Announcement News

Review of USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) minimum passing score

5/17/2013 12:00:00 AM

As noted in the USMLE Bulletin of Information, 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 on the USMLE website.

USMLE Step 1 Score Reporting

3/25/2013 12:00:00 AM

Most score reporting of Step 1 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 the week of May 13th. The target date for reporting Step 1 scores for most examinees testing the week of May 13th through late June will be Wednesday, July 10, 2013. For examinees whose circumstances require that they receive Step 1 scores before July 10, it is recommended that they take Step 1 no later than May 10, 2013.

Changes to USMLE procedures for reporting scores - April 1, 2013

12/26/2012 12:00:00 AM

As previously reported, the USMLE program has begun the process of eliminating the reporting of results on the 2-digit score scale to parties other than the examinee and any state licensing authority to which the examinee sends results. This process began on July 1, 2011 with elimination of 2-digit scores from USMLE transcripts reported through ERAS.

The USMLE program will extend this change in reporting to include ALL score recipients (e.g., examinees, state medical boards). This means that scores on the 2-digit scale will no longer be calculated or reported. We expect to eliminate the 2-digit score effective April 1, 2013. This change pertains to the Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 examinations only; Step 2 CS will continue to be reported as pass or fail.

Background

Since its beginning in the 1990s, the USMLE program has reported two numeric scores for the Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 examinations, one on a 3-digit scale and one on a 2-digit scale. The 3-digit score scale is considered the primary reporting scale; it is developed in a manner that allows reasonable comparisons across time. The 2-digit scale is intended to meet statutory requirements of some state medical boards that rely on a score scale that has 75 as the minimum passing score. The process used to convert 3-digit scores to 2-digit scores is designed in such a way that the 3-digit minimum passing score in effect when the examinee tests is associated with a 2-digit score of 75.

The USMLE program requires its governing committees to reevaluate the minimum passing score for each Step every three to four years. This process has, at times, resulted in changes in the minimum passing score, expressed on the 3-digit scale, and an accompanying change in the score conversion process, to ensure that a 2-digit score of 75 is associated with the new minimum passing requirement. A by-product of the adjustment of the score conversion system over time has been a shift in the relationship between the two score scales. This shift has no impact for USMLE score users who use the 3-digit scoring scale or for those using the 2-digit scale with a primary interest in whether the examinee has a passing 2-digit score of at least 75. However, it may create challenges in interpretation for score users who are focusing on 2-digit scores, other than 75, and are doing so for purposes of comparing USMLE scores that span several years.

To eliminate confusion surrounding the 2-digit scale, the USMLE Composite Committee, the governing body of the USMLE program, directed staff to discontinue its reporting.

Clarification on completing the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) patient note

1/2/2013 12:00:00 AM

Changes were introduced to the Step 2 CS examination program in mid-June 2012. These included changes to the patient note that examinees must complete after each standardized patient encounter.

Change in the performance standard of the Step 2 CS examination that will affect examinees testing on or after January 1, 2013

12/21/2012 12:00:00 AM

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 on the USMLE website.

Delay in score reporting for Step 3 in 2013

11/28/2012 12:00:00 AM

Starting the week of February 11, 2013, a transition period will begin in which routine modifications to the items in the exam, including a minor decrease in the number of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in current forms of the Step 3 examination, will occur.

Changes to Step 3 examination in 2013

11/28/2012 12:00:00 AM

As previously announced, changes to the USMLE Step 3 examination are scheduled to take place no earlier than 2014. The redesigned examination will include assessment of "a comprehensive knowledge of both foundational science and clinical medicine," as well as "a demonstration of evidence-based medicine and quantitative reasoning skills important to patient care and to life-long learning."

Test-taking reminders for Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) examinees

11/6/2012 12:00:00 AM

In December 2011 USMLE announced a number of changes to the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) examination program; these were implemented in mid-2012.

It is important for examinees to focus on the specific details of each case when interacting with standardized patients. Their actions should be guided by case details and by the information gathered from the standardized patient and from physical findings. Disregard for details of the case, as well as unfocused history questions or physical examination maneuvers, will likely make it difficult to manage testing time properly and may result in a lower score.

Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) review of minimum passing performance

9/25/2012 12:00:00 AM

The USMLE program recommends a minimum passing level for each Step examination. The USMLE Step Committees are responsible for establishing and monitoring these standards, and are asked to complete an in-depth review of each examination every three to four years.

The 2013 schedule for reporting Step 2 Clinical Skills results is available

6/22/2012 12:00:00 AM

This schedule provides examinees, and others who rely on Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) results, with guidelines regarding when a result will be reported for a given exam date. Click here to view the schedule.

Changes to Biometric Enabled Check-in Program at test centers

6/21/2012 12:00:00 AM

Beginning July 1, 2012, there will be changes in the retention period for biometric information obtained as part of the standard test day procedures for computer-based Step examinations at many Prometric test centers. The changes will allow such information to be stored across USMLE Step exams.

The Biometric Enabled Check-in Program is designed to improve the security and integrity of the testing process. For more detailed information about the Biometric Enabled Check-in Program, including the Privacy Notice for USMLE Candidates, see Biometric Enabled Check-in Frequently Asked Questions.

Attempt limit for USMLE examinations

6/20/2012 12:00:00 AM

Examinees who have made six or more attempts to pass a Step or Step component, including incomplete attempts, should be aware that all applications to register for additional attempts will not be processed unless they are submitted on or before December 31, 2012. This limit was first announced in August of 2011.

Change in Minimum Passing Requirements for Step 2 CK

6/14/2012 12:00:00 AM

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Ruling

4/13/2012 12:00:00 AM

On April 13, 2012, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued its opinion in the matter of Currier v. National Board of Medical Examiners. We are carefully reviewing the court's opinion. The NBME understands the needs of breastfeeding mothers and does not dispute the merits of breastfeeding. Our first priority continues to be protecting the health of the public by ensuring rigorous and consistent standards for assessing the competence of physicians and other healthcare professionals.

Update on planned changes to USMLE Step 3 examination

4/11/2012 12:00:00 AM

The USMLE Composite Committee and USMLE parent organizations (the National Board of Medical Examiners and the Federation of State Medical Boards) recently approved plans to change the structure of USMLE. Step 3 will be the first examination impacted, with changes to this examination to occur no earlier than 2014.

Updated practice and orientation materials for Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) exam have been posted

3/22/2012 12:00:00 AM

As previously announced, a new patient note and redesigned Communication and Interpersonal Skills subcomponent will be introduced into the USMLE Step 2 CS examinations beginning June 17, 2012. Updated practice and orientation materials reflecting these changes have been posted to the USMLE website.

Mid-2012 temporary shutdown of Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) testing; score report delay for examinees testing June 17, 2012 through November 3, 2012

3/22/2012 12:00:00 AM

As previously announced, changes to the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) examination are scheduled for implementation beginning June 17, 2012. As a consequence of the introduction of these changes, exam scheduling and result reporting will be impacted for some individuals.

Changes to the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) examination

12/15/2011 12:00:00 AM

One of the recommendations emerging from the Comprehensive Review of USMLE (CRU) process is that USMLE consider ways to further enhance the testing methods used in the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) examination. As previously announced in the 2012 Bulletin of Information, these enhancements are scheduled for implementation in mid-2012. These changes will be introduced in Step 2 CS for examinations delivered beginning June 17, 2012.

Additional changes to USMLE procedures for reporting scores

10/3/2011 12:00:00 AM

As was reported previously, the USMLE program has begun the process of eliminating the reporting of results on the 2-digit score scale to parties other than the examinee and any state licensing authority to which the examinee sends results.

Because USMLE will continue to report the 2-digit score to examinees and to state licensing authorities, the program will be making changes in scoring procedures to minimize the impact of future shifts in the relationship between 2-digit and 3-digit scores that result from USMLE’s periodic review of standards. The new scoring procedures will be implemented with the reporting of results for examinees who take a Step 1, Step 2 CK, or Step 3 examination on or after October 1, 2011.

USMLE takes action against individuals found to have engaged in irregular behavior

8/3/2011 12:00:00 AM

The USMLE Committee on Irregular Behavior (CIB) meets periodically throughout each year to review cases involving allegations of irregular behavior by applicants and/or examinees. At its June meeting, the CIB heard multiple cases involving the following:

• falsified information, including misrepresentation of educational status
• dissemination of test content, including reconstruction of questions from memory and communication of test material to other examinees
• solicitation of test content, through internet posting and otherwise
• disruptive behavior, e.g., failure to follow proctor’s instructions

Use caution in selecting review courses:

6/29/2011 12:00:00 AM

Orientation, Practice, and Self-Assessment Materials Available through USMLE, NBME, and Third Parties

The United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) program recognizes the importance of providing all examinees the opportunity to learn about the design and content of its examinations and to have some exposure, before examination day, to samples of testing formats and materials. USMLE provides orientation and practice materials for all USMLE Steps and Step Components. These materials, which are available at no cost on the USMLE website, include:

• Informational materials on the overall USMLE program and content descriptions for each of the USMLE examinations,
• Tutorials that illustrate the USMLE Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK), Step 3 multiple-choice question software and the Step 3 computer-based case simulation (Primum® CCS) software,
• Sample multiple-choice test questions with answer keys for each Step,
• Sample Step 3 Primum cases with feedback, and
• Orientation materials for Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS).

Optima test prep sued

3/11/2009 12:00:00 AM

The sponsoring organizations of the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) have filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, alleging copyright infringement by Optima University, a provider of USMLE review courses.

Expressing breast milk during a USMLE examination

10/23/2007 12:00:00 AM

Recent inquiries have prompted the NBME to offer this Q&A (at www.nbme.org) about policies and circumstances that may affect women who wish to express milk during a USMLE examination.