Average IMG step 1 score

I have been on several forums for a couple of years now and it is astounding the number of people who report they have scores > +240, 99. You have to consider several factors when you see these posts: 1) The people may not necessarily be telling the truth 2) People who achieve high scores and are proud of them are probably more likely to advertise them, as opposed to someone who obtained lower scores and is dissapointed.....it's human nature! 3) According to the 2003 NBME Annual Report, the pass rate for US/Canadian school graduates for step 1 is 93% for first time takers, while it is 65% for IMG first time takers. The numbers speak for themselves. 4) Also, in assigning scores to examinees, they use mean and standard deviation calculations. If everyone was answering many more questions correctly it doesn't mean that everyone is now getting > 90 scores because they would make the standards more stringent for how many questions you need to answer correctly to obtain such a score. So don't worry about these scores.....your best bet is to look at the reported national mean and try to match it or beat if if you can. This means that at least you possess the same amount of basic science knowledge and ability to apply this knowledge as the top 50 percent of American and Canadian school students.