USMLE Step 3
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Step 3 is the final exam in the USMLE series of examinations. It is part of the licensing requirements for M.D.s, D.O.s, and FMGs to practice medicine in the United States.
It is considered as the final step in the series of medical licensure examinations. It generally is a pre-requisite of the majority of the state licensing boards.
USMLE Step 3 tests several concepts that are often required to provide general health care to a patient. USMLE Step 3 is a mandatory exam that needs to be passed in order to obtain license as a practicing physician. Some International Medical Graduates are required to clear USMLE Step 3 in order to obtain the much desired H1 Visa.
USMLE Step 3 comprises Multiple choice questions (MCQs) and Clinical Case Simulations (CCS). 75% of USMLE Step 3 constitutes MCQs where as approximately 25% constitute CCS. A full description of the content of the exam can be found on the USMLE website.
USMLE Step 3 exams are delivered online and are available through out the year to the examinees. The examinee needs to register via. a state licensing board for this exam.
Examination Content
USMLE Step 3 examination tests on general topics that are required to understand and practice concepts of general medicine/ family medicine. USMLE Step 3 includes multiple choice questions as well as Clinical case simulations ( CCS) . Approximately 75% of the total exam time is devoted to Multiple Choice Questions and 25% of the time to Step 3 CCS.
The following components are tested:
Normal conditions and disease categories (normal growth and development, basic concepts, and general principles) Clinical encounter frame (initial work up, continuing care, urgent intervention) Physician task (applying scientific concepts, formulating a diagnosis based on history, physical exam, and lab findings, and managing the patient). Clinical encounter frames are common clinical scenarios physicians may encounter. They range from nonemergency problems, to the continuity of care, to life-threatening emergency situations encountered in emergency departments, clinics, offices, care facilities, inpatient settings, and on the telephone. Each test item, in an encounter frame, represents one of the six physician tasks. For example, initial care encounters emphasize taking a history and performing a physical examination. In contrast, continued care encounters emphasize decisions regarding prognosis and management.
Eligibility for USMLE Step 3:
To be eligible for Step 3, prior to submitting your application, you must:
- Obtain the MD degree (or its equivalent) or the DO degree, - Pass Step 1, Step 2 CK, and, if required based upon the rules referenced below, Step 2 CS, - Obtain certification by the ECFMG or successfully complete a “Fifth Pathway” program if you are a graduate of a medical school outside the United States and Canada (information on Fifth Pathway programs is available in ECFMG’s Information Booklet. - Meet the Step 3 requirements set by the medical licensing authority to which you are applying.
Preperation strategies for USMLE Step 3
Typically, examinees require two to three months to prepare for this exam. An examinee is tested on their clinical skills, diagnostic acumen, decision making, treatment guidelines and follow up care. Usually, most examinees are comfortable preparing for this exam on their own. However, some may need additional help especially because they may be training in medical specialties that do not deal with family medicine. Such examinees often take review courses to help them prepare for this exam. Some examinees prefer to attend live reviews but some prefer distance education. Several courses are available in the market for USMLE step3. Some of them are Kaplan courses and Archer USMLE live reviews. Kaplan is famous and requires students to attend live sessions. There are some unique review courses to help students that cannot afford to travel long distances to attend the live courses. Archer USMLE reviews and Dr.Red CCS Workshop are some of the distance education courses that have been chosen by many residents and students as their preperation tools because of the advantages of distance education.
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