At its December 2006 meeting, the Step 1 Committee conducted
such a review, considering information from multiple sources
including:
- recommendations from physicians and scientists who
participated in content-based standard-setting activities in
the fall of 2006;
- results of surveys of various groups concerning the
appropriateness of current pass/fail standards for Step
examinations;
- trends in examinee performance;
- score precision and its effect on the pass/fail
decision.
As a result of this review, the Step 1 Committee decided to
raise the three-digit score recommended to pass Step 1 from 182
to 185. The new minimum passing score will be applied to Step 1
examinations for which the first day of testing is on or after
January 1, 2007.