Core Step Prep Supports NBME Surgery Form #9
NBME released Surgery Form #9 on May 4, 2026. Core Step Prep’s free score predictor now supports Form #9; Surgery Form #5 was retired on May 4, 2026 but support remains.
Overview
NBME released a new Surgery form on May 4, 2026: **Surgery Form #9**. At the same time, **Surgery Form #5 was retired on May 4, 2026, but support for Form #5 remains**. For students who rely on NBME practice data to guide study decisions, changes like this affect score prediction workflows and the actionable interpretation of shelf performance.
Core Step Prep has updated its free score predictor to support the new Surgery Form #9 so you can continue to translate NBME assessment results into useful study decisions without interruption.
What's New
The headline update is simple and specific: **Core Step Prep’s free USMLE and NBME Clinical Shelf score predictor now supports NBME Surgery Form #9**.
Because NBME changed its Surgery form lineup on May 4, 2026, two immediate facts matter:
- **A new form is available:** Surgery Form #9 (released May 4, 2026).
- **One form was retired:** Surgery Form #5 was retired on May 4, 2026 — however, support for Form #5 remains available in Core Step Prep.
This means students taking the newest Surgery form can continue to use the score predictor as part of their shelf and Step 2 CK preparation workflow without waiting for a later platform update.
Here is the exact NBME-related information provided in this update:
A new Surgery Form (#9) was released on May 4, 2026. Surgery Form #5 was retired on May 4, 2026, but support for Form #5 remains.
From a study-planning standpoint, the practical implications are straightforward: the predictor is current, and retiring a form does not immediately remove its utility from comparative data if support is retained.
Who It Helps
This update is particularly relevant for learners using NBME Surgery assessments as part of a structured preparation plan.
Medical students preparing for Surgery shelf exams
If you use NBME Surgery forms to benchmark progress on your surgery rotation or to estimate readiness for Step 2 CK, support for Form #9 means you can keep your existing workflow and historical comparisons intact.
Students building a broader Step 2 CK strategy
Shelf performance informs Step 2 CK planning. The updated predictor allows you to fold Surgery Form #9 results into the same prediction framework you use for other clinical shelf results, question bank metrics, and comprehensive assessments.
Learners aiming for stronger rotation performance
If your goal is to maximize clinical honors and translate shelf performance into actionable improvements, having timely support for the newest Surgery form reduces friction between taking an NBME and acting on the result.
NP, PA, RN, and pre-med learners
Core Step Prep also points non-USMLE learners to Core Test Prep resources. Track-specific qbanks and offers can still be used where relevant.
Key Details
Below is a concise summary of the announcement and related resources referenced in this post.
| Resource or Update | What to Know | |---|---| | NBME Surgery Form #9 | New Surgery form released on May 4, 2026. | | Surgery Form #5 | Retired on May 4, 2026; support remains available. | | Core Step Prep score predictor | The free score predictor now supports Surgery Form #9 (and continues to support Form #5). | | Step 2 CK qbank | Core Step Prep study resources can be paired with shelf data for targeted practice. | | CSPCE | Can be used alongside NBME assessments and the qbank for exam prep. | | CSPCE Form 1 | Available for free for USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 CK (as previously noted). | | Core Test Prep offer | NP, PA, RN, and pre-med learners can pick the qbank for their track and use promo code **C0R3T35TPR3P01YR** for **1 year of free access**; **sign up required before May 31, 2026**. |
Sign-up and access links
- Free USMLE and NBME Clinical Shelf score predictor: https://corestepprep.com/#/score-predictor
- Additional resources for NP, PA, RN, and pre-med learners: https://coretestprep.com/
How to Use
Here’s a practical, step-by-step way to fold this update into your study workflow.
Step 1: Note which Surgery form you took
When you review your shelf results, confirm whether you took Surgery Form #9 or an earlier form (including Form #5). Record the form number so your results are interpreted correctly in the predictor.
Step 2: Understand support for retired forms
Although Surgery Form #5 was retired on May 4, 2026, Core Step Prep continues to support it. That means historical Form #5 results remain usable for comparisons and longer-term progress tracking.
Step 3: Use the updated Core Step Prep score predictor
Once you have your NBME result, put the score into the free predictor to translate shelf performance into an estimated standing relative to Step 2 CK goals and rotation targets.
Step 4: Pair prediction with targeted practice
Use predictor output to prioritize weak topics in your qbank practice. Pair the predictor with active question practice and the broader study plan you are already using.
Step 5: Combine multiple data points
Strengthen your preparation by combining surgery shelf results with other NBME assessments, qbank performance, and CSPCE results to create a clear, prioritized study schedule.
Step 6: Share the right resource with peers
If you advise classmates who aren’t on the USMLE track, point them to Core Test Prep for track-specific qbanks and the promo code **C0R3T35TPR3P01YR** (sign-up required before May 31, 2026).
Key Takeaways
- **NBME released Surgery Form #9 on May 4, 2026**, and **Surgery Form #5 was retired on May 4, 2026, but support remains**.
- **Core Step Prep’s free score predictor now supports Surgery Form #9**, so you can continue using up-to-date NBME data for study decisions.
- Keep track of which form you took and fold predictor output into targeted qbank practice and CSPCE-based planning.
- Retired forms with maintained support still provide valuable longitudinal comparisons for study planning.
Tags: surgery, NBME, score-predictor, Step2CK, clinical-shelf