Just curious...but you say you would rarely interview someone who failed the CS/PE. However, with some of the randomness people have been reporting (although I know there is a high pass rate), why would you completely count out someone who failed a test of 10-12 encounters with subjective reviewers? I do understand that board failures don't look good, but if someone fails the test and then passes on their next attempt, why would you ignore them if they are otherwise a stellar applicant? Low/failed STEP 1 shows how much you know. You aren't going to be scoring 250s and then fail STEP1, however, someone can be great and then not say "I'm sorry" enough and fail CS/PE which could potentially ruin their career?
If someone has amazing STEP 1 scores, research, etc and then they fail CS/PE, wouldn't a chance to explain themselves and talk to them in person be an idea? People have bad days and because of 10-12 encounters, discounting their performance for their entire medical school history seems a little over the top.
P.S. I know you are a P.D. and I appreciate your response. I am just wondering your thought process on this.