USMLE™ News
STEP 2 CS - Changes to STEP2 CS Exam
( December 23, 2011 )
Several changes are intended for the STEP2 CS exam beginning June 17, 2012. These include changes to the assessment of communication and interpersonal skills (CIS) and changes to the patient note.
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STEP 3 - Changes to STEP 3 MCQS & CCS
( November 30, 2011 )
In mid-February 2012, the number of questions in the STEP3 MCQ section will decrease to 474 items, and the number of CCS cases will increase to 12 cases. Drug ad and abstract questions will also be added to the MCQ section, and CCS cases will be limited to 20-minutes or 10-minutes each.
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STEP 3 - Higher Minimum Passing Score Requirement
( October 21, 2011 )
As of November 1, 2011, the minimum passing three-digit score for STEP 3 has been increased from 187 to 190.
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All Steps - New Attempt Limit for USMLE Exams
( August 25, 2011 )
Examinees will have a six-attempt limit to pass any USMLE Step or component exam starting either January 1st, 2012 (new examinees) or January 1st, 2013 (previous examinees).
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All Steps - New Rules on Repeating USMLE Exams
( August 11, 2011 )
Starting January 1st, 2012, all examinees will be limited to three attempts within a 12 month period for any USMLE Step or component exam.
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Step 2 CK – Change in Number of Items / Delay in Score Reporting
( June 16, 2011 )
The number of items in the Step 2 CK exam will decrease from 352 to 346 items.
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Step 2 CK – New Question Formats
( June 15, 2011 )
The Step 2 CK examination will include two new question formats: items that are associated with a drug ad or an abstract.
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USMLE Changes Score Reporting Procedures
( May 04, 2011 )
USMLE transcripts reported through the ERAS reporting system will no longer include the two-digit score.
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STEP 2 CS – Examinees Required to Type Patient Notes Beginning in July
( January 19, 2011 )
All Step 2 CS examinees will be required to type the patient note beginning July 17, 2011.
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Step 3 – Delay in Step 3 exam score reporting
( January 11, 2011 )
There may be a delay in score reporting for some examinees who are taking tests in mid-February to early April 2011.
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Step 2 CK - Delay in Step 2 Score Reporting
( June 29, 2010 )
There may be a delay in score reporting for some examinees who took tests in August 2010.
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Step 2 CK – Change in Minimum Passing Score
( June 17, 2010 )
The USMLE Step 2 Committee has raised the minimum passing score for Step 2 CK from 184 to 189.
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USMLE to Cease Acceptance of Fifth Pathway Certificates in 2017
( May 04, 2010 )
The USMLE program will no longer accept Fifth Pathway certificates to meet Step 3 eligibility requirements effective January 1, 2017.
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Step 1 - Change in number of items/Delay in score reporting
( March 23, 2010 )
Starting on or around May 15, 2010, a transition period will begin in which the number of items in current forms of the Step 1 examination will change from 336 items to 322 items.
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Step 2 CS examinees will be required to type patient notes on a computer
( March 18, 2010 )
Currently, examinees taking the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) examination can handwrite or type (on a computer) the patient note that is completed after each patient encounter.
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Graphical Feedback Available For Both Passing and Failing Step 2CS Examinees
( August 07, 2009 )
Starting on August 19, 2009, all examinees who take the USMLE Step 2 CS exam will receive graphical feedback on their test performance.
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Step 2 CK Examination Change in Number of Items/Delay in Score Reporting
( July 16, 2009 )
The number of questions in USMLE Step 2 CK exam will change from 368 to 352.
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USMLE and Biometric Identity Management System (BIMS)
( June 30, 2009 )
The Biometric Identity Management System (BIMS) will be part of all computer-based USMLE Step examinations.
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Comprehensive Review of USMLE - Update
( June 22, 2009 )
A multi-year, multi-collaborative process will take place to revise the USMLE.
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Information about USMLE and Influenza
( June 16, 2009 )
USMLE examinees who are concerned about influenza can reschedule their exams provided that the influenza alert remains at phase 6.
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Migration of Step 1 Examination to New Software
( March 30, 2009 )
Starting May 2009, a new software version of the Step 1 Examination will occur. The expected date of migration will begin around May 15, 2009 and will eventually encompass all remaining test centers over the course of several weeks.
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Headphone and Volume Check During Tutorial
( January 26, 2009 )
You can skip the tutorial …but don’t forget to do a headphone and volume check before continuing the examination!
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New Software for Computer-Based USMLE
( January 22, 2009 )
New computer software for Step3 and Step 1 starting March 2009 and May/June 2009, respectively.
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Future Change in Step 3 Requirements for Graduates of LCME and AOA accredited- Medical Schools
( October 24, 2008 )
Step 3 eligibility change to take effect after June 30, 2012.
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Additional Feedback for Those Who Fail Step 2 CS
( September 25, 2008 )
Expanded CIS feedback given to failing Step 2 CS examinees
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Updated Calculator Function in New Software for Step 2 CK
( August 20, 2008 )
A problem regarding the calculator function in the Step 2 CK exam is now resolved.
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