Step 2 passing score

[gyngyn]

 On the three-digit score scale, the passing standard will change from 209 to 214 for those who take the exam on or after July 1, 2022. 

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[GoSpursGo]

Well that's a bummer.

 

[MDMechEngr]

94 to 95% score above 214 according to current step 2 score distribution. failure rate will be around 5% with the new 214 passing score. current data shows around 3% score below a 209. so less than 2% would now fail, but would have pass if the the passing score was kept at 209. Around 71,000 take step 2? so around 1,400 more students will fail because of this change?

 

[the shretiology]

94 to 95% score above 214 according to current step 2 score distribution. failure rate will be around 5% with the new 214 passing score. current data shows around 3% score below a 209. so less than 2% would now fail, but would have pass if the the passing score was kept at 209. Around 71,000 take step 2? so around 1,400 more students will fail because of this change?

Probably not since this exam was classically the one people hardly studied for. Now people at my school are gunning, pushing their exam back and back until they get a competitive score whereas Step 1 had to be taken by a certain time.

 

[MDMechEngr]

Probably not since this exam was classically the one people hardly studied for. Now people at my school are gunning, pushing their exam back and back until they get a competitive score whereas Step 1 had to be taken by a certain time.

Good point. The distribution will skew to the upper end because PDs are switching to Step 2. however, not sure if gunning will move the needle at lower end because of the caliber of student. My school has a 245 avg Step 2 score so hardly anyone would fail I would think.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

good

Imo, with more students graduating each year but the same number of residency spots, there needs to be more differentiation.

I wonder if they’ll raise the cutoff for step 1

 

[deleted1139416]

good

Imo, with more students graduating each year but the same number of residency spots, there needs to be more differentiation.

I wonder if they’ll raise the cutoff for step 1

NBME raised step1 cutoff to 196

 

[Gilakend]

good

Imo, with more students graduating each year but the same number of residency spots, there needs to be more differentiation.

I wonder if they’ll raise the cutoff for step 1

I'm sure it's hard to assess residency applications, especially with the increasing number of schools. But I'm not sure the best way to differentiate applicants is who can be the biggest nerd for 6 weeks.

I completely understand why it's done and honestly don't know if we have a better way right now, but it isn't something I would lean into when now is probably the best time there will be to try and figure out another way (until they make step 2 P/F and people are forced to).

 

[Dr. Anonymouss]

NBME raised step1 cutoff to 196

Very interested to see what the outcomes of step I will be this first cycle. Will the fail rate increase and if so by how much?? lets see. So far it seems like it has definitely become a factor though based on individuals from many schools posting how a large portion of their class has postponed the test. Nearly 30% of my class postponed past our cut off date... Lots of people took it for granted and didn't grind after the p/f switch just to find out that didn't make it any easier. It's still a difficult test and you have to know your stuff.

 

[deleted1139416]

Very interested to see what the outcomes of step I will be this first cycle. Will the fail rate increase and if so by how much?? lets see. So far it seems like it has definitely become a factor though based on individuals from many schools posting how a large portion of their class has postponed the test. Nearly 30% of my class postponed past our cut off date... Lots of people took it for granted and didn't grind after the p/f switch just to find out that didn't make it any easier. It's still a difficult test and you have to know your stuff.

I’m still sure there were a few people who took it anyway….

 

[Lawpy]

You know it’d be easier to just enforce app caps and keep all Steps scored without changing the pass thresholds

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

i think that all caps would lead to many more going unmatched, particularly at upper mid tier schools and ones just outside top 20.

Also top students at lower tier schools

 

[deleted1139416]

I'm sure it's hard to assess residency applications, especially with the increasing number of schools. But I'm not sure the best way to differentiate applicants is who can be the biggest nerd for 6 weeks.

I completely understand why it's done and honestly don't know if we have a better way right now, but it isn't something I would lean into when now is probably the best time there will be to try and figure out another way (until they make step 2 P/F and people are forced to).

Despite all the problems that Step 1 has, I would rather Step 1 (or Step 2CK for that matter) be used as a ranking factor rather than med school rank. Stratifying applicants based on med school rank means you are essentially evaluating them based on how they did in undergrad…..

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

Despite all the problems that Step 1 has, I would rather Step 1 (or Step 2CK for that matter) be used as a ranking factor rather than med school rank. Stratifying applicants based on med school rank means you are essentially evaluating them based on how they did in undergrad…..

Plus many med school rankings are based on intangible factors especially clerkship grading and such

 

[deleted1139416]

Plus many med school rankings are based on intangible factors especially clerkship grading and such

Med school ranking is very loosely associated with med school quality of teaching.

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

Med school ranking is very loosely associated with med school quality of teaching.

My bad, I thought you were talking about like class rank rather than actual school ranking

 

[MDMechEngr]

good

Imo, with more students graduating each year but the same number of residency spots, there needs to be more differentiation.

I wonder if they’ll raise the cutoff for step 1

Yeah. most of the new crappy schools opening seem to be DOs schools that will accept accademically riskier students. However, these students can fail step 2 and not have to report it as a DO. They will just stick with programs at accept comlex and still match. someone on the DO thread failed step 1 and matched a low-tier academic program this year with just comlex. They did not report the step failure and was not even asked during the interview. This change will hurt the low caliber MD students. just my 2 cents.