Increase in minimum passing score for Step 2 CK

[mbbs2010]

Change in Minimum Passing Requirements for Step 2 CK

They changed the minimum passing score from 189 to 196! Here's a quote from the official announcement.

As stated in the USMLE Bulletin of Information and as explained in a previous posting to the USMLE website, 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.
Every three to four years the Step Committees are asked to complete an in-depth review of standards, and they may schedule more frequent reviews. At its June 2012 meeting, the Step 2 Committee conducted such a review for USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK). As a result of its review, the Step 2 Committee decided to raise the three-digit score recommended to pass Step 2 from 189 to 196. The Committee will closely monitor the effects of this decision on examinees and schools, and will examine trends in performance on an annual basis.
The new minimum passing score will be applied to Step 2 CK examinations for which the first day of testing is on or after July 1, 2012.

Reference:
http://www.usmle.org/announcements/d...x?ContentId=98

[patelMD]

Wow.. Thats a big jump...

[rulz]

Indeed a big jump. but as always we have to focus on not a passing score but to reach a great score to get into the resident program we want. Keep in mind the increase on the passing score is because compare to Step 1, there are more people who can get this step easier than step 1. So for us, It is a big jump, but still we ALL got our goals to a higher score!!!

So, Never Give up guys,, Never Back Down!! Just Stand up and Fight for your score! whatever it is... =)

See you in the journey guys.

[stepdoc1]

That is a huge jump! I didn't like it at all! What will be next? Increase the number of questions?!

[RocketMD]

Originally Posted by stepdoc1

That is a huge jump! I didn't like it at all! What will be next? Increase the number of questions?!

They already did!
Change in the number of Items in the Step 2 CK Exam

[HMDSameh]

I CANNOT even Begin to express my absolute delight and joy about this change (of minimum passing from 189 to 196). In fact I REALLY wish they had changed to 210 !!!
I am SICK and TIRED of some of my obnoxious immature and loud classmates, who party all the time instead of doing their work through our basic sciences and clinical rotations, and copy and paste and cheat and skip classes and make up all sorts of b.s. on their patient notes etc. and just do the BARE minimum of studying to Pass the steps, and because their DAD or UNCLE is a doctor or some other connection, They get the spots and some really hard working candidates (some even double 99's) who don't have any connections and are not slick, go unmatched. THANK YOU USMLE Governing body for this MUCH NEEDED CHANGE!!! THANKS a MILLION and to all those "bare minimers" I say HUHH!!! and I sure hope to GOT they do the same with step 1 and CS. I have not taken step 2 CK yet, but IF for some odd stupid reason I score 195, I will take it like a man and STILL be Happy about this change. BUT I ASSURE YOU MY TARTGET IS 250+, and I don't see ANYTHING THAT WILL GET IN MY WAY!!! again HUHHH!!! and ROFLMAO at all the minimers whose parents pushed them into medicine and they keep ruining different schools reputation and image.

[saltycoffee]

Originally Posted by HMDSameh

I CANNOT even Begin to express my absolute delight and joy about this change (of minimum passing from 189 to 196). In fact I REALLY wish they had changed to 210 !!!
I am SICK and TIRED of some of my obnoxious immature and loud classmates, who party all the time instead of doing their work through our basic sciences and clinical rotations, and copy and paste and cheat and skip classes and make up all sorts of b.s. on their patient notes etc. and just do the BARE minimum of studying to Pass the steps, and because their DAD or UNCLE is a doctor or some other connection, They get the spots and some really hard working candidates (some even double 99's) who don't have any connections and are not slick, go unmatched. THANK YOU USMLE Governing body for this MUCH NEEDED CHANGE!!! THANKS a MILLION and to all those "bare minimers" I say HUHH!!! and I sure hope to GOT they do the same with step 1 and CS. I have not taken step 2 CK yet, but IF for some odd stupid reason I score 195, I will take it like a man and STILL be Happy about this change. BUT I ASSURE YOU MY TARTGET IS 250+, and I don't see ANYTHING THAT WILL GET IN MY WAY!!! again HUHHH!!! and ROFLMAO at all the minimers whose parents pushed them into medicine and they keep ruining different schools reputation and image.

Phew... thats a lot of arrogance... Although I agree scores should be changed to reflect competency of the examination...

There is no need to degrade people who get low score. Some of them its not their native tongue, some have difficulty in reading the questions in time, some others still have to manage families while giving steps.

Maybe in the end, no excuse is final or self-abiding.. but tosh man, just cause some person worked 20 hours a day to get to 205 .. doesn't mean he doesn't deserve his chance.

If he gets a residency, then he worked for it. The effort behind is 205 shouldn't be ignored...

In the words of Einstein " God does not play dice with the world "

[aristotle218]

Originally Posted by saltycoffee

Phew... thats a lot of arrogance... Although I agree scores should be changed to reflect competency of the examination...

There is no need to degrade people who get low score. Some of them its not their native tongue, some have difficulty in reading the questions in time, some others still have to manage families while giving steps.

Maybe in the end, no excuse is final or self-abiding.. but tosh man, just cause some person worked 20 hours a day to get to 205 .. doesn't mean he doesn't deserve his chance.

If he gets a residency, then he worked for it. The effort behind is 205 shouldn't be ignored...

In the words of Einstein " God does not play dice with the world "

Amen to that!