I just wanted to post a new thread to start a discussion as to the real reason why CS is worthless. Many threads have been opened to vent Med students personal feelings about this test but I have recently found a new reason that proves that Step 2 CS is a worthless test when it comes to US medical school students. The surprising thing is I have never heard of anyone discussing it in these terms.
Here is the reason. If you go to the USMLE website, they have published data that shows American medical school students performance on STEP 1, STEP 2 CK and CS. For STEP 1 95% of American graduates pass the first time. This pass rate declines to 65% for those who have to repeat the exam. Step 2 CK is nearly identical with 96% of of US graduates passing the first attempt, while for repeaters this drops to 72% for repeaters. These statistics make sense, because repeaters tend to be those who are academically not as knowledgeable as those who pass the first time. Statistically you should see a drop off in the pass rates of those who have to repeat the test because they failed the first time.
Now lets look at the U.S. pass rates for STEP 2 CS. The pass rate for first time takers is 97%...For those who have to repeat the exam the pass rate is...wait for it...93%. I am not even sure if this even represents a statistically significant difference in the pass rates between first timers and repeaters. If it does it is a very small difference. The point I am trying to make here is, statistically repeaters have a nearly identical chance of passing CS the second time as they did the first time. You would assume that there would be a sizable minority of repeaters who dont pass CS the second time if they couldnt the first time but that doesnt happen.
As American graduates we should be looking at CS like this: I have a 97% chance of passing this exam, but if I don't it really isn't my fault and statistically I have a virtually Identical chance of passing it the second time around.
In as much as CS is an incredibly subjective exam, those select few who fail the exam probably could make an argument that the reason they failed are due to issues beyond their control(like being victums of the 3 out of 100 SP's and physician graders who are A-holes and grade harder than 97% of their fellow employees). Seriously if there is no statistically significant difference in Pass rates the NBME needs to look at other factors as to why US graduates fail because it apparently isn't because of anything the test takers themselves are doing.
All I am saying is, Statistically, there really is no difference in pass rates and we really need to start questioning the apparent subjectivity and bias that has to be going on in grading these exams.
Any thoughts on this subject would be appreciated.
Here is the reason. If you go to the USMLE website, they have published data that shows American medical school students performance on STEP 1, STEP 2 CK and CS. For STEP 1 95% of American graduates pass the first time. This pass rate declines to 65% for those who have to repeat the exam. Step 2 CK is nearly identical with 96% of of US graduates passing the first attempt, while for repeaters this drops to 72% for repeaters. These statistics make sense, because repeaters tend to be those who are academically not as knowledgeable as those who pass the first time. Statistically you should see a drop off in the pass rates of those who have to repeat the test because they failed the first time.
Now lets look at the U.S. pass rates for STEP 2 CS. The pass rate for first time takers is 97%...For those who have to repeat the exam the pass rate is...wait for it...93%. I am not even sure if this even represents a statistically significant difference in the pass rates between first timers and repeaters. If it does it is a very small difference. The point I am trying to make here is, statistically repeaters have a nearly identical chance of passing CS the second time as they did the first time. You would assume that there would be a sizable minority of repeaters who dont pass CS the second time if they couldnt the first time but that doesnt happen.
As American graduates we should be looking at CS like this: I have a 97% chance of passing this exam, but if I don't it really isn't my fault and statistically I have a virtually Identical chance of passing it the second time around.
In as much as CS is an incredibly subjective exam, those select few who fail the exam probably could make an argument that the reason they failed are due to issues beyond their control(like being victums of the 3 out of 100 SP's and physician graders who are A-holes and grade harder than 97% of their fellow employees). Seriously if there is no statistically significant difference in Pass rates the NBME needs to look at other factors as to why US graduates fail because it apparently isn't because of anything the test takers themselves are doing.
All I am saying is, Statistically, there really is no difference in pass rates and we really need to start questioning the apparent subjectivity and bias that has to be going on in grading these exams.
Any thoughts on this subject would be appreciated.
