Does the USMLE Step 1 grading change to pass/fail affect research productivity and volunteer experiences among orthopedic surgery residency applicants?
The transition of USMLE Step 1 to pass/fail is associated with increased research productivity and decreased work/volunteer experiences among orthopedic surgery applicants.
Since the USMLE Step 1 examination became pass/fail, research productivity significantly increased and work and volunteer experiences decreased. These changes may reflect a perceived increased emphasis on research productivity because of the grading change or may be the result of various causes, including an increase in the number of applicants who take research gap years. Orthopedics. 2025;48(3):e139-e146..
Lin et al. (Thu,) studied this question.