YIKES!!!!!……The USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) makes changes to its examinations throughout the year. As a result, medical students and doctors should always be aware of any upcoming changes to these four examinations, as well as, understand how the score reporting will affect them.
For example, the USMLE Step 1 has decreased the number of test items from 308 questions to 280 questions, effective as of May 9, 2016. All test examiners after this date, should expect delayed reporting of their test scores to allow time for all examiners throughout the world to adjust to these changes. To stay updated, follow us here. You should know that it will take approximately 6-8 weeks for everyone to see these changes and then everyone who has tested during this transition period will receive their test scores at the same time, around July 13, 2016. If you need your test scores back within the normal 3-4 week scoring period, it is recommended you take your USMLE Step 1 prior to the scheduled change on May 9, 2016.
This same principle applies for the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills examination. Each year, hundreds of people schedule their test for the same time period and want their scores back in time for the Residency Match. Unfortunately, the reporting is delayed due to the increased influx of people taking their examination during such a short block of time, so examiners should expect a delay in score reporting during the fall and winter months each year. Again testers should plan accordingly, to have their score reports back in time to apply to ERAS, so they can compete in the Match process.
If you have any further questions about delayed score reporting, send them to questions@usmlemastersystem.net or visit us here. You can also check for future updates at the USMLE’s official website www.usmle.org.