[patelMD]

Hi,

I'm currently in 3rd year of med school (in India) and was wondering how I could register for the Step 1. I've asked seniors and they do not know what the procedure is for current students (they only know the procedure for graduates).

I would really appreciate help since the ECFMG website is superconfusing..

Thanks

 

[Sabio]

Follow this

The only difference between students and graduates is that your school should mention that you are currently a student and not a graduate.

Please read the detailed registration steps here
http://www.usmle-forums.com/ecfmg-forum/362-ecfmg-registration-steps.html

If after reading it you still have question please come back here and post your reply.

 

[patelMD]

Thank you! Your guide was very helpful..

I still had a couple of more questions though:

what is the eligibility period?

Does it start once the status reads "medical education credentials verified"?

If i wanted to extend my eligibility period, do i need to get the forms signed again from the school officials?

 

[rasheed]

Answers

The eligibility period is a three months period that you choose to do the exam in it. You pay the fees and then you choose which three months you want to do the exam in. Like for example September-October-November or October-November-December ..etc.

This is called the eligibility period. It's a three months period that you choose and it has nothing to do with your medical education credential verification.

Extending the eligibility period does not need form 186 submission again as long as it is still valid. Our members discussed this here
http://www.usmle-forums.com/ecfmg-forum/3311-form-186-my-eligibility-period-expiring.html

 

[patelMD]

So when does the eligibility period start?

What i mean to say is that once the status reads "medical credential evaluated" do i have to schedule the exam in a certain amount of time?

 

[rasheed]

Your choose the eligibility period

When your medical education credentials are verified you can then apply for the exam using the online application system of the ECFMG and here's the link
https://secure2.ecfmg.org/emain.asp?app=iwa

When you apply for the exam they will ask you what three months you want.

You can then tell them for example you want August-September-October and your eligibility period will then start on August first.

We have several threads talking about Eligibility Period
Check them out here
http://www.usmle-forums.com/tags/Eligibility-Period.html

 

[patelMD]

Ok so once credentials are verified, do i have to apply for the exam within a period of time? Or can I do it 5 months later and it'll be fine?

 

[Sabio]

No validity

Ok so once credentials are verified, do i have to apply for the exam within a period of time? Or can I do it 5 months later and it'll be fine?

I don't think there's a time frame that you have follow. Once your credentials are verified then that's it.
One important note here is that if your status changed (from student to graduate) then you have to do the whole thing (form 187 not form 186) again

 

[patelMD]

With the exception if you want to get your eligibility period extended right, than you have to fill out the form again? Or is it only if your status changes from student to graduate?

What my situation is that i want to write the exam suppose in december.. So i would take a eligibility period around then.. But lets say in november i dont feel confident enough, than can i extend my eligibility period to a later time WITHOUT having to get new forms signed by school officials (my status would still be the same -- student)

 

[lee-usmle]

It's the status not the extension

With the exception if you want to get your eligibility period extended right, than you have to fill out the form again? Or is it only if your status changes from student to graduate?

What my situation is that i want to write the exam suppose in december.. So i would take a eligibility period around then.. But lets say in november i dont feel confident enough, than can i extend my eligibility period to a later time WITHOUT having to get new forms signed by school officials (my status would still be the same -- student)

If your status is still the same by that time then NO you don't need to fill the forms again.