Taking the USMLE more than once

[JrGong]

I am not trying to steal the thunder or glory from anyone who has passed the step 1 because it is a very honorable achievement and very difficult to do. I recently passed step 1 and my score was no where near what I wanted but I was happy to have passed. I know some people who failed step 1 one or twice and then the third time they finally passed and some of them even got over 200. When applying for residency, do people look at how many times you have taken the exam or do they just look at the final score? It seems a little sketchy. I guarantee if I had three times to take the exam I would have killed it instead of making a 198.

[senz_asian]

I am not trying to steal the thunder or glory from anyone who has passed the step 1 because it is a very honorable achievement and very difficult to do. I recently passed step 1 and my score was no where near what I wanted but I was happy to have passed. I know some people who failed step 1 one or twice and then the third time they finally passed and some of them even got over 200. When applying for residency, do people look at how many times you have taken the exam or do they just look at the final score? It seems a little sketchy. I guarantee if I had three times to take the exam I would have killed it instead of making a 198.


All depends on where are u applying to, and what residency do you want. For most of the programs, the rule of thumb is 200 and above for I.M., Peds and even E.R. ... and Most of them 'prefered' that u past it on the first attempt. However, some programs are more flexible and may allow you to let say pass the Step1 and Step 2 (CK and CS) not more than 3 attempts in total (you can fail only ONCE any where in the sequence)

Others simply dont give a darn as long as you pass all the exams (but be realistic .. if someone fails 8 times their Step 1, that'll have an effect!) However, keep in mind that your grades during electives and letters of recommendation are much more heavier than your Step 1 and 2 scores (That's what most of physicians told me)


IF YOU'RE NOT GEOGRAPHICALLY PICKY ... F.M. OR I.M. ARE RELATIVELY VERY DOABLE EVEN WITH A HISTORY OF FAILURE IN THE USMLE.

[stephew]

let me put it this way: all the info is on your application. So they "look at" everything. What youre really asking is, does a failure hamper you? well it will be looked at in context. Did you fail then barely pass? Did you fail then ace it? What does that mean? PD's will interpret things as they will, they will ask you about it perhaps. It will matter more in competitive fields and competitive places. Stop looking at these things as all or nothing, zero sum games. Its all in the mix.

[stephew]

not a correct "rule of thumb". IM and peds are rather easier than EM but as you say, many programs are flexible and, horror of horrors, the usmle isnt the be and end all, as important as it is. All depends on where are u applying to, and what residency do you want. For most of the programs, the rule of thumb is 200 and above for I.M., Peds and even E.R. ... and Most of them 'prefered' that u past it on the first attempt. However, some programs are more flexible and may allow you to let say pass the Step1 and Step 2 (CK and CS) not more than 3 attempts in total (you can fail only ONCE any where in the sequence)

Others simply dont give a darn as long as you pass all the exams (but be realistic .. if someone fails 8 times their Step 1, that'll have an effect!) However, keep in mind that your grades during electives and letters of recommendation are much more heavier than your Step 1 and 2 scores (That's what most of physicians told me)


IF YOU'RE NOT GEOGRAPHICALLY PICKY ... F.M. OR I.M. ARE RELATIVELY VERY DOABLE EVEN WITH A FAILURE IN THE USMLE.

[stateofequilibrium]

not a correct "rule of thumb". IM and peds are rather easier than EM but as you say, many programs are flexible and, horror of horrors, the usmle isnt the be and end all, as important as it is.

psh, what? Personality? ;)

[Dr. X]

so where did all these docs go to school which let them take the step more than 3 times..? Or does anybody know where one can finish up clinical rotations without having to pass usmle step1 yet obtaing the MD degree to pursue career in the medical field but not necessarily as a doctor? thnks.