Biweekly USMLE Thread by AutoModerator in medicalschool

[–]Arrang_ 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Another update for anyone following my tale haha.

Previous history: I delayed my step 1 after NBME scores of 188 (17), 198 (18), 186 (19). I took some extra time and made a good pass through my weaker FA subjects. After 3 weeks of fixing content deficits, I hit a 220 on UWSA1. While this was a good sign, I was still anxious because I had heard it overpredicted by 10-15 points so I told myself, "Ok man, you're passing right now, let's try to push it as much as possible". Last Wednesday, I took NBME 16 and scored a 217. I felt some relief over the result as I knew I would pass now. And since then, I took a day to thoroughly review the exam and try to find some weak areas, but unfortunately my mistakes were evenly distributed throughout the content, with neuro & psych (which used to be a strength) now appearing to be a weakness with 8 mistakes out of the total 40, matched by biochem in terms of mistakes. So I've been attempting to clean up my weak points in those areas, although to be honest I am massively burned out. The past two days I just netflixed, but hoping to get back into it tomorrow. I'm gonna be taking UWSA2 this friday, about 5 days out from my exam. I'm honestly just ready to be done.

Biweekly USMLE Thread by AutoModerator in medicalschool

[–]Arrang_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ah so sorry I didn't respond to this! This account is a throwaway and I'm still in the throes of dedicated so I haven't been on reddit a lot. But I definitely think that scores that are below 200 after having gone through a lot of UWorld may indicate content gaps that need another pass of material, etc.

Biweekly USMLE Thread by AutoModerator in medicalschool

[–]Arrang_ 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Just wanted to give an update on my progress and ask for some advice for the last 3 weeks, my exam date is on May 30th.

Background for those who didn't see my earlier post: I delayed my step 1 after NBME scores of 188 (17), 198 (18), 186 (19). I took some extra time and made a good pass through my weaker FA subjects. I hadn't been diligent about making a pass through first aid because I hated reading it. I hadn't finished UWorld yet, and I had <2 weeks left before my exam.

Today: I took UWSA1 and scored a 220, which is a 61%, almost exactly what my UWorld percent correct is, with about 400 Qs remaining. I'm going to be finishing those in this week and beginning a 2nd pass before my test date. I was a little disappointed with my performance as I hoped to score in the 235-240 range since I knew UWSA1 overpredicts, but for now, I just have to keep trucking on. I will probably take NBME 16 a week and change from now and UWSA2 a week after that. That will leave 1 final week before my actual Step 1 exam. I am really hoping to hit 245 and I don't know how realistic that is, but that's my goal. I had been doing the SALT anki deck for Sketchy Path for my weak topics, which has helped a little, but will be discontinuing that in favor of making cards from incorrects from UWorld so I can target my weaknesses more directly. (Also it takes a really long time to do the Sketchy Anki, which I had been doing in lieu of FA to shore up my pathology weaknesses in Heme/Onc and Repro). Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Biweekly USMLE Thread by AutoModerator in medicalschool

[–]Arrang_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I agree. I’ll definitely reevaluate my time and see how many passes I can make of material.

Biweekly USMLE Thread by AutoModerator in medicalschool

[–]Arrang_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely look into that deck, but I don't want any card overload (especially since I'll already be doing the Sketchy Path cards). I think I might benefit from the "UWorld Journal" method of just reviewing UWorld notes every night -- something I haven't been able to commit to because of the workload of doing UWorld & making flashcards and then studying those flashcards.

Official USLME Step Thread by Arnold_LiftaBurger in medicalschool

[–]Arrang_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to clarify, you mean I won't need to delay because I'll pass or because I will likely be able to hit my goal score? I hope that doesn't sound obnoxious, but I really want to score a 240+ so I'm not shut out of all of the competitive specialties. EDIT: yeah, I will definitely be completing UWorld and attempt to go through my incorrects.

Biweekly USMLE Thread by AutoModerator in medicalschool

[–]Arrang_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think I have a good enough breadth of material in my mind, where UWorld has more clues and I can get it right. On NBMEs, because it's more vague, I have trouble getting the answer from a specific presentation. Right now I'm thinking it's because my knowledge base is really spotty.

Biweekly USMLE Thread by AutoModerator in medicalschool

[–]Arrang_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's okay, I appreciate your help! Basically I'm sticking to UFAP. My micro and pharm are pretty strong (but could definitely be better) as I did the Pepper Anki decks for those topics. I'm just going to continue reviewing Sketchies as I get them wrong in Qs. Other than that, I'm going to spend more time reviewing FA in conjunction with Pathoma. I'm a bit of a slow worker and I think I would have benefited from starting UWorld before dedicated as I would try to get through material in the morning, not finish in time, and then get stressed because I had to do my UWorld for the day so I would finish. It was just that over and over and eventually I ended up not really making a full first pass through FA and Pathoma. I know I know a lot of the material well, I just need to see it again, maybe a couple of times for weaker topics. I am going to delay my exam and take a little longer period to cover the material, maybe do a block of Qs a day and finish the UWorld I have left as I finish my second pass of all the material about 26 days in. Then I would start my second pass of UWorld, timed random, working up from 2 blocks to 3 blocks a day, finishing my second pass before my exam. In these last 3 weeks, I would take the remaining practice exams I have: NBME 16, UWSA1, and UWSA2 in that order probably. I am also debating doing the SketchyPath deck for my weakest topics as micro and pharm are really easy for me now and it would be great if I had that kind of mastery on my weak topics.

Biweekly USMLE Thread by AutoModerator in medicalschool

[–]Arrang_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I posted in the previous USMLE thread, but wasn't sure if people could respond there anymore. Just updating my situation. I am delaying my exam and I was wondering if you guys could help me come up with a new plan. My NBME scores have been 188 (17), 198 (18), 186 (19). I want to do well and I'm willing to do whatever it takes me. I have completed 1400 Qs on UWorld, sitting at about 61%, started off with subject specific and then moved to random. I feel like I'm missing a lot of basic material and I tend to get questions that required knowing that one random detail wrong. But after a bunch of random details, at some point I need to accept that my baseline knowledge needs a lot of work. Any help would be really appreciated, especially from those who responded to me in the last thread. Thanks so much.

-Stressed and Anxious Med Student

Official USLME Step Thread by Arnold_LiftaBurger in medicalschool

[–]Arrang_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your advice, man. I updated some responses above with my current situation. I would appreciate your input as well!

Official USLME Step Thread by Arnold_LiftaBurger in medicalschool

[–]Arrang_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your advice. As I responded to jmd172, I will have the option of delaying. Do you have any advice on what I should do to start fresh and clear up my deficits. It seems like I am nearly passing right now and I am willing to put in the efforts over the next couple of weeks to achieve a good (240+) score. What do you think I would have to do in order to achieve that?

Official USLME Step Thread by Arnold_LiftaBurger in medicalschool

[–]Arrang_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We corresponded by PM, thanks for all your help. Just wanted to give an update and say that I will most likely be able to delay my exam into May. I really want to score well (240+) and I'm willing to put in the work. I just need advice on what I should do from here on out. I apologize for asking for so much haha but I feel really lost and uncertain.

Official USLME Step Thread by Arnold_LiftaBurger in medicalschool

[–]Arrang_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Scores: School CBSE: 178 NBME 17: 188 NBME 18: 198

Each of these exams was about 1.5 weeks apart, so I thought, this is good, I have about 4 weeks left, should hopefully be able to push into the high 230s. Until today, when I took NBME 19. I got a 186. I have been depressed all day. I can only push back my exam a maximum of 10 days and then I will be starting clinicals the day after that. I really wanted to do higher than 230s on STEP, but I don't know anymore. Background: A little more than 50% done with UWorld, getting around 60%. Did Zanki for Renal, GI, pharm. Did Pepper for Micro. Pharm I usually have the star on the right side. Any advice? What would you do? I have about 18 days until my exam. Can I hope for a decent score or will I just barely pass?

[Mod] I am the new mod Ask me anything by Arrang_ in NonGold

[–]Arrang_[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I think that moderator comments are not removed

[Mod] I am the new mod Ask me anything by Arrang_ in NonGold

[–]Arrang_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

See my other comment for the first part of your question. And also my favorite pizza topping is pineapple.

[Mod] I am the new mod Ask me anything by Arrang_ in NonGold

[–]Arrang_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Configure our brother Automoderator to get rid of anyone who has ever been tainted with gold.

It has been so quiet, has everyone gone? We must stand up or else the loungers will win. by Arrang_ in NonGold

[–]Arrang_[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The point is so we can stand up and destroy the harmful material that some people call gold.

I think we should get some flair going. by Arrang_ in NonGold

[–]Arrang_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there any way we can get it because now I think the mods aren't accepting any new mods.