MAJOR Policy Changes Announced for USMLE

[WayOutWestMom]

https://www.usmle.org/announcements/

The USMLE announced 3 major policy changes today w/r/t the USMLE exams that will be implement in the 11-24 months:

1. USMLE Step 1 scores will no longer be reported as a 3 digits score; Step 1 will now be reported only as P/F

2. the number of allowable attempts for each STEP exam will be reduced from 6 to 4

3. all examinees must successfully pass STEP 1 before they will allowed to register for STEP 2CS

“These new policies strengthen the integrity of the USMLE and address concerns about Step 1 scores impacting student well-being and medical education,” said Humayun Chaudhry, DO, MACP, President and CEO of the FSMB. “Although the primary purpose of the exam is to assess the knowledge and skills essential to safe patient care, it is important that we improve the transition from undergraduate to graduate medical education.”

“The USMLE program governance carefully considered input from multiple sources in coming to these decisions. Recognizing the complexity of the environment and the desire for improvement, continuation of the status quo was not the best way forward,” reported Peter Katsufrakis, MD, MBA, President and CEO of NBME. “Both program governance and staff believe these changes represent improvements to the USMLE program and create the environment for improved student experiences in their education and their transition to residency."

[AlwaysMoving]

Will Step 2 become more important for residency?

[WayOutWestMom]

@AlwaysMoving

No one knows what metrics residency PDs will use, but the general consensus is that STEP 2CK will become more important than it is now.