Basics of USMLE for Ethiopian Physicians and medical students, April 1 2022
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What is USMLE?
The USMLE, or the United States Medical Licensing Examination program, is program for medical licensure in the United States sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).
The USMLE: Purpose, Format, and Lengths
STEP 1
Assesses the examinee’s understanding of and ability to apply important concepts of the basic sciences to the practice of medicine, with special emphasis on principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease, and modes of therapy
Format
Approximately 280 multiple- choice questions, divided into seven 60-minute blocks
Length
One-day exam, approximately eight hours
Content
Step 1 is a broadly based, integrated examination. Test items commonly require you to perform one or more of the following tasks:
- Interpret graphic and tabular material
- Identify gross and microscopic pathologic and normal specimens
- Apply basic science knowledge to clinical problems
Step 2 CK ( Clinical Knowledge)
Purpose
Assesses the examinee’s ability to apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision, with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention
Format
Approximately 318 multiple- choice questions, divided into eight 60-minute blocks
Length
One-day exam, approximately nine hours
Content
| Competency | Range, % |
|---|---|
| Medicine | 50–60 |
| Surgery | 25–30 |
| Pediatrics | 20–25 |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | 10–20 |
| Psychiatry | 10–15 |
Step 3
Purpose
Assesses the examinee’s ability to apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine, with emphasis on patient management in ambulatory settings
- Day 1: Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP)
- Assesses the examinee’s knowledge of basic medical and scientific principles essential for effective health care
- Day 2: Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM)
- Assesses the examinee’s ability to apply comprehensive knowledge of health and disease in the context of patient management and the evolving manifestation of disease over time
Format
- Day 1: FIP
- Approximately 232 multiple- choice questions, divided into six 60-minute blocks
- Day 2: ACM
- Approximately 180 multiple- choice questions, divided into six 45-minute blocks
- Thirteen computer-based case simulations (CCS); each simulation is allotted a maximum of 10 or 20 minutes of real time
Length
- Day 1: FIP
- One-day test session, approximately seven hours
- Day 2: ACM
- One-day test session, approximately nine hours.
Step 1 and Step 2 CK
To be eligible, you must be in one of the following categories at the time you apply AND on the day of your examination:
- a medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US or Canadian medical school program leading to the MD degree that is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), OR
- a medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US medical school leading to the DO degree that is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), OR
- a medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a medical school that is outside the US and Canada, listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting ECFMG eligibility requirements, and that meets other eligibility criteria of the ECFMG
Applicants dismissed or withdraw(n) from medical school are not eligible for the USMLE.
Step 3
Eligibility requirements for Step 3 are:
- 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
Applicants dismissed or withdraw(n) from medical school are not eligible for the USMLE.
Number of Attempts and time limits
If you have attempted a Step four or more times, including incomplete attempts, and have not passed, you
are ineligible to apply for any Step in the USMLE exam sequence.
All attempts at a Step are counted toward the limit, regardless of when the examinations were taken.
You may not take the same Step more than three times within a 12-month period. Your fourth attempt must
be at least 12 months after your first attempt at that examination and at least six months after your most
recent attempt at that examination. This includes incomplete attempts.
Registration for USMLE
You can follow the following steps if you are Registering and Preparing for USMLE Examination:-
– Review the applicable USMLE Bulletin of Information.
– Ensure that you are eligible to register to take the USMLE.
– Log in to the registration website of the appropriate organization (dependent on your medical school
and the Step for which you are applying). For Step 1 & Step 2ck Students/graduates of medical schools
outside the US/Canada should apply
via the ECFMG website.
– Ensure that the name you enter on your application matches your unexpired, government-issued photo
identification exactly.
– Choose an eligibility period.
– Indicate on your application if you plan to apply for accommodations under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA).
– Submit your application and other required forms.
– After your application is processed, you’ll receive your scheduling permit via email and may schedule
your test date. If it turns out you are unable to test during your eligibility period, contact the
organization that registered you to request an eligibility period extension (fees and restrictions may
apply).
– Prepare for the USMLE by using the free practice materials that are available on the USMLE website. You
can register for a practice session at a Prometric test center or purchase an NBME Self-Assessment.
– Contact Prometric if you need to reschedule your test date.
Recent Changes
The changes include:
– Changing Step 1 score reporting from a three-digit numeric score to reporting only pass/fail; and
– Reducing the allowable number of exam attempts on each Step from six to four.
Please monitor the USMLE Announcements page for the most up-to-date information on USMLE.
Which other countries recognize USMLE result ?
- UAE (United Arab Emirates): You can be offered a GP position if cleared all steps of USMLE
- New Zealand: USMLE Step-1 and Step-2CK passed with in the past five years are valid in New Zealand. But, one needs to subsequently pass their OCSE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) in order to do get registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand. After your registeration with the Medical Council of New Zealand you can apply for an internship there. The clinical exam in the New Zealand is called the NZREX (New Zealand Registeration Examination).
- Qatar: if you clear Step 2 Ck, you can apply for Graduate Medical Education of Hammad Medical Coporation in Qatar.
- DHCC (Dubai Healthcare City): You can get a license to practice in Dubai Healthcare City if you has passed all the Steps 1, 2, 3. You need to get a license to practice in Dubai and will also need 5 years of home country work exp.
- Israel: you won’t need to clear Israeli medical licensing exam if you have cleared USMLE steps.
Detailed Guide on how to take USMLE Exam for Ethiopians (video)
For more comprehensive and updated information about USMLE visit usmle.org
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