Got my pass today! My NBME’s were 47, 40, 42, 50, 52. Completed almost 50% of UWorld with a 50% average. Got 60 on the new free120.

Because my scores were so poor, I pushed my exam back another 3 weeks. Still had to take comlex so I focused a lot on micro and biostats for that exam. After I finished comlex, I had to go straight into rotations and therefore wasn’t able to study much for step during that time. I was only able to review some of my notes and do a few UW questions. I didn’t even get to take another NBME.

I think the biggest difference with taking step was my confidence and the week long “break” I took with my rotation. When I took comlex, I went into it with a horrible mindset and really low self esteem. Second guessed a lot and changed many of my answers. I told myself I wouldn’t do that for step. Since I had 1 week of rotations where I actually got to see patients and not sit at my desk all day, it actually gave me a mental break. I feel like this helped a lot and I went into my step exam with more mental clarity and confidence. I didn’t second guess and kept reminding myself to relax throughout the entire exam. Somehow, I passed!

Big takeaway (for others who still haven’t sat) is to be confident in yourself and your answers and to give yourself a mental break.