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What is the 'OASIS TRICK' for USMLE?

Important: Starting August 2007, all USMLE score reporting will be electronic, making the OASIS trick obsolete and unnecessary. So read this only to amuse yourself ;-)

This 'trick' refers to 'fooling' the ECFMG guys and finding out for yourself whether you passed your CSA or not before those slow pokes update the site - Black Magic ? WooooHoooo ...

Important !! Before you try this trick:

Obviously you should have already taken the Exam AND Your score report date should be updated on the Score report section on OASIS. You can check that by clicking on the 'USMLE/ CSA score reporting information' link seen on the left after you login to OASIS through ECFMG.org (screenshot provided below).

If you try the OASIS trick before the score report date is updated, it will allow you to reapply and that DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING, only gives you a cold sweat !

Though it is called the "Oasis Trick" - you ain't fooling no Oasis man..you actually do it through IWA , if you know what I mean...

(Note: The same 'trick' also works with Step 1 and Step 2 CK )

1. Goto www.ecfmg.org and click on IWA.. which is for applying online..
2. Login and then click 'Begin New Application"
3. Select Step 2 CS
4. Now here's the catch - if you have already passed then the system will not allow you re-apply (logical ! aint it ?) If you have failed (God Forbid), you will be able to apply without a problem..

If you passed, then the following message (in red) ,or similar, should appear when you try to reapply:

"Our records indicate that you have already passed Step 2 CS or the ECFMG Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA®). The USMLE Policy on Reexamination generally does not allow applicants to retake Step 2 CS if they have already passed this exam or the ECFMG Clinical Skills Assessment. There are, however, certain exceptions to this policy:
Exception #1: Applicants who have already passed a Step or Step Component may retake that Step or Step Component if they need it to comply with a time limit of a medical licensing authority for completion of all Steps or a requirement imposed by another authority recognized by the USMLE program for this purpose.
Exception #2: For the purposes of ECFMG Certification, ECFMG requires that applicants pass those USMLE Steps or Step Components required for ECFMG Certification within a seven-year period. Effective June 14, 2004, applicants must pass Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS within a seven-year period for ECFMG Certification; this new seven-year requirement applies to applicants whose earliest USMLE passing performance that is valid for ECFMG Certification took place on or after June 14, 2004. Prior to June 14, 2004, ECFMG required that applicants pass Step 1 and Step 2 CK within a seven-year period for ECFMG Certification; this prior seven-year requirement continues to apply to applicants if their earliest USMLE passing performance that is valid for ECFMG Certification took place before June 14, 2004.
Exception #3: According to ECFMG policy, passing performance on administrations of the ECFMG CSA that took place before June 14, 2001 is valid for three years from the date passed for the purpose of entering programs of graduate medical education (GME). If an applicant's CSA pass date expired before entering a GME program, the applicant must revalidate this date by passing a subsequent exam, if he/she wishes to enter such a program. An applicant whose CSA pass date has expired and who plans to enter a GME program may take Step 2 CS for these revalidation purposes."

Yet, you may see an new application number assigned to you - dont worry about that one - it's for those people who qualify for the exceptions mentioned in the message. Simply log out of OASIS and celebrate ! But again, please do the OASIS trick only after your score report is released.

How do I Check if my results are out yet ?

After you login to OASIS, check out the 'USMLE/ CSA score reporting information' link - if your CS score release date is seen on it - the the OASIS trick is correct for sure :-) The screen-shot below tells you where to look for this - click on it to enlarge it...

If your score-reporting date is BLANK and you try the OASIS trick - either it simply allows you to reapply OR this is the message that you get :

"Our records indicate that you are already registered for this Step or Step Component. You may not apply for a Step or Step Component if you are already registered for that Step or Step Component. If you fail or do not complete a Step or Step Component, you may submit another application for this exam, but certain time limits apply when retaking a Step or Step Component. For complete information, refer to Reexamination and Reapplication in the ECFMG Information Booklet and Retakes in the USMLE Bulletin of Information"

This does NOT INDICATE anything about results - it means you gotta wait...

What if it allows you to re-apply even after score report date is updated? ....

Do not panick yet - this

trick works 100 % only for showing you passed - not for indicating that you did not. In other words, supposed it does allow you to re-apply, it does not automatically mean you failed - because at times, it is NOT a reliable predictor of failure. There have been a few instances of students passed despite being able to re-apply. Speaking of false positives....

In fact, this happened recently to one IMG, who told us on the USMLE.net forum (June 2006)

So is this a 'trick' - Wish there was a way to enforce a 'pass' status on OASIS - no matter what really the outcome was...Now I would call that a real trick ( if wishes were horses.......)

And after how many days will the official result / score letter arrive home ?

Give it about 4 - 6 business days ..

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