USMLE Step II CS - Scoring Format

USMLE Step II CS - Scoring Format: The USMLE Step II CS is scored using a pass/fail system, but the exam is actually split into three separate categories of skills. In order for an individual to pass the exam, the individual must show that they are competent in all three areas by receiving a passing score in each category. The three categories covered on the exam, which are referred to as subcomponents, are Communication and Interpersonal Skills (CIS), Integrated Clinical Encounter (ICE), and Spoken English Proficiency (SEP).

For the communication and interpersonal skills portion of the examination, the individual will be scored based on his or her information-sharing skills, questioning skills, and the individual's ability to work with the patient in a professional and respectful manner. The exam-taker will actually receive his or her score for this area of the exam from the patients that he or she treats during the examination as each patient will be asked to rate the individual's performance in these specific areas. The integrated clinical encounter portion of the exam will assess the individual's ability to gather thorough information about the patient and document that information correctly. This portion of the exam is scored based on a checklist that each patient has to fill out regarding the specific questions and evaluations that the exam-taker performed during the examination and how much information about the patient's condition and treatment the exam-taker shared with the patient. The spoken English proficiency portion of the exam assesses an individual's ability to speak English clearly and the individual's ability to effectively convey important information to the patient. The exam-taker will actually receive his or her score for this area of the exam from the patients that he or she treats during the examination as each patient will be asked to rate the individual based on the number of pronunciation problems the individual has, word-choice errors the individual makes, and how much difficulty the patient has understanding the exam-taker.