Unique Step 1 Situation (Incomplete Exam on record)

[JimmyJohn]

Hey all,

I am interested in General Surgery but I am in a bit of a unique situation. I sat for Step 1 and started the exam but was unable to complete it due to illness (severe food poisoning). Therefore, I will have this "Incomplete Exam" entry listed on my USMLE transcript. After that, I retook Step 1 in its entirety and scored a 242.

I also have an official letter form the NBME documenting my illness as the reason for the "Incomplete Exam" which I can include in my residency applications.

My question is do you think having this "Incomplete Exam" entry on my transcript will negatively affect my application for General Surgery?

Thank you in advance for your help!

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[JackADeli]

...was unable to complete it due to illness ...After that, I retook Step 1 in its entirety and scored a 242.

I also have an official letter form the NBME documenting my illness as the reason for the "Incomplete Exam" which I can include in my residency applications...

I don't know. Each PD will consider it however they choose. But, it sounds like you have the appropriate mitigating documentation. Apply, be honest, do your best. You should do ok.

 

[ESU_MD]

I think since you retook the exam and achieved a solid score of 242 you are OK. followup with a 240+ on USMLE step 2 BEFORE you do interviews and there will be no doubts that you are for real.

However, if you barely passed the you would have a hard time getting people believing you had food poisoning.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I don't think it will be much of a problem.

Some programs might filter by number of attempts...I am not sure if you can not count the first time. With a 242 you should make the filter for score at pretty much all programs which is more important because that gives you the opportunity to provide more information about the first attempt, if asked.

If you aren't invited for an interview at a program you expected to be, it doesn't hurt to call and find out why and see if they say something about the first attempt. Since you have proof from the NBME, any non-invites would be simply due to someone "checking off" boxes and not really understanding the situation.

 

[JimmyJohn]

Thanks for your reassurance everyone. That makes me feel a lot better!

 

[JackADeli]

So, you should:

1. apply
2. check on programs receipt of your application
3. if there appears to be a lack of positive response, start sending the programs copies of the USMLE letter of illness and have a mentor call on your behalf. This can over-come some autofilters...As WS wrote:

..Some programs might filter by number of attempts...I am not sure if you can not count the first time.

...If you aren't invited for an interview at a program you expected to be, it doesn't hurt to call and find out why and see if they say something about the first attempt...

 

[Bitsy3221]

I am guessing you'll be fine. When I was in med school a couple of my classmates were taking the exam when a storm knocked out the power to the testing center (near the end of the exam too--how much would that suck?!?) They had to go retake it on a different day, and they did fine in the match.

 

[JimmyJohn]

Man, that would suck!

You know, one thing I do have to find out from the NBME is whether an Incomplete is considered an actual attempt or not. I'll have to ask. Maybe they list my 242 as my first attempt with a simple annotation that I had an Incomplete Exam on such-and-such a date.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I am guessing you'll be fine. When I was in med school a couple of my classmates were taking the exam when a storm knocked out the power to the testing center (near the end of the exam too--how much would that suck?!?) They had to go retake it on a different day, and they did fine in the match.

That happened to a friend taking her written surgery boards a couple of years ago (JAD...this is my friend you know). She was terribly freaked about it, but they got it up and running about 90 mins later.

 

[JackADeli]

That happened to a friend taking her written surgery boards a couple of years ago ....She was terribly freaked about it, but they got it up and running about 90 mins later.

That would be like way uncool. You are already all jacked for the exam... then you have to wait in the middle and spend 90 minutes second guessing... it would spell disaster for me.