USMLE Step 3
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Step 3 is the final exam in the USMLE series of examinations. It is part of the licensing requirements for Doctors of Medicine (M.D.) and international medical graduates to practice medicine in the United States. The USMLE Step 3 exam is considered the final step in the series of medical licensure examinations. Generally, it is a pre-requisite of the majority of the state licensing boards.
USMLE Step 3 tests several concepts that are often required to provide general health care to a patient. USMLE Step 3 is a mandatory exam that must be passed in order to obtain license as a practicing physician. Some International Medical Graduates are required to pass USMLE Step 3 in order to obtain an H1 Visa.
Most of the USMLE Step 3 exam (75 percent) consists of multiple choice questions, while the remaining 25 percent are clinical case simulations. A full description of the content of the exam can be found on the USMLE website.[1] USMLE Step 3 exams are delivered online and are available throughout the year to the examinees. The examinee needs to register via a state licensing board for this exam.
Starting from 2014 USMLE Step 3 can be taken on two non-consecutive days, instead of two consecutive days.[2]
Examination content
USMLE Step 3 examination tests on general topics that are required to understand and practice concepts of general medicine/ family medicine.
The following components are tested:
Normal conditions and disease categories (normal growth and development, basic concepts, and general principles)
Clinical encounter frame (initial work up, continuing care, urgent intervention)
Physician task (applying scientific concepts, formulating a diagnosis based on history, physical exam, and lab findings, and managing the patient).
Clinical encounter frames are common clinical scenarios physicians may encounter. They range from nonemergency problems, to the continuity of care, to life-threatening emergency situations encountered in emergency departments, clinics, offices, care facilities, inpatient settings, and on the telephone. Each test item, in an encounter frame, represents one of the six physician tasks. For example, initial care encounters emphasize taking a history and performing a physical examination. In contrast, continued care encounters emphasize decisions regarding prognosis and management.
Day 1 (Foundations of Independent Practice [FIP]) will continue to be divided into six 60-minute blocks. Each FIP block will have 38 to 40 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The total number of MCQs on the FIP portion of the examination will be 233. The total testing day will be approximately 7 hours.
Day 2 (Advanced Clinical Medicine [ACM]) will continue to be divided into six 45-minute blocks of MCQs, and 13 computer-based case simulations (CCS). Each ACM MCQ block will have 30 items. The total number of MCQ items on the ACM portion of the examination will be 180. The second half of day 2 will contain the 13 CCS cases. [3]
Eligibility for USMLE Step 3
To be eligible to take the USMLE Step 3 exam, the physician must hold an M.D. or D.O. degree, and successfully pass the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge exams. International medical graduates (IMGs) must obtain certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) or successfully complete a “Fifth Pathway” program. The Step 2 CS may also be required. Canadian M.D. graduates are not considered IMGs.
Starting November 2014, fulfillment of specific requirements from individual medical licensing authorities will not be needed.[4]
Preparation strategies for USMLE Step 3
Typically, worldwide examinees require two to three months to prepare for this exam, although in the US, examinees who are American medical school graduates commonly prepare for only a few days to a few weeks.[citation needed] Physicians in post-graduate training that plan for fellowships or additional training often are advised to consider more detailed preparation.[citation needed] An examinee is tested on clinical skills, diagnostic acumen, decision making, treatment guidelines and follow up care. Most recently, some changes have been made to USMLE Step 3 multiple choice questions including increased emphasis placed on biostatistics, epidemiology, and population health, literature interpretation, medical ethics, and patient safety.[citation needed] "Archer review", "USMLE World" and "Board Vitals" are some courses that offer test banks and review literature for purchase.
Scoring
On January 1, 2016 the recommended Step 3 minimum passing score changed to 196. Other changes include a delay in score reports beginning the week of January 18, 2016, the number of items on the Step 3 examination will decrease. There will be a delay in reporting scores for exams administered between January 18 and April 30, 2016. The target date for reporting Step 3 scores for most examinees testing during this time period is May 25, 2016. [5]
Pass rates
First-time USMLE pass rates for D.O. and M.D. students in 2015 were 91 percent and 98 percent, respectively.[6] Pass rates for students from schools outside of the United States and Canada were 89 percent.[6] Trainees in fields which encompass multiple specialties, such as emergency medicine or family practice, tend to perform well on step 3 regardless of when they take the exam; trainees in other fields tend to do better if they take the exam shortly after medical school.[7]
References
- ^ "USMLE® : Test Content & Practice Materials". Retrieved 21 January 2011.
- ^ "USMLE New Changes 2014: Step 3 Going To Be Divided Into Two Parts". Medicalopedia. 2012-04-12. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
- ^ [1] from usmle.org, January 2016
- ^ Changes to USMLE 2014 – 2015 from usmle.org, November 2013
- ^ [2] from usmle.org, January 2016
- ^ a b "2015 Performance Data". United States Medical Licensing Examination. 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ Sawhill AJ, Dillon GF, Ripkey DR, Hawkins RE, Swanson DB. The Impact of Postgraduate Training and Timing on USMLE Step 3 Performance. Academic Medicine , 78 (10), October Supplement 2003, S10-S12.