has anyone ever protested a USMLE score??

[coconutlime]

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my fiancee just failed step III by 1 point. i know this is the step I forum, but it's basically the same concept, and this one gets more traffic. anyway, has anyone ever tried to contest a score? what was the outcome?

thanks.

 

[SoCuteMD]

I'm sure people have tried, I doubt anyone's been successful - especially in the day of computer-based testing. The score algorithm for the USMLE is maintained at the security level of missile launch codes (or so it would seem). How would one go about contesting a failing score when you don't even know the scoring criteria?

You fiancee's efforts would probably best be directed at studying for the retake.

 

[Law2Doc]

my fiancee just failed step III by 1 point. i know this is the step I forum, but it's basically the same concept, and this one gets more traffic. anyway, has anyone ever tried to contest a score? what was the outcome?

thanks.

There were a few threads on this a while back. For a decent fee the NBME people are apparently happy to run their calculation program again and send you a letter indicating that nothing has changed. Someone in another thread claimed they contacted someone at the NBME, who said that he's actually never seen anyone get a different result, but they are happy to let you spin that wheel. I think back in the day of number 2 pencils and dimpled chads, there was, in fact, a chance to get a few points on a rescore. Now that it is all computerized the chances are basically nil. So the fee they charge is akin to kicking someone when they are down.