why is it so difficult....

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Nestle

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... to find the average USMLE step 1 scores by specialty? I have looked for these numbers everywhere, but haven't found one place that has them. Why is it such a big secret what the average step 1 score for people who matched into emergency medicine or derm was, for example? Does anyone have a good resource for this or just happen to know offhand? when we applied to medical school, we always got the numbers on average MCAT score for the individual schools.
 
1. Because USMLE scores are confidential (your school only has the right to know if you passed).

2. Using USMLE scores as a screening/selection tool is ostensibly an abuse of the USMLE. The test is a "minimum competency test", and to actively make available the numbers would put the USMLE Secretariat into the same camp as those specialties that use the scores as they do. The USMLE (as far as the NBME et al. are concerned), Step I, II, and III are simply and exclusively for initial medical licensure.

If the USMLE gave up the game and gave out all the numbers, that would indicate that they were in (tacit or outright) support of using Step scores for residency, and not exclusively for licensure. For the USMLE Secretariat to drop off the high road, and do that, would give ammunition to the proponents of making all the Steps pass/fail. By not supporting using scores like they are now, the USMLE is able to turn a blind eye to the misuse, and don't have to face the 'pass/fail' arguments.

This differs from the MCAT, because the MCAT is designed to be a stratifying device - to find the (de jure or de facto) "best and the brightest", whereas the USMLE supports the "what do you call the guy finishing last in his class? Doctor!" idea.

So, in a nutshell, re: USMLE scores: the USMLE isn't giving up the numbers, and so, you would have to poll every single resident, or every single residency director (provided the students have released the results to the program), who would give an average under risk of being sued for millions for breach of confidentiality.

So you ain't getting it. Sorry.
 
hmmm, now i know i guess. that sucks.
 
Not 100% true. The early match specialties post average USMLE step 1 scores for each of their specialties for their applicants who matched, and average for those who unmatched. So look around.
 
Originally posted by Renovar
Not 100% true. The early match specialties post average USMLE step 1 scores for each of their specialties for their applicants who matched, and average for those who unmatched. So look around.

That's pretty dodgy...they're only cutting their own throats; this gives the "pass/fail USMLE" crowd fuel for their argument.
 
Originally posted by Apollyon
That's pretty dodgy...they're only cutting their own throats; this gives the "pass/fail USMLE" crowd fuel for their argument.

I think the NBME is the dodgy party, so blame them... 😀 It's natural for the programs to use whatever they can use. You would do the same too. If you are the program director and you have 2 almost identicle applicants with similar qualifications in every aspect except that on the boards one scores 1 SD above the mean and one score 1 SD below the mean, who would you pick? both are passing scores...

See, if they REALLY meant for the exam to be a pass and fail test, why do they try to quantify your score and gives 2 different numerical quantification for it?
 
Originally posted by Renovar

See, if they REALLY meant for the exam to be a pass and fail test, why do they try to quantify your score and gives 2 different numerical quantification for it?

You've found the emperor's new clothes. It's the political pressure from ortho, ENT, derm, and so on that keeps those gradations. It's a tenuous balance.
 
Originally posted by Apollyon
1. Because USMLE scores are confidential (your school only has the right to know if you passed)....

actually, my school told me my step 1 score a week before i received it in the mail...so, i dont think its that confidential...
 
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