What is the USMLE?
"The United States Medical Licensing Examination ® (USMLE®) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the U.S. The USMLE assesses 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. " - From USMLE.org
The USMLE is the written multiple choice exam required to be accepted into a Residency program in the USA. It consists of three "Steps" that assess different knowledge as you progress through your medical school and residency journey. This set of exams forms one of the main components of every residency application, and will be a major determinant of where and what a candidate will match to.
Step 1
Step 1 is the first exam of the three part series. It is usually written during the summer before entering Res year (penultimate year).
The exam is divided into seven 60 minute blocks over a period of eight hours, written over the course of one day. Each block will consist of approximately 40 questions, testing a range of pre-clinical knowledge. Usually, students will use the entire summer as a dedicated period to study (as well as preparing during the year beforehand).
Recently, the ECFMG as opted to make Step 1 a pass/fail exam and remove the old scoring system. Any tests written on or after Jan 22, 2022 will only receive a score report with a pass/fail outcome. More info can be found on the USMLE website.
Step 2
Step 2 is the second exam of the three part series. It is usually written during the summer before entering Final Year (usually between June and August).
The exam is divided into EIGHT 60 minute blocks over a period of nine hours, written over the course of one day. Each block will consist of approximately 40 questions, testing a range of clinical knowledge. Students will usually begin prep around January of Res year and slowly ramp up throughout their rotations. Of note is that this exam is NOT pass/fail!
Previously, this exam was split into Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Clinical Skills (CS) components. Recently, CS was permanently cancelled, so any new test takers will only need to worry about CK.
Step 3
Step 3 is the final exam in the set of three. It is not required to be written in order to apply to Residency. In fact, most students write the exam at some point during the residency period.
Since it's not usually written during medical school, NIMSA has limited information on this exam.
Eligibility:
-
Passing scores on Step 1 and Step 2 CK, AND
-
An MD degree or the DO degree from an LCME- or COCA-accredited US or Canadian medical school, OR the equivalent of the MD degree from a medical school outside the US and Canada that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting ECFMG eligibility requirements and obtain ECFMG Certification, AND
-
Meet all other eligibility criteria as listed in the USMLE Bulletin of Information
How to apply:
-
apply for Step 3 by following the instructions on the FSMB website.
Important
-
J1 visa: does NOT require you to have passed Step 3
-
H1-B visa: requires you to have passed Step 3 (this doesn't leave much time between graduation in June and first day of residency on July 1st)
