USMLE Step 1 (United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1) is a mandatory and most important exam for any medical student or doctor who wants to become a doctor in the US.
Therefore, in this article we will cover detailed aspects of this exam, including: what is this exam, why is it so important, the contents asked in the exam, what are the best materials to review, the most recent changes in the exam and the impact of those changes on Vietnamese doctors. come on.
1. WHAT IS THE USMLE STEP 1 EXAM?
USMLE Step 1 is one of 3 required USMLE exams if you want to become a resident doctor in the US, including: USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, USMLE Step 3.
It evaluates the ability to understand and apply basic medical knowledge version, so in the US, most candidates will usually take this exam at the end of their second year of medical school. Meanwhile, the earliest time that Vietnamese medical students can take this exam is at the end of their third year, when they have completed the basic medical program.
1.1 Exam format
The exam will take place on the computer in multiple-choice format, divided into 7 parts, with each part lasting 60 minutes, plus another 60 minutes of rest for a total of 8 hours. The exam will start at 8 am. Each test section will usually have 40 questions.
1.2 Exam content
In this test, you will encounter some questions that test simple medical scientific knowledge, however, most of the remaining questions will test the ability to apply through analyzing and processing information and data, thereby evaluating what is normal and what is abnormal.
You will be tested on the following specific skills:
- 60-70% questions: skills to apply basic medical knowledge
- 20-25%: diagnostic ability
- 6-9%: communication skills
- 4-6%: data-driven medical innovation skills.
In the past, when the USMLE Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills) exam had not been eliminated, the number of questions related to patient communication situations was still limited, however, in recent years, the proportion of questions surrounding this topic has increased significantly.
The exam will also revolve around the following main subjects:
| Subject | Question rate |
| Pathology | 44–52% |
| Physiology | 25–35% |
| Pharmacology | 15–22% |
| Biochemistry & nutrition | 14–24% |
| Microbiology | 10–15% |
| Immunity | 6–11% |
| Anatomy & Embryology | 11–15% |
| Histology & Cell Biology | 8–13% |
| Behavioral Science | 8–13% |
| Genetics | 5–9% |
2. HOW MANY POINTS WILL YOU PASS USMLE STEP 1?
From 2022 and earlier, Step 1 test scores will be returned as 3 numbers (for example, 250). The test has a maximum of 280 questions, so for each correct answer, the candidate will receive 1 point. And to pass this exam, you need to score at least 194 points.
However, from 2022 onwards, ECFMG has increased the passing score from 194 to 196 and the results will be returned as pass/fail instead of the 3-digit score as before.
2.1 Change in passing score and how to evaluate Step 1 test
First, will the exam become more difficult after increasing the passing score?
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In the official website of ECFMG, there is absolutely no information about whether the exam will become more difficult or the scope of review will be expanded.
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Therefore, after carefully reviewing and achieving high scores in practice tests, you can confidently register for the exam instead of hesitating. The reason is because no matter how hard you try to get a high score like before, the result returned is only PASS, and will not make you stand out in the eyes of the admission board.
2.2 The impact of this change on Vietnamese doctors and medical students
First of all, it must be affirmed that this change will greatly affect foreign medical and medical students who want to become doctors in the US (IMGs), including Vietnamese medical students and doctors.
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As mentioned above, previously high scores on Step 1 used to be the only advantage for students. IMGs because medical students in the US have limited time to prepare for Step 1. Therefore, after 2022, if you want to enter a medical residency in the US, it will be more difficult because you no longer have that advantage.
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Therefore, you will have to do more to be interviewed and admitted to residency in the US, including: doing more clinical internships in the US, getting more enthusiastic letters of recommendation, practicing smoother and more focused interview skills, achieving higher Step 2 CK test scores, the research process Research, and other skills during the admission process also need to be excellent to make your profile stand out.
Currently, each year it is estimated that about 30-50 doctors from Vietnam apply for residency in the US and about 5-15 doctors are accepted.
3. WHAT IS NEEDED TO PREPARE TO GET A HIGH SCORE IN THE STEP 1 EXAM?
3.1 Exam preparation materials
Although the new change in assessment method somewhat reduces the score pressure in the USMLE Step 1 exam for candidates, note that if you do not pass the exam on the first try, it will be a huge black mark on your application. Not only that, your psychology and planning will also be greatly affected afterward.
Therefore, we need to have a specific, effective study plan and practice well to succeed the first time.
However, when we first start If you research, you will find hundreds, thousands of books, not to mention courses, question banks, assessment tools, etc. We absolutely cannot have time for everything, so you need to focus and choose wisely the resources that are right for you to get the best results.
These are the resources you need to have:
3.1.1 First Aid to USMLE Step 1 book
Please buy the latest version of it (usually this book will be updated once a year) to have the latest and most up-to-date information.
It is considered the bible for the USMLE exams, however, this is a book that summarizes important knowledge without accompanying explanations, so if you just start and rush into studying this book right away, you will easily fall. If you are in a state of “going crazy”, instead you should start studying with UWorld first.
3.1.2 UWorld Qbank
This is a set of bedside questions for most candidates taking the USMLE exams, not just USMLE Step 1. This set is often used right from the beginning when you get familiar with the knowledge, exam format, how to handle the exam, and through that practice test-taking skills.
It is not only a question bank full of correct answers and detailed explanations, but also helps you store and mark the parts you are not sure of in a logical way to practice over and over again.
Don’t worry too much when you answer questions incorrectly when you first start. head, because almost everyone is like that. What is important is the knowledge you learn after each question, gaining more test-taking experience and consolidating knowledge from incorrect answers.
In the early stages, UWorld was seen as a learning document rather than a set of questions to assess knowledge!
3.1.3 Pathoma Book & Videos
This is a book and a set of videos to help you practice Pathology knowledge accurately in the shortest time possible. It is especially important when Pathology is the subject that accounts for the largest proportion of the USMLE Step 1 exam.
3.1.4 Sketchy
Sketchy has many topics, but the most useful for me is still Sketchy Microbiology & Sketchy Pharmacology. This is a way for you to remember the names of bacteria, viruses, parasites,… as well as drugs and their difficult pharmacological characteristics as quickly and easily as possible.
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I have a very detailed articlereview of USMLE Step 1 exam preparation materials, you can refer to morehere please.
In addition, to achieve high results in this exam, you also need an effective and personalized learning strategy. If you are interested, please comment “interested”, I will write the next article on this topic.
3.2 How to register for the USMLE exam Step 1
3.2.1 Registration procedures
First, you need to register for ECFMG ID, details on how to register can be found here.
Next Accordingly, you need to prepare your diploma and transcript in English to upload to the ECFMG website. It will take about 2 weeks for ECFMG to confirm the information you provide.
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After that, please monitor the status of your application regularly. After the application status changes to ACCEPTED, ECFMG will send SCHEDULING PERMIT to you within 3-5 days. After you have SCHEDULING PERMIT, you can register for the exam at this website.
3.2.2 Exam location
Currently in Vietnam there is no USMLE Step 1 exam center, so if you are in Vietnam, you can take this exam in the US or surrounding countries such as Thailand, China, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia…
3.2.3 Exam fees
Currently, to register for the USMLE Step 1 exam, candidates need to deposit $1000 in registration fee. However, if you register to take the test in a region outside the US or Canada, you will need to pay an additional $195 international test delivery fee.
Above is an article about all the basic and most important information you need to know about the USMLE Step 1 exam. If you have any questions or need further answers, please comment below and I will answer them. answer in the next articles.
In addition, if you want me to become your guide on the path to becoming a doctor in the US, from the beginning until you succeed, please click here please.
Please comment “yes” if the article is useful to you.
Dr. Christina Nguyen
Phoenix Medical Academy.
