The Effect of Numeric Versus Pass/Fail USMLE Step 1 Scores in the Integrated Plastic Surgery 2023-2024 Match Cycle: A Single Institution Study.

[OBJECTIVE] The USMLE Step 1 exam, an important metric in the integrated plastic surgery match, transitioned to pass/fail scoring in January 2022. No previous studies have investigated the impact of this new scoring system on the process of ranking applicants in the integrated plastic surgery match.

[DESIGN] 330 Plastic Surgery Common Applications (PSCAs) were submitted to a single academic center in the 2023-2024 match cycle. Applicants were sorted into tiers via a holistic review process, and quantifiable data, including USMLE Step 1 scores, were then compared between tiers.

[SETTING] Our Institution's Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program.

[PARTICIPANTS] Integrated Plastic Surgery applicants in the 2023-2024 match cycle.

[RESULTS] 317 of 330 PSCAs were analyzed in this study, excluding applicants who did an elective rotation at our institution. Applicants were sorted into 3 tiers: high (n = 100), middle (n = 118) and low (n = 99), with a significant difference in match rate per tier, respectively (88.0%, 58.5%, 30.3%, p < 0.0001). The majority of USMLE Step 1 scores were reported as pass/fail (186/317, 58.7%). There was a significant difference (p < 0.0001) between the average USMLE Step 1 score between the high (mean 250.5, SD 10.4), middle (mean 241, SD 14.6), and low tiers (mean 235.5, SD 16.5). More applicants in the low tier (50%) and high tier (40%) reported numeric USMLE Step 1 scores than those in the middle tier (35%, p = 0.0734). Stepwise logistic regression revealed USMLE Step 1 score to be an independent predictor of tier placement between the high and middle tier (p = 0.0030) and high and low tier (p = 0.0001). Lastly, 3 applicants reported their USMLE Step 1 score as 'pass' instead of their given numeric score.

[CONCLUSIONS] Comparing applicants with numeric USMLE Step 1 scores to those with pass/fail scores can have a significant impact on the ranking of those applicants and should be carefully considered during the plastic surgery match process.