In order to practice medicine in the United States, passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is an absolute must. But there are exceptions for osteopathy program graduates who can opt for COMLEX or USMLE. This test is a set of three distinct assessments- Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3, all of which must be cleared for obtaining a medical license. To be allowed to practice medicine, one must pass all three of them.
Why all the fuss? Simple—the USMLE is designed to ensure that only the most competent, highly-qualified physicians are allowed to practice medicine in the States. But what about foreign med-school grads? Good news—they can take the USMLE, too. In this case, the application process differs slightly from that of graduates of American or Canadian medical schools.
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Step 1
Step 1 is straight up considered the toughest among the three tests by many. Typically, peeps take it after completing their second year of med school. Scoring higher than 188 is a must if you want to pass, but most students aim to hit the average of 225. But the value of the Step 1 score goes beyond just obtaining a license.
As medical school graduates aim to secure a hospital residency, they’ll discover that their score holds great weight in determining their destination. The best residency programs understandably prefer applicants with top-notch Step 1 scores. Definitely, many believe that the score is the chief deciding factor weighed by residency program directors.
The test is a doozy—it covers everything from anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, microbiology, behavioral sciences, and a few other tidbits that are less significant. There are a whopping 280 multiple-choice questions, dispersed into seven different blocks, and completing the test will take approximately eight grueling hours. It aims to assess a candidate’s comprehension and familiarity with medical practices and principles in Step 1.
Practice Questions
These USMLE practice questions mimic the layout and challenge of the real USMLE exams, allowing students to get accustomed to the test design and time limits. By engaging with these questions, students are able not only to get knowledge and understanding of various concepts. They help to acclimate themselves to the unique structure of the test, while also gaining an understanding of the time constraints that they will face.
How many practice questions do you need to do? From personal experience, I can tell that the more, the merrier. An average pro tip suggests conquering 50 USMLE Questions daily, for no less than 30 days, allowing for a grand total of 1000 USMLE Questions!
The day before Exam
It’s crucial to bear in mind that the toughest part is in the rearview, and freaking out won’t up your odds of nailing it. The objective for your last day is to regroup, fuel up, and relish one last leisurely rundown.
Morning routine
Get in the habit of hitting the hay at a sensible time the night before, and ensure your alarm is set for when you plan to rise on test day. Come morning, whip up a breakfast that impersonates what you plan on consuming come test time. Keep in mind that it’s crucial to guzzle the same quantity of your preferred caffeinated beverage. I assure you, it feels very bad to suffer from caffeine deprivation not only the day before or a jolt of caffeine on test day.
Route to the Testing Center
Although it may appear minute, to prevent any unnecessary anxieties on the day of your USMLE Step 1, it’s advisable to rehearse your transportation to your testing center. If driving is your mode of transport, hop into your vehicle at around the same time you intend to on exam day. This way you can ascertain the best route while keeping traffic in the back of your mind.
Once you’re there, scout out a suitable parking spot and navigate your way to the testing center’s entrance. If you intend to use a ride-share service or public transportation, be sure to plan out the timing of your journey in advance, just to have the ample time to spare.
Natural anxiolytic
Whether you’re hitting the pavement for a jog, taking a dip in the pool, or pumping some iron, getting a good sweat on is a totally legit mood booster. Any exercise will help ease your nerves, and it’ll also boost your performance on test day and improve your sleep quality the night before. And keep in mind that while working out is a great tool, this definitely isn’t the time to be pushing yourself to crazy new fitness heights. So be smart and take it easy!
Eating
Don’t skimp on your servings of fruits and veggies—they’re key to feeling your best. And make sure to grub up on some protein, too—it’ll give you that extra oomph you need to ace the test. Remember to moderate snacking is the way to go!
And keep clear—no sugar added! Take a few minutes to curate some really nutritious snacks that you can tote along to the exam center.
Go to bed with chickens
Make sure you hit the sack at a decent hour. You have to allocate at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep time to ensure you wake up fresh as a daisy for your significant event. Skip snacking before bedtime, steer clear of screen time in bed, and keep your sleep space calm and dimly lit. The proper sleep hygiene is vital.
Gentle review
How long should I hit the books the day before the test? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but usually, not very long. The aim of your last-minute studying sesh is to brush up on the areas you find toughest. Try to sort out epidemiology/biostatistics, take a nibble at the sensitivity and specificity equations. Don’t go overboard and allocate no more than 1–2 hours for this review. The day before the exam isn’t about taking in new information, but more about giving some last-minute polish to what you’ve already learned.
What to bring on a Test day?
Make sure you’ve got both a hard copy and an electronic version of your scheduling permit when you head to the test center. You’ll also need some sort of unexpired, official photo ID that the government has given you. Don’t forget to follow all security protocols as you enter the test center and throughout the entire testing process. If you happen to come across any peculiar incidents or potentially concerning behavior during the test, make sure to report it immediately.
Can you bring earplugs?
You can only take in soft-foam earplugs without strings into the testing room. It is essential that you take them out of their packaging beforehand and ensure they are ready for inspection by test center staff during check-in. While taking breaks, keep them stationed with you at your workstation.
Step 2
Step 2, though, is going to be the ultimate gauge of their practical abilities to care for patients while being supervised by a licensed doc. It’s two grueling days of back-to-back tests. The first one, called Step 2-CK, really puts your knowledge to the test in areas like surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, and more. Pretty scary, right? It is divided into 8 sections, with each section featuring a whopping 44 multiple choice questions. It’s a lengthy test that takes approximately 9 hours to finish.
Step 2-CS is another one that lasts an entire day. In this particular examination, candidates must encounter and study a dozen “patients.” This particular evaluation demands that one analyzes a dozen fake patients, who are basically actors sticking to a script, which can prove quite a challenge. The test taker will be allotted a 15-minute window per patient to conduct a comprehensive medical examination and take a detailed medical history. Step 2-CS is limited to only five cities (namely, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and Los Angeles) and is usually sought after during the fourth year of med school.
Step 3
Step 3 is a grueling two-day test that gauges a candidate’s aptitude for independently applying their medical expertise and talents. Completion of this exam is only permissible for those who have successfully cleared Step 1 and Step 2, and a degree in medicine is granted upon graduation from the medical school.
On the first day of the exam, you’ll need to tackle a whopping 336 multiple choice questions, split up into not one, not two, but SEVEN blocks of 48 questions each. You’ll have a single hour to power through each block! The next day is no cakewalk either, with 4 sets of 36 multiple choice riddles, and just 45 minutes to wrap up each set.
The true test, however, will come in the form of nine simulated patient cases that must be mastered with the skill of a seasoned surgeon. You’ll have only a tight 25 minutes to handle each simulation. That is why, better bring your A-game!
