Two (Small) Caveats to the Step Percentile Cut-Offs for InterviewsĪfter looking at the data for interview cut-offs, there are two small caveats. Discussions with admissions committee members would corroborate this. So how many programs have actual cut-off scores for granting residency interviews? 64% of the PD survey respondents reported having a “target score.” Only 34% of 2018 respondents claimed not to have a “target” Step 1 score. How Many Residency Programs Have Step 1 and Step 2 CK Cut-Off Scores? And for dermatology, ENT, and plastic surgery? A 260 would get you an interview at most of the programs who grant interviews based on high USMLE scores. For the next tier up, you might want to aim for a Step 1 score of 250. What do you notice? First, if you’re aiming for an interview, a 240 on Step 1 will get you in the door with programs that aren’t the most competitive. *Median Cut-Off Scores Not Available for All Specialties. Step 2 CK Scores (25%ile, Median and 75%ile) Above Which Programs Almost Always Grant Interviews 2018 Program Director Survey. These are the Step 1 Scores “Below Which Programs Generally Do Not Grant Interviews”: Here are each specialty’s cut-off scores from the most recent program director survey. In contrast, only 39% reported having a “target” Step 2 CK score. For example, in the 2018 PD survey, 64% of respondents report a “target” Step 1 score. It’s used so often, in fact, that many residencies have cut-off scores. In fact, many programs use it as a “screen” for applicants. Often Step 1 is the most cited criteria used for extending residency interviews. Residencies use Boards scores as a significant criterion in selecting applicants. Instead, they are a means to a particular aim, specifically residency applications. Most people view USMLE scores not as an end in itself. What Are Each Specialty’s USMLE Cut-Off Scores for Interviews? (Not to mention the fact that you get to take each USMLE only once). Thus, to achieve the same percentile on Boards as you did on the MCAT, you have to do much better. Translation: an “average” US med student scored higher than 80% of MCAT test-takers. However, the average MCATs of matriculants is approximately one standard deviation higher! In other words, the average matriculant’s MCAT is in roughly the 80%ile of test-takers. For example, the average MCAT score is roughly 500, with a standard deviation of 10.5. One reminder: med students are excellent test-takers. However, it would be below the median for Step 2 CK (42nd percentile). So a 240 on Step 1 is the 66th percentile. Here are the same data represented visually:įirst, Step 2 CK scores are significantly higher than Step 1 scores. Here are the percentiles for Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3: Score Specifically, we can look at the percentiles for USMLE, as reported by the NBME. The easiest way to answer what a “good” score is to look at the percentiles of all test-takers. Percentiles for Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3
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How Many Residency Programs Have Step 1 and Step 2 CK Cut-Off Scores?.What Score Will Virtually Guarantee an Interview?.What Are Each Specialty’s USMLE Cut-Off Scores for Interviews?.
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Percentiles for Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3.