The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three step examination for medical licensure. It assesses a physician’s ability and knowledge in fundamental patient-centered skills. The tests are administered over a number of days and can be done at any Prometric Test Center.
Step 1 – One day exam (8 hours)
Assesses understanding and ability to apply concepts of the sciences basic to the practice of medicine. Special emphasis on principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease and modes of therapy.
Assesses ability to apply medical knowledge, skills and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision. Emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention
Separate clinical skills exam that uses standardized patients to test ability to gather information, perform physical exams and communicate findings to patients and colleagues.
Assesses ability to apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine. Emphasis on patient management in ambulatory settings.
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Step 1 – One day exam (8 hours)
Assesses understanding and ability to apply concepts of the sciences basic to the practice of medicine. Special emphasis on principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease and modes of therapy.
- Approximately 310 multiple-choice questions divided into seven 60-minute blocks
- Each block is 40 or less questions
Assesses ability to apply medical knowledge, skills and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision. Emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention
- Approximately 350 multiple-choice questions divided into eight 60-minute blocks
- Each block is 40 or less questions
- Minimum of 45 minutes break time (can be more if a block is finished early) and an optional 15 minute tutorial
Separate clinical skills exam that uses standardized patients to test ability to gather information, perform physical exams and communicate findings to patients and colleagues.
- 12 patient cases – 15 minutes for each patient encounter and 10 minutes to record patient notes
- Administered at 6 test centers in US – Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and Philadelphia (2)
Assesses ability to apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine. Emphasis on patient management in ambulatory settings.
- Day 1: Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP) – 7 hours
- Basic medical and scientific principles essential for effective health care
- Approximately 260 multiple-choice questions divided into six 60-minute blocks
- Each block is approximately 44 questions
- 45 minutes of break time
- Day 2: Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM) – 9 hours
- Apply comprehensive knowledge of health and disease in the context of patient management nad the evolving manifestation of disease over time.
- Approximately 200 multiple-choice questions divided into six 45-minute blocks
- Each block is approximately 33 questions
- 13 computer-based case simulations – each allotted a maximum of 10 or 20 minutes of real time
- 45 minutes of break time
Make sure you are prepared for your United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). McRee Learning Center can help.
