USMLE

Ralph Bou Chebl

April 2011

Basics- Step 1

• Eight-hour computer-based test.• Seven 46-question sections with a

total of 322 multiple-choice questions.• One hour is the time provided for each

section.• Between test sections, the test taker

is allotted a cumulative 45 minutes for personal breaks.

How to register

• Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates: www.ecfmg.org

• >$800

• 3-month “eligibility period”

• It takes a while to get your permit

• Prometric

• Scores are emailed 3-6 w later

Test questions

• MED-2 = MAJORITY• One-best-answer (no “excepts,” no

matching).• Experimental questions.• Imaging, pathology slides.• Audio questions.

Format and grading

• Three-digit score: 188-???. The three-digit score is calculated using a statistical percentile that ensures that scores from different years are read on a common scale

• Two-digit score: 75-99 (NOT %). • Mean = 221, SD = 24• Most scores: 140-260

Subjects

• Anatomy/ Neuroanatomy,• Biochemistry, Molecular Biology• Physiology/Pathology • Microbiology• Pharmacology and Immunology• Statistics, Epidemiology, Medical

ethics.

How to study

• FIRST AID = Primary reference.

• USMLE World• The internet• Board Review Series• Anatomy, Molecular

Biology, Statistics, Epidemiology, Medical ethics.

• Class notes (immunology)

Pathology

• FIRST AID = Primary reference.

• Very high yield subject.

• Main study material for organ systems.

• Slides. CT scans.

Microbiology• FIRST AID = Primary

reference.

• Very high yield. Bacteriology, Virology, fungi and Parasitology.

• Clinical cases. • Properties of

Bacteria. • 3 weeks.

Neuroanatomy• Cross sections.

Identification.• 2 days. • Important areas of

the brain. Location. Function.

• Spinal tracts.

Pharmacology• 7 chapters in

Lippincott’s. • Pharmacokinetics,

SNS, PSNS high yield.

• 1 week. • Medication side

effects First Aid

Physiology• Renal and

cardiology physiology.

• Understand. Do not memorize.

• Experiments on the step 1.

• Other organ systems, first aid as guide.

• Most important method to prepare for Step 1 and step 2????

USMLE world

Summary

• Depends on residency, med 3 schedule, desire to match straight after med 4.

• MED 3: 1. Matching

2. Electives.

3. Don’t REALLY need clinical experience.

• MED 4: 1. Applying to a competitive residency.

2. Easier year than med 3.

3. Clinical clerkships. (scans, clinical presentation). Can be done in 4 months.

Med 3 Vs Med 4?

Basics- Step 2CK• Focus is much more on clinical application

of medical knowledge• Eight 44-question sections with a total of

352 multiple-choice questions.• internal medicine (majority), obstetrics

and gynecology, pediatrics, preventive medicine, psychiatry, surgery.

• Diagnosis, prognosis, the next step in medical care, including preventive measures.

Step 2CK - Books

Step 2CK - Books

• Subjects combined in one book.

• High yield topics. • Important guide for

broad material of step 2 CK.

Step 2CK• Most important preparation method

USMLE world. • When to do it? Study time?• First 3 months of MED 4 if applying to the

match. (added benefit of MED 3 finals).• If not matching, better after internal

medicine rotation.

Matching• ERAS Application Process• Prior to applying via ERAS, contact your programs of

interest to determine their minimum eligibility criteria, ERAS application deadlines, licensure requirements, and institutional policies about visas, if applicable. Much of this information can be found on each program’s website. (www.matcharesident.com)

• Obtain a Residency Token via ECFMG’s OASIS.• Use your Token to register at the AAMC MyERAS website• Once you have registered at MyERAS, you can begin to work

on your application (Profile, CV and Personal Statement).

Matching

• It is recommended that you submit supporting documents, to ERAS Support Services for arrival by August 1. All documents should be accompanied by a Document Submission Form (DSF), which you can complete and print on-line using ECFMG’s OASIS.

• Register with NRMP in order to participate in the 2011 Match.

• Select programs and assign supporting documents.• On September 1, at 8:00 a.m., Eastern Time in the

United States, you begin to apply.

Required Documents

• Original Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)

• Medical School Transcript• Original Letters of Recommendation (LoRs)• Photograph• USMLE • Personal statement.

Matching

• 4 categories 1.US citizen, US school.2.Non US citizen, US school.3.US Foreign medical graduate.4.Non US Foreign medical graduate.

Timeline• Step 1 in MED 3• Step 2 CK first 3 months of MED 4.• ERAS token in mid july.• Apply to ERAS by September 1st.• Register for the match at NRMP.• LORs (3-4). Preferably by US doctors (electives)

by October at the LATEST.• Interviews (November till end of january)• STEP 2 CS by December 31st of application year. • Match in February.

Timeline

• Post match • Couple’s match • Early finals?