

However, in my experience, I’ve found that: Step 1 NBMEs Are Highly PredictiveĪs discussed above, officially 2/3 of students’ Step 1 scores should be +/- 13 points of an NBME taken within a week. Step 2 CK: 2/3 of students will score +/- 15 points of their NBME from within 1 week.Step 1: 2/3 of students will score +/- 13 points of their NBME from within 1 week.Officially, these are the predictive value of the NBMEs for: Total there are 26 NBME Shelf exams, as of the writing of this. Here are the current NBMEs available for Shelf exams. What Subject Exams Are Available for Shelf Exams? Actual Shelf exams are 110 questions and 2 hours 45 mins each.Day 2 also includes the CCS cases (simulated patient encounters). Actual Step 3: Day 1 = 6 blocks (232 questions total) Day 2 = 6 blocks (180 questions total).5 blocks total (each block has 50-66 items).Comprehensive Clinical Medicine Self-Assessment (Step 3):.Actual Step 2 CK = 8 blocks (1 hour each) and up to 318 total questions.Comprehensive Clinical Science Self-Assessment (Step 2 CK):.Actual Step 1 = 7 blocks (1 hour each), and 280 total questions.Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessment (Step 1):.Note, however, that the blocks for each NBME are longer.īelow are the names for each NBME and what USMLEs they correlate with: The Self-Assessments Are Shorter Than the Real Exams (But Each Block is Longer)Įach USMLE has 40-question blocks that are 1 hour each. Have any verifiable form of credentialing.Go to the NBME Self-Assessment Services website here.Įssentially, anyone can register for the NBME Self-Assessment Services practice exams.All NBME Self-Assessments cost $60 (see below for more).As such, you shouldn’t take your Step 1 or Step 2 CK without having taken at least one NBME Self-Assessment. Your USMLE scores are a critical part of your residency application. As such they are the most accurate predictors available of what your USMLE/Shelf exam scores will be. So what’s the big deal with the NBME Self-Assessments? The NBME tracks students’ scores and measures them against their actual scores. (The “NBME Self-Assessments” are often referred to as simply “NBMEs.” You will often see them referred to by their number, as in “NBME 18,” or “NBME 20”). These NBME practice exams are the official practice exams for the USMLEs and Shelf Exams. The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) writes the USMLE and Shelf exams. To help students prepare, the NBME also release practice exams. Ask Yourself: “Would I Be OK With My Score?”ĭon’t Take Your USMLE Without Taking an NBME Self Assessment.Concluding Thoughts: Don’t Take Your Test Until You’re Ready.“Offline” Bootlegged NBME Practice Exams: Accurate Predictor or Waste of Time?.Beware of Online Score Converters/Calculators, Especially If You’ve Done Multiple Passes UWSAs Are Your Second Best Option Behind the NBME Self Assessments Taken All the NBMEs Already? Here Are Your Options.When Does the NBME Release New Self Assessments?.When/How to Re-Start NBME Self Assessments If You’ve Had a Large Gap in Your Preparations.Should You Search Message Boards for Question Explanations?.Take the Lowest Numbered Exam First (It Will Be Retired First).It Doesn’t Matter Which Exam is “Hardest” Because Each Exam Has Its Own Scale.Which NBMEs Should You Take First and Last?.
#USMLE PRACTICE TEST STEP 2 CK FULL#
Step 2 CK: Full Self-Assessments Every 1-2 Months, with Subject Exams Every 1-2 Weeks.Step 1: Every 2-4 Weeks, Depending on Timeline.How Often You Should Take NBME Self Assessments.First-Years: Consider Taking an NBME (Long) Before Dedicated Studying.Without a Baseline NBME, You Have No Idea How Well You’re Studying.Your First NBME Should Be Before Your “First Pass” Through First Aid/UWorld.Look for How Many Questions You Miss Because of Interpretation.
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How Should Your Review Your NBME Self-Assessment?.NBMEs Show Each Question’s Answer (But Without Any Explanations).Address Anxiety Issues and Don’t Repeat NBMEs.Why Some Students’ Scores Drop Dramatically On Their Real Test.The Lone Step 3 NBME Doesn’t Give a Predicted Score.Shelf Exam Predictive Value Questionable (But Better Than Nothing).Step 2 CK Score Volatility: Due to Subject Matter?.

~1/4 Chance Step 2 CK Score Will Be Lower.
