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13.1.08

Two USMLE Announcements

In the past week, there have been two notable items concerning the USMLE Step 1 and Step 3. On January 4th, Usmle.org made the following announcement:

A small number of multiple-choice items with associated audio and/or video clips will be introduced into the USMLE Step 3 Examination beginning in early March 2008. No more than 5 items with associated media clips will appear in a single examination. The 2008 USMLE Orientation Materials include a small number of multiple-choice items that contain exhibits involving audio and/or video clips. Instructions for practicing with items with associated media clips on Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 are provided in the Tutorials for each Step examination in the orientation materials.

Items with associated media were introduced into Step 2 CK in 2007, and will be introduced into Step 1 later in 2008. An announcement will be posted to the USMLE website approximately 2 months before any items with associated media clips appear on Step 1 examinations. Additional information will be posted to the USMLE website as it becomes available.

On January 9th, the American Physician Scientist Association released a survey asking those in medical education (students, residents and fellows) about proposed changes to the USMLE Step 1 and 2CK. These included:

  1. USMLE Steps 1 and 2 will be combined into a single exam. However, this combination would involve the creation of a new set of questions that test BOTH basic science and clinical science.

  2. A combination exam will necessitate that the exam be administered earlier in training than the current Step 2 in order for its use in residency applications.

  3. Pass/fail could replace the current numerical score. This is separate and may be implemented even if a combined exam is not.

You can fill out their survey (med student) (resident/fellow) or read more about it.

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