| USMLE (United States Medical License Examination) : United States of America!!!! They say it’s a Land of BIG Opportunities and NHLites, they say are made for BIG opportunities. USMLE,they say lets you to grab one more of such big opportunities.
Introduction: USMLE are a set of medical exams designed to evaluate your ability to practice safely in the
American medical system. USMLE are multiple choice exams that are CBTs (Computer Based Tests).
Step 1 includes all of the basic sciences - Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, statistics, Behavioral science, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, and ethics. It is an 8 hr exam with 300 MCQs.
Step 2 consists of 2 parts - CK (Clinical Knowledge, i.e. theory) and CS (Clinical Skills). CK covers all of the clinical sciences including medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, forensics, emergency care, ENT, ophthalmology, tropical health, ethics. It is also 8 hr, 300 MCQs exam. CS is practical exam and is to be given in USA. It requires demonstration of both clinical proficiency and spoken English language proficiency.
Step 3 International students only need to take the USMLE part 3 if they plan to immigrate on a H-1B visa. This exam is only given in the United States.
Eligibility: Step 1 can be given after passing 2nd MBBS and Step 2 after passing 3rd MBBS. There should be minimum period of 1 month between taking the 2 steps.
Time of Preparation: Step 1 requires about 6-8 months and Step 2 requires 3-4 months preparation, which, usually, the students are able to complete during their internship.
The ECFMG Certificate: Overseas doctors referred as International Medical graduates (IMG) should get the ECFMG certificate before they can enter in to the residency programs. The ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) certificate is a document proving that you have fulfilled the education requirements needed to practice medicine in the USA. The essential components are:
- Your medical degree verification by ECFMG - Passing USMLE Steps 1 & 2(CK & CS)
- Passing the TOEFL Examination - Payment of ECFMG fees
Once you have fulfilled the above, the ECFMG will issue you with a certificate saying that you have fulfilled the requirement for entry into training in the USA.
The Match : The Match is a centralized computer program that matches a physician’s highest ranked residency program
with a hospital that ranks them highly; ie. it’s a process through which u finally get into residency You apply to theprograms in the hospitals that interest you. Those programs that are interested in you will invite you for an interview.
After the interview, the hospital ranks you among all those they have interviewed. After all your interviews, you rank the
programs that you want and on a certain date in March, all of these preferences are chewed on by a computer and the
hospitals are matched with the applicants
Fees: Step 1: $865 Step 2 CK: $865 Step 2 CS: $1200 Step 3: $1200
(Fees in USD, Step 1 and Step 2 CK fees USD 650 if given in USA, fees subject to variation)
Clear your Concepts: The USMLE is not about how detailed your knowledge of specific areas is. It is more about the
breadth of your coverage. You need to know some basic things about a lot of stuff, rather than really fine detail about any
single topic. Hence in this world of competition, following the convention may bring u only ”bread and butter,” but if u really aspire high, the sky is the limit! All u need to do is think and do things beyond convention! Its time to change the trend! Mail me for further info at ashish_padnani@yahoo.co.in
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