- Usmle score
=USMLE Score=
Introduction
The
USMLE score is given to test takers as a 2 digit and 3 digit score. These two scores are related to each other and are commonly used by hospitals to determine eligibility for residency and fellowship. The three digit score is based off a theoretical maximum of 300, but this has not been documented by the NBME / FSMB. The two digit score isnormalized to the three digit score such that a 75 is equal to a 185 for the USMLE Step 1. [http://usmle.org/Scores_Transcripts/minimum_passing.html] Contrary to popular opinion, the two digit score does not represent a percentile. [http://download.usmle.org/2009step1.pdf]Three Digit USMLE Score
The NBME / FSMB have never clearly stated that the three digit score is based off an absolute scale with a maximum of 300. However, this is the assumption stated by NBME with regard to their Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessment (CBSSA). [https://apps.nbme.org/nsasweb/doc/sample_CBSSA.pdf] The minimum passing level for the three digit score is 185. [http://usmle.org/Scores_Transcripts/minimum_passing.html] The average score varies by year and tends to be between 200 and 220. [https://apps.nbme.org/nsasweb/doc/sample_CBSSA.pdf]
Two Digit USMLE Score
The two digit score is given along with the three digit score. It does not represent a percentile. [http://download.usmle.org/2009step1.pdf] [http://www.clinicalreview.com/USMLECalculator.php] The minimum passing score on the two digit scale is 75. [http://usmle.org/Scores_Transcripts/minimum_passing.html] The highest score is a 99, although this is based off a review of publicly available scores and not an official statement.
USMLE Score Calculator
There are a number of score calculators and converters available for the
USMLE . A free calculator and converter is available at [http://www.clinicalreview.com/USMLECalculator.php www.ClinicalReview.com] and permits the conversion between the three digit score and two digit score, along with an estimate of thepercentile based off aprobability distribution similar to aGaussian distribution . [http://www.clinicalreview.com/USMLECalculator.php]A second calculator is also available at that site which permits the conversion of scores from private testing services to an estimated
USMLE score. [http://www.clinicalreview.com/USMLECalculator.php] According to their website, this calculation is based off aregression model that seeks to fit the best curve to the available data.There are other calculators available. A commonly referenced calculator is available [http://www.medfriends.org/step1_estimator/ here] . This calculator does not perform any conversions, but allows you to estimate your score based off performance from private testing services.
Finally, a calculator is available that permits you to estimate your USMLE Step 1 performance based off a single question bank. That calculator is available with a paid subscription to
Kaplan QBank.References
External links
* [http://www.clinicalreview.com www.ClinicalReview.com USMLE Score Calculator and Converter]
* [http://www.medfriends.org/step1_estimator/ MedFriends.org USMLE Estimator]
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