Announcements

In addition to the individual announcements below, you can also click here to open or close all announcements on this page.

Change in Minimum Passing Requirements for Step 1

As stated in the USMLE Bulletin of Information and as explained in a previous posting to the USMLE website, the level of proficiency required to meet the recommended minimum passing level for each USMLE Step examination is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted at any time. Notice of such review and any adjustments are posted at the USMLE website.
Posted December 10, 2009 [–] Click HERE to close answers

At its December 2009 meeting, the Step 1 Committee conducted such a review for USMLE Step 1. During the meeting, the Step 1 Committee considered information from multiple sources, including: 1) results of content-based standard setting exercises conducted with three independent groups of physicians in 2009; 2) results of surveys of various groups (e.g., state licensing representatives, medical school faculty, samples of examinees) concerning the appropriateness of current pass/fail standards for Step examinations; 3) trends in examinee performance; and 4) score precision and its effect on the pass/fail decision.

As a result of its review, the Step 1 Committee decided to raise the three-digit score recommended to pass Step 1 from 185 to 188. The new minimum passing score will be applied to Step 1 examinations for which the first day of testing is on or after January 1, 2010. 
 



Delay in USMLE Step 2 CK Score Reporting

Most score reporting of Step 2 CK results occurs within four weeks of testing.  However, because of necessary modifications to the test item pool, there will be a delay in reporting for some examinees testing beginning in mid-August 2010. The target date for reporting Step 2 CK scores for most examinees testing from August 12 through mid-September will be Wednesday, October 6, 2010. 

It is possible that scores will be available earlier than this date; please check this website for updates.
Posted June 29, 2010


Change in Minimum Passing Requirements for Step 2 CK

As stated in the USMLE Bulletin of Information and as explained in a previous posting to the USMLE website, the level of proficiency required to meet the recommended minimum passing level for each USMLE Step examination is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted at any time. Notice of the review and any resulting adjustments are posted at the USMLE website.
Posted June 17, 2010 [–] Click HERE to close answers

At its June 2010 meeting, the Step 2 Committee conducted a review of minimum passing requirements for Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK). During the meeting, the Step 2 Committee considered information from multiple sources, including: 1) results of content-based standard setting exercises conducted in 2010 with two independent groups of physicians; 2) results of surveys of various groups (e.g., state licensing representatives, medical school faculty, samples of examinees) concerning the appropriateness of current pass/fail standards for Step examinations; 3) trends in examinee performance; and 4) score precision and its effect on the pass/fail decision.

As a result of its review, the Step 2 Committee decided to raise the three-digit score recommended to pass Step 2 CK from 184 to 189. In addition, the Committee decided to closely monitor performance trends in the coming year and to re-examine minimum passing requirements in 2011.  

The new minimum passing score will be applied to Step 2 CK examinations for which the first day of testing is on or after July 1, 2010.



Expanded Testing Capacity at Philadelphia CSEC Center Beginning in July 2010

Beginning in July 2010, the Philadelphia Clinical Skills Evaluation Collaboration (CSEC) Center will have expanded capacity to deliver Step 2 CS examinations.  Additional testing sessions will be held in an adjacent building located at 3700 Market Street.   Examinees who schedule a testing appointment at the Philadelphia CSEC Center will be assigned to either the existing or new location.  The confirmation notice that examinees receive after scheduling will indicate to which address the examinee should report for his/her testing session. 
Posted May 05, 2010 [–] Click HERE to close answers

The confirmation notice will read either:

Test Center:    Philadelphia 3624
Test Center Address: 

Science Center
3624 Market Street, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104
USA

OR

Test Center:    Philadelphia 3700
Test Center Address: 

3700 Market Street, 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104
USA



Important announcement regarding Fifth Pathway certificates and USMLE Step 3

The USMLE program will cease acceptance of Fifth Pathway certificates for the purpose of meeting Step 3 eligibility requirements, effective January 1, 2017. Individuals who hold valid Fifth Pathway certificates, and are otherwise eligible, may use their Fifth Pathway certificates to meet Step 3 eligibility requirements, and may apply for Step 3, through December 31, 2016.


<< Previous | Next >>