USMLE step one, otolaryngology in-training examination scores, and the American Board of Otolaryngology examination performance

Abstract

To determine if U. S. Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) Step One scores have a positive correlation with performance on the annual Otolaryngology Training Examination (OTE) and subsequent performance on the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto) examination. A retrospective cohort study of 70 residents completing Otolaryngology residencies from 2005-2009. 103 otolaryngology training programs were contacted and USMLE Step 1 scores, OTE scores, and performance on the ABOto examination were collected for the graduating chief residents from 2005-2009 from a limited number of residency programs. The associations between the examinations were evaluated using Spearman\'s rank correlation coefficient and Pearson’s correlation. USMLE Step 1 scores and board performance were provided for 70 residents from 7 Otolaryngology residency programs. Positive correlations were found using Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation to be significant for USMLE Step 1 scores compared with scores on the OTE-2, OTE-3, OTE-4, OTE-5 (p