USMLE™ Step 1 Examination

An Overview

Step 1 of the USMLE™ is offered to medical students and physicians prior to their entering into the residency programs. The examination is designed to judge your Basic medical knowledge. However, it is not always possible to separate ‘basic knowledge’ from ‘clinical application’, and frequently clinical vignettes are tested. The examination is offered at Prometric®, part of the Thomson Corporations (PTC) centers at several centers around the world.
The scope of contents predominantly tests your knowledge about basic science principles, particularly in anatomy, behavioral science, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and physiology. Interdisciplinary areas such as genetics, immunology, and nutrition are also tested. However, the scope is not restricted to the aforementioned disciplines.

The examination is administered over One Day.

Total time: 8 hours. (Testing time: 7 hrs, Break time: 45 mins, Tutorial time: 15 mins.)
A total of 350 multiple-choice items are tested, spread out in 7 one hour blocks of 50 questions each.
A typical item consists of a patient encounter, a situation or fact-based question. Candidate is required to choose the ONE BEST choice. Total number of choices is not fixed. The nature of questions is multiple-choice items.

• If you complete and exit any block before maximum allocated time, the remaining time from that block may be used as break time. However, this remaining time CANNOT be used to complete any other block. Once exited from the block you CANNOT use any remaining time to go back and finish the same block. Once you come out of the block, it is locked. However within a block, you can visit back and forth, time permitting. You can also mark your items for review or any changes.

• If you skip the optional tutorial (which is the same as given in USMLE™ Sample Test Materials), you can use 15 minutes for your break time.

The recommended three digit passing score for USMLE™ Step 1 test is 182. Corresponding two-digit score is 75. This does not reflect your percentage score. This passing score is subject to revision. The examination design, contents and format may be changed at any time. We strongly encourage the reader to visit the official website of USMLE™ at www.usmle.org for most up to date information about the examination.

At this time, TheUsmle.com does not have a preparatory course available for Step 1. The team is working at it and the same will be available in near future. We stand committed to work with you, for you to excel.