Attempt in USMLE really matters????

[USMLE1DOC]

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Hi,

I wanted to seek the advice of senior members in this forum.
I could not pass step1 two years back when I was in 3rd year of medical school. Now after completion of of med school I wonder if i should prefer step2 or step1 first?????
Is there any disadvantage of having a previous attempt in any steps if the later scores are good? Say fail in 1st attempt and then >90 in second attempt.
In short what is important? -good scores with an attempt or average score without one........

Kindly reply

 

[USMLE1DOC]

come on guys! pls give your inputs on this question.
Many students who went though this stage would be benefited by your inputs.

 

[Bevo]

the number of attempts matter a lot. Some programs will not even look at the 2nd score if the first score is a fail.

Some states, like alaska, I believe require that you pass each step on the first attempt to get licensure to practice there.

Its really based on each individual program and each state. I dont know how many times you took step 1 in 3rd year. I just know that evidence doesn't really support you going from a failing score to a 90+ on the next attempt.

Remember you've been out of the basic sciences lfor awhile now, had issues with it before. Its very difficult to get that level of knowledge in short a short time.

Honestly, worry about step 1 first. Step 2 won't mean anything if you struggle to get past Step 1. Also remember you have to have passed all the usmles within a 7 year period if not the scores dont matter anymore

 

[Shah_Patel_PT]

Hi,

I wanted to seek the advice of senior members in this forum.
I could not pass step1 two years back when I was in 3rd year of medical school. Now after completion of of med school I wonder if i should prefer step2 or step1 first?????
Is there any disadvantage of having a previous attempt in any steps if the later scores are good? Say fail in 1st attempt and then >90 in second attempt.
In short what is important? -good scores with an attempt or average score without one........

Kindly reply

The number of attempts is actually one of the screening criteria that PD can select even before looking at your ERAS application.

As posted above, some programs will not even consider you for their program.

I am assuming you are a US grad....you should be fine....

 

[goldengate]

I am in a similar situation as you, perhaps worse. The ideal USMLE transcript would show passing results on each exam on the 1st attempt. That, I believe, is the 1st priority. I am now going into my Xth attempt on Step 2 CK and w/ a 182/75 on Step 1, I wonder what specialties would still consider me at all. Namely, Psych, Neuro, IM, Peds, FP. Which of these are still realistic to match in? I fear the worst. Any constructive advice much appreciated.

 

[njbmd]

Hi,

I wanted to seek the advice of senior members in this forum.
I could not pass step1 two years back when I was in 3rd year of medical school. Now after completion of of med school I wonder if i should prefer step2 or step1 first?????
Is there any disadvantage of having a previous attempt in any steps if the later scores are good? Say fail in 1st attempt and then >90 in second attempt.
In short what is important? -good scores with an attempt or average score without one........

Kindly reply

Hi there,
Here is how my Program Director looks as "attempts" on USMLE. If you fail USMLE on your first attempt, he treats your second automatically as the pass minimum should you pass on the second attempt. Even if you score a 260 on your second UMSLE Step I attempt, he sees your second score as a minimum pass. While a good Step II score on the first attempt can help your cause if your Step I score is poor, it does not erase a poor Step I. Is my program director's approach to USMLE Step I universal? I don't know but that's how he evaluates applicants to my residency program.

njbmd 🙂

 

[cjw0918]

You can check the State Federation of Medical Boards' website for specifics on initial licensure per state. Some states are more strict than others regarding how many tries you have for each attempt of USMLE. Alaska is one of the stricter states, but I don't think it's as strict as Bevo mentioned. Check states to be sure. Good luck.