The USMLE Step 2 Committee is responsible for setting and
monitoring pass/fail standards for the Clinical Knowledge (CK)
and the Clinical Skills (CS) examinations. Initial standards for
the CS examination were set by the Committee in November 2004.
Because this process was completed with less than a full year�s
cohort of examinees, the Committee decided to closely monitor
cumulative data on CS during the following year and to undertake
a review of the CS standards in the Spring of 2006. This review
has been completed.
Based upon the review, the Step 2 Committee has decided to
raise the performance levels required to receive a passing
outcome on two of the three Step 2 CS subcomponents: Integrated
Clinical Encounter (ICE) and Communication and Interpersonal
Skills (CIS). There will be no change to minimum passing
requirements for the third subcomponent of Step 2 CS, Spoken
English Proficiency (SEP).
The
new passing requirements will be applied to Step 2 CS
examinations taken on and after July 16, 2006.
