The Usmle Step 1 examination comprises of different multiple choice questions that are prepared by various committees comprising of teachers, clinicians, investigators as well as faculty members who are renowned within their respective fields. The members of the committee have been selected so as to give a broad representation from the practicing, academic and licensing authorities that are across Canada and the United States. Basically, the test has the aim to measure basic principles of science.
The Usmle step 1 has been designed in the form of an integrated content outline which has organized basic knowledge of science as per the general principles as well as the system of individual organs. The questions of the test have been categorized in one of these areas depending greatly upon their aim on principles and concepts that are considered to be important for the system of organs or in the system of
organs of an individual.
The sections of the test that comprises of individual organ systems are now further subdivided on the basis of normal and abnormal procedures, the principles of therapy along with cultural, environmental and psychosocial considerations. Every exam is focused on covering different disciplines and aspects of anatomy biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, behavioral science, physiology and microbiology
along with including certain interdisciplinary aspects such as immunology, aging, cell and molecular biology, genetics as well as nutrition. Although, not every topic that has been listed down in the outline is covered in the actual examination the content comparison on an overall basis in different exam forms is comparable when taken by various examinees.
The outline of the content used in the Usmle Step 1 examination elaborates the entire process in great detail but, it should not be considered as a study guide or any such thing. The outline can be considered as a flexible structure used to construct the basis of the examination which has the ability to accommodate latest topics, shifts in the focus areas and emerging domains of content. Moreover, the coverage of the content and its categorization are subject to changes. There may be certain questions in the exam that may aim in testing the knowledge of the examinee however; most questions are aimed to
test the basic knowledge of science principles that will be practice during clinical medicine.
Format of Usmle Step 1 Examination
Initially the examination comprised of an 8 hour long session held on a single day and comprised of 7 sections in which 48 questions within each section was asked. On the 15th of May, 2010, the number of questions within each section was reduced from 48 to 46 bringing the total questions to 322 in the entire test. Every section is given an hour to get completed. Moreover, within every section, test breaks of cumulative 45 minutes are also provided. If any candidate completes a particular section before the expiration of the time, the candidate can add the time in their break time. The results of this test are administered by various prometric computer testing websites.
Usmle Step 1 Examination Content
The following areas comprise the Step 1 examination content:
•Behavioral sciences.
•Anatomy.
•Biochemistry.
•Microbiology.
•Pharmacology.
•Physiology.
•Pathology.
•Interdisciplinary topics like genetics, aging and nutrition.
The Usmle Step 1 is an integrated as well as a broad based examination procedure. The items in the test usually require the candidate to perform any one or more of the following jobs:
•The process of identifying microscopic pathologic and normal and gross specimens.
•Interpreting tabular as well as graphical material.
•Applying certain basic knowledge of science within different clinical problems.
The test items of Usmle Step 1 are classified within two distinct dimensions, processes and systems which have been identified as follows:
The general principles comprises of 40 – 50 percent of the entire test.
The individual organ systems comprise 50 – 60 percent of the entire test.
•Special sense/ nervous
•Cardiovascular
•Endocrine
•Gastrointestinal
•Respiratory
•Reproductive
•Musculoskeletal
•Connective tissue/skin
•Lymphoreticular/ Hematopoietic
•Urinary/ Renal
Procedure
The normal function and structure comprises of 30% – 50%.
The abnormal processes ranges from 30% – 50%.
Discussing the principles of therapeutics comprises of 15% – 25%.
Considering cultural, environmental, occupational and psychosocial elements comprises of 10% – 20%.
The Length and Format of the Test
The Usmle Step comprises of approximately three hundred and twenty two multiple choice questions.
The entire test is then divided within 7 sixty minutes break up and is administered by a single testing session comprising of eight long hours. In the Step 1 examination, the time defined to complete a particular block allows the candidate to answer the questions in any required order, reviewing of the responses as well as the opportunity to change the answer is also provided during the time. After the time is lapsed, the candidate or student is not allowed to review the answers or change them.
Who Are Eligible To Sit In Usmle Step 1 Examination?
In order to become eligible for appearing for the Usmle Step 1 examination, it is important that the candidate should fall in any one of the following categories at the time of applying for the job and at the time of appearing in the examination:
•The candidate should be a medical student and should be enrolled, registered or is an official graduate from a Canadian or a United States medical program which will eventually lead them to earn a degree in MD. Moreover, the same degree should be accredited with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
•The candidate should be a medical student and should be enrolled, registered or is an official graduate from an accredited US medical program which will eventually lead them to earn a degree in DO that has been affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
•The candidate should be a medical student and should be enrolled, registered or is an official graduate from any of the medical institute outside Canada or United States and has been held eligible to sit in the examination by the ECFMG.
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