The USMLE examination stands for the United Nations Medical licensing Examination. It is sponsored by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the Federation of State Medical Boards. USMLE is a standardized three-step exam that every medical student needs to qualify if they aspire to practice medicine in the United States. If you have decided to make your career in the medical field, you can find multiple options to help you become a medical professional.
Pursuing an MD program allows you to pursue a clinical career and establish a practice in medicine. It can be your first step towards entering the medical profession. Hence, learning about med school requirements is crucial before seeking admission to an MD program. Pre-Med coursework, MCAT(Medical College Admission Test), and English proficiency are some of the common medical school requirements.
Read ahead to find out the importance of the USMLE Step 1 score.
Importance of the USMLE Step 1 score
USMLE Step 1 is one of the most important exams you will take in your medical career since it will decide the medical specialty you can choose in your academic medical journey. Moreover, the score of USMLE Step 1 determines the type of residency program you match.
Firstly, as a prospective USMLE candidate, you must be wondering what can be considered a good score for step 1. Well, to qualify for the exam, you need a minimum score of 194. But in general, a score of 230 to 245 is considered a great score. A formal preparation before appearing for the test can boost your chances of qualifying for the exam with a good score.
USMLE Step 1: Exam Overview
The USMLE Step 1 examination assesses the understanding of concepts in basic science and their application within the practice of medicine. The residency program directors use the USMLE step 1 score to allocate the candidates to the residency program. Thus, qualifying the exam with a score can positively impact your medical career.
It may come to you as a surprise, but the medical schools on Caribbean island, help the medical students prepare for the USMLE Step 1 examination. It is an additional benefit for the students because USMLE preparations are a part of their academic curriculum. The preparation for the step 1 examination starts during the basic science program to ensure that the students pass the exam with the best possible score.
The test comprises nearly 280 questions and around 40 questions per block. It is an 8-hour lengthy examination, parted into seven blocks, each block of 60 minutes.
Conclusion
USMLE Step 1 scores is an important aspect as it helps the medical students match into residency programs in the United States. It is a universal score that the interviewers can compare for residency applicants. If practicing medicine is your career choice, you must enroll yourself in an MD program. However, only a student enrolled in an MD program from an accreditated medical school can appear for the USMLE Step 1 exam. Log on to our website to learn more about the USMLE Step 1 exam!
