rockjock
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Hey Guys,
Long time observer - never a poster. Just took my Step yesterday and am kinda freaking out.
Here is the skinny. Took the test got through 280 out of 350 q's. Then the fire alarm goes off, we have to leave the building. Turns out that there was some electrical work scheduled to be done on the office building. A not was sent out to all the buisnesses, prometric included, and that they had to turn off the power for the after noon. Im 6 hours invested at this point. So I hit the lock button on the test. Up comes the red screen saying this is an unauthorized break. We go outside and haggle with the guy for like 10 minutes. Finally he says he needs to turn off the power for at least an hour, then he will turn it back on. After about an hour the power is back on. I went in and finished the test. The prometric guy is appologetic, but he didnt really get what was riding on this for me. He says that since the computer went off the timer stoped so that isn't an issue. Then he says as long as USMLE isn't bugged about the testing irregularity (the fact that there is about an hour gap on the computer) that I should be fine - worse case scenario I have to retake - He just said it like that. So here is my question, am I done or not. Also if they honor my score I was way frazzled for the last 70 questions. Dont know if it made a big impact on my score, but Im sure it did something.
Does anyone have any insight on similar incidents? Is there a way to get my score rushed to see if I should start fighting for a retake? what is your opinion.
3 months of study aids - 300$, Gas to San Francisco 40$, Taking a 700$ test to find out it may not count---priceless!
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| thekingofprussia
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 1
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Dude that sucks - I don't have any insight for you but I have heard of something like that happening.
Last year about this time my girlfriend was taking Step1 and it happened to the guy sitting right next to her. She said at the site they told everyone that for whatever reason all the computers freeze at the same time but only for like a few seconds and then they start working again - but this guys computer didn't come back - and he was on his 5th or 6th block.
The worst part was that his test could have been recovered but the main supervisor person had left early - for a doctor's appt - and was the only one who knew how.
The lady told this guy there was nothing she could do and he would have to reschedule his test. My girlfriend said the guy handled it real well - was calm, didn't break down or anything, was just kind of in shock.
Indeed, he got no credit and had to reschedule all over again - maybe a good thing as you would have gotten to basically take a free practice test - but man if that would have been me and I would have felt good about the test up to that point I think I might have flipped - monitors flying and all.
Good luck - like Raoul Duke would say "don't take no gut those swine".
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| target
Forum Elite
Topics: 3
Posts: 733
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Hi I had a friend who had such problems . WHen she called USMLE, they said she had an option to retake the test if she failed. They reported her score early and she was happy with the score .....so no probs. So call to find out if getting to know your score earlier is a possibility . Good luck!
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| rockjock
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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ok, so I called and filed a grievance. they said that they will investigate, but cant speed up the records. I hope this doesn't slow them down. I took the test on the 17th of May. When should I hope to get my results
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| kingsof2005
Forum Senior
Topics: 10
Posts: 110
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u should get your score by end of june i would think
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| hottie99
Forum Guru
Topics: 32
Posts: 652
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after may 15th, ecfmg sent a notice saying they would aim to get all scores out by mid-july bc of heavy influx of test takers (american students) are taking now as well.. so i doubt june, more like july.. but if it clearsup, best of luck, that is scary!!! i feel for u buddy!! best of luck with ur score!!
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83/86/pass/2 us lors/2005 grad/citizen
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| Kalyann
Forum Guru
Topics: 5
Posts: 542
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yeah target date is July 16th for most test takers of late may and june...
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| rockjock
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Correct me if I am wrong, but I read that notice as being due to the new format of test. On the 17th I still had the same ol'e 350 question/ non multi media monster. Should I still expect such a delay?
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| Kalyann
Forum Guru
Topics: 5
Posts: 542
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Call ECFMG buddy and ask.
They will be the best ones to answer.
How wud anyone know here.
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| hottie99
Forum Guru
Topics: 32
Posts: 652
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the ecfmg notice said ther would be a period of overlay of testtakers getting new format, in my opnion i think that new ppl that sign up for exam will for sure have the new format, and the previous ppl whose block lets say ends inmay, may not have the new format, u see what im saying? my personal thinking is that the cin given to us in our permit is our exam, so that way no matter where i take it's already been made and the questions have been selected.. that' sjust my philosophy tho.. nothing in stone, just wat i think it is.. so that's why it's hard to say EVERYONE after may 15th would have that bc ther were ppl who had their permits prior to this announcement and their cin was already given out, so those exam wont be modified, but now anyone who applies will automatically get the cin with the modified number of q's and 'new' format... make sense or just to me, hehehe..
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83/86/pass/2 us lors/2005 grad/citizen
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| rockjock
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Results are in!!!
So I got my results in today - scored pretty much exactly what I was durring practice tests. Im pretty excited, but was hoping for a 99 (thats just pride talking)  All in all I feel that I probobly droped about 2 pts or so since most people here on the forum score a little higher than they do on the NBME's, and I was certainly feeling strong on test day. Like I said though, Im excited, here is the info.
Test Taken May 17th (old form)
Score: 234/98
Prep: Durring off time the previous semester plus 3 weeks. I did all the kaplan videos on triple speed. Also read the physio, path, histo, biochem, and micro BRS and first aid. Discovered Micro made ridiculously easy late in the game, but loved it. Also lightly broused Netter's Clinical Anatomy
Did half of Usmle rx and half of Usmle world scored 71 and 68% respectivly. My opinion is that World teaches you better, but that Rx is the closest approximation to the actual test.
Pretests:
Comp exam - late december 07 - 75 (roughly 212)
NBME 4 = 9 weeks prior 224
NBME 3 = 6 weeks prior 236
NBME 2 = 4 weeks prior 232
USMLE world practice test= 2 weeks prior 236
NBME 6 = one week prior 234
Thats about it - kinda peaked there about 6 weeks prior, but had to finish the semester - so thats my story, thanks for all the support guys
RJ
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| kingsof2005
Forum Senior
Topics: 10
Posts: 110
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congrats!!!!!
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| hitesh
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Topics: 59
Posts: 842
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Congrats man!! you did great... As i was reading down this thread, I was getting a bit anxious ( Got my test next month) ... Relieved to see it all ended fine with you..
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