Posted December 5, 2024

The USMLE Management Committee voted to maintain the current recommended Step 1 minimum passing standard at its December 2024 meeting.

As part of the USMLE program’s operational procedures and in alignment with best practices for licensing and certification exams, a comprehensive review and analysis of the passing standard for each Step exam typically occurs every three years. This process ensures that the passing standard aligns with the expected level of content mastery needed to support effective medical practice and licensure.  

At its meeting, the USMLE Management Committee conducted a review of the Step 1 examination minimum passing standard. During the meeting, the Committee considered information from multiple sources, including:

• Recommendations from independent groups of physicians and educators unaffiliated with the USMLE participating in content-based standard-setting panels in September and October 2024;
• Survey results of various groups (e.g., state licensing representatives, residency program directors, medical school faculty, examinees) concerning the appropriateness of current passing standard for the Step 1 examination;
• Data on trends in examinee performance; and 
• Score precision and its effect on the pass/fail outcome.  

As a result of its review, the USMLE Management Committee voted to maintain the current recommended minimum passing standard.