Perceptions of desired Step 2 CK performance after Step 1 grading change

Introduction In 2022, Step 1 shifted from providing a numerical score to a pass/fail categorization. Since the shift, there has been one matched graduating class in 2024. This paper aims to identify perceptions of desired Step 2 CK performance after the Step 1 score report alteration. Methods A survey was sent out to a medical school’s class of 2025. The anonymous survey required an email sign-in to verify only one response per respondent. The survey asked if the answering individual felt it was necessary to score higher or the same as the NRMP’s 2022 averages for their first-choice specialty and what their first-choice specialty was. Results There was a total of 13 respondents. 92.3% of survey participants said that they felt a need to score above the 2022 Step 2 CK averages. 7.7% of survey participants said they felt a need to score the same. Specialties that were included in the 92.3% are anesthesia, family medicine, internal medicine, internal medicine-pediatrics, neurology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and diagnostic radiology. The specialty that was in the 7.7% includes radiation oncology. Conclusion The respondents for all specialties except radiation oncology felt the need to score higher than the 2022 averages for their first-choice specialty. This indicates a majority increase in perception of desired testing performance. As more medical school classes graduate, the perceived necessary testing goal for Step 2 CK should continue to be analyzed.