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Guide to efficient exam PreParation Guide to efficient exam PreParation Section i 11

Beyond that, the main point of having a quantitative score is to give you T ABLE 3. CBSE to USMLE Score
a sense of how well you’ve done on the exam and to help schools and Prediction.
residencies rank their students and applicants, respectively. CBSE Step 1
Score Equivalent
≥ 94 ≥ 260
Official NBME/USMLE Resources
92 255
The NBME offers a Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (CBSE) for 90 250
practice that is a shorter version of the Step 1. The CBSE contains four blocks 88 245
of 50 questions each and covers material that is typically learned during the
basic science years. Scores range from 45 to 95 and correlate with a Step 1 86 240
equivalent (see Table 3). The standard error of measurement is approximately 84 235
3 points, meaning a score of 80 would estimate the student’s proficiency is 82 230
somewhere between 77 and 83. In other words, the actual Step 1 score could be 80 225
predicted to be between 218 and 232. Of course, these values do not correlate 78 220
exactly, and they do not reflect different test preparation methods. Many schools 76 215
use this test to gauge whether a student is expected to pass Step 1. If this test
is offered by your school, it is usually conducted at the end of regular didactic 74 210
time before any dedicated Step 1 preparation. If you do not encounter the 72 205
CBSE before your dedicated study time, you need not worry about taking it. 70 200
Use the information to help set realistic goals and timetables for your success. 68 195

The NBME also offers six forms of Comprehensive Basic Science Self- 66 190
Assessment (CBSSA). Students who prepared for the exam using this web- 64 185
based tool reported that they found the format and content highly indicative 62 180
of questions tested on the actual exam. In addition, the CBSSA is a fair 60 175
predictor of USMLE performance (see Table 4). The test interface, however, 58 170
does not match the actual USMLE test interface, so practicing with these
forms alone is not advised. 56 165
54 160
The CBSSA exists in two formats: standard-paced and self-paced, both of 52 155
which consist of four sections of 50 questions each (for a total of 200 multiple 50 150
choice items). The standard-paced format allows the user up to 75 minutes
to complete each section, reflecting time limits similar to the actual exam. 48 145
By contrast, the self-paced format places a 5-hour time limit on answering 46 140
all multiple choice questions. Every few years, a new form is released and an ≤ 44 ≤ 135
older one is retired, reflecting changes in exam content. Therefore, the newer
exams tend to be more similar to the actual Step 1, and scores from these
exams tend to provide a better estimation of exam day performance.
Keep in mind that this bank of questions is available only on the web. The
NBME requires that users start and complete the exam within 90 days of
purchase. Once the assessment has begun, users are required to complete
the sections within 20 days. Following completion of the questions, the
CBSSA provides a performance profile indicating the user’s relative
strengths and weaknesses, much like the report profile for the USMLE Step
1 exam. The profile is scaled with an average score of 500 and a standard ` Practice questions may be easier than the
deviation of 100. In addition to the performance profile, examinees will be actual exam.
informed of the number of questions answered incorrectly. You will have the
ability to review the text of the incorrect question with the correct answer.

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