Sequence of Steps
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may take Step 1 and Step 2 CK in any sequence. You may take Step 3 only after passing Step 1 and Step 2 CK.
Preparing for the USMLE
The USMLE: Purpose, Format, and Length
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 8 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 9 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 13 to 14 computer-based case simulations (CCS); each simulation is allotted a maximum of 10 or 20 minutes of real time
Length
Two-day exam
- Day 1: FIP One-day test session, approximately 7 hours
- Day 2: ACM One-day test session, approximately 9 hours
Helpful Resources for Preparing for the USMLE
The USMLE offers free resources to help you as you prepare for the USMLE Step exams and along your journey to becoming a licensed physician. Please visit the USMLE website for additional information.
USMLE Content Outline: Concepts & Principles to Know
Want to know what’s covered on the USMLE Step exams? Review the USMLE Content Outline and the USMLE Physician Tasks/Competencies documents.
The USMLE Content Outline is an important resource that includes a complete description of the concepts and principles examinees are responsible for knowing for the USMLE Step exams. The USMLE Physician Tasks/Competencies provides an outline of the tasks and competencies assessed throughout the sequence of USMLE examinations. Both should be referenced when preparing for the Step examinations.
Each Step exam emphasizes certain parts of the USMLE outlines, and no single examination includes assessment of all topics. While not all topics listed in the content outline are included in each USMLE Step examination, overall content coverage is comparable among the various examination forms that will be taken by different examinees for each Step.
For information about the content outline, tasks and competencies being assessed, content weighting and other specifications, visit USMLE.org.
Sample Test Questions & Interactive Testing Experience
More than 100 free sample test questions for each Step exam are available via USMLE.org in both PDF format and as an interactive testing experience. Designed to help you become familiar with the test software and functionality, the interactive testing experience is helpful preparation for exam day.
Test Question Formats & Strategies
The Step exams include a selection of question formats to help test the various concepts and competencies covered in each assessment. To learn more about the question formats and the best strategies for approaching them, visit USMLE.org.
USMLE Practice Session at Prometric
Registered examinees who want the opportunity to become familiar with the Prometric test center environment may elect to take a practice exam at the test center, for a fee. To be eligible for a practice session at Prometric, you must have received your scheduling permit.