USMLE

United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a 3 steps medical board exam taken by students and physicians to obtain medical licenses. The three Steps of the USMLE assess a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills, that are important in health and disease and that constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care.

USMLE Road Map

USMLE Step 1 assesses whether medical school students or graduates understand and can apply important concepts of the sciences basic to the practice of medicine. USMLE Step 2 is usually considered slightly easier than USMLE Step 1, but it is probably the more important of the two tests for getting a good residency. USMLE Step 2 is designed to assess whether medical school students or graduates can apply medical knowledge, skills and understanding of clinical science essential for provision of patient care under supervision.

USMLE Step 2 CK is designed to assess clinical knowledge through a traditional, multiple-choice examination. USMLE Step 2-CK is a 9 hour exam consisting of 8 blocks of 46 or 47 questions each. USMLE Step 2-CS is meant to assess clinical skills of the applicant through simulated patient encounters.

All medical students must attempt to pass the USMLE Step 1 before commencing their first clerkship of the third year of medical school. An attempt to pass the USMLE Step 2 written examination must be no less than three months before the anticipated diploma date. USMLE step 3 questions are taken by American students during their residency program within a year or so of graduation.

Passing USMLE Exams

Practice questions are available on the NBME website for USMLE preparation purposes. Practice for timing, particularly if it is an issue for you. Practice timing for 1 minute per question. Check USMLE forums where doctors share their feedback about USMLE DVD video preparation programs, USMLE experimental questions, and USMLE review.

You may also find a USMLE question bank at a USMLE forum, or a USMLE first aid step 1 download, a USMLE free step 2 question, or more information on that allusive USMLE 99 score.

Results of the USMLE are reported to medical licensing authorities in the United States and its territories for use in granting the initial license to practice medicine. Scores are reported to the individual student by mail and to the medical school (electronically) within 3-4 weeks of the date of the examination.