All about USMLE Step 2 Exam: Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills
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The USMLE-Step 2 is the second part of the United States Medical Licensure Examination. It assesses clinical knowledge through a multiple-choice nine-hour long examination. The focus of Step-2 is more on the clinical application of medical knowledge. The ability to apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision are assessed. Step 2 is generally taken during the fourth year of medical school
Step 2 is divided into two exams – Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Clinical Skills (CS).
Step 2 CK test is composed of eight question sets with 45 questions per set. Each section is one hour long. The test includes questions from various content areas like internal medicine, paediatrics, preventive medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, surgery, psychiatry, and other areas relevant to the provision of care under supervision. This test requires interpretation of tables and laboratory data, results of other diagnostic studies, imaging studies, and photographs of gross and microscopic pathologic specimens.
Step 2 CS exam consists of 12 patient encounters, acted out by actors playing the role of patients. The examinees must take a history, do a physical examination, determine differential diagnoses, and then write a patient note based on their determinations. The topics covered are common outpatient visits in the fields of internal medicine, surgery, psychiatry, paediatrics, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Examinees are supposed to investigate the simulated patient's main complaint, obtain a thorough assessment of their past medical history, medications, allergies, social history, and family history. Examinees can also have one telephone encounter, speaking to a patient where there is no physical checkup.
Exam Centers
CK exam can be taken at all Prometric exam centres across the world.
CS exam can be taken only in the USA at five Clinical Skills Evaluation Centers (CSEC) located at:
- Atlanta
- Chicago
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- Philadelphia
Check out the Final Step on USMLE: Step 3 Exam.
Check out the standardised exams required to study abroad:
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
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The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.