United States Medical Licensing Examination

Review of USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) minimum passing score
Posted: May 17, 2013
As noted in the USMLE Bulletin of Information, 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 on the USMLE website.
Learn more »

USMLE Step 1 Score Reporting
Posted: March 25, 2013
Most score reporting of Step 1 results occurs within four weeks of testing.  However, because of necessary modifications to the test item pool, there will be a delay in reporting for some examinees testing beginning the week of May 13th.  The target date for reporting Step 1 scores for most examinees testing the week of May 13th through late June will be Wednesday, July 10, 2013.  For examinees whose circumstances require that they receive Step 1 scores before July 10, it is recommended th...
Learn more »

Changes to USMLE procedures for reporting scores - April 1, 2013
Posted: December 26, 2012
Updated: March 13, 2013
As previously reported, 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. This process began on July 1, 2011 with elimination of 2-digit scores from USMLE transcripts reported through ERAS.

The USMLE program will extend this change in reporting to include <...
Learn more »

Clarification on completing the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) patient note
Posted: January 02, 2013
Changes were introduced to the Step 2 CS examination program in mid-June 2012. These included changes to the patient note that examinees must complete after each standardized patient encounter.
Learn more »

Change in the performance standard of the Step 2 CS examination that will affect examinees testing on or after January 1, 2013
Posted: December 21, 2012
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 on the USMLE website.
Learn more »

Changes to Step 3 examination in 2013
Posted: November 28, 2012
As previously announced, changes to the USMLE Step 3 examination are scheduled to take place no earlier than 2014. The redesigned examination will include assessment of "a comprehensive knowledge of both foundational science and clinical medicine," as well as "a demonstration of evidence-based medicine and quantitative reasoning skills important to patient care and to life-long learning."
Learn more »

Delay in score reporting for Step 3 in 2013
Posted: November 28, 2012
Starting the week of February 11, 2013, a transition period will begin in which routine modifications to the items in the exam, including a minor decrease in the number of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in current forms of the Step 3 examination, will occur.

Test-taking reminders for Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) examinees
Posted: November 06, 2012
In December 2011 USMLE announced a number of changes to the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) examination program; these were implemented in mid-2012.
 
It is important for examinees to focus on the specific details of each case when interacting with standardized patients. Their actions should be guided by case details and by the information gathered from the standardized patient and from physical findings. Disregard for details of ...
Learn more »

Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) review of minimum passing performance
Posted: September 25, 2012
The USMLE program recommends a minimum passing level for each Step examination. The USMLE Step Committees are responsible for establishing and monitoring these standards, and are asked to complete an in-depth review of each examination every three to four years.
Learn more »

The 2013 schedule for reporting Step 2 Clinical Skills results is available
Posted: June 22, 2012
This schedule provides examinees, and others who rely on Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) results, with guidelines regarding when a result will be reported for a given exam date. Click here to view the schedule.

Changes to Biometric Enabled Check-in Program at test centers
Posted: June 21, 2012
Beginning July 1, 2012, there will be changes in the retention period for biometric information obtained as part of the standard test day procedures for computer-based Step examinations at many Prometric test centers.  The changes will allow such information to be stored across USMLE Step exams.

The Biometric Enabled Check-in Program is designed to improve the security and integrity of the testing process.  For more detailed information about the Biometric Enabled Check-in Program, including the ...
Learn more »

Attempt limit for USMLE examinations
Posted: June 20, 2012
Examinees who have made six or more attempts to pass a Step or Step component, including incomplete attempts, should be aware that all applications to register for additional attempts will not be processed unless they are submitted on or before December 31, 2012. This limit was first announced in August of 2011.