Skip to main content

Student must pass the following USMLE Step examinations by the specified dates to progress in the curriculum and qualify for entry into National Residency Match Program (NRMP).

Step 1
In order to ensure a level of mastery of basic science that is adequate for clinical training, students must take Step 1 prior to starting Application Phase unless the Associate Dean for Student Affairs has approved a later date due to an extraordinary circumstance.  Students must have a passing score posted for Step 1 before November 1 of the Application Phase.

Students who do not have a passing Step 1 score posted on or before November 1 of the Application Phase are not allowed to enroll in additional clinical courses until a passing score for Step 1 is achieved.  Students who receive a failing Step 1 score after starting Application Phase, are allowed to finish the current course in which they are enrolled, but then must discontinue additional clinical coursework to study for and retake Step 1.  Scheduled clinical courses are dropped from a student’s schedule, which may delay graduation.  See more information on Step 1 below.

Students will need to generate the Step 1 form, sign and submit the form to the SOM Student Affairs Office for completion. The Office of Student Affairs will provide a 2×2 photo for the Step 1 Examination application.


Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Clinical Skills (CS)

Students must have a passing score posted for Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) on or before November 1 of Individualization Phase in order to ensure a level of mastery of clinical science to support successful performance in internship and to participate in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) or any other residency matching program.  A student is subject to withdrawal from NRMP if a passing Step 2 score is not posted by November of 1 of Individualization Phase.

Students will need to generate the Step 2 form, sign and submit the form to the SOM Student Affairs Office for completion. Students must PROVIDE a 2×2 photo for the Step 2 Examination application.


Setting Examination Dates

Prior to setting Step examination dates, students are advised to check the USMLE Bulletin (www.usmle.org) and Score Reporting Schedule – Step 2-CS (http://www.usmle.org/step-2-cs#reporting) to ensure compliance with SOM deadlines.  The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) posts Step 1 and Step 2 – CK scores on average 4-6 weeks after one’s examination date and releases Step 2-CS scores in batches 6-7 times a year resulting in scores posted 5-13 weeks after one’s test date.

  • Step 1: Students must take Step 1 in February following the completion of the Foundation Phase and prior to starting their first rotation of the Application Phase.
  • Step 2 CK: Students are encouraged to take Step 2-CK following the completion of the third year/Application Phase, usually in April or possibly May.
  • Step 2 CS:  Students should take Step 2 CS after completing and receiving results on CPX, a school-operated preparation exam that students complete December through February of Application Phase.

Scores

The School of Medicine is no longer allowed to provide USMLE scores to students or alumni. Please be sure to save your scores once they are emailed to your account. You will have 120 days to save the scores before they are deleted. Once the scores are removed, you will have to order an official USMLE transcript if you need to report your scores in the future.


Delays

The Associate Dean for Student Affairs or his/her designee may allow students to delay Step 1, Step 2-CK, or Step 2-CS due to extraordinary circumstances. Students seeking a delay should plan to meet with their advisor, the Educational Resources Coordinator, the Clinical Academic Resources Director and/or the Associate Dean to develop a study plan that could include assessment through practice tests of their preparedness to take the exam and could include participating in a commercial review course.


Failure of Step Examinations

The Student Progress Committee (SPC) review all USMLE Step examination failures.  Consequences of a Step examination failure may include:

  • Delayed graduation
  • Leave of absence
  • Additional clinical electives
  • A specially designed clinical science review
  • Referral for evaluation of a possible mental, physical, or cognitive concern or condition
  • A commercial review course
  • Dismissal from the SOM
  • Other recommendations as deemed appropriate

Students with a history of academic difficulty in the SOM who fail Step 1, Step 2-CK or Step 2-CS are subject to dismissal by the SPC.

Students who fail Step 1, Step 2-CK or Step 2-CS three times will be dismissed by the SPC absent a finding of exigent circumstances.

 

Assistance Available for Students Who Fail a Step Examination
Students who fail a Step examination and have no prior history of academic difficulty meet with the Educational Resources Coordinator and college advisor to design an individualized review plan. Students who fail a Step Examination and have a history of academic difficulty meet with the Educational Resources Coordinator, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, or college advisor to design an individualized review plan. Students are encouraged to access resources and to consider measures including but not limited to:

  • A specially-designed basic science review elective (Step 1), clinical knowledge review plan (Step 2-CK), and clinical skills review plan (Step 2 –CS)
  • Referral for evaluation of a possible mental, physical, or cognitive concern or condition, where appropriate
  • A commercial review course
  • An approved leave of absence for a maximum of two years


PROCEDURE(S):

Information about the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), including eligibility requirements, applications and scheduling, testing, formats, and scoring, is available on-line in the USMLE Bulletin (http://www.usmle.org/bulletin/).  Additional information is available on the USMLE website (http://www.usmle.org/) and by calling (215) 590-9700.