Why are there 2 scores for USMLEs?

[Jamezuva]

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Just curious why the NBME feel it is necessary to report two different scores for each USMLE exam....if would be helpful if the two-digit score was a percentile score, but it's not. So what's the point??? 😕

 

[mikegoal]

I believe it is because some states require lisensing exams to have a 2 digit score

 

[Jamezuva]

interesting....albeit it seems very arbitrary

 

[bigfrank]

I think they do it to trick everyone into thinking their 2-digit score is their percentile. I'd say half of my classmates think they're in the top 5%!!!!!!!

 

[Idiopathic]

so true.

 

[Chicago Doc]

Actually they have a 2 digit score because the residency program directors and other people who look at scores don't keep up with the averages and passing scores etc. So theoretically since a 75 is a passing score in all years, if you aren't sure whether the passing level was 175 or 182 or what, you can just look at the 2 digit score to tell whether it is passing.

 

[Idiopathic]

The reason they have a two digit score is because states require an arbitrary score of '75' on the medical licensing exam. Its in the law.

 

[bigfrank]

Idio, I agree.

I think PDs are intelligent enough to discern a "PASS" from a "FAIL" grade based on those words as they appear on the transcript.

 

[Chicago Doc]

I know that they can discern pass from fail but I believe the USMLE material also states that the 75 is equivalent across all the years. There are instances where people have scores from previous years for example the minimum pass was raised from 179 to 182 a couple of years ago. People in both years would have a pass indicated but it also show that the score of 179 and 182 are technically equivalent because they both have 75.