Primum® Beta Test
- Read First
- General Info
- About the Software
- Downloading the Software
- Installing & Using the Software
- Tech Support
- Copyright Info
- FAQs
Primum Beta Test Terms and Conditions
Those downloading the NBME materials and participating in the beta test acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the provisions contained in this agreement. Those who do not wish to be bound by these provisions should not proceed.
Collection of and Consent to Use Data
Participation in this beta test is completely voluntary. If you participate in this beta test and download NBME materials, you agree that NBME will collect certain information from your computer in order to analyze the functionality of the new software and identify any technical problems with the beta version. This information includes:
- Total Physical Memory
- Total Page File
- Total Virtual Memory
- Initial Available Physical Memory
- Initial Available Page File
- Initial Available Virtual Memory
- Initial Memory Utility Percent
- Processor Type
- Computer Name
- Relative CPU Speed
- CPU Speed
In addition, a full transaction log and errors log will be transmitted to NBME. The transaction log will show a record of all of the actions taken in a given case scenario, including but not limited to, time spent on activities, which tests were ordered, sequence of tests, and decisions made.
Disclaimer
NBME has taken great care to ensure that the new software will function properly. However, there is always a possibility that malfunctions may occur. By downloading the Primum beta test materials, you are confirming that you understand and agree that NBME disclaims any responsibility or liability for damages or losses that may result from your participation in the Beta test.
Copyright Notice
The NBME is providing the materials presented in this beta test for personal use only. The materials are owned and copyrighted by the NBME or jointly by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). The materials may not be transferred or reproduced in any way. Any unauthorized reproduction of these materials, by any means, including but not limited to, storage in a retrieval system, transmission, printing, memorization, or distribution is strictly prohibited.
About the USMLE®
The United States Medical Licensing Examination®, or USMLE, is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States and is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®). Students and graduates of US or Canadian medical school programs leading to the MD degree that are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or leading to the DO degree that are accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) register for Step 1 and Step 2 with the NBME. Students and graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada register for Step 1 and Step 2 with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®). Graduates of medical schools in and outside the United States and Canada register for Step 3 with the FSMB or a medical licensing authority in the United States.
About the USMLE Registration Entities and Sponsoring Organization
The ECFMG is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1956. The ECFMG promotes quality health care for the public by certifying international medical graduates for entry into US graduate medical education, and by participating in the evaluation and certification of other physicians and health care professionals. In conjunction with its Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER®), and other partners, it actively seeks opportunities to promote international medical education through programmatic and research activities. Through its program of certification, the ECFMG assesses whether international medical graduates are ready to enter residency or fellowship programs in the United States that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
The FSMB is a national non-profit association with membership consisting of 70 medical licensing authorities in 50 American states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the US Virgin Islands. It is the Federation’s goal to provide services to its members to help them carry out the responsibilities mandated by state law. The FSMB was founded in 1912, as the result of a merger between the National Confederation of State Medical Examining and Licensing Boards (established in 1891) and the American Confederation of Reciprocating Examining and Licensing Boards (established in 1902). Its mission includes continual improvement in the quality, safety, and integrity of health care through the development and promotion of high standards for physician licensure and practice.
The NBME is an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides high-quality examinations for the health professions. Protection of the health of the public through state of the art assessment of health professionals is the mission of the NBME, along with a major commitment to research and development in evaluation and measurement. The NBME was founded in 1915 because of the need for a voluntary, nationwide examination that medical licensing authorities could accept as the standard by which to judge candidates for medical licensure. Since that time, it has continued without interruption to provide high quality examinations for this purpose and has become a model and a resource of international stature in testing methodologies and evaluation in medicine.
For more information about the USMLE registration entities and sponsoring organizations, visit the following websites:
Software description
The software you install includes a beta version of the Primum software and five sample case simulations. There is also a brief survey following the cases, which you may complete to provide feedback on the new software. Please note that you will need an active Internet connection in order to access and complete the survey.
System requirements
Please note: Apple (Mac) and Linux operating systems are not supported.
- Windows® 2000, XP or Vista® with administrator privileges
- Intel® Pentium® processor recommended
- 1 GHz processor or higher
- 1 GB RAM or higher
- 100 MB available on hard drive
- Mouse
- Microsoft® Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
- Windows® Media Player
- Adobe® Reader®
- Adobe® Flash® Player, 9.0 or higher
- Note: If you have Flash 10.0 with IE 6.0 installed you may encounter issues. You will need to install Flash 9.0 (specifically 9.0.159.0) with IE 6.0 in order for Primum to execute correctly.
- Color display set to 24-Bit or True Color
- Resolution set to 1024 x 768 (or higher)
All other USMLE orientation materials are available for download at Orientation & Practice Materials.
Downloading the Software
Files:
- Primum® Beta Download
- Primum® Computer-based Case Simulation (CCS) Orientation Demonstration (opens in new window)
Instructions:
- Click the link for the practice software or video you want to download.
- At the file download prompt, choose "save".
- Make a note of the name of the file you are downloading.
- In the dialog box that appears, you must designate a location on your computer to store this file. Choose "Desktop" or make a note of where this file is being saved.
- You can close your Internet browser when finished.
Installing the Beta Version and Practice Materials
The Primum Computer-based Case Simulation (CCS) Orientation Demonstration does not need to be installed; it can be viewed directly from the web site.
The demonstration is provided in the Adobe Flash format, which requires Adobe Flash Player browser plug-in version 9 or higher. If you do not have Adobe Flash Player, it can be obtained from the Adobe website.
Unzipping downloaded files:
- If you use Vista, click here for help unzipping the downloaded file.
- If you use Windows XP, click here for help unzipping the downloaded file.
- If you use Windows 2000, please continue on with the steps listed here:
- These downloads are "zipped". If you do not have a utility to unzip the file, get an evaluation copy of Winzip® that you can use for this purpose.
- Double click on the installation file to unzip it.
- Make a note of the name of the file you are unzipping.
- Choose "Desktop" for the location of the unzipped file (or make a note of where this file is saved).
Installation:
If you have any previous version of the USMLE practice materials installed you may be asked to remove them before installing the beta version and practice materials.
During installation, if you see a menu asking if you want "modify, repair or remove" components, this means that the installation program has detected a previous installation. Select Remove to uninstall any component currently on your machine and then run the installation program again to install the component you want to use.
- Navigate to the unzipped version of the file (it will end in .exe).
- Double click on the file to begin the installation.
- Depending on your computer, you may see a warning message.
- If you see a security warning "authenticode signature not found," click 'Yes' to continue the installation.
- If you see a message that says that "The publisher could not be verified," click 'Run' to continue the installation.
- On-screen prompts will guide you through the installation.
When installation is complete you should see entries on your program menu and one or more folders on your desktop for running the tutorials and practice test materials. After installation, if you do not see folder(s) on your desktop please click on your Start button and select All Programs. Folder(s) that start with "Primum v2 Beta..." will be on this list.
Running the Primum® Computer-based Case Simulations (CCS) and Tutorial
To run the cases you must set your screen resolution to 1024 x 768 or higher. Please use your manual or system's help if you need assistance changing these settings.
Once your resolution is set, open the Primum v2 Beta folder on your desktop and double click on the practice software. You may also access the Primum v2 Beta folder by clicking on your Start button and selecting All Programs. For Step 3, the Primum Computer-based Case Simulations may also be run from the NBME Test Delivery Software.
Technical Support
If you have problems that you cannot resolve, review the Orientation and Practice Materials Section of the Frequently Asked Questions, fill out our contact form or call (215) 590-9700 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time in the United States, Monday through Friday.
Copyright Information
The United States Medical Licensing Examination is a joint program of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc. and the National Board of Medical Examiners. The orientation package includes proprietary information and materials that are owned and copyrighted by the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Copyright © 1998-2010 the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc. and the National Board of Medical Examiners, except for the following: Copyright © 2006-2010 the National Board of Medical Examiners as to the computer program test driver. Primum® Computer-based Case Simulation Software Version 8.3, Copyright © 2010 the National Board of Medical Examiners. Runtime library portions of the software included with permission from Versant Corporation, Copyright © 1996. All rights reserved. Microsoft® PowerPoint® Viewer, included in this software, is a product of Microsoft® Corporation. Permission to use this software and the other materials installed with it is limited to exam preparation or practice by individuals who are registered to take the examinations, and further reproduction, distribution, transmission, or other uses are prohibited without permission from the copyright holders.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Primum® Beta Test
If you have further questions please contact us via our contact form or call (215) 590-9700 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time in the United States, Monday through Friday.
