The United States Medical Licensing Examination(USMLE) is a multi-part professional exam.Medical Doctors are required to pass this examination before being permitted to practice to medicine in USA.
The USMLE assesses a physicians's ability to apply knowledge,concepts,principles,and to determine fundamental patient-centered skills.
Students and graduates of medical school outside USA and Canada register for Step 1 and Step 2 through Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduate(ECFMG)


Exam Format

The exam consists of three parts or famous "STEPS".

• Step 1
• Step 2 (CK and CS)
• Step 3

The Usmle first started out as a paper examination,converting in 2004 to a computer based multiple choice examination.The test can be taken at Thomson Prometric test centers worldwide.However,the step 2 CS and the step 3 can only be taken in the USA.


USMLE STEP 1

It covers the following subjects,in both systemic(general and individual anatomical characteristics) and procedural(functional,therapeutic,environmental , and abnormally) themes:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Pharmacology
• Interdisciplinary topics,such as nutrition,genetics,and aging
• Behavioral sciences
• Biochemistry
• Pathology
• Microbiology

Step 1 is an 8 hour computer-based exam consisting of 336 multiple-choice questions(MCQ's) divided into seven blocks each consisting of 48 questions.Some questions include audio and video.Each block must be finished withing an hour.The remaining hour is break time.

The step 1 score is frequently used in medical residency applications as a measure of a candidate's likelihood to succeed in that particular residency(and on the specialty's boards exams).More competitive residency programs such as radiology,ophthalmology,plastic surgery and dermatology are usually off limits to FMGs but they may have a fair shot if they have exceptionally high score.

The USMLE score is just one of many factors considered by residency programs in selecting applicants.
The overall pass rate for first time USMLE step 1 test takes is 73% for international medical graduates.


USMLE STEP 2

It 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.Step 2 is further divided into two separate exams.

Step 2-CK :-USMLE step 2 CK is designed to assess clinical knowledge through a traditional,multiple choice examination.The subjects included in this exam are clinical sciences like

1. Medicine
2. Surgery
3. Pediatrics
4. Psychiatry
5. Obs/Gyn

Step 2 CK is a 9 hour exam consisting of 8 blocks of 44 questions each.One hour is given for each block of questions.

Step 2-CS :- USMLE step 2 CS is designed to assess clinical skills through simulated patient interactions,in which the examinee interacts with standardized patients portrayed by actors.The cost for this test is approx 1200 US dollars, plus added expenses related to travel,lodging and food.The examination if offered in five cities namely,Philadelphia,Chicago,Atlanta,Houston and Los angeles.

There are 12 standardized patients(SPs) and has 15-minutes to complete history taking and clinical examination for each patient,and then 10 more minutes to write a patient note describing the findings,initial differential diagnosis list and a list of initial tests.



USMLE STEP 3


It is the final exam in the USMLE series designed to assess whether a medical school graduate can apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine.FMGs can take step 3 before starting residency in about 10 US states.
The first day of testing includes 336 multiple choice items divided into 7 blocks,each consisting of 48 items.Examinees must complete each block within sixty minutes.
The second day of testing includes 144 multiple choice items,divided into 4 blocks of 36 items.Examinees are required to complete each block withing 45 minutes.Approximately 3 hours are allowed to there multiple choice questions.Also on the second day,there are nince clinical case simulations.There, the examiness are required to manage patients in real-time case simulations.Examiness enter orders for medications and/or investigations into the simulation software,and the condition of the patient changes accordingly.Each case must be managed in a maximum of 25 minutes of actual time. 45-60 mins are available for break time on each of the two days of testing.

A Helpful Guide To Aga Khan University Admission Test.

I was able to contact one of my friends who successfully cleared the AKU admission test in 2012.We had a chat regarding AKU admission test.I enquired him about the strategy,tricks,tips,tactics and anything which could help students preparing for AKU admission test.So without wasting much time,here we go.

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Asalam Alikum and Hello,

First of all,thanks to almighty Allah for giving me the abilities to successfully clear the entry test of Aga Khan University ,conducted in the year 2012.I was personally requested by a friend of mine to write up an article which will help future test takes in developing efficient test taking strategies.

We must understand that getting into Aga Khan university is not a piece of cake.Competition for limited seats is extremely intense,hence the acceptance rate is very low.Mind you,just clearing the entry test will not automatically get you into the university.Your performance during  high school years and interview are also the factors which will contribute significantly in your final selection.However,the single most important component out of  these 3 components is the admission test as evidenced in AKU prospectus.

Before discussing the preparation material.I quickly want to go over some facts and figures. Each year,from around the world,more than 10,000 students sit for AKU  admission test.Less than 2500 students are able to clear the entry test successfully.Out of the those 2500,approximately 100 students will be selected for a particular batch.I wanted to share these numbers not to frighten you but to encourage you in working more hard for your preparation.You can already see for yourself the level of competition that you are going to face on your test day and beyond.Better start preparing from now,instead of leaving the matter to the last minute.

I also wanted to make a point that your overall performance during your high school years will directly or indirectly determine the possible outcome of your entry test.It doesn't matter whether you are an A'level or F.sc student.If you have worked hard during your two years in high school.You won't be facing much trouble passing the entry test successfully.

While talking about  A'level and intermediate system of education.I  want to say that I
 have heard these myths that "only A'level students(or F.SC) can clear the entry test as it is tailored to their method". Let me tell you one thing,this is all FALSE. Nobody has a clear and distinct advantage.Everyone has the opportunity to clear this test with ease,if they put enough hard work. These are just lies. The AKU administration has categorically said that they do not favor any particular system.

The people who set or make the question paper usually test concepts which overlap or are common in both systems of education.Yes,there might be certain questions which will be from the books of a particular system but those questions form the minority.The bulk of questions,like I said before,will be based on concepts tested in both systems of education.This brings me  back to an another point.More often than not,many students try to read books of both systems in order to successfully clear the test.Personally speaking,I never used that strategy.I was a student of A'level and I never read books of intermediate system.I thought that , it was better for me to consolidate my concepts further by revising the books that I was already using.I didn't see much benefit in reading books of other system.On the real exam,I did not encounter any questions which I had no idea off..If you are an American high school student or student of any foreign country. Please try to concentrate and master the material given in your relevant board books.I highly recommend that approach.

As we all know practice makes a man perfect.This principle can also be applied while preparing for the entry test.I would suggest buying

SAT II Biology(Kaplan preferably)
SAT II Physics(Kaplan preferably)
SAT II Chemistry (Kaplan preferably)

I personally bought books written and published by Kaplan.The questions given in those books almost mirrored the questions I solved on my real exam.Please try to do all questions in that book.Don't forget to read the explanations of the correct answer.It doesn't matter whether you have answered the questions rightly or not.The explanations will further solidify your concepts or may give extra information which can be beneficial.

I cannot suggest any books for science reasoning component of the entry test.The questions presented in that component can be solved by using common sense.Nothing very difficult.

For mathematics portion.I would suggest that students should  brush up their 8th/9th standard mathematics.
Questions on mathematics are not very difficult too.They can be tricky but are doable.

For the english portion.I would suggest learning some new words from any "word list for college students".Reading newspapers might also be helpful.If you have a good command over english language then I don't personally feel that you will encounter much difficulty going through that portion of admission test.For students who consider themselves weak in this area.I would recommend consulting an english teacher.He/she might be in a better position to discuss your weaknesses and offer you methods to improve your standard of english.I have posted some english questions which are similar in difficulty level to the questions on the real exam.Have a look, http://medical-student-resources.blogspot.com/2013/02/extra-practise-questions-for-aku.html

Lastly,I want to make some points regarding commercial review courses.Honestly speaking,I can't pass a judgement regarding them,since I never took one.They may work for some and not for others.It varies from individual to individual.If you believe that enrolling in one of those courses will help you in preparing for the test.Then you should go for it otherwise not.Although,I must mention that these courses are very expensive to begin with.Might as well check their prices before starting one.

Bottom line is,work hard,have patience and pray to Almighty.
Good luck.