Frequently Asked Questions About USMLE Step 3?

33998 Views 24 Replies 6 Participants Last post by ag2011n, Jan 18, 2013

MedicalDR14

Discussion Starter · Nov 7, 2010

1- What is step 3? is it the same as Step 2 CK?

2- Am I allowed to take it during my last year in study or I must be graduated? and can I take it before I take step 2 CS?

3- Can I take the exam in Prometric center anywhere like I will with step 1 or 2 CK or it have to be in US like CS?

4- Is it the same format of questions cause I heard something like CCS and I don't know what that mean?

5- How much it cost is $880 like the previous or not?

6- Now about residency I heard that they accept the one who doesn't have issues with visa meaning it will be enhance your situation if you have green card or US passport so will the step 3 make me equal with the ones having US passport or green card cause by then I can get H1 visa I guess that is more great than b1 visa?

7- I read in this thread that the good reference is the Kaplan notes for step 2 CK so does that mean that I can study for both of the exams at the same time so I don't waste my time?

8- Do I need FA in Step 3?

9- I heard about something called Fifth pathway. What is that exactly?

thanks

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rasheed

· #2 · Nov 8, 2010

The difference between USMLE Step 3 and USMLE Step 2 CK

athman said:
1- What is step 3? is it the same as Step 2 CK?

The USMLE Step 3 is very similar to Step 2 CK except that it focuses more on the management and clinical judgment rather than on diagnosis and the pathology of diseases.
Step 3 wants to make sure you can work alone, unsupervised. While the CK exam just wants to make sure that you can assimilate the clinical features and make diagnosis and management under supervision (like working as an intern).

Reactions: 5

rasheed

· #3 · Nov 8, 2010

Must finish all exams before Step 3

athman said:
2- Am I allowed to take it during my last year in study or I must be graduated? and can I take it before I take step 2 CS?

You must be a graduate and you must finish all Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS before you can apply for Step 3.

Reactions: 4

rasheed

· #4 · Nov 8, 2010

Step 3 can be taken in USA only

athman said:
3- Can I take the exam in Prometric center anywhere like I will with step 1 or 2 CK or it have to be in US like CS?

USMLE Step 3 exam is administered by Prometric centers but it's available in USA only. Unlike Step 1 and Step 2 CK, you cannot take the exam outside USA.

Reactions: 5

rasheed

· #5 · Nov 8, 2010

What is CCS

athman said:
4- Is it the same format of questions cause I heard something like CCS and I don't know what that mean?

This is the major difference between Step 3 and Step 1 and CK.
In Step 3 you have CCS (Computer based Case Simulations). It's a testing environment where they give you a case and you decide what to do step by step. Like what history you want to ask, what labs you want to order, what clinical setting you want to transfer the case to, after how long you want to see the case again, ...etc.
The sequence of the case is determined by your responses and there's no standard answer.
Step 3 also include the classical MCQs in Day 1 of the exam.
Day 2 of the exam include four blocks of MCQs and another four hours in which you have to finish 9 CCSs.

Reactions: 5

rasheed

· #6 · Nov 8, 2010

Check the FSMB Website for updated fees

athman said:
5- How much it cost is $880 like the previous or not?

The cost varies depending on which state you want to take the Step 3 for. Currently it varies from $730 to $880.
For the most up to date fees see this page http://www.fsmb.org/usmle_fees.html

Reactions: 5

rasheed

· #7 · Nov 8, 2010

USMLE Step 3 makes you eligible for H1B Visa

athman said:
6- Now about residency I heard that they accept the one who doesn't have issues with visa meaning it will be enhance your situation if you have green card or US passport so will the step 3 make me equal with the ones having US passport or green card cause by then I can get H1 visa I guess that is more great than b1 visa?

Passing Step 3 makes you eligible for H1B Visa which is better than J1 Visa. But it won't make you equal with US citizens or Green card holders because many hospitals are not willing to sponsor H1B and they only take Green Card Holders or US citizens.

Reactions: 5

rasheed

· #8 · Nov 8, 2010

Using your CK prep for the Step 3 Exam

athman said:
7- I read in this thread that the good reference is the Kaplan notes for step 2 CK so does that mean that I can study for both of the exams at the same time so I don't waste my time?

Most of the basic clinical materials that you need to be aware of is available in Step 2 CK books. However, you need to practice the question style of the Step 3 format. So even if you depend on the Kaplan CK Notes, you still need to do Kaplan Step 3 Qbank or USMLE World Step 3 or any other Step 3 Qbank.
The Kaplan Step 3 Notes is basically the same as Step 2 CK Notes except they added more Step-3-exam style clinical scenarios.
So, yes. If you take Step 3 in short time after CK then your prep much would be much easier and takes considerably less time.

Reactions: 5

rasheed

· #9 · Nov 8, 2010

First Aid for the USMLE Step 3

athman said:
8- Do I need FA in Step 3?

Please refer to this poll here http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-step-3-recommended-threads/197-best-usmle-step-3-review-books.html
Of course the more books you read the better you are prepared.

Reactions: 4

rasheed

· #10 · Nov 8, 2010

Information about the Fifth Pathway

athman said:
9- I heard about something called Fifth pathway. What is that exactly?thanks

Please refer to this discussion here
http://www.usmle-forums.com/general-topics-forum/3058-transforming-img-amg.html

Reactions: 5

Haisook

· #11 · Jan 1, 2011

rasheed said:
You must be a graduate and you must finish all Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS before you can apply for Step 3.

Is there any exceptions that do exempt one from the requirement of CS before taking Step 3? i.e. Can I take Step 3 after clearing 1 and 2 CK?

Reactions: 1

rasheed

· #12 · Jan 1, 2011

You can't

Haisook said:
Is there any exceptions that do exempt one from the requirement of CS before taking Step 3? i.e. Can I take Step 3 after clearing 1 and 2 CK?

No. That's not possible. You have to be ECFMG certified before being eligible for Step 3.

Reactions: 3

good_boy_1234

· #13 · Jan 1, 2011

rasheed said:
This is the major difference between Step 3 and Step 1 and CK.
In Step 3 you have CCS (Computer based Case Simulations). It's a testing environment where they give you a case and you decide what to do step by step. Like what history you want to ask, what labs you want to order, what clinical setting you want to transfer the case to, after how long you want to see the case again, ...etc.
The sequence of the case is determined by your responses and there's no standard answer.
Step 3 also include the classical MCQs in Day 1 of the exam.
Day 2 of the exam include four blocks of MCQs and another four hours in which you have to finish 9 CCSs.

So CCS part is computarized MCQs or like CS exam?? it is name " computer " suggests that it is computerized, but the explanation you told is a complete H & P exam suggest real cases like CS...
Thanks in advance

rasheed

· #14 · Jan 2, 2011

good_boy_1234 said:
So CCS part is computarized MCQs or like CS exam?? it is name " computer " suggests that it is computerized, but the explanation you told is a complete H & P exam suggest real cases like CS...
Thanks in advance

It's on the computer. The case will be presented to you on the computer screen and you choose what history, physicals, labs, treatments you want to do by clicking on options presented to you on the computer.

Reactions: 4

Haisook

· #15 · Jun 23, 2011

What If I am not able to take Step 3 before the Match? If I get matched without it, will I be limited to J1 visa, which means I must return home after I finish my residency? And if so, is there a way to continue working in the US after that?

Sabio

· #16 · Jun 25, 2011

Haisook said:
What If I am not able to take Step 3 before the Match? If I get matched without it, will I be limited to J1 visa, which means I must return home after I finish my residency? And if so, is there a way to continue working in the US after that?

You do waiver jobs to avoid returning to your home country.
For more information read here
http://www.usmle-forums.com/img-visa-issues/5687-j1-visa-waiver-jobs-other-waivers.html

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Reactions: 2

Haisook

· #17 · Jun 25, 2011

Thanks.

If I'm to take Step 3 in the few coming months, what's the last date to receive the score on so as not to be late for the Match? I won't be able to get it done by Sep 1st.

And when I receive the score, can I simply update my ERAS? and what if I already got interviews and had my Step 3 score released later?

Sorry about all those questions!

Thanks.

Sabio

· #18 · Jun 25, 2011

Haisook said:
If I'm to take Step 3 in the few coming months, what's the last date to receive the score on so as not to be late for the Match? I won't be able to get it done by Sep 1st.

And when I receive the score, can I simply update my ERAS? and what if I already got interviews and had my Step 3 score released later?

Sorry about all those questions!
Thanks.

Step 3 is not a requirement and is not usually looked for by residency programs unless you plan to apply for H1B Visa.
Programs that do sponsor H1B Visa usually require that you pass Step 3 before the ROL (Rank Order List) which is usually mid February of every year.

If you get interviews before the Step 3 score, they'll ask you to update them later on when you get the results.

In ERAS, your USMLE scores are automatically transmitted once they are available, you don't even need to update your profile, it's automatically updated.

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Reactions: 5

Haisook

· #19 · Jun 25, 2011

One last question!

Thanks Sabio!

How long does it take for the score report to be released?

Sabio

· #20 · Jun 25, 2011

Haisook said:
Thanks Sabio!

How long does it take for the score report to be released?

Usually three to four weeks after your test date.
You can monitor your Step 3 Status here
https://apps.nbme.org/fsmbexamstatus/prod/jsp/login.jsp

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Reactions: 2

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