Addressing Differences in USMLE Step 1 2022

Results indicate a higher fail rate on the Step 1 exam for the 2022 examinees relative to recent years. It is important to note that factors not present in previous years introduce complexities when comparing the 2022 examinee group to previous years. These differences should be considered when interpreting report data. The factors include:

Increased Passing Standard for Step 1

The Step 1 pass/fail transition beginning on January 26, 2022, coincided with an increase in the exam’s minimum passing standard from 194 to 196. The increase in passing standard accounts for some increases observed in the fail rates.

Shift in Examinee Scheduling Patterns

We have observed shifts in the timing of when examinees tested, particularly around the pass/fail transition date. These changes in test timing patterns suggest that those who tested during this period may not be representative of the typical group that tested during these times in the past. These potential differences complicate comparisons to past performance data.

Source: usmle.org