USMLE™ Step 3 Examination: An Introduction.

Dear physician,

The USMLE™ Step 3 Examination is designed to assess a physician’s ability to apply medical knowledge to patient care in an unsupervised setting. The examination evaluates medical knowledge and clinical judgment in terms of patient triage, diagnostic ability and optimal management. Emphasis is given to patient management in an ambulatory setting. Patient care is also judged through inpatient encounters.

The examination is administered over two days and the testing time for each day is eight hours, including break time. The detailed structure for each day is outlined below.

Day 1: Total time: 8 hours. (Testing time: 7 hrs, Break time: 45 mins, Tutorial time: 15 mins.)
The first day of testing offers approximately 366 multiple-choice items given in several blocks. Each block has 25-50 items. Testing time for each block varies (30 to 60 minutes) with the number of items tested in that block.
No case simulations are tested on the first day.

• 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 go back and finish the same block. Once you come out of the block, it is locked.

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

Day 2: Total time: 8 hours. (Testing time for multiple choice items: 3 hrs, testing time for case simulations: 4 hrs, Break time: 45 mins, Tutorial for Primum® CCS: 15 mins)
The second day of testing offers approximately 144 multiple-choice items given in several blocks. Each block has 25-50 items. Testing time for each block varies (30 to 60 minutes) depending upon the total number of items tested in that block. The total testing time for multiple-choice items on the second day is 3 hours. The remaining 4 hours of testing time is allocated for case simulations.

A total number of 9 case simulations are tested on the second day. These are interactive cases. Testing time of each case simulation varies. Before the case commences, the break up of testing time will be displayed. The Primum® Tutorial is optional.

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 the most current information regarding the examination.

Best Wishes,