In preparing for the USMLE Step 1 exam, it seemed that the most
frustrating aspect was a lack of any sort of feedback about how the
preparation
was proceeding. A group of us were studying day and night, but
realized that we really had no idea how we
would do on Step 1 or if we would even pass! Compounding matters was
the fact that Step 1 may only be taken once (unless you fail). In spite
of all this, we
fortunately ended
up doing fairly well on Step 1. However, several of our close friends
failed Step 1 or were very surprised at their low score. It wasn't
because they were not smart, in fact many of them were in the top quarter of
our medical school class (a top 20 US medical school). The single
biggest reason cited for their poor performance was a lack of feedback on
the effectiveness of their preparation.
With that in mind, a group of us (including
some engineers) decided to get together and
create this website tool to help future medical students gauge how they are
doing during their Step 1 preparation. This tool provides an estimated USMLE Step 1 score
based on several commonly used test preparation measures. The
estimated score is based on mathematical regression models derived from data gleaned from
all available resources, including academic journal publications, other
websites, USMLE forums, and (most importantly)
anonymous score submissions.
The strongest influence on the regression models are the
anonymous score
submissions. Their accuracy is dependent upon the number of students
that submit scores anonymously to this website and the integrity of the
medical students that submit scores anonymously.
Reminder
The mathematical regression models used in the Step 1 Score
Estimator are highly dynamic and able to adapt to changing Step 1 test
conditions and varying preparation question material through the
anonymous Step 1 score submissions.
More weight is given mathematically to more recent anonymous score
submissions resulting in continually improving Step 1 score estimates.
For the most accurate feedback about your Step 1 preparation, bookmark
this page and check your estimated scores shortly after testing and on a
regular basis thereafter.
News
Stay tuned for the addition of the USMLE
World Step 1 question bank to the USMLE Step 1 Score Estimator! (See
notes about anonymous score submissions below)
USMLE Step 1 Score Estimator
Enter your scores for each of the respective preparation tests and
press "submit" to receive an estimated USMLE score.
You are not required to enter values for all of the tests. It is fine
to only enter the scores that you currently have.
Note:
For the best USMLE Step 1 score comparison, the
Kaplan QBank
score entered should be
an average of the last 300 questions taken the first time through
QBank (no question repeats). You do not need
to finish all of QBank to receive an estimate; just enter an
average of the 300 QBank questions that you have most recently
taken (again, no question repeats). The test
conditions should be timed and should be taken in blocks of 50
questions. Enter the percentage. For example, 65%
correct on the last 300 questions should be entered as 65.
Please note that
Kaplan QBank is not the same as the Kaplan diagnostic
exam.
Free USMLE Practice Test
Note:
This test is obtained free from the USMLE official website.
For the best comparison, the test conditions should be timed at
normal exam pace (60 minutes for 50 questions). Enter the
average percent correct for all the questions on the test. For example, 65% correct should be entered as 65.
See our
links page for a link to this test.
Paid NBME Self-Assessment Test
Note:
This test is obtained from the NBME official website and costs $45.
The test that should be taken for Step 1 is the Comprehensive
Basic Science Self Assessment. There are two versions of the
Comprehensive Basic Science Self Assessment; you may enter the
score for either one of the versions. The score that should
be entered is the 3 digit score, for example a score of
500 should be entered as 500. Please note that most people
have found that an "average" score of 500 on the NBME exam is not
really "average". Enter your score to see how it stacks up
against the NBME scores of past medical students. See our
links page for a link to this test.
MCAT
Note:
The MCAT probably has the least predictive value of any of the
tests and certainly does not provide any information regarding
your current state of preparation. However, we thought it
would be interesting to know how others with similar MCAT scores
have performed on Step 1. There are also several academic
papers on MCAT / USMLE Step 1 score correlations with thousands of
students surveyed. Enter the total MCAT score, for example a
verbal score of 10, bio score of 10 and physics score of 10 would
have a total score of 30. The number 30 should be entered
above.
Anonymous Step 1 Score Submission
The accuracy and usefulness of the information provided on this
website is completely dependent upon the participation, generosity and
integrity of its users. We feel that there exists no better group of
people displaying all of those honorable traits than current medical
students. If this website has helped you in any way or if you would
like to help future medical students preparing for Step 1, please submit
your scores. The submissions are completely anonymous and your
submission will result in an instantaneous improvement of the
mathematical regression models driving the score estimations on this website.
Please only enter your scores once.
The medical students of the future thank you!
Notes:
Though we do not yet have sufficient data to
generate a regression line for the Step 1 USMLE World question bank,
we are accepting anonymous USMLE World score submissions (just click
link below). We are hoping to have enough submissions to be able
to offer a USMLE World estimate within a couple months.
We are especially in need of people who performed below
average. This website is anonymous and no one will ever know your
score. If you performed below average, please help future medical
students prepare for step 1 by submitting your scores.
If you have not taken step 1 yet, but want to improve the
accuracy of the mathematical models used in this estimator, please
email the link to this page to the 3rd and 4th year students at your
medical school and bug them to submit their scores!
