Announcements
In addition to the individual announcements below, you can also click here to open or close all announcements on this page.
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Biometric Identity Management System
Starting on or about July 8, 2009, the USMLEŽ program will begin using the Biometric Identity Management System (BIMS) in many test center locations.
Posted June 30, 2009 [–] Click HERE to close answers
[Posted June 30, 2009]
Beginning on or about July 8, 2009, the USMLEŽ program will begin using the Biometric Identity Management System (BIMS) in many test center locations as part of standard test day procedures for computer-based Step examinations.The BIMS is designed to improve the security and integrity of the testing process.
On test day, the BIMS program takes and converts a fingerprint to a digital image that is used for candidate identity verification purposes. This image and identification documents provided on test day are paired with other personal information provided to the registration entity, allowing accurate identification during the testing process. As a candidate moves in and out of the test lab at the test center, the candidate will be able to use his or her finger to authenticate identity using the scanners located in the test center, limiting or eliminating the need to provide additional identification throughout the test day to test center staff.
More detailed information about the BIMS may be found in the “Biometric Identity Management System Privacy Notice for USMLE Candidates” and in the BIMS Frequently Asked Questions.
USMLE Review: Update
The Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) are pleased to announce that all three organizations have endorsed the USMLE Composite Committee’s recommendations to revise the USMLE.
Updated: June 22, 2009 Click here for complete details
Information about USMLE and Influenza
The Composite Committee and USMLE parent organizations continue to monitor the situation closely and are prepared to take appropriate measures as warranted to protect the health and safety of examinees and the public.
Updated: June 16, 2009 Click here for complete details
Migration of Step 3 Examination to New Software for Computer-Based USMLE in March 2009
Delay in Step 3 Score Reporting for Examinees Testing Through April.
Posted January 22, 2009 Updated May 7, 2009 [–] Click HERE to close answers
[Updated May 7, 2009]
This is an update to the announcement posted below. Migration of the Step 3 Examination has been completed, and scores for the majority of examinees testing from early March through late April were released on May 6, 2009.
[Posted January 22, 2009]
A new version of the software used to deliver the computer-based USMLE Step examinations was introduced in mid-August 2008. The Step 3 Examination is scheduled to be migrated to the new version in March 2009.
The migration is expected to begin at a small number of test centers on March 9, and will then be phased in at remaining test centers during the week of March 16. If you plan to take the Step 3 examination in March 2009 or later, you should familiarize yourself with both the current test delivery software and the new version.
Because the Step 3 examination is a 2-day exam, no Step 3 examinations can be administered when a test center is migrating to the new test delivery software (in order to prevent migration of the software between the first and second day of an administration). For this reason, no Step 3 examinations can be scheduled on the following dates in March 2009:
- March 9-10, 2009
- March 16-22, 2009
Orientation and practice materials using both the current and new versions of the software are available for downloading by clicking here.
The change to the test delivery software will be accounted for in scoring the examination results, so that scores will be comparable to those of exams using the older software. Because of this change, as well as routine modifications to the test item pool, it will be necessary to delay the reporting of scores for some examinees. The normal turnaround time for reporting scores to Step 3 examinees is 3 to 4 weeks. However, during this transition, turnaround time for some examinees may be as long as 6 to 8 weeks. The target date for reporting Step 3 scores for most examinees testing from early March through late April will be Wednesday, May 13, 2009.
It is possible that scores will be available earlier - please check this website for updates.
Note to Step 1 examinees: Migration of Step 1 to the new test delivery software will occur in May/June 2009. Please monitor the USMLE website announcements section to check for changes in test delivery software, and to access orientation and practice materials.