usmle anatomy

USMLE

United States Medical Licensing Exam - This is a three-step test taken by all physicians over several years during residency training. Every physician must pass all three parts of the USMLE within 7 years in order to practice medicine in the US.

Since 1992, the USMLE replaced both the Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX) and the Certifying examinations of the NBME. The USMLE now serves as the single examination system for United States medical students and international medical graduates seeking medical licensure in the United States. It is a computer-based test that consists of three steps. To take the USMLE Step, you must meet the basic Eligibility requirements. The USMLE is designed to assess a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles that are) important in health and disease and that constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care. All three Steps of the USMLE must be completed within seven-year period to obtain a state medical license. Results of USMLE are reported to medical licensing authorities in the United States for use in granting the initial license to practice medicine.

Step 1

The USMLE step 1 is the one of the three examinations that you must pass in order to become a licensed physician in the United States. And this is one of the toughest of them all; The purpose of USMLE step 1 is to test your understanding and application of concepts in basic medical sciences. USMLE Step 1 is a one-day Computer-based Test that can be taken at the end of second year of medical school.

Step 2

USMLE Step 2 is designed to assess whether medical school students or graduates can apply medical knowledge, skills and understanding of clinical science essential for provision of patient care under supervision. US medical students typically take Step 2 during the 4th year of medical school. Step 2 is further divided into two separate exams.1) clinical knowledge and 2) clinical skills

Step 3

Students will be presented with questions in the form of vignettes. A clinical encounter will be presented and questions will take the form of multiple-choice as well as case simulation. Both types of questions will require students to make clinical judgments and decisions just as they will have to do when they become practicing physicians. Step 3 will contain little or no basic science, because the testing board assumes that basic science concepts have been adequately tested in Steps 1 and 2 of the exam. The clinical encounter will require the student to be able complete an initial workup, provide a continuing care plan, and intervene in urgent care situations.

In addition to the clinical encounter and physician task organization, the exam is further divided into two dimensions: normal conditions and disease categories. Questions that fall under the category of normal conditions will involve the basic concepts and general principles associated with normal growth and development. Questions in the disease categories dimension will involve diseases and disorders that affect individuals.