All USMLE Step 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scip7VJYmfA
Hello everyone! I’m dedicating this post for Step 3.
What is it?
Step 3 is the final examination in the USMLE. Afterwards you’re a fully licensed physician and can practice without supervision.
When to take it?
Step 3 is usually required to be taken before you’re done with residency. However it can be taken before residency for a couple of reasons. First is to be able to acquire an H1B visa (which needs a post by itself explaining the differences between it and J1 but basic idea is H1b is superior because it transforms to a green card faster). To be done with ALL USMLEs is a requirement for it, if you’re taking it for that then it’s better to take it maximum on December the year you’re applying, as some programs require the results by ranking time which is February. Second reason is to strengthen your application for residency, especially if you’re an older graduate or have any other potential flaw on your CV, it can help.
Score?
You need a 196 or above to pass. Average score is around 220. >230 is considered above average and it’s what you should aim for if you’re taking it to strengthen your application. There’s a lot of debate about whether or not Step 3 score is considered when applying for fellowship, so it’s better to have a higher score! Results take 3 weeks as 1 and CK and are on a Wednesday as well.
How to apply for it?
You need to be ECFMG certified to apply. It is 830$ and ONLY taken in the U.S. Application is 2 steps, online and written. Online application is through FSMB not ECFMG like the others. Written is a form called Certification of Identity which can ONLY be sent after notarization, either in the U.S or abroad in a U.S. Consulate. Personally I sent this form while I was in the U.S. before I even applied online, as the form is valid for 5 years. You schedule a 3 month eligibility period and then schedule the dates on Prometric as the others.
What is it like?
It’s a 2 day exam (yes ma3a6 SHADEED!). Day 1 is called Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP) which is 6 one hour blocks of around 40 MCQs (7 hour exam day). This day felt a lot like Step 2 CK for me, except that it had 30% BIOSTATISTICS (basic biostat and pharmaceutical ads).
Day 2 is Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM) which is 6 45 minute blocks of 30 MCQs and 13 CCS cases. No biostat in the MCQs this day thankfully! It’s basically clinical questions, again felt a lot like 2 CK, no doses, and mostly Medicine (6-7 hour exam day). CCS is computer based case simulations which are either short – 10 mins or long – 20 mins cases. The cases almost always end before the allotted time though if you’ve done everything you’re supposed to, and don’t be alarmed if a case or 2 don’t end and the patient doesn’t get better no matter what you do! I’ve experienced that and a lot of people who take it do.
You can schedule the 2 days back to back or separate in a 14 day period. Personally I scheduled them back to back because I just wanted to be done with it!
How to prepare for it? (alzait!)
Each person ofcourse requires their own time and agenda. Also as it has a lot of similarities to CK it matter how long ago you took the CK. I will talk about my personal experience. On average you will need 3-5 hours a day for 3 months.
1st month: MTB3 + Conrad Fischer’s step 3 videos (It’s been over a year since I’ve taken my CK so I thought I’d watch them, not necessary)
2nd month: UWorld MCQs (around 1500 q) + CCS cases (around 50 cases) + Biostatistics review (around 70 q), (it’s very important to subscribe to the 25$ separate Biostat review because of the huge amount of biostat questions on day 1 as I’ve previously mentioned). This month is the core of your studying. Personally I had sticky notes on which I wrote down and added all the information from UWorld to MTB3.
3rd month: Revision month. Review MTB3 + UWorld again.
Additional references: Kaplan Step 3 MCQs and Archer CCS revision which I have no experience with unfortunately!
P.S: For the CCS, I came across these notes online which have helped me tremendously! I recommend them for the CCS as well.
What is it?
Step 3 is the final examination in the USMLE. Afterwards you’re a fully licensed physician and can practice without supervision.
When to take it?
Step 3 is usually required to be taken before you’re done with residency. However it can be taken before residency for a couple of reasons. First is to be able to acquire an H1B visa (which needs a post by itself explaining the differences between it and J1 but basic idea is H1b is superior because it transforms to a green card faster). To be done with ALL USMLEs is a requirement for it, if you’re taking it for that then it’s better to take it maximum on December the year you’re applying, as some programs require the results by ranking time which is February. Second reason is to strengthen your application for residency, especially if you’re an older graduate or have any other potential flaw on your CV, it can help.
Score?
You need a 196 or above to pass. Average score is around 220. >230 is considered above average and it’s what you should aim for if you’re taking it to strengthen your application. There’s a lot of debate about whether or not Step 3 score is considered when applying for fellowship, so it’s better to have a higher score! Results take 3 weeks as 1 and CK and are on a Wednesday as well.
How to apply for it?
You need to be ECFMG certified to apply. It is 830$ and ONLY taken in the U.S. Application is 2 steps, online and written. Online application is through FSMB not ECFMG like the others. Written is a form called Certification of Identity which can ONLY be sent after notarization, either in the U.S or abroad in a U.S. Consulate. Personally I sent this form while I was in the U.S. before I even applied online, as the form is valid for 5 years. You schedule a 3 month eligibility period and then schedule the dates on Prometric as the others.
What is it like?
It’s a 2 day exam (yes ma3a6 SHADEED!). Day 1 is called Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP) which is 6 one hour blocks of around 40 MCQs (7 hour exam day). This day felt a lot like Step 2 CK for me, except that it had 30% BIOSTATISTICS (basic biostat and pharmaceutical ads).
Day 2 is Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM) which is 6 45 minute blocks of 30 MCQs and 13 CCS cases. No biostat in the MCQs this day thankfully! It’s basically clinical questions, again felt a lot like 2 CK, no doses, and mostly Medicine (6-7 hour exam day). CCS is computer based case simulations which are either short – 10 mins or long – 20 mins cases. The cases almost always end before the allotted time though if you’ve done everything you’re supposed to, and don’t be alarmed if a case or 2 don’t end and the patient doesn’t get better no matter what you do! I’ve experienced that and a lot of people who take it do.
You can schedule the 2 days back to back or separate in a 14 day period. Personally I scheduled them back to back because I just wanted to be done with it!
How to prepare for it? (alzait!)
Each person ofcourse requires their own time and agenda. Also as it has a lot of similarities to CK it matter how long ago you took the CK. I will talk about my personal experience. On average you will need 3-5 hours a day for 3 months.
1st month: MTB3 + Conrad Fischer’s step 3 videos (It’s been over a year since I’ve taken my CK so I thought I’d watch them, not necessary)
2nd month: UWorld MCQs (around 1500 q) + CCS cases (around 50 cases) + Biostatistics review (around 70 q), (it’s very important to subscribe to the 25$ separate Biostat review because of the huge amount of biostat questions on day 1 as I’ve previously mentioned). This month is the core of your studying. Personally I had sticky notes on which I wrote down and added all the information from UWorld to MTB3.
3rd month: Revision month. Review MTB3 + UWorld again.
Additional references: Kaplan Step 3 MCQs and Archer CCS revision which I have no experience with unfortunately!
P.S: For the CCS, I came across these notes online which have helped me tremendously! I recommend them for the CCS as well.
All USMLE Step 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scip7VJYmfA
http://api.ning.com/.../eIBLc.../Neeraj_s_CCS_notes.pdf
How to assess yourself?
1. Usmle.org has practice materials for both the MCQs and CCS with answers. I recommend them after the first month to get an idea about the MCQs and CCS format before you start UWorld which will elaborate more on it.
2. NBME’s step 3 assessment, which honestly doesn’t help much as it doesn’t provide an estimated step 3 score. However I did it after the 2nd month.
3. Lastly Uworld’s self assessment, which provides an estimated score and is the best out there, I did it a couple of weeks prior to my exam.
That’s all folks! Feel free to add any comments or share your experience if you’ve taken the exam.
How to assess yourself?
1. Usmle.org has practice materials for both the MCQs and CCS with answers. I recommend them after the first month to get an idea about the MCQs and CCS format before you start UWorld which will elaborate more on it.
2. NBME’s step 3 assessment, which honestly doesn’t help much as it doesn’t provide an estimated step 3 score. However I did it after the 2nd month.
3. Lastly Uworld’s self assessment, which provides an estimated score and is the best out there, I did it a couple of weeks prior to my exam.
That’s all folks! Feel free to add any comments or share your experience if you’ve taken the exam.
Forwarded from All USMLE Step 1
Forwarded from All USMLE Step 2 CK
Follow this link to download the best handout of Internal Medicine: https://t.me/Kibreet/34