What is the USMLE® Step 3 ® – All About the USMLE Step 3 Exam Guide
What is the USMLE Step 3?
What is on the USMLE Step 3?
The USMLE Step 3 is the final examination in the USMLE sequence. It assesses whether you have the medical knowledge necessary to deliver general medical care without supervision. Step 3 places a greater emphasis on patient management than the previous Step exams, including initial workup, continued care, and emergency care.
The Step 3 exam is administered over two days, each with a different aim:
1. Day 1 of 2: Step 3 Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP) assesses your knowledge and application of basic medical and scientific principles. Tested areas include:
- Biostatistics, epidemiology, and population health
- Interpretation of the medical literature
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Medical ethics, systems-based practice, and patient safety
- History taking and interpretation and physical examination
- Differential diagnosis and use of diagnostic studies
Step 3 FIP features only multiple-choice items.
2. Day 2 of 2: Step 3 Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM) assesses your ability to apply a comprehensive knowledge of human health and disease to patient management at initial disease presentation and over time with evolving disease manifestations. Tested areas include:
- Health maintenance and screening
- History taking and interpretation and physical examination
- Differential diagnosis and use of diagnostic studies
- Medical decision making and management
- Therapeutics
- Prognosis and outcome
Step 3 ACM features both multiple-choice items and computer-based case simulations.
How long is the USMLE Step 3?
The USMLE Step 3 is administered over two days, scheduled as consecutive or non-consecutive test days.
1. Day 1 of 2: Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP)
- Multiple-choice items only
- 7-hour testing session
- Six 60-minute blocks
- Approximately 38-39 items/block and 232 items total
2. Day 2 of 2: Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM)
- Multiple-choice questions and computer-based case simulations
- 9-hour testing session
- Six 45-minute blocks of multiple-choice items, with 30 items/block and 180 items total
- 13 computer-based case simulations lasting 10-20 minutes each
When should I take the USMLE Step 3?
- Graduated from an accredited medical school in the US or Canada, or
- Graduated from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting the eligibility requirements of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and have personally obtained ECFMG Certification.
When should I start studying for the USMLE Step 3?
How do I study for the USMLE Step 3?
Start by familiarizing yourself with the 2023 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 3, most people use a question bank (QBank) alongside a comprehensive review book.
We recommend our USMLE Step 3 QBank, the number one test prep resource for medical graduates. Our QBank is at or above the difficulty level of both the multiple-choice questions and the computer-based case simulations you will see on the Step 3 exam.