United States Medical Licensing Exam : Experience with the Steps

Pranav Balakrishnan
Mar 21, 2021
2 min read

Having completed all the Steps for USMLE (1, 2CK, 2CS and 3), I thought I would put down my experience, the timeline I followed. I also mention the resources I used for each Step. At the outset, it is important to understand that everyone studies differently and needs different amounts of time to prepare so our timelines are in no way the only means of doing this.

Step 1

Step 1 is an assessment of important basic concepts of science and medicine - Subjects from year 1 and 2 from MBBS in India are tested.
It is so different from the examination system in India. Its in the MCQ format but involves thinking across specialties, applying basic science knowledge to clinical scenarios and moving forward, backward and in all directions.
At a massive 8 hours, the testing session consists of 7 60-minute blocks.
Duration: 6 months non-dedicated studying during internship + 1.5 months of dedicated study
Resources: First Aid for Step 1, UWorld question bank, Kaplan Videos (selectively for Biochemistry and Neuroanatomy) and NBME practice Tests.

Step 2 Clinical Knowledge

Step 2 CK assesses your ability to apply your medical knowledge using clinical stems. It starts getting awfully stressful when asked for your opinion on the next best step and you realise that you would like to perform three tests simultaneously. This is not something that the test allows you to do.
Ethics and biostatistics are specially challenging, but I believe that its doable once you go through the Uworld question bank in its entirety.
Duration: 1 month non-dedicated studying during internship + 1 month of dedicated study
Resources: Master the Boards for Step 2CK, UWorld question bank, Online MedEd videos and NBME practice Tests.

Step 3

This exam covers a similar range of topics with the addition of the simulated case scenarios. You are required to pass this exam by the end of PGY-1.
Duration: 1.5 months of dedicated study while I waited for interviews to start.
Resources: Master the Boards for Step 3, UWorld question bank, Online MedEd