PART I: Preparation & Registration

The following guidelines apply to ALL students preparing for USMLE Step 1.

1. All students will abide by the existing Step 1 Policy of the Council on Evaluation Policy Manual and Guidelines. 
2. In consultation with the Docent, Education Team Coordinator, and the Assistant Dean of Students, a preliminary Step 1 target date will be set at Year 3 Winter advising.  This preliminary target date will be confirmed (or not) in light of performance on NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Exam (CBSE).
3. No student will be permitted to postpone or petition to move a mandatory clerkship that is scheduled after the student’s assigned USMLE Step 1 target examination date.
4. All students must achieve at least a score of 59 on the CBSE to register for USMLE Step 1.  A CBSE score of 60 predicts a Step 1 score of 175. 
5. All students must achieve at least a score of 64 on the CBSE to sit for USMLE Step 1.  A CBSE score of 64 predicts a Step 1 score of 185.
6. Failure to achieve a score of 64 or greater on the CBSE after two attempts and/or failure to take USMLE Step 1 by September 30^th of Year 5 will place the student on Leave of Absence. 

7. Students failing to reach the required CBSE score of 64 after two attempts must show readiness to sit for Step 1 by other non-NBME criteria approved by the Assistant Dean of Students.

Part II: Steps to Follow for Readiness

1. A CBSE will be administered monthly beginning December Year 4 through August Year 5.  Eligibility to sit for the CBSE requires official promotion by the Evaluation Council to Year 4 and a cumulative science GPA of 2.80 or better.  Additional science courses taken to fulfill the required 2.8 science GPA must match those listed in the Council on Curriculum guidelines and/or must be approved by the Associate Dean of the Council on Curriculum.

2. Students who score at least 59 on the CBSE (a score of 60 predicts a Step 1 score of 175) will be eligible to register for USMLE Step 1.  Students who score less than 59 will not be eligible to register for USMLE Step 1.

3. All students who score at least 64 on the CBSE (that predicts a score of at least 185 on Step 1) will be eligible to sit for USMLE Step 1. Students who score less than 64 will not be eligible to sit for USMLE Step 1.

4. A student will be allowed no more than two attempts, in the months of December through August, to achieve the score of 64 for approval to sit for USMLE Step 1.  A student’s first attempt on the CBSE must take place no later than the March examination date.

5. Students failing to reach the required CBSE score of 64 after two attempts must show readiness to sit for Step 1 by other non-NBME criteria approved by the Assistant Dean of Students. 

6. Failure to appear at a scheduled CBSE (date posted on OASIS) will result in an unprofessional behavior citation placed in the student’s file.  The student must re-schedule another CBSE on OASIS in consultation with the Assistant Dean of Students.

All CBSE administrations will be paper and pencil and will be paid for by the school.

Approved by Coordinating Committee 08/31/2004