NRMP Releases New Data on Residency Matching Trends

These findings draw on collaboration with the AAMC and the NBME to bridge gaps in understanding recruitment behaviors. One analysis of program signaling across the 2023-2026 cycles reveals that while signaling consistently correlates with being ranked, the efficacy of this tool remains highly dependent on the specific medical specialty and its unique structural requirements.

A second study, covering 21 specialties from 2022 to 2025, highlights that residency programs prioritize applicants based on a complex mix of licensure exam performance, gender, and applicant type. The data indicates that ranking patterns are not uniform, showing significant variance even among programs within the same field. Meanwhile, a third report focuses on the resilience of the system, tracking applicants through the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program. It confirms that the majority of those who fail to secure a position in their initial Match cycle successfully obtain a residency spot upon returning to the process.

NRMP President and CEO Donna L. Lamb noted that these insights are intended to provide stakeholders and policymakers with the evidence necessary to build a more robust physician workforce. The organization plans to maintain this analytical cadence to address emerging challenges in graduate medical education.