USMLE Step 2-CK
Encyclopedia
The USMLE-Step 2-CK is the 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. The USMLE Step 2 is generally taken during the 4th year of medical school by medical students. From January 2010, the registration fee for the test is $780 for students who take it in North America, with additional charges for applicants who choose a testing region outside the United States or Canada.
testing sites around the world.
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.
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 are charted in Chart 7 on page 10 of "Charting Outcomes in the Match" available at http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2009v3.pdf
United States Medical Licensure Examination
The United States Medical Licensing Examination is a multi-part professional exam sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners . Medical doctors with an M.D...
. It assesses clinical knowledge through a traditional, multiple-choice examination. In contrast to the USMLE Step 1
USMLE Step 1
The USMLE Step 1 is the first part of the United States Medical Licensing Examination. It assesses whether medical school students or graduates can apply important concepts of the sciences fundamental to the practice of medicine. US medical students typically take Step 1 at the end of the second...
, the focus is much more on clinical application of medical knowledge. The USMLE Step 2 is generally taken during the 4th year of medical school by medical students. From January 2010, the registration fee for the test is $780 for students who take it in North America, with 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 44-question sets (352 multiple-choice questions in total). 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 alloted 1 hour time limit, the remainder of the time is added to break time. The test is administered at the PrometricPrometric
Prometric is a U.S. company in the test administration industry. Prometric operates a test center network composed of over 10,000 sites in 160 countries...
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 2 digit and 3 digit scores. On the 3-digit scale, 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 2-digit score is derived from the 3-digit score, so that 75 always corresponds to the minimum passing score. Students are required to get 75 in the two digit score and 189 in the three digit score to pass.Effect on Residency Matching
The USMLE Step 2 CK score is one of many factors considered by residencyResidency (medicine)
Residency is a stage of graduate medical training. A resident physician or resident is a person who has received a medical degree , Podiatric degree , Dental Degree and who practices...
programs in selecting
National Resident Matching Program
The National Resident Matching Program is a United States-based non-profit non-governmental organization created in 1952 to help match medical school students with residency programs...
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 are charted in Chart 7 on page 10 of "Charting Outcomes in the Match" available at http://www.nrmp.org/data/chartingoutcomes2009v3.pdf