Working in the U.S.

So you've decided you want to work in the US after you graduate, and you've realized that you need to do the USMLE, but have no clue what that is or how it works. Well lucky for you, we have prepared an easy-to-read-guide with the most important information for you!

There are 3 steps to the USMLE:

  1. USMLE Step 1

  2. USMLE Step 2

    • Step 2 CK

    •  Step 2 CS

  3. USMLE Step 3

Note: The USMLE is also valid in UAE, New Zealand, Israel, Dubai Health City and Qatar.

USMLE Step 1

This is the first part of the USMLEs. It covers the basic sciences (eg Physiology, Pathology, Microbiology) and tests your ability to apply your scientific knowledge in clinical scenarios.

Exam Structure

  • 280 MCQs divided into 7 blocks

  • Each question usually has 4-5 choices, but >5 choice questions are sometimes present

  • Only 1 possible best answer can be chosen per question

  • Some choices may be partially correct, but only 1 choice is “most correct”

  • A total of 7 hours is allocated for the 7 blocks, with 60 minutes time per block

  • 45 minutes break, that can be used any time between the blocks

  • Finishing a block early adds the remaining time into your possible break time

Study Resources

  1. Books

    • First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 

    • b. Pathoma 

    • c. Master the Boards-Usmle Medical Ethics

    • d. Amboss Library 

  2. Videos

    • Pathoma 

    • Sketchy Micro 

    • Boards and Beyond 

  3. Qbanks

  • UWORLD

  • Amboss

Generally our students sit for this exam in the summer after 4th year

**Note: As of 2022 USMLE Step 1 will change to a Pass or Fail system.**

USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK)

This will be a comprehensive assessment of your knowledge of clinical sciences. American medical students usually sit this exam at the end of their 3rd year, or during their final year of medical school (4th year). It covers the fundamental branches of clinical medicine (e.g. Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics). It assesses your ability to practice medicine in a supervised setting, with a focus on clinical reasoning and decision making.

Exam Structure

  • 318 multiple choice questions, with single best answer

  • Total exam time is 9 hours

  • 60 minutes allocated per block

  • 45 minutes total break time

USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS)

This will be an assessment of your ability to interview patients, take history, perform physical exams, fill out patient charts, and write a basic differential diagnosis. It involves the in-person interaction with actors pretending to be patients with specific medical conditions. USMLE recently announced that it would change into an online “Telemedicine” format.


USMLE Step 3

This is the final step of the USMLEs. It is not required for ECFMG certification for IMGs. American medical students usually sit this exam after medical school graduation, at the end of their first year of residency. It assesses your ability to practice medicine in an unsupervised setting. The main reason for IMGs to take this exam is that it’s a requirement for obtaining an H1B visa.

LF2 Aims