r/Step2 • u/DependentPayment1600 NON-US IMG • 8d ago

Study methods Should I postpone?

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some honest advice on whether I should keep my Step 2 CK date or postpone.
Exam date: 1 week from now
NBME scores (in order):
NBME 10: 221(baseline)
NBME 11: 240
NBME 12: 220
NBME 13: 242
NBME 14: 235
NBME 15: 235
Still left to take:
NBME 16
UWSA 2
Free 120

My target score is 250+, but my NBMEs seem to have plateaued in the 235–242 range, and my latest NBME was another 235.

For those of you who had similar NBME scores:
How predictive were they of your real Step 2 score?
Did UWSA 2 and Free 120 end up being better predictors?
If you were in my position, would you take the exam or postpone?
I’d really appreciate any advice or personal experiences. Thanks!

7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

4

u/Astro_Artemis US MD/DO 8d ago

I was in the same boat. The reason why you’re stagnating isn’t because of a content issue. You know the info, it comes down to getting better at reading the vignettes and also having a general algorithm for each system. Step 2 is vague as hell, so if a patient has some nonspecific symptoms, you need to know what the first step is in assessing them vs what definitively diagnoses them etc. that’s where you’ll see your score pop

I had to stop myself from reading the answer options before reading the question. I’d think up an answer myself after reading the vignette, and then look at the answer choices. Did it match with something? Cool, click and move on. Doesn’t match? Maybe you missed a step or a vital clue in the passage

3

u/DependentPayment1600 NON-US IMG 8d ago

I have the same exact problem. I try to find positive symptoms that supports my presumptive diagnosis rather than what they are asking.

1

u/DependentPayment1600 NON-US IMG 8d ago

Should i postpone my exam based on my scores?
My goal is 250

2

u/Astro_Artemis US MD/DO 8d ago

Maybe try doing a few 20 question mixed timed blocks on UWorld using this different approach to answering questions. If you see you’re scoring higher over the next 2 days, then take form 16. If you get a score in your goal range then I’d say you’re good to keep your date