Purpose

Assesses the examinee’s understanding of and ability to apply important concepts of the basic sciences to the practice of medicine, with special emphasis on principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease, and modes of therapy

Format

Approximately 280 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), divided into seven 60-minute blocks

Length

One-day exam, approximately eight hours

Purpose

Assesses the examinee’s ability to apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision, with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention

Format 

Approximately 318 MCQs, divided into eight 60-minute blocks

Length 

One-day exam, approximately nine hours

Purpose

Assesses the examinee’s ability to apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine, with emphasis on patient management in ambulatory settings

• Day 1: Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP) 
  • Assesses the examinee’s knowledge of basic medical and scientific principles essential for effective health care 
• Day 2: Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM) 
  • Assesses the examinee’s ability to apply comprehensive knowledge of health and disease in the context of patient management and the evolving manifestation of disease over time 

Format

• Day 1: FIP
  • Approximately 232 MCQs, divided into six 60-minute blocks
• Day 2: ACM
  • Approximately 180 MCQs, divided into six 45-minute blocks and thirteen computer-based case simulations (CCS); each simulation is allotted a maximum of 10 or 20 minutes of real time