# Analyzing Predictors of Interviews Across Surgical and Nonsurgical Specialties in the Context of the Step 1 Pass/Fail Change: A Retrospective Study

## TL;DR

This study looks at how the shift to pass/fail scoring for USMLE Step 1 affects residency interview predictors in surgical and non-surgical fields.

## Contribution

The study identifies updated predictors of residency interviews after the Step 1 scoring change, focusing on specialty-specific trends.

## Key findings

- Step 2 CK scores consistently predicted interviews across all specialties.
- Clerkship honors were the strongest predictor for most fields, especially surgical specialties.
- Research publications significantly predicted interviews in certain surgical specialties like neurological and orthopedic surgery.

## Abstract

This study examines how the transition of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 to pass/fail (P/F) scoring has affected residency interview predictors across surgical and non-surgical specialties. Using Texas Seeking Transparency in Application to Residency (STAR) data from 2018 to 2024, we evaluated trends in Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores, clerkship honors, research output, and extracurricular factors. Step 2 CK scores were consistently predictive of interviews across all specialties. Clerkship honors were the strongest predictors for most fields, especially surgical specialties. Research publications had significant predictive value in neurological surgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, and urology. A logistic regression model for surgical match success identified the number of interviews, clerkship honors, and Step 2 CK scores as significant predictors, with interviews showing the strongest effect.

These findings suggest that academic metrics remain central to residency selection and highlight the need for advising strategies that reflect post-Step 1 scoring changes.