KAPLAN, AND DO AS MANY PRACTICE Q BANK Qs, USMLE WORLD, AND EXAM MASTER DURING BASIC SCINCES TO BE HEAD TO HEAD WITH US MED STUDENTS.

yes but isn't the % needed to "pass" the NBME exam in 5th semester something around 40%. I don't see any problem with that. As long as your staying on top of your classes, and doing well on the Shelf exams... I don't see any problem in passing this 5th semester NBME exam. The only students who run into trouble are the ones that barely scrape by passing classes and/or having to repeat classes.

But when it comes down to it... just like other posters have stated...... its all on you. Just make sure your prepared and that you put in the time to make sure you are able to pass with no problem.

[BTP Julian]

the % is giving, y the students who reported back to the school....so if the school knows 60 kids took it, but only 30 get back to the school and only 1 kid says they didnt pass, then the school just thiks thats the same all the way around... but what about the other students... i dont think SMU can look up your Step 1 score

[guitarheroMD2B]

However, you need to account for the students prior to your semester...as bad as it is, students wait a long time but still, it is there first time take the step, nevertheless.


The class before mine in Miami has had mutliple people fail the exam (way more than 5%). There were about 85 kids in that class and I personally know 5 kids right off the bat who failed. This again destroys the notion of a 95% first time pass rate.

Azulpanther where you at? You know the same peeps I do....back these numbers up for me.

[guitarheroMD2B]

If you fail on your 1st attempt, does that basically mean you have no chance of getting residency?

I know that if you get a low passing score, you virtually have no shot to get residency unless you do research....And you are not allowed to take it again!

Does anyone have more info on this (Cz im not sure the info Im stating is accurate, just what I heard from other people)?


As long as you are an American citizen there is going to a be residency spot open for you no matter what. Don't expect it to be in a university program on Long Island or Manhattan though. But there will be some community based program in FP, Psych, PMR, etc that needs to fill a spot.

[camryllionareMD]

The class before mine in Miami has had mutliple people fail the exam (way more than 5%). There were about 85 kids in that class and I personally know 5 kids right off the bat who failed. This again destroys the notion of a 95% first time pass rate.

Azulpanther where you at? You know the same peeps I do....back these numbers up for me.
It's only 60% 1st time. Google the NY site visit one day and you'll see like 5 yrs of stats with all the USMLE, attrition, and graduation rates. SMU has a gr8 way of reformatting those numbers by excluding so-and-so as well as so- and-so. It's kinda like you can fill out a resume and have a zero percent negative work history by leaving out all the Wendy's you worked at and cursed the manager out while you quit. All I wanna be in personally is the percentage that passes 1st time.

[guitarheroMD2B]

It's only 60% 1st time. Google the NY site visit one day and you'll see like 5 yrs of stats with all the USMLE, attrition, and graduation rates. SMU has a gr8 way of reformatting those numbers by excluding so-and-so as well as so- and-so. It's kinda like you can fill out a resume and have a zero percent negative work history by leaving out all the Wendy's you worked at and cursed the manager out while you quit. All I wanna be in personally is the percentage that passes 1st time.

If you study hard there is no doubt you'll pass on your first time.

I found UW, QBank, FA, Kaplan Physio lectures and the Kaplan Biochem book to be a winning combination on my exam.

[JTP73]

As long as you are an American citizen there is going to a be residency spot open for you no matter what. Don't expect it to be in a university program on Long Island or Manhattan though. But there will be some community based program in FP, Psych, PMR, etc that needs to fill a spot.Thank God! ;) Don't expect it to be in California either. Again, thank God!

[smu79]

the % is giving, y the students who reported back to the school....so if the school knows 60 kids took it, but only 30 get back to the school and only 1 kid says they didnt pass, then the school just thiks thats the same all the way around... but what about the other students... i dont think SMU can look up your Step 1 score

Hey my hero, you need to report your score back to school, via mail, in order to get rotations. no score=no rotations

[Future MD | DM erutuF]

The school average is probably around 200-205. The US average is 217.

Seemed like about 10% of my Miami class was over 220 on the exam. But only about 5% were between 210-220. While the majority were between 190-205.

So there are a lot of high end students in the school for sure.

Not bad at all. See this kind of information is what's important, not some silly number about how the first time pass rate is 95%. A person scoring 190 from this school probably won't match, but a person scoring 220 from this school most likely will. For us IMG's a pass isn't just a pass, we have to make our standards higher to get those same residencies that AMG's land.

Who cares if there's a qualifier exam to take the step? If you can't pass the qualifier (which was the NBME CBSE) with a 55%, then you should not take the step. It's simple as that. You think that after 2 years of prep that if you can't pass it that you will magically pass the Step 1 a couple months after taking the qualifier? Additionally, I think 55% is rather generous, given the fact that the qualifier is given immediately after 5th semester.

[camryllionareMD]

If you study hard there is no doubt you'll pass on your first time.

I found UW, QBank, FA, Kaplan Physio lectures and the Kaplan Biochem book to be a winning combination on my exam.
When did you start UW? Was there enough time to do both qbank and UW during Kaplan? And did you read FA during basic sciences or did you wait 'til during Kaplan? Thanks coz we need advice from the passers.

[MDplzz]

I guess its safe to say, that if you do real well in your basic science classes and work your tail off in preparation for the STEP, that you'll likely be part of the majority that passes on the first try and some will do really well??

Cause thats what im expecting....

[azulpanther]

1st aid is relatively a short read. Only around 350 pages of information. Its a decent enough review for each class shelf. Knowing 1st aid by heart would get you a 210 easily

I know a US med student that failed in his 1st attempt and barely broke a 200 on his 2nd attempt and landed an anesthesiology residency on the other side of the hudson river in jersey. Where there is a will there is a way.

An important thing is remember while studying for step is sticking to only a few resources. 3 is probably the max, 2 is prolly preferred.

doing questions is key. But actually do them to work up your stamina for doing questions. Doing questions is great for reinforcing material but not really for learning it for the 1st time. alot of the questions on world and kaplan are too specific in content.

sorry guitar hero i've been away from the computer lol.

i know to many people that did well during basic science that failed their 1st and 2nd attempt. By well i mean some high pass and even some honors. Now imagine if they failed, what about the majority of the students that barely pass their classes. so no way the passing rate is 95%

[camryllionareMD]

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. I have a FA so that's good news. I'm one of those "whatever it takes" kind of pple, not "as little as it takes" or "a little dab'll do ya" pple.

[smu79]

1st aid is relatively a short read. Only around 350 pages of information. Its a decent enough review for each class shelf. Knowing 1st aid by heart would get you a 210 easily
This is just plainly setting up someone for failure. Knowing first aid will not even get you to pass.
I know a US med student that failed in his 1st attempt and barely broke a 200 on his 2nd attempt and landed an anesthesiology residency on the other side of the hudson river in jersey. Where there is a will there is a way.
The fact that the student is a US student was the only factor this kid got an interview.
An important thing is remember while studying for step is sticking to only a few resources. 3 is probably the max, 2 is prolly preferred.

doing questions is key. But actually do them to work up your stamina for doing questions. Doing questions is great for reinforcing material but not really for learning it for the 1st time. alot of the questions on world and kaplan are too specific in content.

Doing question is not key for success in doing well in step 1. What is key is being able to understand, evaluate, synthesize, analyze, and being able to apply the information. Doing question will only help you determine your weak areas.
sorry guitar hero i've been away from the computer lol.

i know to many people that did well during basic science that failed their 1st and 2nd attempt. By well i mean some high pass and even some honors. Now imagine if they failed, what about the majority of the students that barely pass their classes. so no way the passing rate is 95%

I am willing to bet that doing well in classes will correlate to higher step 1 scores, to a higher extent than doing poorly on classes.
As I said before, concentrate on your class, master the material so that when 5th semester comes along, your are actually reviewing and not learning the material.
Unless you are happy with a <200, do not use first aid as a study source, other than Pharm.
My replies on red

[stephew]

be careful of these stats. I have nothing against SMU if and if that's real, that's great. But
1) to interpret the meaningfulness of this you need to know what % of people made it to the boards wth the class and didnt drop out/drop back/fail/get held from taking the test 2) is this first time takers

Since 95% is quite a bit higher from the US mean, I am suspicious of that data. I may be wrong, but a healthy bit of skepticism here doesnt go awry.

[MDTOB]

Since 95% is quite a bit higher from the US mean, I am suspicious of that data. I may be wrong, but a healthy bit of skepticism here doesnt go awry.

And FINALLY full circle back to my original post! Well said stephew :)

[gschneid]

My personal opinion is that the pass rate has little to do with the school and more to do with individual students' efforts. But I'll find out for sure in 2 semesters.

[neil]

thought i'd put in my 2cents...i know of 5 people who took step 1 last semester all of them passed. 4 out of 5 scored above 215 and the last person scored above 205, all of them did well in there classes. as for the 95% pass rate...i have my doubts, like stephew said.

i'm currently doing kaplan on cayman and preparing for step 1...kaplan is very good, however the schedule is very disorganized which was due to SMU last min decision to bring kaplan to cayman...its obvious the students were lied to when they were told that they planned to bring kaplan to cayman when they closed miami. where do i get this information you might ask? the kaplan prof themselves...they told us that kaplan was setup at the last min and thats why the schedule is so missed up. anyways, wish me luck!!

neil

[guitarheroMD2B]

When did you start UW? Was there enough time to do both qbank and UW during Kaplan? And did you read FA during basic sciences or did you wait 'til during Kaplan? Thanks coz we need advice from the passers.

I read through the Kaplan biochem, Pharm and Physio while doing the Goljan RRS book for path during Kaplan. Everything else I used First aid. After I read through these books I concentrated on questions as my primary study source.

In basic science I used mainly the teachers powerpoints. Dr. B for Path and Dr. K for Pharm were right on the money with their lectures and notes as far as Step 1 went.

I'd just concentrate on course work and Powerpoints during basic sciences. We are lucky to have had great Physio, Pharm and Path professors who provided great notes to get the basics down.

[Godschosenone]

I dont know why people put so much
emphasis on pass rate.

The pass rate could be 99% or 10% for all i care
all that matters is that you do what you need to do,
to make sure you pass.

[JTP73]

I dont know why people put so much
emphasis on pass rate.

The pass rate could be 99% or 10% for all i care
all that matters is that you do what you need to do,
to make sure you pass.I'll take a guess... perhaps it is because then you know you can go to a school where you will be spoon-fed enough not to have to worry about really doing any hard work. That allows more time for the Cayman weekly drinking bus and Coconut Joe's. haha

I am appalled. Some of you are suggesting that the SMU administration is embellishing. Amazing.

[guitarheroMD2B]

I'll take a guess... perhaps it is because then you know you can go to a school where you will be spoon-fed enough not to have to worry about really doing any hard work. That allows more time for the Cayman weekly drinking bus and Coconut Joe's. haha

I am appalled. Some of you are suggesting that the SMU administration is embellishing. Amazing.

First we need to see what criteria they are using in determining the '95% first time pass rate'

Beacause there is NO possible way 95% of my Miami class passed on the first try.

[camryllionareMD]

I read through the Kaplan biochem, Pharm and Physio while doing the Goljan RRS book for path during Kaplan. Everything else I used First aid. After I read through these books I concentarted on questions as my primary study source.

In basic science I used mainly the teachers powerpoints. Dr. B for Path and Dr. K for Pharm were right on the money with their lectures and notes as far as Step 1 went.

I'd just concentrate on course work and Powerpoints during basic sciences. We are lucky to have had great Physio, Pharm and Path professors who provided great notes to get the basics down.
Thank-you for taking time to share. I'll file this info coz I'm in 3rd and step is round the corner. We need more posts like this.

[UFTim]

We should start a Step 1/Step 2 score estimator based on the amount of time students spend ranting on ValueMD. That's a more interesting pass percentage to me.