Minimum USMLE Step 1 Passing Score Raised

During the November 2017 meeting held by the USMLE Management Committee, the decision was made to increase the passing score for the USMLE Step 1.

Beginning with all exams starting on or after January 1, 2018, the United States Medical Licensing Exam increased the Step 1 passing score to be 194. This decision, made by the USMLE Management Committee during the November 29-30, 2017 meeting, was made based on the following:

Reasons for the USMLE Step 1 Passing Score Adjustment

• Recommendations from independent groups of physicians who participated in content-based standard-setting activities in 2017
• Results of surveys of various groups (e.g., state licensing representatives, medical school faculty, examinees) concerning the appropriateness of current passing requirements for the Step 1 examination
• Data on trends in examinee performance
• Data on the precision of pass/fail classifications

Keep in mind, the minimum passing score for each USMLE Step examination is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted at any time.

How Does this Affect Students?

While a two-point increase in the minimum passing score is not a dramatic increase, an increase at any capacity can impact the pressure a student feels while studying. That’s why it’s important students are preparing for the USMLE Step 1 by taking practice questions from qualified USMLE q-banks, like TrueLearn’s SmartBanks.

It’s been proven that the “testing effect” has been shown to produce greater gains in meaningful learning than other methods of studying such as watching videos, listening to lectures or re-reading notes. Many studies have demonstrated that students who practice testing outperform those who prepare using other methods.

Using TrueLearn to Prepare for Step 1

TrueLearn’s USMLE Step 1 SmartBank is comprised of thousands of questions mirroring those of the actual exam and written by item-writers who are well-versed in the National Board of Medical Examiners’ (NBME) blueprint.

The TrueLearn portal was designed to simulate the actual USMLE Step 1 testing experience to promote greater learning. Plus, the portal includes the analytics and data needed to track performance and improvement rates throughout studying.

Don’t let the two point minimum passing rate increase shake your confidence. Subscribe to TrueLearn to begin studying for the USMLE Step 1 today.