Examination Results and Scoring

The USMLE program provides a recommended pass/fail result based on USMLE performance on all Step examinations. Recommended performance standards for the USMLE are based on a specified level of proficiency. As a result, no predetermined percentage of examinees will pass or fail the examination. The recommended minimum passing level is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted at any time. Notice of such review and any adjustments will be posted on the USMLE website. The percentages of correctly answered questions required to pass varies by Step and from form to form within each Step. However, examinees typically must answer approximately 60% of questions correctly to achieve a passing score.

For Step 3, your performance on the case simulations will affect your Step 3 score and could affect whether you pass or fail. The proportional contribution of the score on the case simulations is no greater than the proportional contribution of time allotted for CCS.

For up-to-date information on minimum passing scores on the score scale used for reporting results, examination performance data and general scoring methodology, please visit the USMLE website.

What Happens While You Wait for Your Scores?

• After testing, the examination data is delivered electronically to NBME.
• Your responses are scored and converted into the score scale used for reporting results for each examination.
• Analyses are performed to detect aberrant examinee response behavior. Candidates who are identified by these analyses as having an unusual score pattern, a score or response patterns performance that raise questions for review, may be asked to provide an explanation for their testing behaviors.
• Final quality assurance procedures are performed to verify the accuracy of score calculation and reporting.
• The score report is then posted to the secure website of the organization that registered you for your examination and made available to you.
   

Score Availability

Results are typically available two to four weeks after your test date. However, in rare cases, various factors may delay score reporting. When selecting your test date and inquiring about results, you should allow at least eight weeks to receive notification that your score report is available. 

When your score is available, you will receive an email notification from the organization that registered you for your examination. Your score report will remain available on the website of the organization that registered you for your examination for approximately 365 days from the date of the email notification. 

After the score report is removed from the website, your scores will be provided to you only in the form of an official transcript, for a fee.

 

Score Reports are ONLY for use by examinees. To have your exam history reported to any third party you must request an official USMLE transcript to be sent directly to the third party.

How to Receive/Send Transcripts?

To obtain your USMLE and/or NBME Parts transcript or have it sent to a third party, you must contact FSMB and pay the associated fee. 

Examinees using any residency application service—e.g., Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS®)—should continue to follow instructions from the application owner for sending their USMLE transcripts to U.S. training programs. 

Your USMLE transcript includes biographical information, complete examination history and, if applicable, information regarding findings of irregular behavior and actions reported to the FSMB Physician Data Center.

Reporting to Third Parties

NBME reports the results of the USMLE to LCME- and COCA-accredited medical school programs for their students and graduates. For Step 1 and Step 2 CK, if you do not want your results reported to your medical school, you must send a request from your email account of record to webmail@nbme.org at least 10 business days before your scheduled test date. A separate request must be submitted for each examination administration. For Step 3, you must specify your reporting preference on your application.

The NBME may provide the results of the USMLE to international medical schools for their students and graduates. For Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3, you must specify your reporting preference on your application with FSMB.

De-identified results from examinees who requested their results be withheld may be included in aggregated data reports to medical schools. Examination data (including performance information) may be used by the USMLE program or made available to third parties for research and other purposes that are disclosed to or authorized by you, as appropriate. In all instances, the data will be confidential, and individual examinees will not be identifiable in any publication. If you do not wish your examination data to be made available for such purposes, you must advise the USMLE Secretariat no later than 30 days before your administration.

The USMLE program does not provide scores or outcomes by telephone, email, or fax to anyone. The scoring process is not expedited or accelerated for any individual or group.
 

Incomplete Scores

If you do not open every block of your examination, your examination may not be scored, and the attempt may be reported as incomplete on your USMLE transcript. For Step 3, if you take Day 1 but do not take Day 2, the exam may be reported as incomplete.

Score Rechecks

For all Steps, multiple rigorous quality-control procedures are used to ensure the accuracy of scores, including a parallel scoring method involving independent scoring systems. Therefore, a change in your score or in your pass/fail outcome based on a recheck is an extremely remote possibility. To date, the score recheck process has not resulted in a score change. 

The score recheck process does not include a manual review of the questions or your answers. When a request for a score recheck is received, the original response record is retrieved and rescored using a system that is outside of the normal processing routine. The score calculated during the recheck is then compared with the original score. You will be advised in writing whether the original score (if applicable) and/or pass/fail outcome was deemed accurate. No additional information will be provided. 

If you wish to request a score recheck, submit a request and service fee to the organization that registered you for your examination. Your request must be received no later than 90 days after your result was released to you.

 

Score Validity

The performance of examinees is monitored and may be analyzed to detect aberrancies or other information that raises questions about the validity of your exam results. The USMLE program reserves the right to cancel exam results that are at or above the passing level, prior to or after release, if the USMLE program has a good faith basis for questioning whether the exam result(s) represent a valid measure of knowledge or competence for licensure as assessed by the examination. Questions about score validity may result from irregular behavior (please refer to the Irregular Behavior section), improper access to exam questions or other factors. If there are questions related to the validity of your exam result and your result has not yet been reported, your official score report may be delayed or withheld pending completion of further review and/or investigation. Whether questions relating to the validity of your exam result arise after your result has been reported or before, the USMLE reserves the right to cancel the result if it has a good faith basis for questioning the validity of your result. If your result is being investigated for validity concerns, you will be notified in writing by the USMLE Office of the Secretariat. 

After review and analysis of all available information by the USMLE program, exam results will be classified as either eligible for reporting after score-validity review, or not eligible for reporting, or canceled if previously reported. If your result is invalidated, an annotation of “score not available” will appear on your transcript next to the date of your examination, and you will be notified and advised of the options for retaking the examination (if retaking is permitted).

Anomalous Performance

Anomalous performance and/or unusual testing history may result in a review of your eligibility for the USMLE. The USMLE program reserves the right to restrict your future access to its examinations and/or to impose conditions on future access based on performance that suggests a lack of readiness to test.  Do not test if you are not prepared or able to meaningfully participate in testing on your scheduled test date.

Taking a Step examination to familiarize yourself with the examination format, or for any reason other than to pass, is prohibited and may result in restrictions on your future access to the USMLE.

Next Section