new step 1 passing score 185

[sanecra]

The new passing score for step 1 starting Jan 1, 2007 will be 185. You can see the memo at usmle.org. Just thought people should know.

[IMG SURVIVOR]

As stated in the USMLE Bulletin of Information and as explained in a previous posting to the USMLE website, the level of proficiency required to meet the recommended minimum passing level for each USMLE Step examination is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted at any time. Notice of such review and any adjustments are posted at the USMLE website.
At its December 2006 meeting, the Step 1 Committee conducted such a review, considering information from multiple sources including: 1) recommendations from physicians and scientists who participated in content-based standard-setting activities in the fall of 2006; 2) results of surveys of various groups concerning the appropriateness of current pass/fail standards for Step examinations; 3) trends in examinee performance; and 4) score precision and its effect on the pass/fail decision. As a result of this review, the Step 1 Committee decided to raise the three-digit score recommended to pass Step 1 from 182 to 185. The new minimum passing score will be applied to Step 1 examinations for which the first day of testing is on or after January 1, 2007.

[wcb22]

yup, that makes more sense, the 190 thing just didn't make sense. 176, 179, 182 then 185.

[Hatim]

how does the score work? like i mean there are 350 questions correct so if you get 185 thast like only 50%? but i thought u needed atleast 75% to pass?

[superoxide]

Originally Posted by Hatim

how does the score work? like i mean there are 350 questions correct so if you get 185 thast like only 50%? but i thought u needed atleast 75% to pass?

It's not as simple as that. In oder to get a score of a passing score, you have to get between 60-70% of the questions correct. What % you will need will depend on the difficulty of the exam you get. If you get a really hard exam, you need to get 60% correct to pass. If you get a easier version of the test, you will need close to 70% correct to pass. So, as far as Step 1 scoring goes, getting 7 out of 10 questiond right, does not mean your score is a 70%. It could be 60% or 80% or anything in between and beyond.

[MDiva]

Since the test is computerized, I wonder why you can't get your score immediately after submitting it? Are the scores normalized? Someone once told me that they are not, and if that is true, then you should be abled to get a score immediately after submitting the final portion of the test. Or am I thinking about this the wrong way? Someone please shed some light!

[MYMD]

Originally Posted by superoxide

It's not as simple as that. In oder to get a score of a passing score, you have to get between 60-70% of the questions correct. What % you will need will depend on the difficulty of the exam you get. If you get a really hard exam, you need to get 60% correct to pass. If you get a easier version of the test, you will need close to 70% correct to pass. So, as far as Step 1 scoring goes, getting 7 out of 10 questiond right, does not mean your score is a 70%. It could be 60% or 80% or anything in between and beyond.

No the score of 182 and now 185 is out of 300, so thats 60% to now 61%.

I know this to be true because my friend just passed with a 255 and had 85% of the questions right, 255/300 = 85%, he was told by the proctor that he got 85% right so yeah it does work out. This is really no big deal you will never get a good residency below like 210 anyway so how does this hurt you?

[Hatim]

I thought it was out of 350 not 300?

[superoxide]

Originally Posted by MYMD

No the score of 182 and now 185 is out of 300, so thats 60% to now 61%.

I know this to be true because my friend just passed with a 255 and had 85% of the questions right, 255/300 = 85%, he was told by the proctor that he got 85% right so yeah it does work out. This is really no big deal you will never get a good residency below like 210 anyway so how does this hurt you?

There is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY to find out how many questions you got right on Step 1. And who is this proctor you speak of? I didn't know computers could talk

[harbeer]

everything is big deal when you have all the facilities and your bills are paid by some one else and you don;t have to do anything else except chating books of course it;s not big deal but when you have other things then it's really a big deal to get some sucess. money makes ways easier to achieve somethig, so never sAY IT IS NOT A BIG DEAL