# Stuck at 62–65% on NBMEs

> Three moves for breaking an NBME plateau: Mehlman plus AMBOSS for weak systems, two high-yield PDFs, and the NBME Booster deck.

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## Summary

A three-step fix for students whose NBME scores have sat at 62–65% for weeks. Step 1 closes system-specific knowledge gaps from a new angle: watch the Mehlman Medical videos for the weak system, then do the AMBOSS high-yield concepts for that same system, because the content has already been learned once through First Aid. Step 2 runs the Randy Neil High-Yield PDF and the Mehlman High-Yield Arrows PDF, both linked in University → Files. Step 3, described as the most important, is the NBME Booster deck on the Vault, which pulls high-yield system-by-system points from NBME 20 through NBME 33 — so before taking NBME 29, for example, you drill all systems of forms 20 through 28. The premise is that the NBME recycles itself, so drilling retired forms front-loads the patterns the next form will use.

## Key facts

- Plateau band addressed is 62–65% on NBMEs
- Step 1: Mehlman Medical videos plus AMBOSS high-yield concepts for the weak system
- Step 2: the Randy Neil High-Yield PDF and the Mehlman High-Yield Arrows PDF, found in University → Files
- The two PDFs are credited with at least 10 points of gain on the next NBME for several students
- Step 3: the NBME Booster deck covers high-yield points from NBME 20 through NBME 33 — the past five years of forms
- Worked example: before NBME 29, drill NBME 20 through 28, all systems
- Students in the low 60s have moved past 70% in a single form using the three moves

## Covers

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## Source

USMLE Vault — https://usmlevault.com
Author: Dr. Marish Asudani

Updated: 2026-08-26