January 26, 2022 was the effective date for the change. All Step 1 exams taken on or before January 25, 2022 received a numeric score and pass/fail outcome. All Step 1 exams taken on or after January 26, 2022 receive a pass/fail outcome only.
Step 1
When did the policy change of reporting Step 1 as pass/fail only occur?
What information appears on USMLE transcripts since the transition to Step 1 pass/fail?
All USMLE transcripts, including those submitted through the Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS®), will include the same information. A Step 1 exams taken since January 26, 2022 will appear on transcripts as a pass/fail outcome only, without a numeric score. A Step 1 exam taken on or before January 25, 2022 will appear on transcripts as a numeric score and a pass/fail.
If I received a 3-digit score on Step 1 examination, will my 3-digit score be visible on paper and ERAS transcripts after Step 1 outcomes are reported as pass/fail?
All scores for Step 1 exams taken prior to the date of the policy change will continue to be reported using the three-digit numeric score on all USMLE transcripts.
How can I compete with others who have a numeric score when I have pass/fail?
The primary purpose of USMLE is for licensure. The USMLE co-sponsors recognize that there are other uses for USMLE, such as residency selection, but an ideal system for evaluating candidates should be holistic. This system should feature various assessments of a candidate’s competencies and unique characteristics. In such a system, USMLE would serve as one objective measure and be weighted appropriately.
What new content appeared on Step 1 exams administered after the exam was updated in October 2020?
No new content was assessed in Step 1 exams administered after the exam was updated in October 2020. Examinees testing after the October 2020 update saw an increase in the number of items that assess knowledge of Communication and Interpersonal Skills; this content has been included on the Step 1 exam for many years.
You can see a representative Step 1 item assessing knowledge of Communication and Interpersonal Skills here.
What kinds of pharmacology items are on the Step 1 following the October 2020 updates?
Step 1 pharmacology items continue to focus on examinees’ understanding of drug mechanisms rather than on pharmacotherapy. Step 1 examinees are not required to identify specific medications; Step 2 CK examinees, however, are asked to do this. See example Step 1 pharmacology item here.