I can retake step 1 (didn't fail)

[SecondBestDoctorEver]

Hey everyone,

US MD student here, I took step 1, did alright, got a 231.

Had a pretty bad test day. Won't get into it. Went through all of the hoops and now NBME will let me retake it.

However should I retake it?

Pros to retaking it
I absolutely think I can do better - I have honored everything, this is the only average test I have taken in my life. I imagine I could get in low 240s pretty easy. (didn't open first aid or start studying for Step 1 until 1 month before)
I don't know if I am interested in surgery, but if I am, a retake might help

Pros to NOT retaking it
NBME sent me a letter which I can forward to residencies explaining what happened test day. Maybe if I knock step 2 out of the park then they'll put less emphasis on step 1. I think my score is good enough to get through most screening systems.
Although I could change my mind, I am leaning more towards a primary care field - Family medicine, ER. Which my score is plenty good for.
Most importantly I won't have to spend another month studying while I'm in the middle of my M3 year.

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[Mad Jack]

If you perform worse on your step 1 the second time around, it will be a red flag, just keep that in mind.

 

[Osteoth]

Wait so how do you get an ok to retake a test?

 

[Rekt]

You'd be dumb to retake it. Even if you got a higher score, if I was a PD, I'd really question your judgement of bothering to take it again, especially since you're not even applying to heavily competitive specialties. It's not like you're a DO or IMG. US-MD with a 231 is fine, the average was even 228 this year. Your other grades and honors, etc will speak for themselves. Just crush your step 2 if you know you can do better (which EM loves anyway).

 

[sunnysnow7]

Out of curiosity, how does one go about getting permission to re-take Step 1?

Thanks!

PS -- FWIW, I don't think you should retake it with that score. However, I can appreciate your frustration and certainly understand why you might want to give it a second go if you had a terrible test day.

 

[jw3600]

Do you have time to study and retake it?

 

[SecondBestDoctorEver]

If you perform worse on your step 1 the second time around, it will be a red flag, just keep that in mind.

Lots of misconceptions here. If I decide to retake, then my original score will be completely erased from the record. No one will ever know whether I did better or worse besides me.

Out of curiosity, how does one go about getting permission to re-take Step 1?

Thanks!

PS -- FWIW, I don't think you should retake it with that score. However, I can appreciate your frustration and certainly understand why you might want to give it a second go if you had a terrible test day.

Something goes wrong during test day. You write an email to NBME w/in 10 days of your exam, someone from there team will review it - Marian Proctor is the name, which I assume is an alias.
She will write you back with her decision - for me she told me nothing could be done.
I appealed that decision to an independent commission.
They told me I could retake it and would have 2 weeks to decide.

You'd be dumb to retake it. Even if you got a higher score, if I was a PD, I'd really question your judgement of bothering to take it again, especially since you're not even applying to heavily competitive specialties. It's not like you're a DO or IMG. US-MD with a 231 is fine, the average was even 228 this year. Your other grades and honors, etc will speak for themselves. Just crush your step 2 if you know you can do better (which EM loves anyway).

Good point. However its not just about getting in to a specialty. Step 1 could also affect where I live for several years.

 

[Mad Jack]

Lots of misconceptions here. If I decide to retake, then my original score will be completely erased from the record. No one will ever know whether I did better or worse besides me.



Something goes wrong during test day. You write an email to NBME w/in 10 days of your exam, someone from there team will review it - Marian Proctor is the name, which I assume is an alias.
She will write you back with her decision - for me she told me nothing could be done.
I appealed that decision to an independent commission.
They told me I could retake it and would have 2 weeks to decide.



Good point. However its not just about getting in to a specialty. Step 1 could also affect where I live for several years.

If wasn't able to see your original score, I'd red flag you from the start, similar to people who get accommodations on the MCAT. Too much of an unknown quantity. I'd tag some PDs from your specialties of interest if I were you, only they can tell you how it would be received.

 

[SecondBestDoctorEver]

If wasn't able to see your original score, I'd red flag you from the start, similar to people who get accommodations on the MCAT. Too much of an unknown quantity. I'd tag some PDs from your specialties of interest if I were you, only they can tell you how it would be received.

My impression from NBMEs response was that they wouldn't even be able to see that a test had ever been taken. What accommodations are you referring to? A later test date than normal?

Thank you for the advice though. I will definitely will contact some PDs

 

[Mad Jack]

My impression from NBMEs response was that they wouldn't even be able to see that a test had ever been taken. What accommodations are you referring to? A later test date than normal?

Thank you for the advice though. I will definitely will contact some PDs

I've never heard of a retake being offered, but find it highly unlikely that they would show no record should they occur, as the only people permitted to retake are those that are 7 years out or more and their scores are visible. I actually reached out to the NBME, and was assured that retakes of passed exams are not offered under any circumstances aside from licensure issues. The only possible way to retake is if you are attempting to meet state licensure requirements but have an exam that is expired or will be expired by the time you graduate from a US medical school. In the case of test center issues, exams can be cancelled prior to scoring under extenuating circumstances (technical errors and the like that prevent completion in a proper manner), but not scored and retaken.

 

[SecondBestDoctorEver]

I've never heard of a retake being offered, but find it highly unlikely that they would show no record should they occur, as the only people permitted to retake are those that are 7 years out or more and their scores are visible. I actually reached out to the NBME, and was assured that retakes of passed exams are not offered under any circumstances aside from licensure issues. The only possible way to retake is if you are attempting to meet state licensure requirements but have an exam that is expired or will be expired by the time you graduate from a US medical school. In the case of test center issues, exams can be cancelled prior to scoring under extenuating circumstances (technical errors and the like that prevent completion in a proper manner), but not scored and retaken.

I can assure you that they are allowing me to retake it. I would attach more information for proof but a lot of it contains personal info. I was under some very extenuating circumstances - even though I completed the exam. The appeal process is at least 40 days - the reason is because they were updating the questions. Perhaps, they would not of scored it had the appeal process been shorter. I know this is a pretty rare event which is why I do not want to waste this opportunity.

 

[Mad Jack]

I can assure you that they are allowing me to retake it. I would attach more information for proof but a lot of it contains personal info. I was under some very extenuating circumstances - even though I completed the exam. The appeal process is at least 40 days - the reason is because they were updating the questions. Perhaps, they would not of scored it had the appeal process been shorter. I know this is a pretty rare event which is why I do not want to waste this opportunity.

I find your claims quite doubtful. So far as I know, no official appeal process even exists. I'll get back to this thread after I get official communication from the NBME.

 

[SecondBestDoctorEver]

I find your claims quite doubtful. So far as I know, no official appeal process even exists. I'll get back to this thread after I get official communication from the NBME.

Here is the gist of it

□ Option 1. I accept my Step 1 score. I understand that this score will remain a permanent part of my USMLE score record and will be reported on my USMLE transcript. In choosing Option 1, I recognize that I will have no later opportunity to call into question the reported USMLE Step 1 score or to have it removed from my USMLE record.

□ Option 2. I wish to cancel my Step 1 score. I recognize that by selecting this option and sending this signed from to NBME, my Step 1 score will be permanently removed from my record and that any third party to who this score has been reported will be notified of its cancellation. I am aware that by choosing this option, the score from the **** attempt cannot be restored to my record, ever, even if I do not retake USMLE Step 1. I am aware that this option carries with it the opportunity to retake USMLE Step 1, if I meet the USMLE Step 1 eligibility requirements.

 

[SecondBestDoctorEver]

I find your claims quite doubtful. So far as I know, no official appeal process even exists. I'll get back to this thread after I get official communication from the NBME.

Not that I am trying to prove you wrong. I only say this in hope that if some future medical student faces issues then they will know there are options.

Here is the website for step 1: United States Medical Licensing Examination | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

On it you can find how to start the appeal process:

To report test day issues, such as computer problems or not completing your exam (for any reason), send a written description of the incident to Test AdministrationS ervices at [email protected] or by fax to (215) 590-9457. Test Administration Services must receive your notice within 10 days of your testing date or it may not be possible to investigate your concerns.

Your correspondence should include your name, your USMLE ID number, the examination name (Step 1, 2 CK, 2 CS, or 3), date of administration, and a detailed description of the difficulty experienced or the reason you decided not to finish the examination.

Please allow at least 15 business days for your report to be investigated and evaluated. You will receive written notification of the investigation results.

If you wish to appeal the results of the investigation, you may submit a written statement to the above office within 10 days of the date of the correspondence containing the results of the investigation. Please include a detailed explanation of the basis for your appeal. A group of senior staff will review the matter. Please be advised that the appeal process can take at least four weeks to complete and may not result in a change to the original decision.

 

[Mad Jack]

Not that I am trying to prove you wrong. I only say this in hope that if some future medical student faces issues then they will know there are options.

Here is the website for step 1: United States Medical Licensing Examination | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

On it you can find how to start the appeal process:

To report test day issues, such as computer problems or not completing your exam (for any reason), send a written description of the incident to Test AdministrationS ervices at [email protected] or by fax to (215) 590-9457. Test Administration Services must receive your notice within 10 days of your testing date or it may not be possible to investigate your concerns.

Your correspondence should include your name, your USMLE ID number, the examination name (Step 1, 2 CK, 2 CS, or 3), date of administration, and a detailed description of the difficulty experienced or the reason you decided not to finish the examination.

Please allow at least 15 business days for your report to be investigated and evaluated. You will receive written notification of the investigation results.

If you wish to appeal the results of the investigation, you may submit a written statement to the above office within 10 days of the date of the correspondence containing the results of the investigation. Please include a detailed explanation of the basis for your appeal. A group of senior staff will review the matter. Please be advised that the appeal process can take at least four weeks to complete and may not result in a change to the original decision.

Test issues are another matter, as I mentioned- if you had test day issues that were related to equipment or staff or whatever, that is a legitimate cause for voiding an exam. I've just never seen it done with a passing exam, and I'd also assumed your issues were non-center related.

If the exam is being voided, and you feel confident, just retake I guess. Be aware that you could do worse, however.

 

[SecondBestDoctorEver]

Test issues are another matter, as I mentioned- if you had test day issues that were related to equipment or staff or whatever, that is a legitimate cause for voiding an exam. I've just never seen it done with a passing exam, and I'd also assumed your issues were non-center related.

If the exam is being voided, and you feel confident, just retake I guess. Be aware that you could do worse, however.

No they were center related, and were technical issues. Your right! I do feel confident but I've learned that anything can wrong on test day and I could do worse. As mentioned, they gave me a letter basically addressing how my score has an asterisk next to it and acknowledging the mistakes. Ideally, I hope that will encourage program directors to place more emphasis on Step 2 which I believe I can score higher on because it is less competitive.

 

[Osteoth]

Lots of misconceptions here. If I decide to retake, then my original score will be completely erased from the record. No one will ever know whether I did better or worse besides me.

Good point. However its not just about getting in to a specialty. Step 1 could also affect where I live for several years.

Very true point that is often overlooked.

No they were center related, and were technical issues. Your right! I do feel confident but I've learned that anything can wrong on test day and I could do worse. As mentioned, they gave me a letter basically addressing how my score has an asterisk next to it and acknowledging the mistakes. Ideally, I hope that will encourage program directors to place more emphasis on Step 2 which I believe I can score higher on because it is less competitive.

I actually had a friend going through a situation with their STEP1 that would have either required an asterisk with a lower score or taking time off to take care of some personal issues.

The most salient point that she mentioned to me was this: How often when reading something and you come to an asterisk do you actually go to the index and read what the asterisk means? I know I damn well can't say that I do.

Now imagine instead of a one-off article or a leisure reading book you're going through 500 applications for 6 spots or something ungodly that PDs are charged with sifting through. Would you go through and look at the asterisk? I know what my answer would be.

 

[Dare2Dream]

Very true point that is often overlooked.

I actually had a friend going through a situation with their STEP1 that would have either required an asterisk with a lower score or taking time off to take care of some personal issues.

The most salient point that she mentioned to me was this: How often when reading something and you come to an asterisk do you actually go to the index and read what the asterisk means? I know I damn well can't say that I do.

Now imagine instead of a one-off article or a leisure reading book you're going through 500 applications for 6 spots or something ungodly that PDs are charged with sifting through. Would you go through and look at the asterisk? I know what my answer would be.

Not to mention, whether true or not, i've seen it posted that other irregularities can also result in the asterisk e.g. someone taking a non-scheduled mid block break or 5 mins of mouse inactivity etc. Only PD's can elaborate on how asterisks are dealt with in the application review process.

 

[SecondBestDoctorEver]

Not to mention, whether true or not, i've seen it posted that other irregularities can also result in the asterisk e.g. someone taking a non-scheduled mid block break or 5 mins of mouse inactivity etc. Only PD's can elaborate on how asterisks are dealt with in the application review process.

So I didn't mean a literal asterisk will appear by my score, I was talking more figuratively. Maybe it does happen but so far I have no information that would make me think that. However, a supplemental document will be provided to residencies explaining I took the test under extenuating circumstances and that I had the option to retake it if I chose to.

 

[ortnakas]

I'd take the 231 and run with it. You'd probably want to study again for a retake, which would be really hard to do on rotations, or put you off schedule if you decided to delay rotations for the retake. Iff you got a 201 the first time because of extenuating circumstances it would be one thing, but you got a good score (and an asterisk noting you probably could've had a better one)-- I don't see a good reason to risk that for a marginally better or potentially worse one.

 

[Womb Raider]

Whether or not you should retake the test depends on how well you can expect to do. What are your practice scores on all the CBSSAs and UW1&2? If your average is way north of 231 then you should absolutely retake it. If not, then you shouldn't. If you haven't taken any practice tests you can either 1) just accept your average score or 2) try to take 2-3 (preferably more) tests and see where you're standing.

Try to be honest with yourself and ask the question: "Did this "incident" genuinely affect my test score?" If you're just looking for a second chance to take a test in the hopes of getting better questions then I'd say do not retake.