my qbank score varies!

[Unregistered]

Ok so i keep getting in the mid 50's low 60's and today i got a low 40! I have two weeks left to go. I'm super stressing. I've done all of kaplan books and goljan and still need to read through First Aide. I dont want to postpone the exam. The thought of that just makes me sick cause i've about had it with studying! My highest so far on qbank has been a 64...is it normal to have varying scores? i'm about to take the nbme soon to see where i stand. I'm so scared!! How is the nbme in comparison to qbank? Is it tougher?

Thanks!

[elektra]

You should have a 65% or higher consistent score at Qbank (doing all time random unused 50 questions blocks) to be in the safe margin to pass the exam....Why dont you take the nbme and see a more realistic score

[Unregistered]

i used to score the same as u. i avg'ed 56 most of the time and rarely i hit the 64 which was my highest. and also on rare occasions, i got in the 40's. then i took the nbme and FAILED it. but i didn't care. i went into the exam cuz it was my last week. and.... sorry to scare u.... but i failed the actual exam. so i just recently took my second test...... i donno what the result will be, but hopefully i passed.....

[MD999]

Try to stay above 65s. Even though they say if you score 60 its somewhat equivalent to a high fail/low pass on the Step 1. Try to stay above 65 and remember that the questions have to be fresh, unused mixed questions under TIMED mode. That pretty much will simulate the actual exam conditions (other than the fact that you'll be taking it at a Prometric center).

The best indicator of your Step 1 performance will come with the NBMEs online ($45 each). If you dont do so hot on that, delay your exam and keep studying. Dont risk taking the exam if youre at a probable risk of failure or an undesirable score.

Best of luck

[###]

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[dradi]

I am suffering the same.My Q bank scores are not consistent.The lowest was 48 while the recent highest was 72 with most in 60`s...im not even half way thru it though...after reading the posts here...im scared

[dradi]

It wont be possible for me to take the NBME s.How much can i rely on Kaplan Qbank.That the one i have taken

[usmle4life]

hey guys...everyone is saying to get 65 or higher on qbank..I took the biochem qbank and scored 71..but is the 65 and higher for random qbank questions for a block, or is it for the kaplan stimulate exam, or it can be also for kaplan qbank questions by subject (subject-wise)..someone plzzz answer and let me know!!!

thanx!

[MD999]

hey guys...everyone is saying to get 65 or higher on qbank..I took the biochem qbank and scored 71..but is the 65 and higher for random qbank questions for a block, or is it for the kaplan stimulate exam, or it can be also for kaplan qbank questions by subject (subject-wise)..someone plzzz answer and let me know!!!

thanx!

The 65% has to be on 50 random, mixed, unused questions in a timed mode.
Taking the subject questions (like a block of physio questions) wouldnt simulate the real exam, because you'll have "physio" concepts in your mind because you know all the questions you're getting will have to deal with the physio you read.
There's no way on Step 1 that youre gonna get 50 straight physio questions in a row.

From what Ive been seeing in different posts/forums, the Kaplan simulated exam is somewhat harder than the actual qbank. I've seen people post that they would get mid 40's-60's on that and still have passing board scores.
Best advice, just keep studying. Push your limits and go at it.

Best of Luck.

[usmle4life]

The 65% has to be on 50 random, mixed, unused questions in a timed mode.
Taking the subject questions (like a block of physio questions) wouldnt simulate the real exam, because you'll have "physio" concepts in your mind because you know all the questions you're getting will have to deal with the physio you read.
There's no way on Step 1 that youre gonna get 50 straight physio questions in a row.

From what Ive been seeing in different posts/forums, the Kaplan simulated exam is somewhat harder than the actual qbank. I've seen people post that they would get mid 40's-60's on that and still have passing board scores.
Best advice, just keep studying. Push your limits and go at it.

Best of Luck.

thanx MD999 for your help. But I have another question for you? So what score should I be aiming for when I just do qbank for subjects..like for example for biochemistry. I got a 71 on that..is that good?? or should I aim for something higher..I want to get 90+ on the USMLE exam so please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it!

thanx!

[Unregistered]

hey dradi, don't be scared. although u rarely had the 48, u avg in the 60's so that's good. u will pass. i'm pretty sure. my friend avg'd mid 60's and later was able to bump it up to just barely a 70. and he did all right. he actually got in the 90th percentile. so don't be scared. u sound good.

[MD999]

I have no idea what the goal of subject tested Qbank should be. Of course, try to get the highest possible score. Redo those questions at a later time and of course, go every explanation, whether you got the question right or wrong.

[dradi]

hey dradi, don't be scared. although u rarely had the 48, u avg in the 60's so that's good. u will pass. i'm pretty sure. my friend avg'd mid 60's and later was able to bump it up to just barely a 70. and he did all right. he actually got in the 90th percentile. so don't be scared. u sound good.

thanks...i hope to give it my best shot