Where do you Stand on Step 1?

[wcb22]

USMLE step 1 correlations*


2 dig... 3 dig......NBME........ Qbank Avg..... USMLE CD .......Blackwells

75---- 182..........380........... 55-57%...........30/50............58-60%
------- 183
------- 184
------- 185
------- 186
------- 187
------- 188
------- 189
------- 190
------- 191
------- 192
------- 193-- 1sd...400.........60-62%...........32/50.............62-64%
------- 194
------- 195
------- 196
80---- 197
------- 198
------- 199
------- 200
------- 201
82---- 202
83---- 203
83---- 204
83---- 205-- 1/2 sd.. 450......63-65%............34/50.............66-67%
84---- 206
84---- 207
------- 208
85---- 209
------- 210
86---- 211
86---- 212
------- 213
------- 214
------- 215
88---- 216
88---- 217-- mean--500.......67-70%.............37/50..............70-71%
88---- 218
89---- 219
89---- 220
89---- 221
90---- 222
90---- 223
------- 224
91---- 225
------- 226
92---- 227
92---- 228
93---- 229-- 1/2 sd-550 .....71-73%...............39/50...............74%
93---- 230
94---- 231
94---- 232
94---- 233
95---- 234
95---- 235
95---- 236
96---- 237
96---- 238
------- 239
97---- 240
97---- 241-- 1sd-600 .........77%....................42/50................80%
98---- 242
98---- 243
98---- 244
99---- 245
99---- 246
99---- 247
99---- 248
99---- 249
99---- 250
99---- 251
99---- 252
99---- 253-- 1.5sd-650.......80-83%..................45/50................88%
99---- 254
99---- 255
99---- 256
99---- 257
99---- 258
99---- 259
99---- 260
99---- 261
99---- 262
99---- 263
99---- 264
99---- 265-- 2sd--700.......85-90%...................48/50...................93%
99---- 266
99-----267

*disclaimer

okay, i did this just for fun, and i welcome arguments. as we all know, besides the NBME, it is challenging trying to gauge where you are at in terms of step 1 correlations. however, there are some definate trends, and based on peoples exam scores, and their other test scores, i've come up with this, as long as you follow a couple guidelines. (i've been reading score trends for a long time now).

1) the q-bank score is your average for TIMED exams, UNREPEATED blocks of 50, preferrably 7 in a row in one setting, just like the real thing. See what your average is.

2) the USMLE CD that the ECFMG sent you, the same thing, except they only give you 3 blocks. Get an average.

3) Blackwells, or LWW, 350 exam, do it in one setting, same thing. the website is http://www.lww.com/medstudent/usmle/ it's free, btw.


Now, the purpose of this is for people like myself, who haven't taken the NBME yet, b/c I'm holding out until I feel completely prepared for that one. Once you take it, it's done, and you can't go back EVER to get an accurate assessment for that particular exam. you can retake it, but of course your score will be higher, b/c you already know what's on it. You can only go on to take the next NBME (only the first 2 nbme's have score correlations, i believe). I know there are many other question sources, but i decided to use these only.

So of course some people will have conflicting averages, i.e., a USMLE CD average of 35/50, maybe an inflated q-bank of 75%, and a blackwell of 68% or something. maybe you are not accurately judging your q-bank average (repeat q's, untimed blocks, etc). for example, for myself, my q-bank average and my blackwell are both about 74%. i did the first USMLE CD block and got 38/50. i'm saving up the other 2 blocks for later. if i AVERAGE THESE OUT, i'm AROUND the 550 range on the NBME (at least i can expect to get between 520-570 on my NBME, is how i interpret these #s), and 93/229 on step 1, give or take some points. heck, i might get slammed with mol bio on step 1 and get an 85/215, who knows. but i know where my range is. i think you can reduce your error on where you stand by judging yourself on several sources.

if anyone is as obsessive/compulsive as i am about WHERE I STAND, maybe you will benefit from these #'s.

[md90]

it's interesting... and thought provoking...

its kind of accurate, i got 450 on nbme 1 , avg 34/50 in my usmle cd and 65%in q bank.

[ashyMD]

hey... umm im gettin ready to do ma usmle step 1 soon... thought i can use sum advice from people who have given it or r preparing to give it soon... i seriously need sum help.....plz help!!! lol stuck in a weird situation here ne wyz feel free to tell me anythin k pplz byee

[wcb22]

one more thing... inflated test score numbers can come from not seeing where your endurance level is at.

for example... my Blackwell block exams were as follows:

1st block 78%
2nd block 80%
3rd block 76%
4th block 74%
5th block 72%
6th block 70%
7th block 70%

if i had only taken the first 2 blocks, i might have thought my average was a 79, when in actuality, it was only 74. one of my weak spots is endurance, i suppose. i didn't feel tired by block 6 and 7. but my mind was tired. you don't give some questions the thought that they deserve. i know sometimes (by block 6 and 7), i will read a question 2 or 3 times, and after the 3rd time acknowledge the fact that the question was easy, and i just wasn't paying attention anymore. those are easy points that can keep your score up if you just stay focused.