The USMLE Step 1 minimum passing score has been increased by 4 points.

On December 12, 2013, the Step 1 committee announced that it raised the minimum passing score for the USMLE Step 1 examination citing these reasons.

• Recommendations from independent groups of physicians who participated in content-based standard-setting activities in 2013;
• Results of surveys of various groups (e.g., state licensing representatives, medical school faculty, examinees) concerning the appropriateness of current passing requirements for the Step 1 examination;
• Data on trends in examinee performance;
• Data on precision of pass/fail classifications. (Reasons quoted from http://www.usmle.org/announcements/)

The new passing score for the USMLE Step 1 is a 192, up from a 188.

The new minimum passing score will become effective for all examinees who take a Step 1 examination on or after January 1, 2014. The decision of the Step 1 Committee is posted on the USMLE website along with further information!

http://www.usmle.org/announcements/