USMLE Scoring

[joedoctor]

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Can someone tell me what constitutes a passing score on Step I and II? I am going to be an M1 next year and have seen the average scores of some schools, but I don't really have any reference as to what is a good score. Also, is there any source that allows you to see USMLE data for all medical schools?

 

[synapse lapse]

Google is your friend for the first question. http://www.usmle.org/FAQs/faqusmlescores.htm. No there is no source for USMLE data for all schools, the schools must chose to tell you that data. Since the national average 214 or so (it varies) anything above that is decent. A score of 230+ is usually seen as a competitive score for top residencies. FOr example, the mean Step 1 score of ENT matches was 235 last year I believe (someone can check this).

 

[Orthodoc40]

Google is your friend for the first question. http://www.usmle.org/FAQs/faqusmlescores.htm. No there is no source for USMLE data for all schools, the schools must chose to tell you that data. Since the national average 214 or so (it varies) anything above that is decent. A score of 230+ is usually seen as a competitive score for top residencies. FOr example, the mean Step 1 score of ENT matches was 235 last year I believe (someone can check this).

What is the most you could get - a "perfect" score, so to speak? Can't seem to find that ANYwhere!

 

[synapse lapse]

What is the most you could get - a "perfect" score, so to speak? Can't seem to find that ANYwhere!

I think 280 is the highest possible 3-digit score. 99 Is obviously the highest possible 2-digit score.

 

[MeowMix]

The only important thing for you to know, at this point, is that more than 90% of MD students at US medical schools pass Step 1 the first time around, and so statistically you're probably going to pass too.

Within each school there are enormous variations between students; there are some differences between schools. Schools do not like to publicize average score; the pass rate is almost always something above 90.

Scoring >250 on Step 1 is like getting >42 on the MCAT; it's not for average mortals, and it won't be essential to your future career success.

 

[SurfingDoctor]

I think 280 is the highest possible 3-digit score. 99 Is obviously the highest possible 2-digit score.

However the two digit score is obviously meaningless as I got 99s on both of my steps and had not only a significantly lower than 280, but had variation between the 2 three digit scores.

Anyway, the average Step score falls around 220 with 180 generally considered to be a passing score.

 

[altofiend]

I haven't been able to completely make heads or tails of it, but here's how I understand things:

- In general, the avg tends to be btw 215-220 for step 1 and step 2
- The standard deviation for step 1 is around 15 and for step 2 is around 20
- The two-digit score exists only to satisfy certain state medical boards that mandate that a passing score = 75. It is not a raw percentage, nor is it a percentile...but it does correspond to the minimum passing score.
- There is no maximum 3-digit score; those higher than 280 are possible but rare (you'd be + 4 st dev on step 1 or +3 st dev on step 2). Higher scores are more likely on step II due to the larger standard deviation.

My guess on why the st dev varies btw the two tests is that so many people put in roughly equivalent effort into step 1, whereas for step 2 a significant percentage of test takers blow it off.

 

[Radiohead]

I made a 279 on step II, and I know for sure that I missed a bunch of questions. So I doubt that 280 is the top score.

 

[dr_ray]

I made a 279 on step II, and I know for sure that I missed a bunch of questions. So I doubt that 280 is the top score.

Is there any correlation between success on the mcat and the usmle?

Or is a high usmle score more correlated with honoring more MS1&2 classes and higher practice scores? If so, using which practice materials?

 

[SurfingDoctor]

For me, neither MCAT or MS1/2 grades had any correlation to my USMLE scores. However, I studied for the latter and not for the former so I guess that made a difference.