USMLE Step 1 ACE-PC Readiness Policy

PURPOSE
To support Accelerated Competency-based Education in Primary Care (ACE-PC) students in their USMLE Step 1 preparation and exam scheduling by outlining the readiness process, movement into the clerkship phase curriculum, and the process for remediating a USMLE Step 1 failure.

This ACE-PC specific policy is based on the approved USMLE Step 1 ACE-PC pilot; the pilot was been approved by the School of Medicine Faculty Executive Committee for the period of July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029.

SETTING/AUDIENCE
Medical students enrolled in ACE-PC who matriculated in academic year 2024-25 and onward, within the pilot years

LCME STANDARD
8.4 Evaluation of Educational Program Outcomes

POLICY

Definitions 

  • Comprehensive Basic Science Exam (CBSE): a general, integrated achievement test covering material learned during the pre-clerkship phase. The exam reflects content coverage on USMLE Step 1 and uses the same item formats.
  • LIC: is the ACE-PC Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC). This is referred to in the USMLE Step 1 Pathway ACE-PC image.
  • Readiness Checkpoint: an assessment that determines a student’s readiness to attempt USMLE Step 1 by a given deadline and move into the LIC.
  1. Students must pass the pre-clerkship phase curriculum of the School of Medicine (i.e., the School) before attempting the USMLE Step 1 exam. 
  2. Passing the USMLE Step 1 exam is a graduation requirement of the School (Bylaws and Regulation - Regulation 60, A.2.). 
  3. Students are allowed 4 attempts at the USMLE Step 1 (Bylaws and Regulations - Regulation 80, D.1.a.iv.). 
    1. Students must successfully complete the USMLE Step 1 exam within 2 years of the completion of the pre-clerkship phase (Bylaws and Regulations - Regulation 80, D.1.a.v.). 
    2. Students must adhere to USMLE requirements related to exam timing and number of reattempts:
      1. Students may not attempt the USMLE Step 1 exam more than 3 times in a 12-month period (USMLE website).
      2. A fourth attempt of USMLE Step 1 must be at least 12 months after the first attempt and at least six months after the most recent attempt (USMLE website).

PROCEDURE

  1. Readiness to attempt the USMLE Step 1 exam and enter the LIC is determined by the CBSE which are administered by the School in October and January during the second year of the pre-clerkship phase.
    1. Full details on CBSE performance standards are found within this image, USMLE Step 1 Readiness Pathway ACE-PC.
    2. The dates of CBSE are provided by ACE-PC leadership at the beginning of the academic year. 
  2. Only scores from CBSE administered by the School will be accepted as demonstration of USMLE Step 1 readiness.
    • Scores on other practice assessments, including Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessments and UWorld Self-Assessments, cannot be used in place of a CBSE score.
  3. Students who reach the CBSE threshold but do not attempt USMLE Step 1 by the deadline specified in the images will enter LIC as planned.
    • Upon completion of the LIC the student will transition to the traditional M.D. program, prepare for and attempt USMLE Step 1, and post a passing USMLE Step 1 score before moving into the post-clerkship phase.

RESPONSIBILITY
Associate Dean for Students
Committee on Student Promotions
Curriculum Managers
Office of Student Learning and Educational Resources

REFERENCES
UC Davis School of Medicine Bylaws and Regulations, Regulation 60 and 80
USMLE official website

RELATED POLICIES
Extending the MD Program for Non-Required Academic Enrichment Policy
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Student Leave Policy

POLICY OWNER
Committee on Student Promotions

REVIEWED BY
Associate Dean for Students
Committee on Student Promotions*

REVIEWED DATE and REVIEW CYCLE
Enacted October 2025, annual review cycle

* indicates the Policy Owner

Error processing SSI file