United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
What is the USMLE Exam?
The USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) is a screening exam for medical students aiming to obtain a medical license in the USA. It is sponsored by:
- Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)
- National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)
This 3-step exam evaluates a physician’s ability to apply medical knowledge, principles, and patient-centered skills essential for medical practice.
USMLE Exam Steps
The USMLE consists of three steps:
- Step 1
- Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge)
- Step 3
Step 1 and Step 2 are typically taken during medical school.
Step 3 is completed after graduation.
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USMLE Step 1
- Focus: Basic medical sciences, principles, and mechanisms underlying health, disease, and therapy.
- Eligibility: International students must be enrolled in or have completed MBBS from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
- Exam Format:
One-day test divided into seven 60-minute blocks.
Conducted over 8 hours with a maximum of 280 questions.
Syllabus: Covers the first two years of medical school subjects.
USMLE Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge)
- Focus: Applying medical knowledge to patient care under supervision, emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention.
- Exam Format:
One-day test divided into eight 60-minute blocks.
Conducted over 9 hours with up to 318 questions.
USMLE Step 3
Focus: Independent patient management, particularly in ambulatory settings.
Eligibility: Must clear Steps 1, 2 CS, and 2 CK before Step 3.
Exam Format:
Day 1: Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP)
232 multiple-choice questions divided into 6 blocks.
Total test session: 7 hours, including breaks.
Day 2: Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM)
180 multiple-choice questions and 13 case simulations.
Total test session: 9 hours, including breaks.
USMLE Registration Process
Separate application forms exist for each step.
Steps 1 & 2 CK
For U.S./Canada medical graduates: Apply through the NBME website.
For international graduates: Apply via IWA through ECFMG.
Step 3
Apply through the FSMB.
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Important Information about USMLE
- Retakes: Up to 3 attempts allowed in a year for any step or part.
- Time Limits:
Fourth attempt must be at least 12 months after the first attempt.
Minimum 6 months gap between attempts. - Number of Attempts: Maximum of 6 attempts, including incomplete tests.
USMLE Scores and Results
- Results are declared online within 3-4 weeks of the exam.
- Notifications are sent when score reports are available.
- Step 3 results are updated and issued by FSMB.
By acing the USMLE, medical students and graduates can take a significant step toward obtaining their medical license in the USA!
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