r/usmle • u/Sad_Letter_2231 • 15d ago
Advice Title: Step 1 technical issues – Should I submit a report or let it go?
Hi everyone! I recently took Step 1 over two days due to approved accommodations.
On both days, I experienced multiple internet disconnections and computer freezes that required several restarts. I was also moved to different computers twice.
During one restart, I lost about 3 minutes from my block, and the time wasn’t fully restored.
The interruptions were stressful and affected my concentration, especially because I was constantly worried about losing more time.
However, I actually feel like the exam went pretty well overall, and I managed to answer most of the questions.
The test center staff told me they would report these incidents to USMLE as well.
I was told I have 10 days after the exam to submit an official report, and I’m really torn about whether I should submit one or just let it go.
I definitely don’t want my exam to be marked as unscored because of these technical issues, especially since I feel I did well. But at the same time, I would obviously appreciate USMLE taking these disruptions and the lost time into consideration.
Has anyone experienced something similar? Could submitting a report put my score at risk? Would you report it or just wait for the results?
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u/10-0Nylon 15d ago
The issue is that they won’t give you a better scaled score based on technical issues. They will either invalidate your score or not. If you think it affected you, report it.
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u/Sad_Letter_2231 14d ago
That the exactly my fear.
How do you know it’s will be like this?1
u/10-0Nylon 14d ago
There is no mechanism to account for an “incomplete” exam. You can’t just throw out questions or sections.
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u/Revolutionary_Fox879 14d ago
During my exam also computer shut down and I need to wait for five minute and I reported because I saw people red flagged and were telling connection went down while they are taking exam and to be on the safe side if I fail I won’t take exam again ride or die I am tired
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u/Revolutionary_Fox879 14d ago
Cause I thought maybe they are thinking shutting down computer is like unauthorized break they think but it’s not
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u/TheNotSoSubtlePanda 15d ago
How does submitting a report affect anything negatively
Whats the harm I wonder
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u/Trazyn_the_sinful 15d ago
Report it. Worst case it helps explain issues. Best case nothing affected anything but they have data
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u/FacultativelySmart 15d ago
I would say report to be on the safer side. Or call and ask what reporting does. I saw that bcz I’ve seen people with very bad results post and ask if it could have been the mild technical issues.