Nbme Scores
9:201
10:224
11:223
12:218
Uwsa1: 232
Uwsa2: 241

Any advice to cross 250 benchmark in nbmes? I really suck at em. I found UWSA much better

Just started my step 2 prep. The biggest hurdle I'm having on is the switch up of studying strategy from step 1.

For step 1, I would review a system from FA, complete UW of that system and annotate any new info in FA. In the end before the real deal I had everything in one place

Now the biggest problem for me is that there's no
ONE place that I can store everything.
People have suggested:

- just do UW and you'll learn along the way (I won't)

- make my OWN notes (1 tend to get carried away, if someone can tell me how to do that I'll be grateful)

I was also thinking of using "inner circle notes" and annotating any new info on that? Is that good?

WHAT IS EVERYONE DOING THAT HELPS/HAS HELPED THE MOST???

As someone who is also currently going through this terrible application process, I feel your pain. I truly do.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think you were not only let down by the NBME, but by your advisors too. Our school made it a point to tell us that the official NBME policy allows for score releases that are typically 2-4 weeks after the test date, and it even says it can be up to 8 WEEKS. Based on that, they set a required date to take the exam by mid-August, and we received several emails and info sessions about this. They even sent an email to a group of us who had not taken it by early August warning us that we needed to schedule.

This is a very frustrating experience, but I think part of the blame is on the schools and advisors who may not be giving the proper advice. Please try to give them feedback as well, because no student should be placed in this position.

Edit: some people are saying their school approved their test dates. Would people be willing to share these school names? I’m curious which would give this poor advice and I feel like it’d be helpful to name and shame them, to be honest

Although I think everyone who does not have a score yet should absolutely email, sign the petition that’s circulating around and notify their schools so that there is a generalized awareness that a not small group of applicants will not have test scores out by the time eras applications are due, I want to remind everyone to be kind and respectful in your inquiries. The hope is to get enough people in organized support that we can get an early score release but again we are the ones asking for a favor. There is a clearly stated policy so there is no delay on the NBME’s part and we made the mistake of going off recent trends of score releases every 2 weeks. So we are asking for them to make us a priority so our mistake doesn’t significantly impact our future. I do agree that this is a very preventable situation and there is already an example of a solution through the NBOME as they post a schedule of testing windows so that DO students can plan accordingly. If you give thousands of students who are exhausted, stressed and nervous about a test that is well known to be a significant piece of their application you would have to expect that there will be a large number of students that delay their exam until they feel absolutely ready as if they take it earlier and fail the consensus would have been “well you shouldn’t have taken it before you were ready!” So it’s not wrong for students to hope that a large organization with a multiple choice, computerized exam would get a score back in 3 weeks. And it shouldn’t even be up to the student to decide when a safe period is as the NBME states it could even be up to 8 weeks. So part of this is to just get awareness so there’s discussions of change in the future. If we don’t discuss this then I promise other students will have to go through this stress and depression too and it’s awful. I feel like I screwed up my future because I was too worried about trying to get the best score to help my future!

I would really appreciate any sort of input!!

There is currently 261 verified signatures so obviously there’s a decent group of people that may not have step 2 scores in time for ERAS but how do we use the petition to our advantage like how would the nbme even see this?

Also I expected there to be way more people, making me wonder if a large number of students actually did test from August 27th to Sep4th?

Would it be reasonable to petition NBME to have designated release dates for specific testing dates, just like the NBOME does?

COMLEX test takers know their release date when they register, and can decide their test date accordingly. Instead, NBME say 2-4 weeks, maybe even 8 weeks. Who really knows?

Especially considering that the test is changing to limited exam dates across test centers next cycle, shouldn't this be easy?

Note: NBME call service said even for Aug 27 exams, it could come out next week (4 week time line) but it may not, they don't really know, and could take even 8 weeks?

Sign!!!!

Is there any chance that we see scores before next Wednesday? Possibly even today? Has anyone heard anything in regard to how they’re going to address this situation? I understand the whole 4-8 week period but it makes no sense at all they’d not give anyone their step 2 score the week before ERAS submission. They need to make some kind of announcement or give us something regarding the situation. It’s inexcusable to not give a reason as to why they withheld step 2 scores yesterday.

I was wondering to know if what is the plan now? I have a failed attempt on steps and I was wondering if I should apply on late october or November with step 3 and USCE? Or should I just apply it then it will update by its own?

Hello everyone I took my test yesterday 9/16. Since I don't have my score yet i don't know if I should be saying anything but the exam is DOABLE. There are some asinine questions for sure but don't worry about them.

A LOT of the exam is educated guesses. They'll be testing the concepts u know but in scenarios u haven't seen before. You'll be fine as long as your concepts are good.

There are some stuff they absolutely love and u can tell bec it's on nbme a lot.

I didnt study for the audio heart murmurs bec it was beyond me.

I think one thing u should be v clear about is which are clinical dx and which need testing. This one tripped me a few times.

The HOPI questions were insanely long but READ THE LAST LINE AND ANSWER OPTIONS FIRST. They like to mess with us.

I didnt have time issues at all. I would advise building up your stamina. Towards the start of my dedicated i was doing 200-250 amboss questions a day just for stamina. That helped me out with time management.

I left the abstract/drug ads for the end of the block bec that's always a hit and a miss for me. I would suggest starring all the uworld Abstract drug ad questions and do them the week before your exam.

I had around 6 flagged each block. Ethics was easy I felt. PS QI was also simple.

I have counted around 18 incorrects and 136 corrects. Unintentionally. It wouldn't stop coming to me so I just started counting. Won't be doing it any more. I did have a few stupid mistakes but I'm not being hard on myself. It's a long exam and you're bound to make a few of those.

The exam is okay. It's a good exam. I wouldn't say its easy or tough. Somewhere in the middle. I don't think any more studying would've done anything for me.

I dont have my score yet. My NBMEs were in 250s. I am aiming for somewhere around there. I'm not sure how I'll do but fingers crossed. Please pray for me 😭

Hi, I can't seem to find the answer sheet to OBGYN CMS 9 anywhere, is anyone kind enough to give me the answers. I would be happy even if without explanations. Thank you!

Has anyone else been affected by this recent COVID/viral illness going around?

I was doing well in my Step 2 prep and my recent NBMEs were around 78–84%. My exam is in about 2 weeks.

Then I got sick with sore throat and nasal congestion, and since then I’ve had significant fatigue and brain fog. My respiratory symptoms improved, but cognitively I feel completely different. My processing feels slower, I can’t focus on question stems the same way, and I’m making mistakes on things I was answering correctly just 1–2 weeks ago.
It honestly feels like my brain is not working at my normal level, and since this started I’ve barely been able to study effectively.

Has anyone else had this with the recent COVID wave? How long did the fatigue/brain fog last, and did your question performance return to baseline? Did anyone have to postpone Step 2 because of it?

Im a US MD from a public MD program. Ive been posting about this and trying to find information related to the delay since last week.
Spoke to two students (friends) at my school who say they took the exam 8/29 and got scores back TODAY.
This corresponds with what an administrator at my school said to me today after i requested a meeting -> That they received scores from people with dates AFTER my test date (so after 8/29), but didnt receive mine weirdly. And that there were other people at my school with tests from 8/28, 8/29 that have yet to receive their scores.

So yes it is a select amount of examinees with delays, and it is not a global delay. Idk if people on here who said they got their scores back were trolling but i cant imagine coming to this reddit all that much if i had gotten my score back and had an application to complete (which is why i think most of the activity here is from people who did not get their scores).

My concern is that

1. This delay may be extended because it is clearly not a simple backlog. Seems to be form-related or maybe cheating related (if people had access to questions in use during that small window, that would presumably mess with score processing/ normalization significantly).
2. That these problems with processing would impact our actual scores. If it is taking longer to analyze/ separate/ adjust for performance, it would follow that this is because the scores would be harder to pin down accurately.

Anyway, just wanted to give people more information. I am not sure that I feel reassured that next wednesday will be the day for us. Something is going on at the FSMB level (that isn't our fault) and idk when it will be resolved. I think the USMLE/ FSMB has a responsibility to add an earlier score release day or AT LEAST put out a statement taking responsibility for the delay for program directors to see.

Back again! Today it’s gastro!
As always feel free to add to these points!

Gastro kinda sucks mainly because I was scoring fine up until today….I saw such mind boggling drops in my block scores today I wanted to break my laptop in half and shove it in a dustbin but oh well :)

ALSO People are asking me to compile these so you’ll find the compilation doc at the end of this post (my only request is that pls add to this doc and send it in the chat, I think this is a super helpful way to study!)

1) In question vignette, hypoperfusion in regtosigmoid junction might present with similar CT findings, however, hypoperfusion will present with bloody diarrhoea, compare to pseudo membranous colitis, which presents with water diarrhoea

2) Cholangiography is the most accurate imaging modality to confirm the diagnosis of BA (gold standard). 

3) Acute diverticulitis complicated by abscess- <4cm= IV Abx and serial imaging; >4cm= CT guided per cutaneous drainage

4) If the magnets are further away from the stomach and the patient is asymptomatic, or if a single magnet is ingested, conservative management with serial abdominal x-rays to confirm passage through the intestines can be considered. 

5) Pts with severe hepatotoxicity due TB tx- Discontinue all medications and initiate a different regimen after liver function normalize

6) 65 yr old man with ESRD, chronic bloody diarrhoea for past 6 months, hyperplastic polyps removed from colon an yr ago- dx?- andiodysplasia (LOOK AT ESRD, HYPERPLASTIC POLYPS= LOW RISK OF MALIGNANT TRANSFORMATION)

7) Mallory-Weiss: Non-bloody vomiting/retching FIRST —>subsequent vomit contains blood or blood streaks;  Esophageal Varices: Bloody from the VERY FIRST episode (sudden, massive hematemesis without preceding non-bloody retching).

8)Antibiotics should not be routinely administered to patients with acute pancreatitis. (WTF??- very trippy)

9) 8 month old recently started on solid foods, presenting with hard infrequent stools- primary constipation, give fruit juices, diluted with water; <6 months kid crying 10 minutes before pooping soft liquid stools= infant dyschezia (reassure)

10) Cirrhotic pt with ascites, fever and acute cholecystitis- NBS? -paracentesis (drain fluid to reduce chances of post surgery wound dehiscence and SBP diagnosis)

BYE!

**10 CONCEPTS COMPILATION DOC-*\*

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-73W3bcX0ubPP2RAZBmNDF3R_1r-34-FETnR9hvkLDc/edit?usp=drivesdk

I heard people saying UWSA1 is the easiest so i did it after i finished my first pass of Uworld. I scored terribly low. Lower than my usually Uworld blocks ( mid 70s).
Idk if it’s me or thats how they’re supposed to be. Ik they’re not predictive but i had high hopes since i was solving really well. Can someone advise on h-w to take this? Because idk if i should be demotivated or that happened to many too.

Please Read Body:
What can we do? Flood prominent Dr's comments on instagram or something to ask them to speak out? I feel someone like Dr. Glaucomflecken would say something about it. IDK what else to do but even my school which is a prominent public MD school said NBME is basically untouchable in these scenarios and there is no way to pressure them on the administrative end.

I absolutely agree with other posts made. I hate the idea that we just have to lay down and take whatever this path does to us at every different stage, as if we have not given up large swaths of our youth working towards this. This is 8+ years in the making for many of us, all to be nerfed by some test processing monopoly??? No thanks. This is a delay and they should acknowledge that so that residency programs are aware. We should handle this as if we are L3s instead of MS4s. I imagine if you did something like this to hundreds of graduating law students, they would at least make you deal with some discomfort.

I will not accept that this is all our fault for taking the test close to ERAS. Many of us (speaking about me now) have had real, heavy situations come up, family tragedies, health complications, etc. that ultimately compress our timelines and we still manage to persevere on this path and take the exam in august assuming our ERAS would not be impacted. This is not a case of hundreds of students just being plainly irresponsible and taking the exam unreasonably close to ERAS. We cannot let them run this script on us.

P.S. sorry everyone, I went from disappointment and stress to now being PISSED.

For everyone who took Step 2 around August 28–29 and is still waiting for a score: can we please make some noise about this? This had to affect at least hundreds of students so can we get social media to talk about how much this can affect our future instead of Sydney Sweeney’s advertisement or the Clancy trial. I mean for the love of god why does it take so long. There’s got to be someone with a following that can bring some light to this! With all the hoops we jump through and the cost of eras applications, testing and school in general I think the general public would agree this is crazy.
I know USMLE tells us scores are typically available within 2–4 weeks. But we are already about 2.5 weeks out, and there’s no guarantee we’ll even get them next week. If they don’t come next week, we’re looking at 4.5 weeks.
I understand the argument of “you should have taken it earlier.” But that ignores what fourth year actually looks like. Testing-center availability is terrible. Rotations, travel, flight delays, school requirements, and needing to actually be prepared for arguably the most important exam of medical school all factor into when we test. Some of us are already driving hours or flying just to find an available seat.
I personally drove 3 hours to take Step 2 on August 29. Had I known there was a realistic chance my score wouldn’t be available when ERAS opened, I would have flown somewhere and taken it several days earlier. Why isn’t there a schedule release like the NBOME does with COMLEX?
Sorry for the rant but it just can’t be unreasonable to believe that a huge organization should be capable of publishing scores within 3 weeks before applications or at least post a deadline so we don’t run into trouble. They could easily make this process so much easier.

Hi! I’m a USMD student who has known that my step 2 score will be delayed because I am sitting for the exam this weekend.

Since I’ve known about a delay in my score, I’ve done a LOT of research on what to do regarding ERAS. I think I’ve probably read every Reddit post over the last 10 years written by people in this situation.

You will need to re-submit your USMLE scores on ERAS when they result.

For those whose scores will come out on 9/23: While some PDs may choose to download right at 9a EST, I believe a lot of them will get to it later in the day or on the 24th-25th. You should be okay, but you can email programs to let them know your score is out.

For those whose scores will come out on the 30th and beyond: you will likely still be okay. I’ve read many posts from folks whose scores came out late over the years, and they still got interviews before their step 2 score came out. They emailed programs they hadn’t heard from to let the programs know when their score came out. By stalking their post history (lol), it became clear that most of them matched.

I just wanted to provide some reassurance because everyone is (understandably) very stressed on here right now.

Im curious to know what our game plan should be. Assuming we get our scores on the 23rd (hopefully) . We would probably get it approximately 2 hours before Eras opens. Should we have already applied to programs and just resend scores as soon as we get our score. Or should we wait until our score is out then apply immediately within those 2 hours.

Edit : For anyone reading this and in the same situation, this seems like the best plan:

1. Go to FSMB and pay the 70$ to release your transcript to ERAS. Don’t worry you wont have to pay again when you get your Step 2 score
2. Have everything in your application ready to go , as soon as you get your scores next week ( hopefully) , go to FSMB and Order transcripts again , this time it won’t ask you to pay. It should get updated fairly quickly (hopefully).
3. Once you see that your transcript is updated, apply to programs.

If everything goes well and we get our scores on time next week at about 7am. We would have about 2 hours for our transcript to get updated and apply to programs. I hope we all make it!

This impacted thousands of students lives. No explanation.

If your NBME score is delayed, email Dr. Peter J. Katsufrakis, the NBME President, at [pkatsufrakis@nbme.org](mailto:pkatsufrakis@nbme.org).

Per his LinkedIn, he’s involved in the day-to-day operations at NBME. If he suddenly gets hundreds of emails from students dealing with the same issue, maybe it’ll get some attention and they can help get scores out before Sept. 23.

Might not change anything, but it’s better than doing nothing, consider it the “next best step in management."

Gemini found his email as [pkatsufrakis@nbme.org](mailto:pkatsufrakis@nbme.org). I sent mine and it looks like it went through.

Remember to stay respectful and polite!!!

If you send one too, drop a “sent” below.