EAA087 Student Progress Based on Curricular and NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Exam Performance

Purpose

It is essential that medical students meet required benchmarks that lead to medical licensure. Although designed for the purpose of licensing physicians, scores on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 are used by graduate medical education programs in decisions to interview and rank medical students for residency positions. It is therefore incumbent upon the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) to establish policies pertaining to successful performance on USMLE Step 1 in order to ensure that graduates meet at least minimal licensing requirements and to optimize career outcomes for our students.

Definitions

• National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Comprehensive Basic Science Exam (CBSE) - an achievement test covering material typically learned during basic science education. The CBSE is designed to reflect the content of USMLE Step 1 exam, and is typically used to gauge readiness for USMLE Step 1 and to identify areas of individual strength and weakness. Scores on the CBSE correlate to scores on USMLE Step 1.
• LCME Element 10.3 Policies Regarding Student Selection/Progress and Their Dissemination - The faculty of a medical school establish criteria for student selection and develop and implement effective policies and procedures regarding, and make decisions about, medical student application, selection, admission, assessment, promotion, graduation, and any disciplinary action. The medical school makes available to all interested parties its criteria, standards, policies, and procedures regarding these matters.

Effective Date

This policy will be in effect for the Class of 2027 and all following medical student classes.

Policy

All students must take the CBSE near or at the conclusion of the preclinical phase of the curriculum at the date, time, and location established by the Office of Educational and Academic Affairs. Inability to test on this date may delay planned coursework and/or limit participation in co-curricular activities. Students will be required to meet CBSE score benchmarks established by the Office of Educational and Academic Affairs to sit for the USMLE Step 1 and to progress to the clerkship phase of the curriculum, including core clerkships. Prior to administration of the CBSE, for each academic year, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and/or Associate Dean for Educational Affairs will communicate the established score benchmarks to students.

Process

The process will be followed as outlined in the below figure:

• Students will take the CBSE exam near the end of the pre-clinical phase of the curriculum. A predictive model will evaluate each student’s CBSE score, module and phase performance. Students that have a low chance of passing USMLE step 1 based on the predictive model will be enrolled in a USMLE structured preparation course. Students that are identified to have a high chance of passing USMLE step 1 based on the predictive model will be able to select enrollment in either self-directed study or the USMLE structured preparation course.
• Students with a high chance of passing USMLE step 1, from the predictive model, will complete either self-study course and then proceed to clerkships, electives, sitting for the USMLE Step 1, and/or participating in co-curricular activities.
• Students with a low chance of passing USMLE step 1, from the predictive model, will be required to pass course requirements of the USMLE structured preparation course and pass a CBSE exam prior to sitting for USMLE Step 1
  • If a student is unable to pass course requirements and a CBSE exam by the end of the course, the student will complete year 3 onboarding and then be placed directly into self-study during the first clerkship block. The student will be required to demonstrate a passing CBSE score and sit for the USMLE Step 1 prior to the start of the second clerkship block. Students who fail to meet the CBSE score benchmarks, or who take Step 1 without meeting CBSE benchmarks, will be referred to the Medical Student Evaluation and Promotion Committee (MSEPC) for further recommendation. MSEPC recommendations could include, but are not limited to the following:
    • Student dismissal
    • Student repeating a substantial part of the pre-clerkship curriculum
    • Requiring the student to develop an individualized preparation plan that receives approval from the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Associate Dean of Educational Affairs that may allow the student to proceed to sit for USMLE Step 1 following conclusion of the approved plan. This individual preparation plan may include a delay in the transition to the subsequent academic year.

Throughout this process, students will be encouraged to meet with the Director of Academic Advising and Support Services to identify learning strategies and preparation plans that will aid in success.

For students that fail USMLE Step 1, please refer to Policy EAA082 for policies and procedures.