Abstract
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUCSOM) sequentially implemented education initiatives to improve performance on United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 over a 5 year period from academic years 2004 to 2008. USMLE Step 1 pass rate among the first-time examinees increased from 57% to 94% during testing years 2003 to 2009 and mean Step 1 score increased incrementally 29 points from 186 to 215. In addition, the percentage of students testing as “High Achiever,” i.e. those receiving 2-digit scores ≥ 90, equivalent to 3-digit scores ≥ 221 in 2003–2006 and ≥ 217 in 2007–2009, increased from 8% in 2003 to 46% in 2009. There was a strong correlation between AUCSOM grade point average (GPA) and individual USMLE Step 1 score. There was a weak correlation between USMLE Step 1 score and pre-matriculating Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score. Pre-matriculating student global or science GPA had a negligible association with USMLE Step 1 score. The 246 Step 1 examinees in 2009 achieved a 94% pass rate with a mean score 215, having matriculated with a mean MCAT score of 23.5, 57% of which were ≤ 23.
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Yoshida, H., Sims, K.L. Education Initiatives for Improved United States Medical Licensing Examination Performance. Med.Sci.Educ. 23, 637–647 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03341691
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03341691