Overview of USMLE Requirements

Feinberg Exam Performance & USMLE Step 1

AWOME conducts regular evaluations to measure how well the Feinberg curriculum prepares students for the USMLE Step 1. Correlational analyses have consistently shown a significant link between student performance on module exams and later performance on the USMLE Step 1.

These data suggest that students who are mastering the ability to study effectively for module examinations will continue to do so for boards. Additionally, the knowledge gained from the Phase 1 curriculum goes far beyond preparing you for Step exams. It gives you the foundation for effective critical thinking, synthesis and application to the care of patients with complex disease. These skills are critical to effectively care for your patients and for outstanding performance in the clerkships.

Feinberg USMLE Requirements

In 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. 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 retaken. Students who fail Step 1 need to take adequate time off to prepare for retaking the exam.
• Beginning with the graduating class of 2024, all students will be required to sit for the USMLE Step 2 CK examination by the end of August of the academic year in which you will graduate. Sitting by the end of August will allow additional time for scores to be available to residency programs.
• We urge you to apply for Step 2 CK at least 5 to 6 months in advance, as exam dates fill up quickly.
• If your Step 2 CK score is available before the opening of ERAS on the last Wednesday in September, your score for both Step 1 and Step 2CK will both be released when you complete the required ERAS tasks.

Score Reporting

All Step 1 exams taken after January 25, 2022 are reported as Pass/Fail. If your Step 1 exam is taken in April, scores reports are made available approximately three weeks after the exam date. If the exam is taken in May or June, score reports are usually made available in July. Scores are released each Wednesday except for the months of May and June and the first two weeks of January, when no scores are released. 

Receiving scores for Step 2 CK averages approximately three-and-a-half weeks after the exam date.

Please note: In each scoring cohort, there will be occasional dates when individual test centers or the entire testing network are unavailable. These are typically known in advance, and the dates will be displayed as unavailable when examinees schedule appointments through the testing center website.