A 90% probability of passing Step 1 still means there is a 10% likelihood of failing.The NBME also reports that there are a “ few things to keep in mind ”: The USMLE cautions that any overlap with the low pass range and your TEPCS should warrant “extra caution.” In other words, a performance that is sufficient to pass Step 1, but only by a small margin. The USMLE reports that this range represents “performance that is above but near the passing standard”. In the figure above, you can also see a low pass range. Importantly, the NBME reports that “if you tested again without learning or forgetting…, your score would fall within 4 points of the reported score two-thirds of the time.” That makes the NBME an excellent and accurate predictor of your Step 1 performance.ĭetermining if You Are Ready to Take Step 1 Based on Your NBME Score In short terms, you can think of the TEPCS as a curved percentage correct. According to the NBME, the TEPCS is technically a “percentage of the content that you have mastered… statistically adjusted to account for slight variations in exam form difficulty and may be slightly lower or higher than that actual percentage of questions you answered correctly on this specific form”. In this example, we can see that the student received a TEPCS of 69%, and has a 97% likelihood of passing Step 1 within a week. Here is an example of how this will look:įrom the NBMEs overview of the CBSSA on their website. Rather, they will provide you with a Total Equated Percent Correct Score (TEPCS) and a probability of passing Step 1 within a week. Now that the USMLE Step 1 is a strictly pass/fail examination, these practice tests will not give you a score. You can find an example of this score report here. After taking your examination, you will receive a score report. You can take these in a standard-paced (timed under timing conditions that are comparable to a real USMLE exam) or self-paced mode (this option offers four times as long to complete each section). These tests consist of 200 multiple-choice questions (four blocks of 50 questions). The practice tests from the NBME for USMLE Step 1 are also known as the Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessment (CBSSA). Using the Old NBME Exam Forms Before They Are ‘Retired’ Interpreting Your USMLE Step 1 NBME Score Report We have created this guide to help you understand the score reports and how to interpret them. While many students are primarily interested in knowing their predicted scores on these practice tests, there is a lot more information in the score reports you will receive after taking a test that can aid you in your preparation. Naturally, these tests have extremely high utility in preparing for your real test and providing you feedback on your performance. The NBME practice tests are directly from the organization that will administer the test. In this post, we will cover everything you need to know about using NBME practice exams for your USMLE prep! How accurate are the NBME practice exams at predicting your Step 1 and 2 CK performance? Which NBME is the best predictor for your Step 2 score, or how ready you are to pass Step 1? What do you need to do to interpret your score report? How can you utilize the information you get from your score report to inform how you study? And some extra tips to set you on the road to success!įor those who are unaware, the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) is owned by two organizations: the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). While various practice tests are available to assess your performance, many students will turn directly to the NBME practice tests. Almost all students preparing for the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 will take at least one (hopefully more!) practice test leading up to test day.
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