USMLE Step 1 Preparation

[curmudgeon]

<p>O.K… The parent who p.m.'ed me about the 260 has raised a point I want to address which may be of some benefit to others. He/she “posited” the possibility (paraphrased) that a student at a top school would have a better Step 1 score, and it just doesn’t work that way in small numbers. In big numbers, class to class, yes. Apparently it does. </p>

<p>Here was my response: </p>

<p>

From what I know, the Step test is lot more dependent on the individual student and how they choose to study. Not that school specific except in gross terms: </p>

<p>Good test takers score higher on the Step 1 test.
X school has better test takers.
Therefore X school has higher average and/or median Step 1 scores. </p>

<p>That kind of thing. Doesn’t translate to individual students. </p>

<p>The unverified score medians or averages that are bantied about on-line suggest that the “best” schools average in the mid-high 230’s on Step 1 while the national average is 224-225. Puts that 260 into perspective , doesn’t it? That’s a great score.

</p>

<p>So, the takeaway point for students at top schools…you better study. The takeaway point for students at less than the usual suspects…you better study. ;)</p>