Scale for Step 1 scores?

[osli]

Not passing or max... but in general what is considered average, good, great, exceptional scores etc.? I see a lot of discussions about what score ranges get you interviews at what programs (even seen hard data on mean and 25%-75% ranges for matches in several specialties), but I'm not sure how to relate to those scores.

Just a first year starting out, so not that I'm particularly concerned at the moment, but having some idea would help in following a lot of the discussions here. First years have a good grasp on MCAT scores, but not so much on USMLE scores.

A short primer perhaps?

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[Gfunk6]

The national avg each year is ~ 220 w/ a standard deviation of ~15-20 points.

So, very roughly . . .

190 = 5th percentile
205 = 30th percentile
220 = 50th percentile (average)
235 = 70th percentile (good)
250 = 95th percentile (great)

USMLE scores are given as a three-digit number (as described above) and a two-digit number. A widely-held misconception is that the two-digit number represents a percentile -- it doesn't. In fact, NBME stopped giving percenitiles nearly a decade ago. Some states or residency programs mandate a two-digit score for medical licensing exams (where 75 = barely passing and 99 = maximum score).

 

[goooooober]

The national avg each year is ~ 220 w/ a standard deviation of ~15-20 points.

So, very roughly . . .

190 = 5th percentile
205 = 30th percentile
220 = 50th percentile (average)
235 = 70th percentile (good)
250 = 95th percentile (great)

USMLE scores are given as a three-digit number (as described above) and a two-digit number. A widely-held misconception is that the two-digit number represents a percentile -- it doesn't. In fact, NBME stopped giving percenitiles nearly a decade ago. Some states or residency programs mandate a two-digit score for medical licensing exams (where 75 = barely passing and 99 = maximum score).

The average for 2006 was 216. So figure 216 is average. I would say 225 to 235 is good. Above 235 is great.

 

[24IdaFire]

How about comlex exams?

 

[Dunce]

The average for 2006 was 216. So figure 216 is average. I would say 225 to 235 is good. Above 235 is great.

I took it at the end of June. My score letter said the avg for the most recent test takers was 217.
Based on my limited experience in browsing the internet and talking to others I would guess the following:

205-215 =
not awful but you will need a solid overall application to stand a chance at more competitive locations

215-220 =
average, exactly what it says

220-230 =
well done. you can apply to most fields with a great chance of matching, assuming you have a good overall package

230-240 =
excellent. a score in this range is a plus when applying to anything except things like Derm, Plastics, RadOnc. Even for those fields it is not likely to hurt your application much at all (but keep in mind that some super-competitive programs might have minimun cutoffs for interviews).

240+
your score will stand out and be a great help to boost your application to any specialty

270+
you spent way too much time on the Step 1 forum, but congrats anyway 😉




feel free to agree/disagree

 

[Long Dong]

I took it at the end of June. My score letter said the avg for the most recent test takers was 217.
Based on my limited experience in browsing the internet and talking to others I would guess the following:

205-215 =
not awful but you will need a solid overall application to stand a chance at more competitive locations

215-220 =
average, exactly what it says

220-230 =
well done. you can apply to most fields with a great chance of matching, assuming you have a good overall package

230-240 =
excellent. a score in this range is a plus when applying to anything except things like Derm, Plastics, RadOnc. Even for those fields it is not likely to hurt your application much at all (but keep in mind that some super-competitive programs might have minimun cutoffs for interviews).

240+
your score will stand out and be a great help to boost your application to any specialty

270+
you spent way too much time on the Step 1 forum, but congrats anyway 😉




feel free to agree/disagree

Sounds about right to me except for the 270+ people they probably spent first year on the step 1 forums getting ideas for a study plan and second year studying more then anything.