USMLE CAREER GUIDE

About USMLE
If you are a MBBS student, Indian medical graduate, foreign medical graduate (FMG) or
completed MD, who wish to settle in the United States (US) in future, United States Medical
Licensing Examination (USMLE) is the only option for you to get certified and start medical
practice in the US.
Doctors who are interested in USMLE have to register with Education Commission for Foreign
Medical Graduate (ECFMG). They are called as International Medical Graduates. (IMGs). To
apply for USMLE examinations, they have to submit an application through ECFMG.

EduPristine Career Guide will assist you with registrations and applications for the
examinations.
USMLE is a three-step exam for medical licensure in the US and is conducted by the Federation
of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).
Qualifying all the three Steps of the USMLE is required for medical licensure in the US.

This Way to USMLE

USMLE 1
& 2CK

ECFMG ID

ERAS
TOKEN FOR
MATCH
Download the
timeline for the
match

DOCUMENT
UPLOAD

Centre in India
Card or online
payment
Dates option
available

B1/B2 visitor visa OR

F1 student visa via
Masters in Public
Health (MPH)

IMGs having VISA/ Green Card

can give exam in the USA

ECFMG
CERTIFIED
Vital for application
Life time validity

APPLY TO
HOSPITALS

Upload MSPE,
Transcript and LOR

MATCH
DAY
Time to
celebrate

Proper selection of
universities
IMG friendly
Programs

ROLL
SUBMITION

Post Match Scramble

(For unsuccessful
candidate)

US VISA

Rank your choice

slots

USMLE
2CS
1-2 months to prepare
5 centers in the USA

USMLE
3
For H1 processing
Done with USMLE
Observership, research
& publication

INTERVIEW
Interview with
program
Select date as soon
as possible

USMLE Benefits

Apply in countries
You can earn
Access to the
like UAE,
at least 10 times premier medical
New Zealand,
more than what
system of the
you would do world- Knowledge Qatar, Dubai and
Israel
in India

More research
Opportunities
In the US

Eligibility for
residency
programs in the
USA

USMLE Eligibility
Who is eligible to take Exam?
A medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of a US or Canadian medical school
program leading to the MD degree that is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical
Education (LCME).
A medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of a medical school outside the United
States and Canada and eligible for examination by the ECFMG Indian MBBS students after
completion their 2nd year.
A medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of a US medical school leading to the DO
degree that is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Step 1 Exam
The purpose of the Step 1 exam is to assess whether you understand and can apply the basic
sciences to the practice of medicine, with a focus on principles and mechanisms of health,
disease and therapeutic interventions in medicine.
A MBBS student can apply for the Step 1 exam, preferably after completion of second year of
MBBS, as by that time most of the Step 1 topic will be covered in your medical college. The
exam can be written on any working day at any of the Prometric centers in India.
There are 10 subjects namely Anatomy, Neurology, Behavioural Science, Biochemistry,
Genetics, Physiology, Microbiology, Immunology, Pharmacology and Pathology.

Exam Pattern
No of question

Question type

Subject

Min Passing Score

Time

308*(Divided into 7
blocks of 44 items in
each)

MCQ

MBBS 1st year and

2nd year

192*

60 min for each

block (8 hours exam
with 45 min break)

* These numbers vary every year. This is just an approximation based on historical data.

Step 1 Syllabus
The purpose of the Step 1 exam is to assess whether you understand and can apply the basic
sciences to the practice of medicine, with a focus on principles and mechanisms of health,
disease, and therapeutic interventions in medicine. It includes all Science subjects of MBBS 1st
and 2nd year. The subjects are as follows:

Anatomy
Neurology
Behavioral Science
Biochemistry
Genetics

Physiology
Microbiology
Immunology
Pharmacology
Pathology

Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) Exam

USMLE Step 2 CK course includes with medical knowledge, skills and understanding of clinical
aspects essential for the treatment of patient care under supervision. It deals with the
principles of clinical sciences and basic patient-centered skills.
Ideal candidate for STEP 2 CK - you need to pass the Step 1 exam and preferably completed 5
years of MBBS - as by this time you are well versed with the clinical acumen and application of
your medical knowledge.

Exam Pattern
No of question

Question type

Subject

Min Passing Score

Time

355*(Divided into 8
blocks of 45* items
in each)

MCQ

MBBS 4th year

209*

60 min for each

block(9 hours exam
with 45 min break,
tutorial break 15
min)

* These numbers vary every year. This is just an approximation based on historical data.

Step 2 CK Syllabus
The main topics of USMLE Step 2 CK organizes according to general principles and individual
organ systems. Test questions are classified into 18 major areas. The subjects are as follows:

Immune System
Blood & Lymph reticular Systems
Behavioural Health
Nervous System & Special Senses
Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue
Musculoskeletal System
Cardiovascular System
Respiratory System

Gastrointestinal System
Renal & Urinary Systems
Pregnancy, Childbirth
Female Reproductive System &
Breast
Male Reproductive System
Endocrine System
Multisystem Processes & Disorders

STEP 2 Clinical Skills (CS) Exam

The USMLE Step 2CS is the only portion of the USMLE not taken on a computer. Instead, it
involves mock interactions with standardized patients that is, individuals who has
received training to act as actual patients.
The goal of this part of the exam is to assess medical students ability to obtain appropriate
histories from patients, perform physical examinations and communicate findings with both
patients and other medical professionals.
EduPristine & Becker have partnered to offer Step 2 CS training by expert Faculty in New York, US.
Some IMGs consider these as the most difficult exams because of many reasons, we at
EduPristine have made a note of all the major shortcomings in preparation for the USMLE Exam
and will be providing you a complete preparatory manual which will definitely
help you succeed in the USMLE exam in single attempt.

Exam Pattern
One-day exam - a Live test in USA made up of twelve 15 minutes patient encounters.
This exam result is pass/fail. No marks are assigned to students.
You will see 5 patients, then a 30 minutes lunch break followed by 4 patients, again a 15
minutes break and then 3 patients.
Step 2 CS scores are released every Wednesday over a corresponding four-to five-week
Reporting Period.
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 2 CS Syllabus
The content of Step 2CS covers a broad spectrum of common and important disease processes
and includes mock patients with a variety of backgrounds and personalities. The physical
systems tested fall into the following categories:

Cardiovascular
Constitutional
Gastrointestinal
Genitourinary
Musculoskeletal

Neurological
Psychiatric
Respiratory
Women's health

USMLE Matching, Residency & Step 3, Residency Process

In order to be ECFMG certified, you must submit pass USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK and
USMLE Step 2 CS within the allowed time limits 7 years rule.
Certification does not guarantee acceptance into a residency program. IMGs must complete all of
the standard residency application requirements, plus make sure that their application gives
them an extra edge to stand out from the crowd.
The EduPristine Residency advisor will also have a session on improvement of your curriculum
vitae (CV) and your applications.

Residency Programs and Specialties

Choosing a specialty is a critical decision. Not only will your choice impact your chances of
making a residency match, but more importantly, it will impact your career in medicine for
years to come.
Although its important to pick a specialty that you will like, its also important to be realistic
about your odds of securing a match. The most popular and high-earning specialties
frequently have the most competitive residency programs.
Also some programs have different requirements like green card preferred or a permanent
resident (PR), passes Step 3, so a judicious search of universities is vital during application. As
a general rule, candidates should apply to a variety of programs, including hospital, university
and community-based programs.

We will assist you in selecting the best residency program, the IMG friendly hospital list from our
database, thus tailoring the application list and increasing your chances of getting and interview
of a residency program.

The Medical Residency Application

Your residency application, submitted electronically through the Electronic Residency Application
Service (ERAS), provides information about you to programs that helps them decide if you
could be a potential fit and whether a personal interview will be granted. Application
requirements will vary from program to program, so it is critical that you verify the contents
before you submit. The application consists of four parts:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Letters of References (LOR)

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Personal Statement (SOP)
Medical School Performance Evaluation (MSPE)

Timing and Follow-Up

Ideally, applications should be submitted when Electronic Residency Application Service
(ERAS) opens up on September 15, or by October 1, at the latest.
However, the dates may vary every year, and hence a chart available on the ERS website,
should be downloaded and always be with you.
Submitted documents are sent by ERAS electronically to as many programs as the applicant
chooses. Programs evaluate applications and determine which applicants they want to
interview conducted during November, December and January.

A constant deadline check and reminder will be issued by EduPristine, to keep you on track during
USMLE preparation and application.
A special mentions of electronic letters of recommendations (LORs), as Indian professors would
be needing assistance to this new system.

The Medical Residency Interview

Mock interviews with some professors or who has already undergone a residency interview can
be conducted which would be beneficial to the applicants.

The Match
The final stage in the residency process is the Match. You will need to register for a place in the
Match through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) before you start the interview
process.

EduPristine experts will assist you in Match process and applications. Unsuccessful candidates
should apply for post match scramble.

Step 3 Exam
Step 3 is the final exam in the USMLE series of examinations.
The first day of the Step 3 examination is referred to as Foundations of Independent Practice
(FIP) and the second day is referred to as Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM).
Step 3 is part of the licensing requirements for Doctors of Medicine (M.D.) and International
medical graduates to practice medicine in the United States. Generally, it is a pre-requisite of
the majority of the state licensing boards.
The Step 3 examination devotes attention to the importance of assessing the knowledge and
skills of physicians who are assuming independent responsibility for providing general
medical care to patients.

About EduPristine
EduPristine is leading educational services provider for professionals & students- from test
preparation to professional education. We have helped more than 35000 learners to build
fulfilling careers. Learners choose us because of our best in class training, resources and
knowledge.
To succeed on the USMLE, you must demonstrate the mastery and integration of basis science
subject, clinical science principles and patients-centered skills. Thats why EduPristine & Becker
joined hands to create a coveted training program that uniquely emphasizes understanding over
rote memorization. We provides you with Exam relevant, high-yield content taught by our
accomplished faculty, the most upto-date curriculum materials, classroom training, online
recordings and the resources you need to score highly.

Doctors Testimonials
Dr Shehar Awan, USA:
I studied for USMLE Step 2 CS individually, then I took the course, and took my test two days after the end
of the 3day workshop. Without a doubt, this course gave me the confidence I desperately needed. The
course helped me in particular with focusing on key points in the history with helpful mnemonics, and the
doctors made sure I completed FOCUSED physical exams. In turn, I was quicker with the patient interaction
on exam day, and I had more time to write an excellent patient note. Furthermore, the feedback by the SPs
with the H & P were accurate, and the doctors provided important critiques on my patient note. THANK
YOU GOLDUSMLEREVIEW. Not only for the golden stethoscope reward, but mainly for allowing me to pass
my Step 2CS with high performance in all categories. This completes my resume to have a competitive
application for the 2013 match!

Dr Seleipiri Akobo:
I am very happy I passed the CS exam. I am an IMG, graduated 1998 Tehran/Iran, took classes Nov 2012,
took the exam Dec 5th in Houston TX, passed with high performance, very cost effective, could realize
where I am in my preparation, practiced on my weak points after workshop till Dec 5th, I recommend this
workshop, you receive an honest and realistic evaluation so you can take the next step and prepare
yourself for the exam. Thanks!

Dr Benjamin Abraham:
The one I have had a very good interaction with has been USMLE BECKER PREPARATION. I have
spoken with Dr Lionel Raymon via email a couple of times and he is very cooperative, informative, and
direct. He is uniquely versed in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Pathology and possesses a strong
understanding of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathophysiology, allowing him to synthesize basic
science concepts for the USMLE Step 1 exam like no one else. This is especially important to me!

Dr Madhav Sharma:
I joined Becker after preparing for step 1 for almost a year. I had heard about Becker through Dr
Daugherty's posts and free webinars. Coming from India where teachers are totally different, it was a
total new experience for me here at live classes. The pain they took to explain every student and making
sure everyone understood what was being taught were the best things for me. Teachers were so
approachable and I could ask even silliest of my questions. Had I not taken this course my score would
have been much much lower. I want to thank everyone at Becker. You all are doing great job.

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