{"id":6597687,"date":"2021-08-20T14:38:06","date_gmt":"2021-08-20T14:38:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myaua.auamed.org\/?p=6597687"},"modified":"2021-09-14T14:41:21","modified_gmt":"2021-09-14T14:41:21","slug":"what-is-the-usmle-and-how-do-i-score-highly-on-it-aua","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myaua.auamed.org\/?p=6597687","title":{"rendered":"What is the USMLE and How Do I Score Highly On It? | AUA"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"ast-col-xl-9 ast-col-lg-8 ast-col-md-8\">\n<div class=\"contentbody\">\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Early in your medical school career, you will likely hear suggestions from teachers and older students that studying for your medical licensure exams is a rigorous ordeal. The most common licensure exam is the USMLE, and medical students often spend months, or even years, of their lives to study for all the steps of the exam.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Fortunately, this doesn\u2019t need to be a huge roadblock to success in your medical career. If you\u2019ve wondered what is the USMLE and you are looking for resources to make your studying more efficient, read on for some tips in mastering your medical licensure exams.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"h-what-is-the-usmle\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">What is the USMLE?<\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step exam for medical licensure in the United States. This test uses a combination of standardized questions and assessment scenarios to assess a medical student\u2019s skills, abilities, and attitudes in real life, patient-focused situations.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">To become licensed to practice medicine in the United States, a student must pass all three steps of the USMLE, and some steps consist of both multiple-choice and clinical evaluation portions. Although you can take the Step 1 and Step 2 exams in any order, you must pass both Step 1 and Step 2 exams before you are eligible to sit for the Step 3 exam. Generally, you must pass all three steps of the USMLE within seven years to become licensed, though there are exceptions in some cases.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-34595 lazy-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shortpixel.ai\/spai\/q_glossy+ret_img+to_webp\/https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pexels-keira-burton-6147369-scaled-e1625683738333-1024x442.jpg?size=589x254&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 589px) 100vw, 589px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pexels-keira-burton-6147369-scaled-e1625683738333.jpg?size=240x103&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 240w, https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pexels-keira-burton-6147369-scaled-e1625683738333-300x130.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pexels-keira-burton-6147369-scaled-e1625683738333.jpg?size=480x207&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 480w, https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pexels-keira-burton-6147369-scaled-e1625683738333-768x332.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 768w, https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pexels-keira-burton-6147369-scaled-e1625683738333-1024x442.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1024w, https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pexels-keira-burton-6147369-scaled-e1625683738333-1536x663.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1536w, https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pexels-keira-burton-6147369-scaled-e1625683738333-2048x884.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 2048w\" alt=\"pexels keira burton 6147369\" width=\"589\" height=\"254\" data-spai=\"1\" data-lazy-type=\"image\" data-srcset=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shortpixel.ai\/spai\/q_glossy+ret_img+to_webp\/https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pexels-keira-burton-6147369-scaled-e1625683738333-1024x442.jpg?size=589x254&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" data-spai-upd=\"589\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Testing Structure<\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">The first task that will help you score highly on the USMLE is to get familiar with the test structure. The USMLE step tests are long, exhausting exams, so you should prepare for the mental stamina of these exams in addition to knowing the content.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Here is a brief overview of the USMLE step examination structures:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Step 1<\/strong> \u2013 This exam evaluates a student\u2019s ability to apply basic science concepts that serve as the foundation of health, disease, and the practice of medicine. Test takers will complete up to 280 test multiple-choice questions over seven 60-minute blocks; the entire exam must be completed in one day and lasts approximately eight hours.<\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Step 2 CK<\/strong> <strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">(Clinical Knowledge)<\/strong> \u2013 This exam evaluates a student\u2019s ability to provide proper patient care in a clinical setting, with a special focus on disease prevention. Test takers will complete up to 318 multiple-choice questions over eight 60-minute blocks; the entire exam must be completed in one day and lasts approximately nine hours.<\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills)<\/strong> \u2013 This exam evaluates a student\u2019s ability to provide proper patient care through the use of real-world live patient simulations. Ordinarily, this exam involves 12 \u201cpatient encounters\u201d over an eight-hour period where the test taker is responsible for evaluating, charting, and diagnosing the patient. However, due to COVID-19, <strong><em data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">the Step 2 CS testing process is temporarily suspended until at least June 2021.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Step 3 <\/strong>\u2013 This exam evaluates a medical school graduate\u2019s ability to practice medicine unsupervised. The exam is conducted in two parts and given over two non-consecutive days. The Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP) consists of approximately 232 multiple-choice questions given over six 60-minute blocks. The Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM) consists of approximately 180 multiple-choice questions given over six 45-minute blocks and 13 computer-based case simulations of 10-20 minutes each.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Eligibility<\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">To qualify to sit for any of the USMLE step exams, you must meet all the requirements both at the time of application and on the day of the exam. For example, if you are enrolled in a qualifying medical school at the time of registration but you withdraw before the day of your exam, you will no longer qualify and will not be allowed to test.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">For Steps 1 and 2 CK exams, test takers must be:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Enrolled in a US or Canadian medical school;<\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">A graduate of a US or Canadian medical school holding an MD or DO degree; or<\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Enrolled or a graduate of an international medical school that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">For the Step 3 exam, test takers must:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Hold an MD or DO degree from a US or Canadian accredited medical school or an international medical school that meets ECFMG criteria;<\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Pass the Step 1 and Step 2 CK exams; and<\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Earn ECFMG certification if you graduate from an international medical school.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Preparing for the USMLE<\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">As with many standardized tests, there is a plethora of resources available to help you study for the USMLE. However, not all resources are created equally \u2013 using resources that most closely resemble the actual tests in both structure and content will help you be well prepared.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">You\u2019ll also want to stay organized \u2013 there is a lot of ground to cover for these tests, so having a structured study plan will help ensure there are no gaps in your preparation.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Building A Study Plan<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">To ensure you will be properly prepared for all aspects of your exams, start with the following steps:<\/p>\n<ol style=\"text-align: justify;\" type=\"1\">\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Download and review the latest <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmle.org\/pdfs\/bulletin\/2021bulletin.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">USMLE Test Bulletin of Information<\/strong><\/a> that includes general scheduling and retesting information, scoring specifics, and helpful links.<\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Download and review the latest <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmle.org\/pdfs\/usmlecontentoutline.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">USMLE Content Outline<\/strong><\/a> to familiarize yourself with the specific topics tested on the exams.<\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Download and review the latest <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmle.org\/pdfs\/tcom.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">USMLE Physician Tasks\/Competencies document<\/strong><\/a> to familiarize yourself with the tasks that you may be expected to know for the various exams.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Once you have familiarized yourself with the general exam content, you should begin to build a specific study plan for your test based on how much time you have remaining until test day. If you haven\u2019t yet scheduled your exam, it\u2019s a good idea to give yourself at least three months of dedicated studying before test day. Some sources recommend 300-500 total hours of studying, depending on your score goals and familiarity with the content. By dividing the number of hours you\u2019ll need by how many hours you can devote to studying each week, you can determine how many weeks you\u2019ll need to be properly prepared.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Using your calendar of choice, outline a general study plan for each week remaining until test day. For each week, list:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">The blocks (day and time) you plan to set aside for studying throughout that week<\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Your general focus area(s) of studying for that week<\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Up to 3 short term goals you\u2019d like to accomplish for that week to help you feel prepared leading to test day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Once you have your general study plan outlined, you can begin assigning specific content focus areas to individual study blocks by using study resources available for each test.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-34306 lazy-loaded\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shortpixel.ai\/spai\/q_glossy+ret_img+to_webp\/https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/computer-test-prep.jpg?size=536x356&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 536px) 100vw, 536px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/computer-test-prep.jpg?size=240x159&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 240w, https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/computer-test-prep-300x200.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/computer-test-prep.jpg?size=480x319&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 480w, https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/computer-test-prep-768x511.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 768w, https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/computer-test-prep.jpg?lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 960w\" alt=\"computer test prep\" width=\"536\" height=\"356\" data-spai=\"1\" data-lazy-type=\"image\" data-srcset=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shortpixel.ai\/spai\/q_glossy+ret_img+to_webp\/https:\/\/421184.smushcdn.com\/557616\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/computer-test-prep.jpg?size=536x356&amp;lossy=1&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" data-spai-upd=\"536\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">USMLE Step 1 Exam<\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">The primary focus of the Step 1 exam is to assess a student\u2019s basic science knowledge as applied to clinical scenarios. Questions on the exam are categorized by medical disciplines, core physician tasks, and individual organ systems. To help examinees as they begin to prepare for the exam, USMLE provides a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmle.org\/pdfs\/step-1\/content_step1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">helpful booklet<\/a> that describes the overall content description and general information for the test, including percentage breakdowns for each test category.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">To perform well on the Step 1 exam, you will need to:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Be familiar with scientific terms and definitions.<\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Learn the core medical concepts for each tested subject area.<\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Integrate core concepts with other concepts to make deductions.<\/li>\n<li data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Apply these interlinking concepts to clinical settings in the form of mini-cases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">To do this well, you\u2019ll want to practice test-like questions and perform in-depth review to learn where you have the most opportunity for improvement. There are countless resources \u2013 some free and some paid \u2013 available in the form of flashcards, sample question banks, content review videos, and full-length practice sets. The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) provides some study resources on their website, and the USMLE also provides a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmle.org\/pdfs\/step-1\/samples_step1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Step 1 Sample Question set<\/a> to get you started.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">USMLE Step 2 CK Exam<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">The primary focus of the Step 2 CK exam is to assess a student\u2019s ability to apply acquired medical knowledge to a variety of patient care scenarios, with a special focus on health advocacy and disease prevention. The USMLE also provides a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmle.org\/pdfs\/step-2-ck\/Step2CK_Content.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Step 2 CK content booklet<\/a> that outlines content breakdowns by category of disciplines, tasks, and systems.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">The Step 2 CK exam focuses much more heavily on patient care, so students preparing for this exam should adjust their study habits accordingly. For example, the two most heavily tested competency topics are \u201cPatient Care: Diagnosis\u201d and \u201cPatient Care: Laboratory\/Diagnostic Studies\u201d. These two categories account for approximately 30-40% of the exam questions. The Step 2 CK exam also tests legal, ethical, professional, and patient safety issues, which make up approximately 10-15% of the test and are not included on the Step 1 exam.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">To perform well on the Step 2 exam, you should follow a similar study strategy to the Step 1 exam, but adjust the content focuses to mirror the most heavily tested topics. You can also download the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmle.org\/pdfs\/step-2-ck\/Step2CK_SampleItems.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Step 2 CS Sample Question set<\/a> from the USMLE website to get a feel for the question style and patterns.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">USMLE Step 3 Exam<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">The primary focus of the Step 3 exam is to assess a physician\u2019s ability to provide unassisted comprehensive medical care to patients. This is the longest of the step exams and will be split over two days \u2013 a 7-hour multiple-choice exam on the first day and a 9-hour test on the second day consisting of multiple-choice questions and computer-based case simulations. The USMLE also provides a comprehensive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmle.org\/pdfs\/step-3\/Content_Step3.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">Step 3 content booklet<\/a> that lists a breakdown of what is tested throughout the exam.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">To perform well on the Step 3 exam, you must become familiar with the computerized program that delivers the computerized case simulations. The USMLE provides<a href=\"http:\/\/usmle.org\/practice-materials\/index.html#tab_step3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\"> a detailed tutorial and downloadable resources for Step 3<\/a> that include practice case simulations.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">On to Test Day<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">As you continue throughout the process of preparing for the USMLE step exams, you can avoid frustrations, setbacks, and burnout by starting with a solid study plan. The entire preparation process can be a long journey, so start by finding some advocates who can encourage you along the way.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" data-uw-styling-context=\"true\">As you work through practice material, be sure to also set aside plenty of time for review and self-assessment. By continuously identifying and working to improve in your areas of opportunity, you can find the most efficient pathway to test day success.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Early in your medical school career, you will likely hear suggestions from teachers and older students that studying for your medical licensure exams is a rigorous ordeal. The most common licensure exam is the USMLE, and medical students often spend months, or even years, of their lives to study for all the steps of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6597688,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6597687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aua-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myaua.auamed.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6597687","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myaua.auamed.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myaua.auamed.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myaua.auamed.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myaua.auamed.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6597687"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/myaua.auamed.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6597687\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myaua.auamed.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6597688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myaua.auamed.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6597687"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myaua.auamed.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6597687"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myaua.auamed.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6597687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}