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- Aug 31, 1999
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Below is recent performance data of DO students taking USMLE at USMLE site. Wondering if anyone cares to comment, particularly on lower scores (than allopathic which are never below 90%) of Step 1 and 2, and the high scores (actually higher than allopathic) of Step 3. Is it reasonable to infer that
a) there is some kind of bias in the test toward allopathic basic science curricula?
b) basic science curricula at DO is not as "aggressive", possibly due to the lower bar set for entering students.
c) basic science (as measured by Step 1 and 2) is just not as emphasized at DO schools.
d) DO schools are just not training their students as hard as allopathic schools.
e) DO students opting to take USMLE may have circumstances that are biasing the results.
f) the extreme differences in sample sizes (e.g. 17,691 allopathic vs 69 osteopathic) does not allow for any of these inferences.
percent passing Step 1
6/98 - 85%
10/98 - 54%
percent passing Step 2
8/97 - 77%
3/98 - 87%
8/98 - 78%
percent passing Step 3
5/98 - 93%
12/98 - 96%
a) there is some kind of bias in the test toward allopathic basic science curricula?
b) basic science curricula at DO is not as "aggressive", possibly due to the lower bar set for entering students.
c) basic science (as measured by Step 1 and 2) is just not as emphasized at DO schools.
d) DO schools are just not training their students as hard as allopathic schools.
e) DO students opting to take USMLE may have circumstances that are biasing the results.
f) the extreme differences in sample sizes (e.g. 17,691 allopathic vs 69 osteopathic) does not allow for any of these inferences.
percent passing Step 1
6/98 - 85%
10/98 - 54%
percent passing Step 2
8/97 - 77%
3/98 - 87%
8/98 - 78%
percent passing Step 3
5/98 - 93%
12/98 - 96%