Some idea about how they grade the test

[IMG SURVIVOR]

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT INTERPRETING USMLE SCORES

I just received my score report for a computer-delivered Step. Why are there two different scores on the front of the report? Both scores reflect your overall performance on the examination. The number of test items you answered correctly is converted to two equivalent scores, one on a 3-digit score scale and one on a 2-digit score scale. Both scales are used for score reporting purposes. What does the 3-digit score mean? On the 3-digit scale, most scores fall between 140 and 260. The mean score for first-time examinees from accredited medical schools in the United States is in the range of 200 to 220, and the standard deviation is approximately 20. Your score report includes the mean and standard deviation for recent administrations of the Step. Score information for each Step, including performance data by group, is posted each year for the previous year's examinees:

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Scores and Transcripts Page

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What does the 2-digit score mean? The 2-digit score is not a percentile.The 2-digit score is derived from the 3-digit score. It is used in score reporting to meet requirements of some medical licensing authorities that the passing score be reported as 75. The 2-digit score is derived in such a way that a score of 75 always corresponds to the minimum passing score.

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What are the graphical performance profiles? The profiles appear only on the back of your individual Step score report. They are provided as an assessment tool for your benefit and will not be reported or verified to any third party. The profiles summarize relative areas of strength and weakness to aid in self assessment. Please consult the back of your score report for further information on what the profiles mean and how to interpret them.

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What is my percentile? Percentiles are not provided in connection with USMLE scores. The reasons why percentiles are not provided are described on a separate web page:

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Percentile Information Discontinued

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How can medical schools or residency programs interpret my score without a percentile? The 3-digit score is calculated using statistical procedures that ensure that scores from different years are on a common scale and have the same meaning. Performance data from previous years are available:

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Scores and Transcripts Page

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What are the passing scores for the three Steps? The USMLE program recommends a minimum passing score for each Step. Currently, the passing scores as set by the USMLE program are 185 for Step 1, 182 for Step 2 CK and 184 for Step 3 on the 3-digit scale, or 75 on the 2-digit scale. Each of these corresponds to answering 60-70% of the items correctly. Performance standards for USMLE are based on a specified level of proficiency. As a result, no predetermined percentage of examinees will pass or fail the examination. The passing scores are reviewed periodically and may be adjusted without notice prior to score reporting. • Minimum Passing Scores on USMLE Step Examinations

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USMLE Bulletin: Scoring and Score Reporting

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What are the current pass rates for the Steps? The content-based standard used for setting the passing score means that as many as 100% of candidates could theoretically pass, or conceivably 0%. The number is not arbitrarily predetermined. Similarly, the pass rate can vary from one accredited medical school in the United States to another, and from one year to another. Recent performance data for first-time takers and repeaters for each Step are available: • Scores and Transcripts Page

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What are the group pass rates by medical school for the Steps? For accredited medical schools in the United States and Canada, performance by medical school is reported by NBME only to individual schools and is available only from those schools. The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®) has responsibility for reporting scores for students and graduates of foreign medical schools.

[IMG SURVIVOR]

Interesting

1-Each of these corresponds to answering 60-70% of the items correctly.
So the magic # is 65% correct, just to be in the middle


2-The 3-digit score is calculated using statistical procedures that ensure that scores from different years are on a common scale and have the same meaning.
So if you have a really hard test, and you score a 200, actually you knew the same as some one that score 200 a couple of years ago, when the test was more easy.


3-The content-based standard used for setting the passing score means that as many as 100% of candidates could theoretically pass, or conceivably 0%. The number is not arbitrarily predetermined. Similarly, the pass rate can vary from one accredited medical school in the United States to another, and from one year to another

I dont understand