Starting in 2023, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) exam will be transitioning to a pass/fail scoring system. The decision to move to a pass/fail system was made by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) in response to concerns regarding the impact of numeric scores on medical student education and the residency application process.
The USMLE Step 2 CK exam assesses a student’s clinical knowledge and skills, including diagnosis, management, and prevention of disease. The exam is typically taken by medical students in their final year of medical school or during their residency.
With the move to a pass/fail system, students will no longer receive a numeric score for the USMLE Step 2 CK exam. Instead, they will be given a designation of either “pass” or “fail.” This change aims to shift the focus away from scores and towards an evaluation of a student’s overall clinical competency.
The decision to move to a pass/fail system was not made lightly. The NBME and FSMB conducted extensive research and analysis to ensure that the change would not compromise the integrity of the exam or negatively impact the residency application process. The organizations also sought input from stakeholders in the medical education community, including medical students, residency program directors, and medical school deans.
The move to a pass/fail system for the USMLE Step 2 CK exam is expected to have several positive impacts. By removing the emphasis on scores, the change will allow medical students to focus on their clinical education and competency without undue stress and pressure. The change will also promote a more holistic evaluation of a student’s overall clinical abilities, which will better align with the goals of medical education and patient care.
In summary, the transition to a pass/fail scoring system for the USMLE Step 2 CK exam represents a significant change for medical students, residency programs, and the medical education community. While there may be some adjustments required to adapt to the new system, the change is ultimately expected to promote a more effective and equitable evaluation of clinical competency.