USMLE Step 1
The USMLE Step 1 is an 8-hour examination used by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) to measure the level-one knowledge of American or Canadian medical students and graduates of foreign medical schools. US medical students typically take the USMLE 1 exam (often referred to as Step 1) at the end of their second year of medical school, usually as a requirement for progression into a more clinical third year. The USMLE 1 test score is also one of many factors considered by medical residency programs when selecting applicants.
Step 1 tests the student's knowledge and his or her ability to apply the basic principles of medicine learned during the initial science years of medical school. The USMLE 1 is a content intensive exam that is split into a variety of sub-disciplines, similar to the curriculum of most medical schools, to include:
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
- Pathology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
- Statistics
- Medical Ethics
- Histology
- Physiology
Step 1 Questions
The level one exam is an eight-hour, one-day computer-based test composed of seven 50-question sections for a total of 350 multiple choice questions. After comprehensive reviews of the USMLE, changes have been made to the format and most examinees who take the USMLE Step 1 will see fewer questions overall and more of the questions presented in a clinical context or framework.
The USMLE Step 1 is a standardized exam designed to make a direct comparison between medical students throughout the United States and Canada as well as those who graduate from foreign medical schools. A student's performance on the USMLE 1 is also an important selection criteria used in the National Residency Match Program for student residencies. A passing score on the Step 1 is considered to be a strong indication that the medical student has a solid grasp of the core information taught during the basic sciences years. Students seeking a residency in the most competitive fields of medicine may also be required to complete the USMLE Step 2.
USMLE Test
For additional information about preparing for the USMLE Step 1, the USMLE Step 2 CK (clinical knowledge) or the USMLE Step 2 CS (clinical skills), contact PASS Program South at (904) 209-3140. We offer 4-week, 6-week and 8-week test preparation review courses designed to empower doctors with the knowledge that will change their medical future and the patients they touch throughout their medical career. Since the principles of our Physician Achievement Concept Courses at all Steps are built around the major concepts of Physiology, students at all levels are welcome to attend. Master it. Don't memorize it.
