Eligibility Criteria For USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)

Eligibility Criteria For USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) is also termed as ‘the Boards’ because it is a very challenging three-step exam to get a Medical license to practice Medicine in the US. Step 1 and Step 2 can be taken while a student is in med-school but step 3 can be taken only after graduation.

Students who look forward to pursuing a career in Medical must know that they will have to face a very tough and challenging educational pathway whereas students who look forward to pursuing a career in the US have to pass through even a more challenging path because this USMLE assesses the physician’s ability to apply concepts and knowledge to demonstrate the fundamentals which are applied in the field of medical sciences.

It also tests, whether a physician is capable to apply basic sciences knowledge and clinical knowledge to practice medicine.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PREP FOR EACH USMLE EXAM?

Based on our experience working with international medical graduates, preparing for the Step 1 exam takes 6 to 12 months and Step 2 CK (clinical knowledge) 4 to 7 months.

What are the steps of USMLE?

1. USMLE Step 1 or Basic Sciences Knowledge
2. USMLE Step 2 CK or Clinical Knowledge / Step 2 CS or Clinical Skills
3. USMLE Step 3 or Patient Management

Eligibility Criteria For USMLE Steps or Components

USMLE Step 1 or Basic Sciences Knowledge

Step 1 type: The hardest part to go through
Exam level: Very Hard
Questions asked: Application of knowledge of basic sciences to practice medicines.
Eligibility criteria: After the first two years of Medical School.
Time duration: 8 hours (one day)
Total blocks:7 blocks (1 hour for each block)
Questions in each block: 40
Total MCQ’s – Typically 280 questions
Exam mode: Online
Test venue: Prometric Sites Internationally

USMLE Step 2 CK or Clinical Knowledge

Step 2 type 1: The actual application of Physician’s clinical knowledge under supervision.
Exam level: Hard.
Questions asked: How to apply clinical Knowledge to practice medicines.
Eligibility criteria: During the 3^rd and 4^th year (Clinical Years) in Medical School.
Time duration: 9 hours (one day)
Total blocks: 8 blocks (1 hour for each block)
Questions in each block: 45
Total MCQ’s – 355 questions
Exam mode: Online
Test venue: Prometric Sites Internationally

Step 2 CS or Clinical Skills

Step 2 type 2: Focusses on five main factors:
1. Relationship Fostering
2. Provision on Information
3. Decision Making
4. Emotional Support
5. Handling Patient Behaviour’s
Exam level: Hard.
Questions asked: Application of ‘Clinical Skills’ on ‘Standardized Patients’.
Eligibility criteria: During 4^th year of Medical School.
Time duration: 8 hours (one day)
Format:12 patients
1^{^st} 15 minutes: To encounter the patients
Next 10 minutes: To take notes
Test venue: Total of 5 test centres (Atlanta, Chicago, Huston, Los-Angeles, Philadelphia)

USMLE Step 3 or Patient Management

Step 1 Type: Apply the understanding and concepts of clinical science knowledge without any supervision by a physician
Exam Level: Very Hard
Questions asked: Ability to apply clinical science knowledge to patients without any supervision.
Eligibility criteria: After graduation
Time Duration: 2 days
Total MCQ’s – 500 questions
Exam Mode: Online
Test Venue: Prometric Test Sites in the USA
Day 1: (FIP) Foundations in independent Practice
Questions asked: Concepts based on scientific principles for effective medical care
Time Duration: 7 hours (one day)
MCQ’s – 260 questions
Day 2: (ACM) Advanced Clinical Medicines
Questions asked: Patient Management and Evolving Disease Process by applying medical knowledge.
Time Duration: 9 hours (one day)
MCQ’s – 200 questions
Scoring Criteria:
1. Step 1 – Minimum 192 marks
2. Step 2 CK – Minimum 209 marks
3. Step 2 CS – Pass/Fail
4. Step 3 – 190

Steps of USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)

Websites for Registration

Students who apply for Step 1, Step 2 CS and Step 2 CK should apply through the below mentioned websites:

In USA or Canada: candidates should apply in NBME (National Board of Medical Exam) website
Outside USA or Canada: candidates should apply in ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) website

Students who apply for Step 3 should apply from the below mentioned website:

All the medical graduates should register through FSMB website.

Read also PG Medical Coaching Centers.