United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE): The General Medical Licensing Boards and Other Medical Board Examinations

The USMLE is a three-part licensing examination given over a period of several years, usually beginning midway through medical school and ending in the first year after completion of medical school.
Computer-based examinations can be taken throughout the year, with the exception of the first two weeks of January, depending on availability at local testing centers. The “Clinical Skills” mock-patient exam is currently given in five major cities on numerous dates.

Test Format

Section	Content	Format	Length
1	Basic science as it applies to medicine	Computer-based multiple choice	One Day
2CK	Clinical diagnosis and the pathophysiology of disease	Computer-based multiple choice	One Day
2CS	Clinical diagnosis and the pathophysiology of disease	Interactive live patient exam, requiring limited histories and physicals with actors trained to interact with student physicians in a standardized way	One Day
3	Clinical management of patient presentations and complications	Computer-based multiple choice; clinical case scenarios in which the candidate directs patient care through an interactive computerized order system	Two Days

Content of Program

USMLE study programs are customized based on the individual student's strengths and weaknesses, targeted score range, and time available for studying.
Diagnostic testing is conducted at the outset of the study program and analyzed by the physician instructor.
Because all medical board examinations cover a wide range of material, and test-takers typically face significant limitations on study time, our materials are specifically designed for rapid learning.
While mastering the medical knowledge needed for each exam is the main goal, many students find that significant gains can also be made through enhancement of test-taking skills. We include this important aspect of test preparation. Students take numerous practice tests that they later review with the physician tutor to improve understanding of both critical test-taking skills and vital medical content.

Additional Exams: Specialty Board Examinations and Recertification

Advantage Testing also provides instruction for selected specialty exams, including the examinations in pediatrics,emergency medicine, and family medicine.
Specialty board examinations and recertification examinations vary in content, timing, and format. While the majority of them still utilize a paper-and-pencil format, most plan to transition to computer-based testing in the next several years. Some specialty examinations include an oral examination as well as a written examination.

Length of Program

Students generally begin preparation several months prior to the scheduled exam. Diagnostic test results and other factors help us design a program responsive to the individual student's needs.

Further Information

Information on content, scheduling, and updates for any of these exams is available at www.usmle.org.