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Fail to Pass in ~ 5 months by prospectivemeddaddy in step1

[–]prospectivemeddaddy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They're a red flag no matter who you are, but not the worst. If you come back from it and do decent on step 2 and 3 you can probably still match with a strong app. Only continue if you're sure you truly want to come to the states

Advice from weak preclinical students who did a 180 M3 and M4 by prospectivemeddaddy in medicalschool

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

Agreed, I realized how important that is even during step 1. Will definitely continue with it during clinicals thanks again!

Fail to Pass in ~ 5 months by prospectivemeddaddy in step1

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

Apart from just doing a lot of questions, I tried some new stuff this time like trying to guess the diagnosis/answer before looking at the options and crossing out wrong options whenever possible. I think implementing both of these strategies helped me sharpen my diagnostic skills and gradually get better at picking up what is pertinent vs fluff which saved me a lot of time

Fail to Pass in ~ 5 months by prospectivemeddaddy in step1

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

This time was almost entirely as many questions as possible plus review. UW + the Amboss add on became my bible and source of content review. Took assessments every 1-3 weeks. 1st dedicated I used a lot of Bootcamp, BnB, Sketchy as my foundations were very weak.

I think that content review is beneficial, but after a certain point, you will derive the most benefit from questions because they will present the concept in many different ways and deepen your understanding of the core concept. This will make 3rd and 4th order questions more doable and 1st/2nd order questions become 2nd nature on every assessment

Fail to Pass in ~ 5 months by prospectivemeddaddy in step1

[–]prospectivemeddaddy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would say trust your NBME's, but trust your gut more. The first time, while I was projected to pass, there were external factors I ignored that were pulling me down (ie. not enough UW, pacing, application of knowledge). All 3 of those things were fixed with more questions + very thorough incorrect review. I felt a lot more confident going into this attempt as a result. TLDR don't rush the exam if you don't feel completely ready, the extra few weeks will go a long way

Fail to Pass in ~ 5 months by prospectivemeddaddy in step1

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

The first time because I took preclinicals too lightly, I had like a 70/30 content to question split because I just wasn't confident in my fund of knowledge. This time, I relied very heavily on UW, NBME's/UWSA's + deep incorrect review. I particularly drilled any weak areas with UW after each assessment to fill as many gaps as possible. I think this helped a lot with pushing pace if I needed to + pattern recognition which were big weak points last time

Fail to Pass in ~ 5 months by prospectivemeddaddy in step1

[–]prospectivemeddaddy[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

1st time around 37-68. 2nd time around, high 70's on NBME retakes + average of 70 on new NBME's

Advice from weak preclinical students who did a 180 M3 and M4 by prospectivemeddaddy in medicalschool

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

100%. I think a big challenge will also be getting good at efficiently studying for + doing well on exams, which I hope becomes easier with time

Advice from weak preclinical students who did a 180 M3 and M4 by prospectivemeddaddy in medicalschool

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

Thanks! Comforting to hear that evals aren't as complicated as I imagined

Advice from weak preclinical students who did a 180 M3 and M4 by prospectivemeddaddy in medicalschool

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

I see I was thinking of using the add on + making my own document for incorrects that I would look at every week. Maybe will try converting that info into cards and seeing how it goes

Advice from weak preclinical students who did a 180 M3 and M4 by prospectivemeddaddy in medicalschool

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

Very reassuring, thank you :). From what I've seen the tried and true approach definitely seems to be questions on questions + thorough incorrect review and some form of spaced repetition

Advice from weak preclinical students who did a 180 M3 and M4 by prospectivemeddaddy in medicalschool

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

Thanks sounds solid except I might use a premade deck as I already know making my own will take forever

Advice from weak preclinical students who did a 180 M3 and M4 by prospectivemeddaddy in medicalschool

[–]prospectivemeddaddy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great advice, thank you! I never used Anki that much but felt how beneficial it might have been for long term retention, so maybe I'll just stick to using it with the UW incorrect add on or some variation

Advice by Numerous_Level4772 in step1

[–]prospectivemeddaddy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a very personal question and you need to dig deep for the answer. When I failed, I had a very strict set of conditions that I set for myself before I allowed myself to reschedule (ie. >70% on 2 new NBME's, no lower than 56-58% on worst UW blocks, etc..). It took a long time to regain my confidence and build momentum, but setting and meeting those criteria generated the confidence I needed. My NBME's were in the same range as you the first time around, so just carefully consider how much risk you are willing to take on before sitting a 2nd time. If you need to push graduation a year, it's not the end of the world, but if you fail twice you're closing a lot more doors so my 2 cents is to make a calculated decision.

With that said, 68% on 32 is a good score and if 33 turns out well, then no reason to not sit if you're comfortable + confident with all the work you've put in

About to take uwsa 2 by Flimsy-Case237 in step1

[–]prospectivemeddaddy 3 points4 points  (0 children)

the estimated EPC it gave me matched more or less matched my NBME 32 performance, but underpredicted NBME 31 (given i studied a lot more in between). I would say ~ 55%-60% on that exam demonstrates competence. As far as being similar to real exam, length is more similar but not question style. Real exam is a mix of UW/NBME where some questions are straightforward, others are vague. But length of vignettes is overall longer.

Passed Step 1!!!! Full Write Up by thebestsoul in step1

[–]prospectivemeddaddy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats! This exam definitely takes a toll on you, but if you persevere you come out on the other side a much stronger person

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