Now it’s time to take the next step in becoming a USMLE. Here is a few helpful tips you should know about the Board Exam, which is the licensure exam you need to become a practicing physician, and in preparation to the exam.

USMLE assesses a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to determine fundamental patient-centered skills that are important in health and disease and that constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care.

Before you can apply for a medical license, you must pass a three-step test called the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), also known as the board exam.Physicians with an MD degree are required to pass this examination before being permitted to practice medicine in the United States.

There are three steps to the USMLE (Exam):

Step 1

Step 1 is a one-day test, usually taken at the end of the second year of med school. It emphasizes knowledge of basic sciences, including microbiology, anatomy, biochemistry, immunology, behavioral sciences, pathology, pharmacology and physiology. Topics such as nutrition, genetics and aging are also covered.

The 8-hour testing session is divided into 7 one-hour blocks for a total of seven hours of testing time and a one-hour break.All questions are multiple-choice.

Step 2

Step 2 is a two-day test, usually taken in the fourth year of med school. It has two components. The first (called Clinical Knowledge, or CK), requires you to answer multiple–choice questions on clinical sciences like surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology.

For Step 2 (Clinical Knowledge), The 9-hour testing session is divided into 8 one-hour blocks, for a total of eight hours of testing time and a one-hour break.

The second (called Clinical Skills, or CS) requires you to examine and diagnose actors posing as patients. Students must travel to one of five testing centers around the country. The exam consists of 12 patient encounters. You will have 15 minutes for each encounter, followed by 10 minutes to complete your patient note.

The three areas that examinees are graded on are the Integrated Clinical Encounter (ICE), Communication and Interpersonal Skills (CIS) and Spoken English Proficiency (SEP).

Step 3

Step 3 is a two-day test, usually taken after the first year of residency. This is the final assessment of whether or not you're prepared to practice general medicine in an unsupervised setting. Similar to Step 2, Step 3 focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of patients. It includes both multiple choice questions and computer simulations of patient care.

USMLE Review Course designed for Physicians

Having success on the USMLE exam today demands comprehension and the ability to prepare you to think like a Doctor through impact of symptoms and circumstances in any given situation. Research shows that international students have a difficult time understanding the material. Our USMLE courses are designed for future chinese medical practitioners. We understand the challenges you face with understanding terminology and our courses focus on these. Practice Tests provide feedback to improve your content knowledge. Study with PrimeVest and be fully prepared for test day.

Customize your USMLE prep

Our online courses are self-paced to fit around your personal schedule. Start by taking a practice test, providing you with a full score report. Then use this report to focus study on your weaker areas using our streamed lectures and banks of USMLE Exam-style questions.

USMLE exam strategies and content taught by PrimeVest’s Physicians

PrimeVest’s online USMLE exam review videos feature lectures taught by our accomplished faculty who have decades of medical and USMLE experience. As experts in their field, they will ensure you have the necessary content knowledge to master the exam. Learn exclusive strategies for answering questions, and increasing your chance of passing the exam.

Flexible learning environment for Physicians

You will have access to your PrimeVest USMLE exam preparation material. With this you are able to watch streamed lectures (both in english and chinese), lessons and practice exams from the convenience of your home as often as you like - increasing your knowledge and skills in your weaker areas.