[Posted July 30, 2008]

We are aware that many examinees prefer using earplugs to block out the distraction of ambient noise while taking examinations. Although USMLE prohibits the possession of personal items in the testing room, primarily because of the challenge that particular items can present to the maintenance of security, USMLE has decided, effective immediately, to begin allowing examinees to bring and use soft-foam earplugs during the Step 1, 2 CK, and 3 under the following conditions:

• The soft foam earplugs must be out of the packaging and ready for inspection by test center staff during check in.
• Earplugs must be left at the workstation during all breaks.

Examinees who bring earplugs to these USMLE examinations must realize that if they violate the conditions stated above, then they will be denied use of the earplugs. Further, if based upon inspection, the test center staff have any concerns about the earplugs, then the test center staff may prevent the examinee from using the earplugs during testing.

[Posted November 21, 2006]

It has come to our attention that some Step 2 CS registrants have offered to exchange their scheduled testing appointments with those of other registrants who must take Step 2 CS by specific deadlines. The exchange of testing appointments between applicants is not consistent with the "first-come, first-served" basis on which Step 2 CS testing appointments are offered. It is also highly unlikely to be successful. If you are registered for Step 2 CS, you should know that:

• The Step 2 CS Scheduling system does not allow an applicant to reserve his/her scheduled testing appointment for another applicant, nor does it allow the transfer of a testing appointment from one applicant to another. When an applicant cancels a scheduled appointment, the appointment returns to the pool of available testing appointments where it can be claimed by other registrants.
• At any given time, there are many applicants registered for Step 2 CS who may be attempting to schedule or reschedule testing appointments. It is common for appointments that become available to be claimed immediately by another applicant.
• The Step 2 CS Scheduling Email Notification System allows registered applicants to indicate their preferences for test dates and centers. When a testing appointment is canceled, all applicants participating in the email notification system who have expressed a preference for this date/center are notified immediately by email.

The best way for registered applicants to monitor the availability of testing appointments is to indicate their preferences for dates/centers using the pilot Step 2 CS Scheduling Email Notification System. To indicate your preferences, access Step 2 CS Scheduling from your registration entity's website, and follow the link "Add/Edit Scheduling Email Notifications."

For detailed information on policies and procedures related to Step 2 CS scheduling and rescheduling, refer to the USMLE Bulletin of Information.