Step 3
Step 3 of the USMLE evaluates physicians' knowledge and skills for independent practice in general medical care.
Outpatient care focus: Emphasizes patient management in outpatient settings.
Final exam: The last step to obtain a license to practice medicine unsupervised in the U.S.
Expert committees: Exam content is prepared by medical professionals and state licensing board members.
Data-driven model: Reflects generalist medical practice and common clinical scenarios.
Two-day exam: Day 1 covers Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP), Day 2 covers Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM).
Examination
minute blocks
testing session
The first day of testing includes 232 multiple-choice items divided into 6 blocks of 38-39 items; 60 minutes are allotted for completion of each block of test items.
Exam Format
This test day focuses on assessment of knowledge of basic medical and scientific principles essential for effective health care. Content areas covered include application of foundational sciences; understanding of biostatistics and epidemiology/population health, and interpretation of the medical literature; and application of social sciences, including communication and interpersonal skills, medical ethics, systems-based practice, and patient safety.
The test day also includes content assessing knowledge of diagnosis and management, particularly focused on knowledge of history and physical examination, diagnosis, and use of diagnostic studies. This test day consists solely of multiple-choice questions and includes some of the newer item formats, such as those based on scientific abstracts and pharmaceutical advertisements.
Day 1: Step 3 Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP)
The examination also includes a minimum allotment of
The amount of time available for breaks may be increased by finishing a block of test items or the optional tutorial before the allotted time expires.
45 - 5
minutes of
minute
break time
optional
tutorial
Examination
minute blocks
testing session
45 minutes are allotted for completion of each block of test items. The second day also includes a 7-minute CCS tutorial. This is followed by 13 case simulations, each of which is allotted a maximum of 10 or 20 minutes of real time.
Exam Format
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.
Day 2: Step 3 Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM)
The examination also includes a minimum allotment of
45 - 5
minutes of
minute
break time
optional
tutorial
5-minute optional tutorial followed by 180 multiple-choice items, divided into 6 blocks of 30 items
We Offer
Excellent educational facilities
NBME provider center (voucher program)
Highly qualified doctors with educational experience
Personalized service
Small groups
Custom study plan (detailed by day, time, topic)
Mentories
Material of classes
Educational plataform (app)
Group tutorials
Individual tutorials
Advice for Ecfmg, Match process
USMLE Simulation
