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As with all of Exam Masters USMLE resources, you actually get two resources in one: A Step 3 question bank of over 2400 questions organized according to the Step 3 test plan, and an identical question bank organized based on 9 clinical science subjects. This allows the exam candidate to quickly find topics most relevant to them.
For Detailed Information About Usmle Preparation Courses
A 27-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his roommates because of an inability to walk. He began to notice some problems with his balance 2 days ago, and his walking has become progressively worse since then. He had an episode of optic neuritis in the right eye 3 years ago. He is 157 cm tall and weighs 55 kg BMI is 22 kg/m2. His temperature is 37°C , pulse is 55/min, respirations are 10/min, and blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg. Examination shows spastic lower extremities and moderate weakness of the left lower extremity, more prominently in the flexor than in the extensor muscles. Deep tendon reflexes are normal in the upper extremities but hyperactive in the lower extremities, especially on the left. There is clonus at the left ankle. Proprioception and sensation to vibration are absent over the left lower extremity and decreased over the right lower extremity to the level of the hip. Sensation to pain and temperature is decreased at the lower costal margin and below, most pronounced on the right. Which of the following cell types is most affected by this patientâs condition?
Astrocytes
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Eligibility For Usmle Step 3
To be eligible to take USMLE® Step 3, you must have already taken and passed Step 1, Step 2 CK, and meet other eligibility requirements, including your continued ability to complete all steps of the USMLE® exam within seven years.
Additionally, you can only apply to take Step 3 after the date of graduation listed on your medical school diploma.
For more specific application information, visit the FSMBs website.
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What Is Usmle Step 3
The third and final part of the three-part USMLE exam required to be licenced to practise medicine in the US is the USMLE Step 3. USMLE Step 3 is a two-day computer-based exam that is given at Prometric testing facilities in the US. Only after completing Step 1 and Step 2 components, specifically, Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS, may the test be taken.
How Do I Study For The Usmle Step 3
Start by familiarizing yourself with the 2021 USMLE Bulletin of Information, which contains essential information such as eligibility requirements, test scheduling, exam procedure, and score reporting. To study for the USMLE Step 3, most people use a question bank alongside a comprehensive review book.
We recommend our USMLE Step 3 QBank, the number one test prep resource for medical graduates. Our QBank is at or above the difficulty level of both the multiple-choice questions and the computer-based case simulations you will see on the Step 3 exam.
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Whats The Best Way To Study With Practice Nbmes
We recommend that you take a practice NBME when you first start studying for USMLE Step 3. You wont know whether youre improving if you dont know your baseline score.
Taking a practice NBME will also highlight your weaknesses. This will let you know what areas you should first target in your study sessions. Depending on your test date and study time frame, schedule your next practice NBME so that its three weeks from your first one. Track your progress and identify your weaknesses. Then, continue to go through the UWorld question bank for USMLE Step 3. You can also turn to Amboss if you need more questions.
Statistics Are An Essential Part Of Step 3
One must focus on statistics to do well on Step 3. Each block on Day 1 consists of 7-10 statistically-related questions. One should be confident with the interpretation and calculation of topics like positive and negative predictive value, sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio, odds ratio, etc.
One should also familiarize him or herself with different study tactics for their strengths, weaknesses and associated biases.
Hindsight 20/20: Review USMLE Step 1 material related to Statistics and do as many practice questions as possible.
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Usmle Step 3 Day 1 Syllabus: Foundations Of Independent Practice
The first day of the USMLE Step 3 test would evaluate the candidate’s understanding of fundamental medical concepts necessary to provide appropriate healthcare. Additionally, it will assess how quickly the candidate can conduct a physical examination and gather information about the patient’s medical history. Additionally, the candidate will have to conduct diagnostic tests and diagnoses.
The FIP test will be around 7 hours and include 232 MCQs, divided into six 60-minute blocks.
Each block will comprise up to 38-40 items.
What Happens If I Fail Step 3
If you fail Step 3, you can retake the exam after re-applying, as long as you still meet all the eligibility requirements. As with the other Steps, you may take Step 3 up to four times in total, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.
Please note: step attempt limits were decreased from six to four in 2021.
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Should I Use A Question Bank Or Focus On Covering The Material
We recommend that you prioritize completing your UWorld USMLE Step 3 question bank. Make sure that you thoroughly review any missed questions. But, you will need material to review to refresh your memory and/or strengthen your understanding of a given topic.
Therefore, you should buy a textbook to guide your USMLE Step 3 study sessions. Theres really no gold standard for study materials. Step-Up to USMLE Step 3, First Aid for the USMLE Step 3, and Master the Boards USMLE Step 3, are a few helpful resources. You should use them to supplement your weaknesses and as a guide as you go through the question bank.
Get Familiar With Computer
Computer-based Case Simulations differentiate Step 3 from the other USMLE exams. As stated before, you complete CCS cases on the second day of the USMLE Step 3 exam. The CCS portion of the exam makes up approximately 1/3 of the overall exam weight. So, this section should not be underestimated!
In addition to the practical application of medical knowledge, it requires strong familiarity with the software. The best way to ensure that you wont be caught off-guard with these cases is to get acquainted with the CCS software. You need to know how you will be timed and scored. Know how to maneuver the CSS simulation software so that youre comfortable using it on test day. We suggest doing this early in your study period so that you get as much practice as possible. Make sure you have gone through all the questions in CCS. They are available on the official USMLE website.
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Usmle Step 3 Important Dates
USMLE Step 3 doesn’t have a set exam date, and the exam administrators don’t announce exam dates in advance for any of the USMLE Steps or Step components either. Instead, the candidate must select a 3-month qualifying window while registering for the exam. Additionally, the student will receive a scheduling permit and eligibility term upon application acceptance. The scheduling authorization is used to set a test date during that specific eligibility window.
What Is The Format Of Usmle Step 3
Unlike USMLE® Step 1 and 2, USMLE® Step 3 is a two-day exam, comprised of two parts: Foundations of Independent Practice, in the traditional multiple choice block formatand Advanced Clinical Medicine, which incorporates clinical case scenarios using a unique testing interface not seen in the previous two step exams. For this reason, its important to familiarize yourself with the testing interface for case scenarios before test day.
Day 1
The first day of the USMLE® Step 3 exam, also called Foundations of Independent Practices , focuses on testing your knowledge of basic medical and scientific principles. This testing session includes six 60-minute blocks of 38-39 multiple choice questions, similar in style to the Step 1 and Step 2 CK. The first day takes about 7 hours, including 45 minutes of break time and an optional 5-minute tutorial.
Day 2
The second day of the USMLE® Step 3 exam, also called Advanced Clinical Medicine , focuses on your ability to apply comprehensive health and disease knowledge to patient management and the evolution of diseases over time. This testing session includes six 45-minute blocks of 30 questions, and 13 case simulations, for which 10 or 20 minutes each are allotted. There is a 5-minute optional tutorial for the multiple choice section, a 7-minute clinical case simulation tutorial, and 45 minutes of break time.
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How Long Is The Usmle Step 3 Exam
The USMLE® Step 3 is a two-day exam:
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Day 1: Foundations of Independent Practice determine’s the student’s knowledge of basic medical and scientific principles essential for effective health care.
- No more than 235 MCQ’s
- Divided into six 60-minute sections, each containing approx. 44 items
Day 2: Advanced Clinical Medicine evaluate’s the student’s ability to apply comprehensive knowledge of health and disease in the context of patient management and the evolving manifestation of disease over time.
Official Usmle Practice Materials
The official United States Medical Licensing Examination website has practice materials for Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, and Step 3 CCS.
For Step 3, you can access PDFs with general information and a content description, and sample test questions. The website lets you register for a USMLE Practice Session that lets you adjust to the Prometric testing center environment. You will need to pay a fee for the session.
USMLE also has an instructional video to teach you how to use the Primum software to run a case study. You can download sample case studies from the practice materials, and review some feedback on them to get an understanding of the grading system.
If you want to use the official software, we implore you to go through USMLE. While UWorld has a comparable interface, you can use the real one.
Most USMLE resources are free, but they are not as comprehensive as UWorld. If you want to save money on another practice exam from UWorld, you can use these questions to prepare.
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Usmle Step 3 Passing Rate
The USMLE Step 3 exam pass rate was 97% in the most recent test cycle. Below is a table describing USMLE 2020 and 2021 pass rates in detail:
As you can see from the table above, most students do not have difficulty passing Step 3 of the USMLE. As long as you study, take the test at the right time, and are adequately prepared, you shouldn’t have any problems passing your exam.
Research Your Schedule And Set The Exam Dates
Residency training is a busy time. Remember, the USMLE Step 3 exam is a two-day affair, but you do not need to complete the two days back-to-back. Whether you schedule the test days one after another or take a short break is up to you. However, it might be advisable to take care of the entire exam in one go, if possible. Firstly, you will not prolong the stress and anxiety associated with exam taking. Secondly, you will need not prolong the study period once you set two dates back to back, you will have a study deadline and will not be able to procrastinate. However, it is completely up to you how you organize your exam dates and study schedule, as only you know your strengths and weaknesses and can design your plan accordingly.
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Thoroughly Work Through Clinical Case Scenarios
As mentioned above, the second test date for Step 3 includes 13 clinical case scenarios , each lasting 10 to 20 minutes. These require a different thought process to master them. With multiple choice questions, the end goal is to find the right answer.
However, with these cases, grading includes the method of arrival for the right answer as well as subtleties of patient care. The hardest part are the 10-minute cases which tend to involve more resuscitation and stabilization than definitive management, which tests your ability to think quickly. I usually saved my breaks before a 10-minute case was coming so I could mentally reset.
Use your common sense when doing cases and always await the result of the initial tests before ordering subsequent studies. Do not be afraid to send the patient home and have them follow up in office for further care.
Depending on ones background, stage of training, and medical specialty, these cases may be one of the more difficult aspects of the exam. It is extremely important to work through several practice cases, and familiarize oneself with the case testing software, well before examination day.
The USMLE provides a free downloadable version of the CCS software as well as a few sample cases. Make sure to do the downloadable sample cases at some point so you can get a feel for the software and the lag involved in the cases.
Exam Format And Length
Step 3 consists of multiple-choice items and computer-based case simulations, distributed according to the content blueprint. Step 3 is a two-day examination. The first day of testing includes 336 multiple-choice items divided into 7 blocks of 48 items 60 minutes are allotted for completion of each block of test items. There is a maximum of 7 hours of testing on the first day. There is also a minimum of 45 minutes of break time and a 15-minute optional tutorial.
The second day of testing includes 144 multiple choice items, divided into 4 blocks of 36 items 45 minutes are allotted for completion of each block of test items. Approximately 3 hours are allotted for these multiple-choice item blocks. The second day also includes a 15-minute CCS tutorial. This is followed by 9 case simulations, for which approximately 4 hours are allotted. A minimum of 45 minutes is available for break time.
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What Is On The Usmle Step 3
The USMLE Step 3 is the final examination in the USMLE sequence. It assesses whether you have the medical knowledge necessary to deliver general medical care without supervision. Step 3 places a greater emphasis on patient management than the previous Step exams, including initial workup, continued care, and emergency care.
The Step 3 exam is administered over two days, each with a different aim:
1. Day 1 of 2: Step 3 Foundations of Independent Practice assesses your knowledge and application of basic medical and scientific principles. Tested areas include:
- Biostatistics, epidemiology, and population health
- Interpretation of the medical literature
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Six 45-minute blocks of multiple-choice items, with 30 items/block and 180 items total
- 13 computer-based case simulations lasting 10-20 minutes each
Day : Step 3 Advanced Clinical Medicine
This test day focuses on assessment of the ability to apply comprehensive knowledge of health and disease in the context of patient management and the evolving manifestation of disease over time. Content areas covered include assessment of knowledge of diagnosis and management, particularly focused on prognosis and outcome, health maintenance and screening, therapeutics, and medical decision making. Knowledge of history and physical examination, diagnosis, and use of diagnostic studies also is assessed. This test day includes multiple-choice questions and computer-based case simulations.
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Opportunity To Become A Doctor In America
Step 3 is designed to assess the knowledge and skills of physicians who take independent responsibility for providing general medical care to patients, with an emphasis on patient management in outpatient settings. It is the final exam in the USMLE series and allows for license to practice medicine without supervision. Exam material is prepared by exam committees that represent the medical profession in general. The committees are made up of recognized experts in their fields, including both academic and non-academic practitioners, as well as members of state medical licensing boards.
The content of Step 3 reflects a data-driven model of general medical practice in the United States. Test items and cases reflect clinical situations that an as yet undifferentiated general physician may encounter in the context of a particular setting. Step 3 provides a final assessment of physicians who assume independent responsibility for providing general medical care.
The Step 3 examination highlights the importance of assessing the knowledge and skills of physicians who assume independent responsibility for providing general medical care to patients. The first day of the Step 3 exam is called Fundamentals of Independent Practice and the second day is called Advanced Clinical Medicine .
What To Expect When Taking Usmle Step 3
USMLE Step 3 is a two-day exam:
Day 1
The first day of testing is 7 hours long, including 45 minutes of break time and a 5-minute optional tutorial. On the first day, you will encounter 232 multiple-choice questions, divided into 6 blocks of 38-39 questions each. You get 60 minutes to complete each block. Your overall break time can be more than the allotted 45 minutes if you finish a one-hour block early.
Each day of testing focuses on specific content. The first day focuses on a few content areas including:
There are also some newer question formats, like those based on academic paper abstracts and pharmaceutical advertisements. You will also be tested on questions covering your knowledge of medical ethics, system-based practice, and patient safety. In addition, there will be questions that require you to demonstrate your interpersonal skills. Youll need to show your ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
Day 2
The second day of testing includes multiple-choice questions and computer-based case simulations . The test day is about 9 hours long.
There is also a 7-minute CCS tutorial, followed by 13 case simulations. You will get 10-20 minutes to complete each one. Break time is a minimum of 45 minutes.
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