Updated on Dec, 01 2025 02:52 IST
USMLE Exam
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The USMLE exam is completed in three steps. This exam is for those students who want to attain a medical license to practice in the United States. The exam is subsidized by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB). The United States Medical Licensing Exam evaluates a physician’s capability to exert concepts, principles, and skills for patient-centered care that is essential in disease and health. Each step in the exam complements the preceding step; not just one step can get ready a student for practice licensing. Well, cracking the USMLE isn’t tough for an International Medical Graduate if he has got the right preparation strategies at the beginning of the course. Getting admissible scores is important.
A student should have an MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree from a medical university affiliated by the LCME, if a student has obtained a degree from outside the US then the college should be in the list of World’s Directory of Medical Schools.
The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, the Federation of State Medical Boards and National Board of Medical Examiners are the regulating bodies of USMLE. This committee of three organizations directs the program, set standards for the pass and fail, set guidelines and policies. Also, these regulating bodies identify and approve scoring procedure.
The professors, clinicians and biomedical scientists from every part of US including the members of USMLE develop the content. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) affiliated medical universities in US are represented on USMLE committee.
A student should submit the application through the assigned registration organization. *Note: The examination is not conducted in the first week of January and on local holidays of US.
| For medical graduates from the US | For medical graduates from outside US |
|---|---|
| Students who have completed MBBS from universities affiliated by LCME can register here | MBBS students who graduated from universities outside the US can register here |
| Apply through NBME (NBME Licensing Examination Services) | Apply through ECFMG on IWA (Interactive Web Applications) |
The minimum passing scores are as follows:
USMLE Step 1
Step 1: examination can be taken from Georgia itself. USMLE Step 1 is a web-based examination. In case your marks are above 230 marks (out of 308), you’ve nearly assured your medical seats for medical PG (MD / MS degree) within the United States of America. assesses whether you apprehend and observe crucial fundamentals of science standards used for the practice of medicine, with a unique emphasis on concepts and mechanisms underlying fitness, sickness, and modes of remedy. USMLE Step 1 test checks your basic concepts for the capable exercise of medication in the real-time, however, the medical concepts required for preservation of competence via lifelong education. The primary testing dimensions of Step 1 are device and procedure.
USMLE Step 2
Step 2: After your sixth year of MBBS, you’re eligible for applying for the USMLE Step 2CK examination. On clearing this qualifying examination, you’re eligible for the residency (medical PG in the United States of America). After passing USMLE part 1 with minimum 230 marks and finishing your 2 years of medical courses. Book rotation from an ACGME authorized coaching medical institution in the United States of America; the subsequent step is to qualify USMLE 2 examination. Additionally named as Step 2, USMLE 2 is divided into two elements, i.e. CK (Clinical Knowledge – theory) and CS (Clinical Skills – oral). Step 2 is a qualifying examination leading to the residency. On, the letter of advice acquired by using your mentor medical doctor at the health center contains a big weight to achieve a successful residency match.
USMLE Step 3
Step 3: evaluates if a student can exert medical knowledge they have learned and practiced during their MBBS course. Step 3 is the final step of the examination, which means it is the last exam in USMLE test which leads to practicing medicine without any direction. The Step 3 examination gives the consideration significance of evaluating the learning and aptitude abilities of doctors who are accepting free accountability for giving general medical care to patients.
Exam content is based on the following topics for all the three steps of the USMLE
| STEP 1 | STEP 2 | STEP 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioural sciences | Immune System | Scientific Concepts/Medical knowledge: Applying fundamental science concepts |
| Anatomy | Blood, Behavioural Health, and Lymphoreticular Systems | Patient care: Diagnosis and Management |
| Biochemistry | Special Senses, Nervous System, Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue | Interpersonal and Communication skills |
| Microbiology | Cardiovascular System, Musculoskeletal System, Respiratory System, Renal & Urinary Systems and Gastrointestinal System | Systems-based practice, including patient safety |
| Epidemiology and biostatistics | Pregnancy, the Puerperium, and Childbirth. | Professionalism, legal & ethical issues |
| Pathology | Breast and Female Reproductive System | Practice-based learning, including epidemiology and biostatistics. |
| Physiology | Endocrine System and Male Reproductive Organs | |
| Pharmacology | Multisystem Processes and Disorders | |
| Genetics | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Aging | ||
| Nutrition | ||
| Cell and molecular |
Do we have to pay any fee for rescheduling the appointment?
Yes, you will be charged a fee if you reschedule the appointment depending on how many days prior to exam you change it.
Is it possible to update the information after registering for the exam?
Yes, it is possible for a candidate to change the submitted information but not after 7 days before scheduling the appointment for test.
Is there any limit of how many times a student can appear for the exam?
A student is not eligible for the test if he fails more than 6 times, it includes the incomplete attempts too.
What are regulations for retaking the exam?
A student can’t appear for the exam more than 3 times in a year. The 4th attempt is allowed a year after the first attempt.
Was it allowed to appear for a step that student has passed already?
No, a student is not allowed to appear for the same step again if passed.
Is there study material available to prepare for the exam?
Yes, a student can buy a review book or can search for sample notes on the internet. There will be some Patient notes available to practice for Step 2 CS.
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