CBSE Score for 6 year OMFS

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I know there are many other aspects to an application other than just the CBSE score. But in general, what is a good CBSE score for a 6 year program that gives you a good chance of getting an interview and ultimately matching assuming that everything else on your application is pretty good and you aren't a complete weirdo during your interview.
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It's not just about the score. PDs are looking for all sorts of things. They don't want to interview an anti-social brainiac. But I get your question, we all wondered about it during the process. Totally subjective, but here you go...

<64(185): Retake the exam. This is a failing Step 1 score. May be possible to match with non-cat year(s) or with some extraordinary application.

64-68(185-195): This is still a failing Step 1 score. It may be possible to match to a program if you apply VERY broadly, but you will probably need a non-categorical intern year. Most people would still retake with this score. The chances for a 6-year interview are pretty slim with this score unless you've been a non-cat.

68-74(195-210): This is a passing Step 1 score. Matching is definitely feasible, but you should apply broadly to be safe. You will not get most interviews. 71 is the mean CBSE of matched residents.

74-80 (210-225): You have a good shot at matching, but there’s no guarantee. You may get around 25-50% of your interviews if the rest of your app is solid.

80-84 (225-235): Average medical student score. You will get a majority of interviews (assuming solid app otherwise).

84-90 (235-250): Exceptional. You will get most interviews (assuming solid app otherwise).

90+ (250+): 1-5 people have this score per cycle. A score this high might actually raise some eyebrows (in a bad way). Any score beyond 80 or 85, it really doesn't make a difference.
 
Ivy.ch said:
It's not just about the score. PDs are looking for all sorts of things. They don't want to interview an anti-social brainiac. But I get your question, we all wondered about it during the process. Totally subjective, but here you go...

<64(185): Retake the exam. This is a failing Step 1 score. May be possible to match with non-cat year(s) or with some extraordinary application.

64-68(185-195): This is still a failing Step 1 score. It may be possible to match to a program if you apply VERY broadly, but you will probably need a non-categorical intern year. Most people would still retake with this score. The chances for a 6-year interview are pretty slim with this score unless you've been a non-cat.

68-74(195-210): This is a passing Step 1 score. Matching is definitely feasible, but you should apply broadly to be safe. You will not get most interviews. 71 is the mean CBSE of matched residents.

74-80 (210-225): You have a good shot at matching, but there’s no guarantee. You may get around 25-50% of your interviews if the rest of your app is solid.

80-84 (225-235): Average medical student score. You will get a majority of interviews (assuming solid app otherwise).

84-90 (235-250): Exceptional. You will get most interviews (assuming solid app otherwise).

90+ (250+): 1-5 people have this score per cycle. A score this high might actually raise some eyebrows (in a bad way). Any score beyond 80 or 85, it really doesn't make a difference.
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Tend to agree with this. 4 years included.
 
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Ramses07 said:
If I’m not mistaken, a study was published that said four year programs had an overall mean of 63 or 65
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I saw that study, it was taken from 2 years ago, matched scores and # of applicants have gone up drastically since then. Especially this year saw drastic increases in matriculant scores.

In 2018, 382 applicants applied for 223 spots. This year saw 493 applicants. A 63/64 would have gotten you interviews before. This year the vast majority of 4 year applicants had over a 70. I personally applied to both and attained many more 6 year interviews than 4. This is also due to the fact that many 4 year programs favor nonfat's.

Don't set yourself up for failure. People are retaking this exam with low 70's.
 
bergus95 said:
I saw that study, it was taken from 2 years ago, matched scores and # of applicants have gone up drastically since then. Especially this year saw drastic increases in matriculant scores.

In 2018, 382 applicants applied for 223 spots. This year saw 493 applicants. A 63/64 would have gotten you interviews before. This year the vast majority of 4 year applicants had over a 70. I personally applied to both and attained many more 6 year interviews than 4. This is also due to the fact that many 4 year programs favor nonfat's.

Don't set yourself up for failure. People are retaking this exam with low 70's.
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Where are you getting this stat from that most 4 year applicants were over 70+?

I know averages are increasing every year and so are applicants.

I also understand that SDN is a meeting place of outliers.

But this kinda feels like when SDNers telling predents to retake 22+ on their DAT.
 
Ramses07 said:
If I’m not mistaken, a study was published that said four year programs had an overall mean of 63 or 65
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My guess would be that 4-year programs tend to take non-cats since they have much more experience, but who as a group, tend to have lower CBSE scores. I’d be curious to hear the mean/median CBSE of D4s who match straight to 4-year programs. My guess would be higher than 63 or 65.
 
Ivy.ch said:
My guess would be that 4-year programs tend to take non-cats since they have much more experience, but who as a group, tend to have lower CBSE scores. I’d be curious to hear the mean/median CBSE of D4s who match straight to 4-year programs. My guess would be higher than 63 or 65.
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Having just gone through interviews this year at 4 year programs, I would agree with this statement.
 
Ramses07 said:
Where are you getting this stat from that most 4 year applicants were over 70+?

I know averages are increasing every year and so are applicants.

I also understand that SDN is a meeting place of outliers.

But this kinda feels like when SDNers telling predents to retake 22+ on their DAT.
Click to expand...
Ivy.ch said:
My guess would be that 4-year programs tend to take non-cats since they have much more experience, but who as a group, tend to have lower CBSE scores. I’d be curious to hear the mean/median CBSE of D4s who match straight to 4-year programs. My guess would be higher than 63 or 65.
Click to expand...
The only program to give me stats this year in their interview invite letter was Highland Hospital.

Their letter mentioned: 156 applicants, median CBSE of applicants was 194 (this includes all the applicants who have done noncats), the top 20% of those applicants were invited for 3 spots, so my guess is that the mean invited applicant scored over a 70.

The average program I interviewed at this year had over 250 applicants for less than 3 spots.
 
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Me and my future co resident are both 70+ cbse - 4 yr program. I scored 220 and was only receiving 30% invites. I felt the rest of my application was solid and received a lot of compliments during interviews about it. I just got the feeling the applicant pool has raised the bar lately. Lots of super sharp applicants out there. I feel lucky to have matched.
 
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Ivy.ch said:
It's not just about the score. PDs are looking for all sorts of things. They don't want to interview an anti-social brainiac. But I get your question, we all wondered about it during the process. Totally subjective, but here you go...

<64(185): Retake the exam. This is a failing Step 1 score. May be possible to match with non-cat year(s) or with some extraordinary application.

64-68(185-195): This is still a failing Step 1 score. It may be possible to match to a program if you apply VERY broadly, but you will probably need a non-categorical intern year. Most people would still retake with this score. The chances for a 6-year interview are pretty slim with this score unless you've been a non-cat.

68-74(195-210): This is a passing Step 1 score. Matching is definitely feasible, but you should apply broadly to be safe. You will not get most interviews. 71 is the mean CBSE of matched residents.

74-80 (210-225): You have a good shot at matching, but there’s no guarantee. You may get around 25-50% of your interviews if the rest of your app is solid.

80-84 (225-235): Average medical student score. You will get a majority of interviews (assuming solid app otherwise).

84-90 (235-250): Exceptional. You will get most interviews (assuming solid app otherwise).

90+ (250+): 1-5 people have this score per cycle. A score this high might actually raise some eyebrows (in a bad way). Any score beyond 80 or 85, it really doesn't make a difference.
Click to expand...
I scored a 73 EPC (77 conversion). Im a D3 at UPenn with a 4.00. I jsut started getting into research. My program director here told me not to retake it, and to focus on research and extracurriculars now as it might be "diminishing returns"...But im reading stuff like this online. I'd love your input from this a few years later than it's initial posting.

Thank you so much for your time - I greatly appreciate it!
 
PurringTurtle said:
I scored a 73 EPC (77 conversion). Im a D3 at UPenn with a 4.00. I jsut started getting into research. My program director here told me not to retake it, and to focus on research and extracurriculars now as it might be "diminishing returns"...But im reading stuff like this online. I'd love your input from this a few years later than it's initial posting.

Thank you so much for your time - I greatly appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Your score is great, don’t take the exam again. Just work on your interviewing skills.
 
Ivy.ch said:
It's not just about the score. PDs are looking for all sorts of things. They don't want to interview an anti-social brainiac. But I get your question, we all wondered about it during the process. Totally subjective, but here you go...

<64(185): Retake the exam. This is a failing Step 1 score. May be possible to match with non-cat year(s) or with some extraordinary application.

64-68(185-195): This is still a failing Step 1 score. It may be possible to match to a program if you apply VERY broadly, but you will probably need a non-categorical intern year. Most people would still retake with this score. The chances for a 6-year interview are pretty slim with this score unless you've been a non-cat.

68-74(195-210): This is a passing Step 1 score. Matching is definitely feasible, but you should apply broadly to be safe. You will not get most interviews. 71 is the mean CBSE of matched residents.

74-80 (210-225): You have a good shot at matching, but there’s no guarantee. You may get around 25-50% of your interviews if the rest of your app is solid.

80-84 (225-235): Average medical student score. You will get a majority of interviews (assuming solid app otherwise).

84-90 (235-250): Exceptional. You will get most interviews (assuming solid app otherwise).

90+ (250+): 1-5 people have this score per cycle. A score this high might actually raise some eyebrows (in a bad way). Any score beyond 80 or 85, it really doesn't make a difference.
Click to expand...
Just so everyone puts into context. This is based off the old scoring system. A 62 EPC puts you at passing now which is the old 69. The jump is huge in the 60 EPCs but then levels out as you go higher.
 
Do programs take the conversion into account? Or just see 70 EPC and look at it the same as 70 old score?
 
no they look at EPC. They aren’t converting 70 EPC to a 70 old score. They’re different. 66 EPC = 204 on step 1 = passing step 1. Therefore you get 66+ EPC 6 year programs will know you can pass step 1 and so that’s the cutoff for a lot of 6 year programs
 
Masterus said:
Just so everyone puts into context. This is based off the old scoring system. A 62 EPC puts you at passing now which is the old 69. The jump is huge in the 60 EPCs but then levels out as you go higher.
Click to expand...
I believe step 1 passing score is now 204 which is 66 EPC, not 62 EPC
 
odontogenesis said:
no they look at EPC. They aren’t converting 70 EPC to a 70 old score. They’re different. 66 EPC = 204 on step 1 = passing step 1. Therefore you get 66+ EPC 6 year programs will know you can pass step 1 and so that’s the cutoff for a lot of 6 year programs
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I think step 1 passing is a 196? feels low but thats according to their website?
not applying till next year but i think above a 70 epc is where returns begin to diminish, from what I've heard

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teeth! said:
I think step 1 passing is a 196? feels low but thats according to their website?
not applying till next year but i think above a 70 epc is where returns begin to diminish, from what I've heard

Examination Results and Scoring | USMLE

Find guidance on understanding your score report, view sample reports, and learn when your score will be available after completing your exam.
www.usmle.org www.usmle.org
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what do you mean returns begin to diminish?
 
teeth! said:
I think step 1 passing is a 196? feels low but thats according to their website?
not applying till next year but i think above a 70 epc is where returns begin to diminish, from what I've heard

Examination Results and Scoring | USMLE

Find guidance on understanding your score report, view sample reports, and learn when your score will be available after completing your exam.
www.usmle.org www.usmle.org
Click to expand...
On the old 3 digit scale 196 was a passing score. Since it’s gone P/F now the new “passing” score is >204
 
0bliqueridge said:
Maybe this is generally true, but if you have your eye set on specific, particularly competetive programs I would shoot as high as possible.

NYU and Rutgers residents frequently have scores of 90+ for example
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Definitely true, I was speaking in general
 
Ivy.ch said:
90+ (250+): 1-5 people have this score per cycle. A score this high might actually raise some eyebrows (in a bad way). Any score beyond 80 or 85, it really doesn't make a difference.
Click to expand...

I know Ivy.ch posted this 3 years ago, but why would a very high score raise eyebrows in a bad way?
 
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