Step I Percentile?

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I have seen sample CVs which state percentile result of step 1 and 2: e.g. Step 1 85th percentile. How is this percentile performance derived? Is it the two digit score?
 
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The USMLE is like any other standardized test. Your percentile is derived from your score compared to everyone who takes the exam. For example, a score of 215 on step 1 of the USMLE means that you would fall in the 50th percentile, which makes that an average score. The nbme stopped submitting the percentile rank along with your 3 didit score to discourage residency programs from using it to weed people out based primarily on how well you did. They still give a 2 digit score but it does not correlate with your percentile rank. For example, if you score a 245 they will give you a 2 digit score of 99. However, your percentile would be in the low 90s. This makes the 2 digit score useless IMO because whether you 245 or 255 your 2 digit score will be 99. I know that all this is confusing but thats the way the show runs.
 
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Thanks. Are you sure that only the two digit scores are reported to the residency programs.
 
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From what I have learned, the only reason USMLE still gives a two digit score is that many states still have in their legislation that a minimum passing score of 75 is required for a medical license. The minimum passing score of 180-185 or whatever will always correspond to a 75. If all the States changed their legislation, I'd bet USMLE would drop reporting the two-digit score.
 
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Originally posted by ys
Thanks. Are you sure that only the two digit scores are reported to the residency programs.
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No. The program will get the 3 digit and 2 digit score. Based on your 3 digit score compared to the average, they can determine your percentile.
 
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Its funny because many program directors still think the two digit score is percentile. Oh well, it makes us look better than we really are.

Another thing is I have no idea how the two-digit scores are calculated. I got the same two-digit score on Step I as Step II, yet on Step II my score was much higher when looking at the mean and standard deviation. Go figure....

Ed
 
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