USMLE Graduation RequirementIn addition to your course, clerkship, and teaching selective requirements, eligibility for graduation from the Feinberg School of Medicine is contingent upon recording a passing score on the licensing examinations of the National Board of Medical Examiners, as follows: - All students will be required to take and record a passing score on the USMLE Step 1 examination.
- (Effective with the class of 2011: Step 1 must be taken prior to starting the clinical clerkships. A student who receives a failing score on Step 1 while enrolled in a clerkship may complete that clerkship. The student may not proceed to the next clerkship until Step 1 has been re-taken. Students who fail Step 1 need to take adequate time off to prepare for retaking the exam. Exception to this policy may be made if approved by the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education.)
- All students will be required to take and record a passing score on the USMLE Step 2 – CK (clinical knowledge) examination.
- All students will be required to take and record a passing score on the USMLE Step 2 – CS (clinical skills) examination.
Receiving the scores for Step 2 CK averages approximately 3.5 weeks after the exam date. Step 2 CS reports are significantly longer. Here is the reporting schedule for the current year. It has been relatively the same for the last two years. | Released July 6, 2011 | TESTING PERIOD | REPORTING PERIOD | For examinees who test | Reporting start date | Reporting close date | March 27 through May 14 | June 15, 2011 | July 13, 2011 | May 15 through July 16 | August 17, 2011 | Sept 14, 2011 | July 17 through Sept 10 | Oct 12, 2011 | Nov 9, 2011 | Sep 11 through Nov 5 | Dec 7, 2011 | Jan 4, 2012 | Nov 6 through Dec 31 | Feb 2, 2012 | Feb 22, 2012 | | Jan 1 through Jan 28 | Feb 29, 2012 | March 28, 2012 | | Jan 29 through March 24 | April 25, 2012 | May 23, 2012 | | March 25 through May 19 | June 20, 2012 | July 18, 2012 |
The first results for a given testing period will be mailed on the first day of the corresponding reporting period, and it is expected that results for the vast majority of examinees who take the exam during the testing period will be reported on this date. However, it is important to note that there will likely be a small number of examinees for whom scoring and quality assurance are not completed by the first day of the reporting period; these will typically be examinees who took the exam in the latter part of the testing period. Results for these examinees will be reported each week throughout the reporting period, and should be reported no later than the last day of the score reporting period.
This schedule allows USMLE staff to enhance the quality assurance and data collection/scoring procedures performed prior to score reporting. Additionally, it provides examinees, and others who rely on Step 2 CS results, with guidelines regarding when a result will be reported for a given exam date. These guidelines allow examinees to plan their exam registration and scheduling in order to have their results in time to meet specific deadlines, such as those related to graduation or participation in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), or “the Match.” - You must take Step 2 CS by the end of December.
- You must take Step 2 CK by the end of January. This will allow the scores to come to the school and be part of the documentation necessary to certify you as eligible to graduate. Your eligibility for graduation is approved by the Student Promotions Committee, then presented to the Dean’s Council for final approval.
- Please be aware that many residency programs want to see both of these results before ranking. Look closely at the individual program requirements. We would also urge you to start apply for both of these exams as soon as possible. We have learned that the exam dates are filling up quickly. There have also been many questions about withholding the release of your Step 2 CK scores. If you take the exam and your score is available before the opening of ERAS on September 1st you will not have the option to withhold your Step 2 CK score. It will automatically be released.
Please Note: Some residency programs are looking for Step 2 CK scores as they rank applicants. Please check with the program about this before you schedule your examination. | 
