Assessment of Plastic Surgery Residency Applications without United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 Scores

The United States Medical Licensing Examination announced the changing of Step 1 score reporting from a three-digit number to pass/fail beginning on January 1, 2022. Plastic surgery residency programs have traditionally used United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 scores to compare plastic surgery residency applicants. Without a numerical score, the plastic surgery residency application review process will likely change. This article discusses advantages, disadvantages, and steps forward for residency programs related to the upcoming change. The authors encourage programs to continue to seek innovative methods of objectively and holistically evaluating applications.

Automated summary

The upcoming change from numerical to pass/fail reporting for Step 1 scores in plastic surgery residency programs may alter the application review process, prompting the need for innovative evaluation methods.