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My DMs are filled with messages from students about whether the proposal to move to a VIRTUAL testing format for the USMLE Step 2 CS exam may provide an opportunity to get rid of the test altogether.
My thoughts on some approaches that won’t work - and some that might.
(thread)
My thoughts on some approaches that won’t work - and some that might.
(thread)
1. Petitions won’t work.
Please, if you haven’t already, review the history of resistance to the Step 2 CS exam.
Even with a bogus telehealth exam format, it will still be nearly impossible to get rid of the exam with rhetoric alone. https://thesheriffofsodium.com/2020/01/14/step-2-cs-part-two-the-resistance/
Please, if you haven’t already, review the history of resistance to the Step 2 CS exam.
Even with a bogus telehealth exam format, it will still be nearly impossible to get rid of the exam with rhetoric alone. https://thesheriffofsodium.com/2020/01/14/step-2-cs-part-two-the-resistance/
2. Strikes won’t work.
The logic here resonates: students refuse to take CS until the NBME provides evidence of the test’s validity.
Trouble is, refusing to take the exam just begins a high-stakes game of chicken in which students are in a go-kart and the NBME is an 18-wheeler.
The logic here resonates: students refuse to take CS until the NBME provides evidence of the test’s validity.
Trouble is, refusing to take the exam just begins a high-stakes game of chicken in which students are in a go-kart and the NBME is an 18-wheeler.
Sure, the NBME can’t *force* you take CS - but you can’t be licensed to practice until you do.
(And even if a state stopped requiring Step 2 CS, the FSMB won’t let you register for Step 3 until you pass Step 2 CS.)
(And even if a state stopped requiring Step 2 CS, the FSMB won’t let you register for Step 3 until you pass Step 2 CS.)
Plus, many schools require Step 2 CS passage as a graduation requirement - which isn’t easily waived.
See, when Step 2 CS is *required*, it’s included it in the school’s cost of attendance - which gives students access to financial aid to cover the test’s cost.
See, when Step 2 CS is *required*, it’s included it in the school’s cost of attendance - which gives students access to financial aid to cover the test’s cost.
3. Using the Fair Credit Billing Act won’t work.
Apparently this idea is being tossed around on Reddit.
Let me be clear: this is a horrible idea. https://www.reddit.com/r/medicalschool/comments/ggh4ii/serious_virtual_step_2cs_for_1300_is_egregious_we/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Apparently this idea is being tossed around on Reddit.
Let me be clear: this is a horrible idea. https://www.reddit.com/r/medicalschool/comments/ggh4ii/serious_virtual_step_2cs_for_1300_is_egregious_we/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
Yes, you can put your finger in their eye and cause some billing hassles. But I cannot conceive of ANY scenario in which the NBME gives up offering CS because of disputed credit card charges.
Instead, if this gains traction, I think it presents real danger to the students.
Instead, if this gains traction, I think it presents real danger to the students.
Remember, when you register for the USMLE, examinees agree to adhere to their Code of Conduct.
Most of the rules are straightforward and related to test security. But some are very broadly defined.
Most of the rules are straightforward and related to test security. But some are very broadly defined.
For instance, "...disruptive or unprofessional behavior during the registration, scheduling, or examination process" is sufficient to qualify as "irregular behavior."
https://www.usmle.org/bulletin/irregular-behavior/#examples
https://www.usmle.org/bulletin/irregular-behavior/#examples
And examinees who the USMLE has deemed to have engaged in irregular behavior may be banned from future USMLE examinations, or their score reports flagged for licensing authorities.
Put simply, it could be a career-ending move... for something that would accomplish nothing.
Put simply, it could be a career-ending move... for something that would accomplish nothing.
So instead of pursuing approaches that will be either ineffective, career-destroying, or both, what are some things that *could* cause a removal or reconsideration of USMLE Step 2 CS?
I can think of only three.
I can think of only three.
1. Break the cartel.
The USMLE has absolute power because it’s the only game in town. But if medical boards were willing to recognize the results of a competitor exam, students could bypass Step 2 CS.
(This is obviously a long shot, and not something that could happen soon.)
The USMLE has absolute power because it’s the only game in town. But if medical boards were willing to recognize the results of a competitor exam, students could bypass Step 2 CS.
(This is obviously a long shot, and not something that could happen soon.)
2. Legislative action.
If a state legislature imposed a law prohibiting the board from requiring or using the result of examinations until they’ve been validated, that could stave off the new Virtual CS exam - and potentially any clinical skills exam.
If a state legislature imposed a law prohibiting the board from requiring or using the result of examinations until they’ve been validated, that could stave off the new Virtual CS exam - and potentially any clinical skills exam.
Thing is, medical boards almost universally support the CS exam and feel that such an exam is necessary to protect the public. The boards would likely advise legislators against passing this kind of law - so getting it through could require serious political capital.
3. Legal action.
Would the imposition of a non-validated exam constitute grounds for a class action lawsuit? I’m not an attorney... but it seems like it might.
Would the imposition of a non-validated exam constitute grounds for a class action lawsuit? I’m not an attorney... but it seems like it might.
Remember, this is America. We have our judicial system for a reason. Because there may be times where legal action - or at least the threat of it - is the only way to ensure fairness in disputes between a powerful corporate monopoly and average citizens.
