Scores

  • When will I get my scores?

    Scores for USMLE Step exams are released on Wednesdays. Generally, these will include scores for examinees who tested within four weeks before the release date. However, there are many factors that may delay an individual score release. Your registration entity will notify you by email when your score becomes available. When released, your scores will be posted to your registration entity's secure website. If you have not received your score within eight weeks of your test date, please contact us to determine the status of your score report.

    Please note that new scores are not released the week following some holidays, including Independence Day (July 4th), Thanksgiving Day in late November, and New Years Day in early January.

     

  • What are the passing scores for the three Steps, and do they ever change? If so, why?

    Information on minimum passing scores for USMLE examinations is posted on the Scores and Transcripts page.

    The USMLE Management Committee establishes the minimum passing score. The USMLE Management Committee reviews data for each component in the USMLE sequence approximately once every four years and decides whether to change the recommended minimum passing score.

    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.

    *USMLE Step 1 score reporting is reported as pass/fail only for exams taken on or after January 26, 2022. On the three-digit score scale, the passing standard is 196. Future reviews of the Step 1 passing standard will not be reported in terms of a three-digit score.

  • Why isn't my score available right after testing?

    In order to ensure that both the processing and scoring of USMLE examinations are done in a secure and accurate fashion, it is necessary to follow a number of quality assurance steps. These steps include monitoring reports from test centers about test delivery problems and about possible security violations. 

  • What are the group pass rates by medical school for the Steps?

    NBME does not publicly report performance data by individual medical schools. LCME accredited medical schools receive aggregate reports directly that provide performance for their respective school.

  • May I retake a Step that I passed to raise my score?

    No, you may not retake a previously passed exam to raise your score. For more information on retake policies, please review the information in the General section of the Common Questions.

  • How can I request a transcript of my USMLE scores?

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

    FSMB produces and distributes transcripts for all USMLE examinees (both domestic and international medical students and graduates). To have a transcript sent to a medical licensing authority at any time, submit your request through FSMB.

    If you have NBME Parts exam and/or USMLE exams, you will also order your transcripts from FSMB. 

    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.

  • How do I request a score recheck?

    Information about requesting a score recheck is in the USMLE Bulletin of Information.

  • Who else sees my score report?

    Your score report is provided only for your personal use. When you want a third party (e.g., residency programs) to receive an official record of your USMLE scores, request that your registration entity send the transcript (see Requesting a Transcript of USMLE Scores). Under some circumstances, medical schools may receive scores and pass/fail outcomes for their students.

  • Does USMLE use normative scoring/grade on a curve?

    USMLE scores and pass/fail decisions are not determined using a curve, which would necessitate a specific amount/percentage of examinees must fail. Rather, an exam score is determined by an examinee’s performance on the content seen during the test administration. Passing standards are set by the USMLE Management Committee, as a minimum threshold of performance that must be obtained by all examinees. The passing standards are periodically reviewed for each Step. Examinees who perform at or above the minimum threshold (i.e., passing standard) will pass the examination, regardless of the number or percentage of examinees that pass overall.