Thread: 2012 ERAS, the pain, the horror, the agony

In honor of JCU...have at it!

Originally Posted by Xalin73

I have a question. With the two digit scores it was mentioned you need like two 85 ect to get interviews in some fields. With the new changes in the 2 digit scores do you think it will change. I have seen people posting their scores and getting 240s and only getting mid 80s on the two digit score now.

Maybe you should check your facts before calling someone an idiot. 2 digit scores are now significantly lower on new system. 240 is now mid 80's. I have no idea what the 2 digit means.

From the USMLE website:

Additional changes to USMLE procedures for reporting scores

Posted: October 03, 2011
As was reported previously, the USMLE program has begun the process of eliminating the reporting of results on the 2-digit score scale to parties other than the examinee and any state licensing authority to which the examinee sends results.
Because USMLE will continue to report the 2-digit score to examinees and to state licensing authorities, the program will be making changes in scoring procedures to minimize the impact of future shifts in the relationship between 2-digit and 3-digit scores that result from USMLE’s periodic review of standards. The new scoring procedures will be implemented with the reporting of results for examinees who take a Step 1, Step 2 CK, or Step 3 examination on or after October 1, 2011.

The change in scoring procedures will introduce a more stable relationship between score scales in the future. Those receiving 2-digit score results under the new system will note that, in most instances, the 2-digit score associated with a specific 3-digit score will be substantially lower than it was prior to this change.

The change in scoring procedures described above does not correct the challenges associated with using the 2-digit score scale for decisions other than those that use a score of 75 or higher to identify examinees who have passed the examination. It is highly recommended that the 3-digit score scale be used for comparisons among examinees, especially for examinees who have tested at different points in time.

Essentially what they have done was make the 2 digit score unusable as a cut off for Residency Programs by rescaling it.

Originally Posted by agw444

Maybe you should check your facts before calling someone an idiot. 2 digit scores are now significantly lower on new system. 240 is now mid 80's.

No.

United States Medical Licensing Examination | Scores & Transcripts | Score Conversions

Until the USMLE web site updates the correlation, I refuse to believe that someone who scored or currently scores a 240 = two digit 80 equivalent. If that's the case, a two digit score shouldn't even be implemented. That's ridiculous.

Its what has been seen in scoring since about october. I will let you know next month as I have CK in 2 wks.

That's just silliness. They should do away with the 2 digit score outright now.

Originally Posted by jcu

That's just silliness. They should do away with the 2 digit score outright now.

They can't because some state licensing laws state that someone "must obtain a 75 or greater..." they don't mention a 3 digit score or say "pass".

^ Yea, states should really follow suit and transition to whatever the 3 digit passing score is but I'm sure there'd be too much bureaucracy to change that.

Originally Posted by jcu

^ Yea, states should really follow suit and transition to whatever the 3 digit passing score is but I'm sure there'd be too much bureaucracy to change that.

Problem is that the 3 digit score changes every few years. Thus states would have to pass new legislature every few years to coincide with that.

Originally Posted by Bloor

Good luck to everyone matching. Make sure you guys come back and gloat after the process is done

this pls. helps a lot to hear success stories

Anyone matched in previous years care to shed some light on how many interviews is a decent #? Obviously the more the merrier, but I'm a little sick of SDNers telling me that I need 20 IVs to match. Also, other than sending a thank you card after the IV, anything else that I can do to make myself stand out? I don't want to be that annoying kid that keeps annoying the coordinators post IV, but I want to continue to show interest. Thoughts? Thanks.