NBME Self Assessment

[Tangliss]

Looking on another forum it appears that some of these questions crop up in the real exam, has anyone found this to be the case?

[Bambi]

People say that the same or very similar questions from the major question banks come up all the time on the real thing so it's probably true.

[Scottish Chap]

No, I personally found that the NBME questions from online tests were similar only in thought-process to the actual Step 1 exam, but the content and style was totally different.

If you think about it, the NMBE would lose part of it's 'standardisation assurance' if there were enough duplicate questions out there to affect the data of test-takers. Also, keep in mind that there are 350 questions on USMLE Step 1 and MULTIPLE versions of the exam out there. An informal survey of my classmates revealed that we all had similar concepts, but totally different exams.

[Bambi]

Most people say that 1 or 2 of their questions were similar to the question banks, don't think that will have a major affect on scores so I would say yes it is definitely possible. The exam is different everyday, they don't have an infinite amount of questions so some are bound to be similar to the question bank ones.

There aren't 350 questions anymore!

[Scottish Chap]

Please define "most people."

Retired exam questions (what the NBME sells online) do not show up on the USMLE. It would defeat the purpose of using the term retired.

Yes, the NBME recently decreased the number of questions from 350 to 336. Good catch.

[Bambi]

I said the same or very similar, they might not be identical but I wouldn't be surprised if a couple were very similar. I didn't say NBME either, people seem to say it more with UWorld. Not taking it for a few weeks so can't say myself but a lot of people have said it.

[Scottish Chap]

Look back and you'll see Tangliss was actually talking about the NBME exams. Nobody mentioned prep. companies.

Good luck on the exam.

[Bambi]

I know but the other question banks are relevant too which is why I mentioned them.

Freaking out a bit about the exam so thanks!

[Scottish Chap]

I know but the other question banks are relevant too which is why I mentioned them.

Freaking out a bit about the exam so thanks!

Keep in mind that the exam is very much psychological. I PROMISE you that you are going to be asked questions in ways you never considered, and you will also see a fair numbers of concepts and questions that you do not know the answer to. On one of my seven blocks (block three), I honestly felt like I guessed on >50% of the questions. It was hard to remain calm. You have around one minute per question, so just move on and do your best. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Step 1 is a very doable exam. You'll do just fine.

[Bambi]

Are all the question blocks the same kind of thing? They don't put certain subjects in certain blocks or anything do they? The blocks are just to break up the time really right?