The USMLE Step 2 Committee has decided to increase the passing
standards of the Step 2 CS and Step 2 CK Exams.
Step 2 CS Passing Standard Increase!
Performance levels required to pass the Step 2 CS examination
have increased in two of the three Step 2 CS subcomponents. Those
categories affected are Communication and Interpersonal Skills
(CIS) and Spoken English Proficiency (SEP). There will be no
change to minimum passing requirements for the Integrated
Clinical Encounter (ICE) subcomponent of Step 2 CS.
If this increase in passing standards were applied to a recent
group of test-takers, the passing rate for examinees from US
schools would have decreased less than one percent and the
passing rate for examinees from international medical schools
would have decreased approximately eight percent.
This new minimum passing score will affect students taking the
Step 2 CS exam on or after July 15, 2007.
Step 2 CK Passing Standard Increase!
The minimum passing score for the Step 2 CK was raised from
182 to 184. This new minimum passing score will affect students
taking the exam on or after July 1, 2007.
The Step 2 CK Committee decided to raise the three-digit score
during their June 2007 meeting. Several factors were taken into
consideration such as recommendations from independent groups,
survey results and examinee performance trends. Passing standards
for USMLE Step Examinations are reviewed periodically and may be
adjusted at any time.
