Association Between USMLE Step 1 Scores and In-Training Examination Performance

ABSTRACT Background: The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a high-stakes test required for entry to most U.S. medical schools; admissions committees use this test to predict future accomplishment. Although there is evidence that the MCAT predicts success on multiple choice–based assessments, there is little information on whether the MCAT predicts clinical-based assessments of undergraduate and graduate medical education performance. This study looked at associations between the MCAT and medical school grade point average (GPA), Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, observed patient care encounters, and residency performance assessments. Methods: This study used data collected as part of the Long-Term Career Outcome Study to determine associations between MCAT scores, USMLE Step 1, Step 2 clinical knowledge and clinical skill, and Step 3 scores, Objective Structured Clinical Examination performance, medical school GPA, and PGY-1 program director (PD) assessment of physician performance for students graduating 2010 and 2011. Results: MCAT data were available for all students, and the PGY PD evaluation response rate was 86.2% (N = 340). All permutations of MCAT scores (first, last, highest, average) were weakly associated with GPA, Step 2 clinical knowledge scores, and Step 3 scores. MCAT scores were weakly to moderately associated with Step 1 scores. MCAT scores were not significantly associated with Step 2 clinical skills Integrated Clinical Encounter and Communication and Interpersonal Skills subscores, Objective Structured Clinical Examination performance or PGY-1 PD evaluations. Discussion: MCAT scores were weakly to moderately associated with assessments that rely on multiple choice testing. The association is somewhat stronger for assessments occurring earlier in medical school, such as USMLE Step 1. The MCAT was not able to predict assessments relying on direct clinical observation, nor was it able to predict PD assessment of PGY-1 performance.

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Objective Strategies and Recommendations in the Era of the Binary USMLE Step 1 Score

Journal of Surgical Research ◽

10.1016/j.jss.2021.03.029 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 265 ◽

pp. 11-12

Author(s):

Zain Aryanpour ◽

Shivani Ananthasekar ◽

Carter J. Boyd

Keyword(s):

Usmle Step 1 ◽

Usmle Step

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Racial Bias in Using USMLE Step 1 Scores to Grant Internal Medicine Residency Interviews

Academic Medicine ◽

10.1097/00001888-200112000-00021 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 76 (12) ◽

pp. 1253-1256 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Michael B. Edmond ◽

Jennifer L. Deschenes ◽

Maia Eckler ◽

Richard P. Wenzel

Keyword(s):

Internal Medicine ◽

Racial Bias ◽

Internal Medicine Residency ◽

Usmle Step 1 ◽

Usmle Step

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The Fellowship Competitiveness Index: A Novel Way to Estimate Admission Competition into Internal Medicine Subspecialties

10.21203/rs.2.10863/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Huynh Wynn Tran ◽

Russell W. De Jong ◽

Quinto Gesiotto

Keyword(s):

Internal Medicine ◽

Infectious Disease ◽

Critical Care ◽

Valid Measure ◽

Medical Graduates ◽

Multiple Factors ◽

Physician Compensation ◽

Salary Increase ◽

Usmle Step 1 ◽

Usmle Step

Abstract Background The competitiveness of internal medicine (IM) fellowships have not been well studied. Our novel competitiveness metric aims to estimate IM subspecialty fellowships entry competitiveness in a single, concise number that is easily accessible and understandable. Through this we hope to offer assistance to prospective fellowship applicants in making an educated and realistic fellowship choice. Methods Fellowship filled percentages, the percentage of applications from US medical graduates (USMGs), average matriculating USMLE Step 1 scores, and average post-fellowship salary were used to construct our metric. Procedural specialties included cardiology, pulmonary/critical care, and gastroenterology. Non-procedural specialties included hematology/oncology, rheumatology, endocrinology, infectious disease, and nephrology. Data were gathered from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) 2009 - 2018 reports, Medscape’s Physician Compensation Reports, and other sources used to corroborate salaries. Results 2018 procedural FCI (25.92) was higher than non-procedural (15.61). Cardiology (FCI 28.72, salary $423,000, Step 1 237.67) was the most competitive field. Hematology/oncology leads non-procedural fields in FCI (28.02), USMG percentage (60%), and salary ($363,000). Nephrology fill rates have declined from 94.8% to 60.1% despite 32% salary increase, giving it the lowest FCI (7.04). Conclusions Calculations show procedural specialties are most competitive, with cardiology at the top. Hematology/oncology leads non-procedural fields and is approaching procedural competitiveness, as evidenced by multiple factors that rival or surpass gastroenterology and pulmonary/critical care. We believe that this metric is a simple, accessible, and valid measure of competitiveness of fellowship entry and with further manipulation can be generalized to residency competitiveness.

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