USMLE BASIC INFORMATION
The United States Medical Licensing Examination is jointly administered by the NBME and LCME. The fundamental purpose of the USMLE is to assess the suitability of a candidate to practise medicine in the United States.
USMLE step 1 assesses your knowledge of pre-clinical subjects. This is important from a pubic health standpoint to make sure that you understand the fundamentals of medicine, such as anatomy and physiology, and disease processes and pathology, and the microbiology of the pathogens that cause disease, and the pharmacology of the medications that you will be using. Many residency program directors give more importance to your step 1 scores as compared to your step 2 scores.
USMLE step 2 CK assesses your knowledge of clinical medicine. You will be tested on your knowledge of medical facts and also your ability to analyze and interpret clinical data. Clinical data includes history and exam findings and results of investigations.
USMLE step 2 CS tests your ability to perform a history and examination under simulated settings, it also tests your spoken English and communication skills, and it tests your ability to competently take patient notes.
The written parts of the USMLE ie step 1 and step 2 CK are administered through the internet. You can take these exams at test centres that are owned by Prometric. These centres are available around the world. Step 2 CS is available only in US centres. Step 3 is available at Prometric centres in the United States. You do not need step 3 to start in a residency program,
If you are a US graduate the first step is to register at the NBME's examination services website. You will need your SS number and your ID. Once you get your ID number and password, you can log into the NBME. Then click the 'Apply for USMLE' link. Have your credit card handy to pay the registration fee. You will then be able to print out the Certification of ID and Authorization Form. Once the photo is affixed and you sign it, you will need to turn it into your medical school's NBME representative. At this point you should register with Prometric for the exam itself.
The procedure for IMGs is different, please see the page on USMLE registration.
Well well doctor, can you tell me the top three reasons as to why you want to come to America?
Motivational imagery / daydreaming when cramming for the USMLE !
20,000 foreign trained doctors will try their luck at the USMLE this year. More than 9,000 will FAIL the USMLE. The majority of the the survivors will limp along, with minimal passing scores, never to set foot inside a Residency Training Program. Only a bare handful will make it into a residency program in the United States. The USMLE may look deceptively easy, but the numbers do not lie. Do not try the USMLE unless you are a graduate of an American Medical School , or you are exceptionally well prepared.
