What is the USMLE® Step 2 ® – All About the USMLE Step 2 Exam Guide
What is the USMLE Step 2?
What is on the USMLE Step 2?
The USMLE Step 2 CK is a multiple-choice exam featuring patient-centered vignettes that assess whether you understand clinical science principles and the basic patient-centered skills needed for the safe and competent practice of medicine under supervision.
The USMLE program provides a Step 2 CK Content Description outlining the distribution of disciplines, subjects, and competencies covered on the Step 2 CK exam.
Tested disciplines include:
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Pediatrics
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Psychiatry
How long is the USMLE Step 2 CK?
Where is the USMLE Step 2 exam administered?
When should I take Step 2 CK?
- Step 2 CK: Most US medical students take the USMLE Step 2 CK during their third or early fourth year of medical school, following their core clinical rotations. This timing allows the Step 2 CK score to be included in residency program applications.
- For international medical graduates, passing scores on Step 2 CK are part of the requirements for certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
When should I start studying for Step 2 CK?
How do I study for Step 2 CK?
Start by familiarizing yourself with the 2021 USMLE Bulletin of Information, which contains essential information such as eligibility requirements, test scheduling, exam procedure, and score reporting. To study for the USMLE Step 2 CK, most medical students use a question bank (QBank) alongside a comprehensive review book.
We recommend our USMLE Step 2 CK QBank, the number one question bank for medical students. The QBank has been expanded and tailored to help you master the Step 2 CK exam and the NBME shelf exams associated with each core clinical rotation.
Using the Step 2 CK learning platform throughout the third and fourth years of medical school will test and reinforce the clinical knowledge you’re gaining on your rotations and give you a head start on studying for Step 2 CK.