The USMLE-Step 2-CK is the nine-hour-long multiple-choice portion
of the second part of the United States Medical Licensure Examination. It
assesses clinical knowledge through a traditional, multiple-choice
examination. In contrast to the USMLE Step 1, the focus is much more on
clinical application of medical knowledge. It assesses the ability to
apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science
essential for the provision of patient care under supervision. The USMLE Step 2
is generally taken during the 4th year of medical school by medical students.
From January 2010, to take the exam in North America the registration fee is
$580 for students attending medical colleges in the United States and $850
for medical students from other countries. There are additional charges
for applicants who choose a testing region outside the United States or
Canada. Format
The exam is a nine-hour single-day computer-based test composed of eight
question sets with no more than 45 questions per set. Each section is one
hour long. The test taker is permitted 45 minutes, in total for the whole day,
for the purpose of breaks that can only be taken between sections. There is a
15-minute tutorial at the beginning of the exam, which the test-taker can
choose to skip, and have the time added to the break time. If the taker finishes
any section before the allotted 1 hour time limit, the remainder of the time is
added to break time. The test is administered at the Prometric testing
sites around the world. Topics
Step 2 CK includes test items in the following content areas: internal
medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, preventive medicine,
psychiatry, surgery, other areas relevant to provision of care under
supervision. Most Step 2 CK test items describe
clinical situations and require that you provide one or more of the following:
diagnosis, a prognosis, an indication of underlying mechanisms of disease, the
next step in medical care, including preventive measures.
Step 2 CK is a broadly based, integrated examination. It frequently requires
interpretation of tables and laboratory data, imaging studies, photographs of
gross and microscopic pathologic specimens, and results of other
diagnostic studies. Step 2 CK classifies test items along two dimensions: disease
category and physician task. Scoring
Scoring is reported in 3 digit scores. Most scores fall between 140 and 260,
with the mean score for first-time examinees from accredited medical
schools in the United States in the range of 220 to 230, and the standard
deviation approximately 25. The mean score for Step 2CK as of 42014 for
first-time test takers in US and Canadian medical schools is a 238 with a
standard deviation of 19. Every three to four years the Step Committees are asked
to complete an in-depth review of standards, and they may schedule more
frequent reviews. At its May 2014 meeting, the Step 2 Committee conducted
a review for USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge. As a result of its review,
the Step 2 Committee decided to raise the Step 2 recommended minimum passing
score to 209 for students taking the test after July 1, 2014.
Effect on Residency Matching The USMLE Step 2 CK score is one of many
factors considered by residency programs in selecting applicants. Along with the
USMLE Step 1, this test is a standardized measure of all applicants.
The median USMLE Step 2 scores for graduates of U.S. Medical Schools for
various residencies can be found in "Charting Outcomes in the Match"
available at loads09/Charting-Outcomes-2014-Final.pdf
See also USMLE Step 1
USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills USMLE Step 3
References External links
Official webpage in the USMLE website about Step 2CK
FreeMedicalMCQs.com Contains multiple choice questions for USMLE preparation