Impact of School-Enforced Step 1 Deadlines on Medical Student Well-Being and Failure Rates: Two Medical Students’ Perspective

The US Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 is a milestone assessment that evaluates a medical student's mastery of foundational medical sciences. Traditionally taken at the end of the preclinical curriculum, it now serves as a pass/fail examination before students begin clinical rotations. This transition, coupled with the enforcement of strict deadlines by various medical schools, has introduced significant challenges for students, including increased stress, potential academic delays, and financial hardship. This perspective explores the implications of these enforced deadlines to complete the US Medical Licensing Examination and how they may exacerbate the physician shortage, and it provides solutions that promote student well-being and maximize Step 1 pass rates.