Failure to Pass Step 1 and Step 2

Failure to Pass Step 1, USMLE – First Attempt

Students must obtain a passing score on the USMLE Step 1 to progress in the curriculum. A passing score must be achieved within 3 attempts by December 15 of the MS3 year.

A student who fails the Step 1 examination will be referred to the MSEPC for evaluation. In its assessment, the MSEPC shall review the student’s academic record, performance on the CBSE, Step 1 exam score, and any other pertinent information. The MSEPC shall recommend remedial measures and changes in the student’s enrollment status as deemed necessary to support the student’s effort to pass the Step 1 exam. The MSEPC will recommend the following:

The student will complete the first clerkship of the MS3 year, and then enter the Directed Study course (MEDI 8500). The student will be placed on At Risk status.

If the student successfully completed the first clerkship, he/she will receive credit for that clerkship. The student will not resume clerkships until the start of the next academic year.
With guidance from Academic Support Services, the student will enter the Directed Study course (MEDI 8500) to prepare for and then take the Step 1 exam. The student must take the exam in sufficient time to assure that a passing score will be achieved prior to December 15th of the MS3 year.
Following successful passing of the Step 1 exam, the student will go on Leave of Absence for the remainder of the academic year.
Upon returning from Leave of Absence, the student must present his/her plan for the MS3 year to the Assistant Dean for Clerkships for approval.
A student may appeal a decision by the MSEPC according to the procedure set out in policy EAA021– Medical Student Academic Grievance Policy.

Failure to pass Step 1 of the USMLE on the first attempt in the MS3 year will delay graduation.

Failure to Pass Step 1, USMLE – Second Attempt

Suspension is automatic for students who fail a second attempt to pass Step 1 of the USMLE. Students must use the period of suspension to prepare for the next offering of the examination. See paragraph 3 below for conditions of suspension.

Failure to Pass Step 2, USMLE, CS or CK – First Attempt

USMLE, CS or CK – First Attempt

A student who fails either the CS or CK part of the USMLE Step 2 exam shall be placed on At Risk status. The student will have an interview with the Assistant Dean – Clerkships and with guidance from the Assistant Dean develop a remediation plan. The student will also meet with the MSEPC and report on his/her progress.

The student will take the CS or CK at the next allowable opportunity.

Failure to Pass Step 2, USMLE, CS or CK – Second Attempt

A student who fails a second attempt at passing the Step 2 exam may be suspended or dismissed from the SOM, as determined by the MSEPC. The student will be afforded an opportunity to appeal as detailed in this policy (see below, Dismissal).

Other Consequences

Other consequences of failing to meet the academic, professional and behavioral requirements and standards described above include, but are not limited to, the following:

At Risk Status: “At Risk” status indicates that the MSEPC recognizes that the student is at risk of failure to successfully remediate deficiencies. If the student successfully remediates the deficiencies, the fact that the student was placed on At Risk status will not be included in the student’s Medical Student Performance Evaluation, or other information transmitted to outside entities (e.g., certifications of training) but will remain in the student’s permanent records in the School of Medicine.
Probationary status (Probation) may be imposed by the MSEPC under various circumstances including, but not limited to, when it has significant concerns that failure to remediate deficiencies will result in dismissal of the student from the School of Medicine M.D. program. The notification to the student of probationary status will be accompanied by a plan for remedial action and specific performance requirements specified by the MSEPC. A successful conclusion of the remedial work normally ends the probationary status following the recommendation to do so by the MSEPC. However, the fact that the student was placed on probation will be included in the student’s MSPE or other information transmitted to outside entities (e.g., certifications of training) and will remain in the student’s permanent records in the School of Medicine. While a student is on probation, if he/he receives another academic deficiency, or is cited for professional misconduct, he/she will immediately undergo a dismissal hearing.
Remedial interventions in a student's curriculum by the MSEPC are designed to fit particular academic deficiencies and may include, but not be limited to, the following: a specific study or reading program, remedial work and re-examination, changes in the student’s curriculum, additional training in a set of clinical skills, assignment to clinical sub-internships, repetition of all or part of the curriculum, reorganization of the student's curriculum (especially during the fourth year), and supervision by an advisor designated by the MSEPC.
Suspension: The MSEPC may conclude that the student should be suspended from the UTRGV SOM for a period of time to be determined in its reasonable discretion. Reinstatement to the UTRGV SOM is contingent upon completion of all requirements stipulated under the suspension. The Dean of the SOM will either determine that these requirements have been met or seek a recommendation from the MSEPC on the matter. If a recommendation from the MSEPC is sought, the MSEPC shall review the circumstances surrounding the suspension and potential reinstatement, make a determination as to whether the terms and conditions of the suspension have been met, make a determination as to whether the student possesses the potential to pursue the MD degree successfully, and recommend whether the student should be reinstated.
Dismissal: The MSEPC may determine that a student be dismissed in the following cases:
1. Failure to remediate deficiencies as described above;
2. Another academic deficiency or professionalism violation is received while on probation;
3. An accumulation of narrative evaluations indicating serious gaps in knowledge and clinical skills and/or inadequate integration of the content of the curriculum;
4. A specific academic deficiency (e.g., an important clinical skill has not been mastered);
5. A failing performance on either Step 1 or Step 2 of the USMLE examination;
6. Failure to assume appropriate professional responsibility;
7. Failure to meet professional standards, including those of demeanor and conduct; and
8. A violation of University Regulations, policies or procedures;

In general, prior to dismissal, students would be placed on probationary status and given a plan for remedial action and specific performance requirements by the MSEPC. However, in extraordinary circumstances, the MSEPC may dismiss a student without prior probation.

Failure to pass, after the third attempt, either Step 1 or Step 2 of the USMLE licensing examination leads to automatic dismissal from the School of Medicine.

The student may file a written appeal to the Dean of the SOM within five (5) business days from receipt of the MSEPC written decision. The student must also inform the Associate Dean for Student Affairs of the intent to appeal, also within the same five (5) business days. The student's appeal portfolio must include a justification statement for appeal and all documentation provided to the MSEPC. Upon review of the student's record and appeal portfolio, the Dean may elect to:

Take no action, allowing the MSEPC decision to stand;
Modify the MSEPC decision;
Make an alternate decision;
Impanel an ad-hoc committee to re-examine the dismissal and make recommendations.

Within fifteen (15) business days from receipt of the student’s appeal, the Dean will provide a written decision to the student, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the Chair of the MSEPC. The decision of the Dean is final appellate review.

After academic dismissal, a student may apply for readmission to the UTRGV SOM only through the standard admissions process.