NBME Exam Policy

USMLE NBME Step 1 Examination Policy

1.      Passing the USMLE Step 1 is a requirement for promotion into the clinical curriculum. M2 students will take the Step 1 examination during the month of June (prior to the start of ICC). 

2.      Students who fail their first attempt at Step 1 may complete the M3 clerkship block they are currently on. Under no circumstance will a student be allowed to begin a second clerkship before the Step 1 examination has been retaken.

3.       Students who fail the Step 1 examination on their first attempt must submit a specific study plan and timeline to the Educational Support Committee (ESC) for consideration and permission to retake the Step 1 examination.  The ESC will provide feedback on a student’s study plan. Once the study plan has been approved, permission will be granted for the retake. 

4.      A student who has failed USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt, must retake the examination no later than October 31 of that same year. If a student does not meet this deadline, they must appear before the SPC.

5.      If a student does not pass the Step 1 examination on the second attempt, they will be placed on a leave of absence.  The student must appear before the SPC and request permission to retake the examination.  The student will need to make a presentation to the committee including a modified study plan and timeline.  The SPC has the prerogative to accept or deny the request for retake.

6.      If granted permission to take the exam a third time, the student must sit for the exam no later than May 15 of the following year.   Failure to do so will result in an automatic recommendation for dismissal.

7.      Any student failing the Step 1 examination a third time will appear before the SPC for review and likely dismissal based on academic grounds.

USMLE NBME Step 2 Examniation Policy 

• All students are required to take and record a passing score on the USMLE Step 2 – CK (clinical knowledge) examination.
• All students are required to take and record a passing score on the USMLE Step 2 – CS (clinical skills) examination.

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