The USMLE program assures the validity of scores reported for USMLE examinations by every means available. Your scores may be classified as indeterminate if the scores are at or above the passing level and the USMLE program cannot certify that they represent a valid measure of your knowledge or competence as sampled by the examination. The USMLE program may make such a determination when aberrancies in performance are detected for which there is no reasonable and satisfactory explanation. A classification of indeterminate may result from irregular behavior (see following section) or from other factors, such as unexplained inconsistency in performance within a Step or Step Component or between takes of the same Step or Step Component.
The performance of all examinees is monitored and may be analyzed statistically to detect aberrancies indicating that your scores may be indeterminate. In addition, evidence of irregular behavior may suggest that your scores do not represent a valid measure of your knowledge or competence as sampled by the examination. In these circumstances, your score report may be delayed, pending completion of further analysis and investigation. If your score report is delayed, you and any other party to whom scores would normally be reported will be notified. You will be provided with a copy of the USMLE Policies and Procedures Regarding Indeterminate Scores, which describes the process for reaching final decisions. You will have an opportunity to provide information that you consider relevant.
After review and analysis of all available information, scores will be classified as valid and will be reported, or scores will be classified as indeterminate. If the scores are classified as indeterminate, you will be advised of the options for retaking the examination. Scores classified as indeterminate do not appear on your transcript; rather, an annotation indicates that the scores were classified as indeterminate. Scores classified as indeterminate will not be reported to anyone. Anyone who has received a report of scores that are later classified as indeterminate will be notified of the indeterminate classification. The USMLE Policies and Procedures Regarding Indeterminate Scores describes the circumstances in which information about the indeterminate classification will be provided to entities that receive or have received your USMLE transcript.
If irregular behavior appears to have contributed to a decision that your scores are indeterminate, action will also be taken as described below.
Irregular behavior includes any action by applicants, examinees, potential applicants, or others when solicited by an applicant and/or examinee that subverts or attempts to subvert the examination process.
If you have information or evidence indicating that any type of irregular behavior or any infringement of legal rights has occurred, you should submit a written report to or telephone the USMLE Secretariat or the registration entity.
Specific examples of irregular behavior include, but are not limited to, the following:
- seeking and/or obtaining unauthorized access to examination materials;
- falsifying information on application forms, Scheduling Permits, or other USMLE-related documents;
- taking an examination without being eligible for it or attempting to do so;
- impersonating an examinee or engaging someone else to take the examination for you;
- giving, receiving, or obtaining unauthorized assistance during the examination or attempting to do so;
- making notes of any kind during an examination except on the writing materials provided at the test center for this purpose;
- failing to adhere to any USMLE policy, procedure, or rule, including instructions of
the test center staff; - disruptive or unprofessional behavior at a test center;
- possessing any unauthorized materials, including photographic equipment, or communication or recording devices, including electronic paging devices and cellular telephones, in the secure testing areas;
- altering or misrepresenting examination scores;
- any unauthorized reproduction by any means, including reconstruction through memorization, and/or dissemination of copyrighted examination materials by any means, including the Internet; and
- providing or attempting to provide any information, including that relating to examination content or answers, that may give or attempt to give unfair advantage to individuals who may be taking the examination.
NOTE: Looking in the direction of another examinee's computer monitor or talking to another examinee during the examination may be reported as evidence of giving, receiving, or obtaining unauthorized assistance. The report may result in a determination of irregular behavior. Discussion of examination content or answers on the Internet may also result in a determination of irregular behavior. NOTE: Behaviors that could constitute a real or potential threat to a standardized patient’s safety, such as careless or dangerous actions during physical examination, may result in a determination of irregular behavior and annotation of your USMLE record. |
If information received suggests that irregular behavior has occurred, statistical analyses may be conducted and additional information may be gathered.
You will be advised of the alleged irregular behavior, and you will have an opportunity to provide information that you consider relevant to the evaluation of the allegation. Your scores may be withheld, if they have not been reported previously. Applications may not be processed, and you may not be permitted to take subsequent examinations until a final decision regarding irregular behavior is made. You will be provided with a copy of the USMLE Policies and Procedures Regarding Irregular Behavior, which describes in detail the process for reaching final decisions regarding irregular behavior. If the evidence suggests that the alleged irregular behavior affects score validity, the score will also be reviewed.
If it is determined that you engaged in irregular behavior, information regarding this determination becomes part of your USMLE record. Your score report (if applicable) and USMLE transcript will contain a notation regarding the irregular behavior.
Information about the irregular behavior will be provided to third parties that receive or have received your USMLE transcript. Such information may also be provided to other legitimately interested entities. If it is determined that the irregular behavior is egregious and/or threatens the integrity of the examination system, you may be barred from future USMLE examinations. The USMLE program reserves the right to bar an individual from the USMLE or to have special test administration procedures implemented when information regarding behavior of examinees on the USMLE or predecessor examinations indicates such actions may be necessary to ensure the security of the USMLE.
http://www.usmle.org/bulletin/2006/Indeterminatescores.htm
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