Candidates' performance on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 examination had been correlated with the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). However, in 2015, a new MCAT format was released and its correlation with Step 1 remains to be fully analyzed. Preparation for Step 1 typically involves purchasing and perusing practice tests from the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and UWorld; however, their predictive value to performance on Step 1 remains to be ascertained, especially with the release of five new NBME practice tests. Additionally, there is a need for accurately predicting Step 1 scores to self-evaluate study progress and reduce student anxiety. Rationale Program directors rank USMLE Step 1 scores as the number one criterion in selecting interviewees for residency. Step 1 scores are more important than Step 2 scores, Dean's letter, or other letters of recommendation in determining the overall ranking of a candidate after interviews. Hypotheses The authors hypothesized that the new MCAT scores correlated positively with Step 1 scores and that the new NBME practice tests were more predictive of performance on Step 1 as compared to old NBME tests. Methods Linear regression analysis followed by either analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Student's t-tests were used to analyze 399 responses. Data obtained was used to update an existing Step 1 score predictor, which was then validated. Results A positive correlation between the MCAT (average score: 510.1 ± 6.3) and Step 1 scores (average score: 246.1 ± 14.2) was observed. While new NBME practice tests were more predictive of Step 1 scores than old NBME tests, UWorld test scores were the most predictive. Students who practiced with the new NBME practice tests scored significantly higher than students who did not use them. However, students using any of the UWorld practice tests did significantly better than students who practiced using only NBME practice tests but not UWorld practice tests. Ironically, NBME 16, the second-most correlative test to Step 1 performance, is no longer available for purchase. Overall, taking six or more practice tests significantly enhanced Step 1 scores; the optimal number of tests 1 2 3
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a well‐utilized metric for stratifying students for medical school admissions. The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three‐step examination that assesses student knowledge of gross anatomy, biochemistry, biostatistics, genetics, and other basic science disciplines required for practicing medicine in the United States. The MCAT has been shown to correlate positively with student success on Step 1. However, in 2015, a new MCAT format was released and its correlation with Step 1 remains to be analyzed. Additionally, preparation for Step 1 typically involves purchasing and perusing practice tests from the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME®) and UWorld®; however, their predictive value to performance on Step 1 remains to be ascertained, especially with the release of five new NBME® practice tests. We hypothesized that the new MCAT scores correlated positively with Step 1 scores and that the new NBME® practice tests were more predictive of performance on Step 1 as compared to old NBME® tests. An anonymous survey was posted on www.reddit.com requesting users to submit their scores on Step 1, practice tests and MCAT along with examination dates. Regression analysis indicated positive correlation of MCAT with Step 1 scores (P= 1.236E‐15; R2=0.2047; n=282). While new NBME® practice tests were more predictive of Step 1 scores than old NBME® tests, UWorld® SA2 scores were most predictive (P=3.752E‐93; R2=0.6803; n=370). Taking more than six practice tests significantly enhanced Step 1 scores (P=0.040). Data from this study can be used to create a mathematical framework using MCAT and practice test scores for accurate prediction of Step 1 scores.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.