| How Am I Going To Pass The USMLE? | | | | When you get around to trying to pass the USMLE |
| If trying to pass the USMLE has you worried and | | | | Step 1 which judges how well of a grasp of the |
| stressed then take a moment to breathe. It is | | | | sciences that apply to medicine you have, be |
| possible to pass the USMLE and you can do it! | | | | prepared for a long day. You are given eight hours to |
| To pass the USMLE is a very important task and it is | | | | complete the test but be prepared to use every bit |
| not easy but it is far from impossible. It is going to | | | | of that time. Look for it to be broken up into seven, |
| take you being able to put things in perspective and | | | | one hour blocks with about 50 questions each. The |
| keep things under control. If you have finished your | | | | computer tutorial that they have at the beginning of |
| second year of your medical education you may feel | | | | the test time takes about 15 minutes but it is not |
| ready to jump into clinical medicine but you have this | | | | necessary to do it. You can use that 15 minutes |
| obstacle in your way. Here are some things that will | | | | elsewhere. Many choose to use it as an extra break |
| help you keep things in perspective and pass the | | | | in between sessions. |
| USMLE. | | | | Step 2 |
| First you need to understand that even though your | | | | Step 2 of the USMLE will gauge how well you can |
| score on the USMLE is important, it is not the most | | | | apply what you know towards providing care to |
| important thing. It is just a part of the evaluation you | | | | patients. It is broken up into two exams. The first |
| will be going through. They are still going to be | | | | part, Step 2-CK is a 9 hour exam that has 8 blocks |
| looking at your grades in the basic science classes, | | | | with 44 questions in each. The blocks are one hour |
| your letters of recommendation, letter from the | | | | long. The Step 2-CK is geared towards the more |
| Dean, clinical evaluations, and everything else that has | | | | clinical parts of your studies and the tests are multiple |
| been a part of what you have done in your studies. | | | | choice. The second part of Step 2 is Step 2-CS |
| They are looking at the whole package. While it is | | | | which involves more practical application. You are |
| important to pass the USMLE and get as good of a | | | | given 12 test patients (an actor, not a real one) and |
| grade as you can, it is not the only thing they look | | | | are required to get a complete medical history and |
| at. | | | | make an examination then make a diagnosis. The |
| Even though the USMLE is an exam covering just | | | | test is $1200 and only offered in five cities in the US. |
| about everything that you covered in your first two | | | | Step 3 |
| years, you could probably get by studying and | | | | Step 3 is usually done after one year residency and |
| preparing for just a few weeks. One of your | | | | will help show that you are ready to go unsupervised |
| greatest assets in preparing to pass the USMLE are | | | | in your application of biomedical and clinical science |
| people you know who have gone through it. Pick | | | | towards the treatment of patients. It is a 16 hour, |
| their brain and find out what they found would have | | | | two day affair that is broken into 7 sixty minute |
| helped them more. Find out what worked for them. | | | | blocks on the first day and 4forty-five minute blocks |
| Ask them what review courses they recommend or | | | | on the second day. Part of the second day is dealing |
| do not recommend. | | | | with simulations that have you managing your |
| What will help you out immensely is proper use of | | | | patients, ordering medication and then checking the |
| practice questions. Take about 45-50 questions | | | | results of the patient care through the simulations. |
| nightly based on your studies for the day and answer | | | | The whole process of trying to pass the USMLE may |
| them. Once or twice a week, double up on the | | | | seem like a huge task to take on and, when looking |
| amount of questions you answer to help build up | | | | at the whole thing may seem overwhelming. Just |
| your test taking stamina. Treat it like a marathon. Go | | | | remember the instructions on how to eat an |
| a certain distance daily but every once in a while | | | | elephant: one bite at a time. The three steps are |
| push yourself to the limit. After 3-4 weeks of this | | | | broken up in such a way that you are more than |
| you will find yourself much more mentally fit to pass | | | | prepared for each step. You have to trust your |
| the USMLE. | | | | education and your ability to succeed and you will |
| Step 1 | | | | pass the USMLE. |