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The Step 1 exam contains
350 questions and
spans 8 hours of testing (including an hour of break time). It is administered
as 7 one-hour "blocks" of 50
questions each. You will be able to skip back and forth among test
questions, but only within a particular block. Once you leave a block
(or time expires for that block), you will not be able to return to the
questions of that block.
Step
1 questions are NOT grouped by subject within a block. For example,
you won't find a section devoted to biochemistry. This random ordering
of items presents you with a unique challenge. You must switch from thinking
about one subject, such as pathology, to another, such as behavioral science,
without skipping a beat.
In total,
you will have 45-60 minutes of break time depending on whether you choose
to complete the 15 minute tutorial at the start. You can "add"
to your break time by finishing a block early. Please note, however, that
finishing blocks early does not add to your total "test time"
which remains constant at 7 hours. That means that you can't add time
to one block by finishing another block ahead of time. You should only
take breaks BETWEEN blocks; leaving the testing area DURING a block will
be noted as a testing irregularity.
Question
Formats
The only question format currently on the USMLE
Step 1 is one best
answer (matching questions as well as negatively phrased questions were
eliminated a few years ago). Some of the Step
1 items test your fund of knowledge directly; however, the majority
require application of basic science principles to clinically-relevant situations.
You will also be asked to identify microscopic and gross specimens, interpret
graphic or tabular information, and solve simple clinical problems.
In an effort to make
the Step 1 exam more
medically relevant, the USMLE
items often assess basic medical science concepts in a clinical context.
While some points are asked in a fairly traditional, straightforward manner,
you will also be presented with many clinical vignettes. This style typically
involves fairly long lead-in scenarios followed by relatively brief response
options.
Scoring
With the new computer exam, you should receive your score back within 3
weeks of your test date. The USMLE
Step 1 is scored and reported on two-digit and three-digit scales. Your
score report will also include a pass/fail designation as well as a graphic
depiction of your performance by discipline and organ system. The defined
scale is based on the performance of a criterion group. This group represents
a previous group of second year US
med students who took the exam for the first time at the end of their
second year of medical school.
To achieve a passing score, you typically need to answer between 55-65%
correct (it can vary based on the calculated difficulty of the exam you
took as each candidate takes a different version of the exam).
US Med Students found
these books to be of most help studying for the USMLE.
Registration
and Scheduling
Registering to take the Step
1 and scheduling your exam date is a multistep process:
1. Secure the application
materials.
US medical students can get the registration materials from their medical
schools or from the National Board of Medical Examiners. International
medical graduates must apply through the ECFMG. Note: neither of these
organizations currently register the students over the web; you'll need
to fill out the paper application and send it in by mail.
2. Complete the application
and submit with your application fee and a recent photo.
As part of the application process you will be asked to choose a three
month "eligibility period" during which you want to take the
exam. Once your eligibility period has been assigned, you will need to
take your exam during that period of time or you will lose your application
fee (hundreds of dollars). Once you submit your application, it will take
4-6 weeks for processing. Note: If the processing of your application
is not completed before the START of the eligibility period you selected,
you will not be assigned that 3-month period.
3. Receive your Scheduling
Permit.
Once your application is processed, you will receive a Scheduling Permit
in the mail. This permit will tell you the start and end dates of your
three- Month eligibility period, instructions on scheduling your exam,
as well as your Scheduling Number and your Candidate Identification Number.
4. Schedule your test
date directly with Sylvan Prometric.
Your Scheduling Permit will have instructions on contacting Sylvan to
select your test date (must be within eligibility period). Before making
the call, you should decide on several dates and your preferred location.
Copyright
2003, Kaplan, Inc.
All Rights Reserved. Kaplan
is a registered trademark of Kaplan,
Inc.
USMLE is a joint
program of The Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States,
Inc. and the National Board of American Medical Examiners.
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