CHANGE IN STEP 2 MINIMUM PASSING SCORE
Posted April 29, 2003
As stated in the USMLE Bulletin of Information and as explained in a previous USMLE website posting, the level of proficiency required to meet the recommended minimum passing level for each USMLE Step examination is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted at any time. Notice of such review and any adjustments are posted at the USMLE website.
At its April 2003 meeting, the Step 2 Committee conducted such a review, considering information from multiple sources including: 1) results of surveys of various groups concerning the appropriateness of current pass/fail standards for Step examinations; 2) trends in examinee performance; 3) score precision and its effect on the pass/fail decision; and 4) recommendations from physicians who participated in content-based standard-setting activities early in 2003. As a result of this review, the Step 2 Committee decided to raise the three-digit score recommended to pass Step 2 from 174 to 182. The new minimum passing score will be applied to Step 2 examinations for which the first day of testing is on or after 5/1/2003.
Because of the change in the recommended minimum passing score, it will be necessary to modify scoring and reporting procedures accordingly. These modifications may make it necessary to delay the reporting of scores of some examinees for an additional 1-2 weeks beyond the normal turnaround period. The normal turnaround period for Step 2 examinees is 3-4 weeks. All efforts will be made to minimize these delays and the number of examinees who are affected.
Step2: 考试时间约9小时，共分6门临床课程370题选择，成绩至少在182分以上 。（相当于及格分数75分）临床医学部份：内科Internal medicine，妇产科obstetrics and gynecology，小儿科pediatrics，预防医学preventive medicine，心理学psychiatry，外科surgery 。
Step2一般分为几个Sections , 每个Sections的长度在30~60分钟 。每场考试规定的休息时间总共为45分钟，包括午餐 。由考生自行安排 。但只能在Sections之间进行 。如果考生在每一部分中能够提前答完，剩下的时间也可作为休息时间 。60天内不可重考同一Step，一年不可报考同一Step三次，通过的Step不可重新报考，及格成绩可保留七年，考试时间确定后不可更改及退费 。