The School of Medicine Columbia’s medical education program achieved an important milestone for the first time in school history this past December, when the program’s Class of 2027 earned a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 exam.
 
“This is an impressive achievement, our students have set a high standard and represented this school with distinction,” said Predrag Krajacic, M.D., Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education at the School of Medicine. “Not only does this show their mastery of the foundational biomedical sciences, but also their ability to apply this knowledge in clinical contexts.”
 
The USMLE Step 1 exam is designed to assess a student's understanding and ability to apply crucial basic science concepts to the practice of medicine and is required for medical licensure in the United States. Recent numbers nationally show that first-time pass rates for MD students on the Step 1 exam typically range between 91–95 percent.
 
“We recognize that this remarkable success is the result of hard work, discipline, and unwavering commitment by the entire class,” Dr. Krajacic added. “It reflects countless hours of preparation, collaboration, and perseverance by our students and the dedication of our faculty and staff who help guide and mentor them.”