USMLE Step 1 Information

(MUST BE TAKEN By THURSDAY 3-6-14)

Laurey Burris
Alice Stokes
Paula Tracy
Christa Zehle

http://www.usmle.org/step-1/#overview

EVERYTHING you need to know about USMLE can be found at www.nbme.org.

Application to the USMLE is available through the website. It is a two-step process:

Apply for eligibility for a 3-month period.

Once you are notified that you are eligible, apply for a specific test date and test site.

The testing site in Williston can accommodate a maximum of 12 examinees per day.
It is open Monday through Saturday.
We anticipate that many students will take the examination at other locations, and that

students will take it throughout the designated period.

Applying for Step 1

Go to www.usmle.org/apply. Follow the application instructions, complete your application, and
submit it to the NBME.

You will receive your USMLE ID# and password via email within 2 business days.
Select your 3 month eligibility period during which youd like to take the exam. Apply at least 4
weeks in advance of the start of the first month of your preferred eligibility period.
Complete your payment.

Print and complete the Certification of ID and Authorization and bring it to Student Affairs. We
will certify it and mail it to the NBME.
The Board will process your registration.
Student Affairs will verify your eligibility.
You will be issued a Scheduling Permit which you will print from the website.
Follow the instructions on your Scheduling Permit to schedule a test date.
Please read all of the information on the NBME website carefully and make sure to double
check your application for accuracy before you submit it. Scores usually take about 3 weeks to
post, they always post on a Wednesday. You will receive an email notification when your scores
have posted.
Remember to print and save a free copy of your USMLE transcript of scores as soon as you
are able to, youll need to have this in the future. It will remain available to you for about 120
days, after which time it will cost $50 to order a copy.

Exam Format
Computer-based
7 1-hour sessions (all in one day)
46-48 questions per session, 115 per question

45 minutes total break time

taken only between sessions
This is a marathon of reading on the computer and thinking.
Train for it!

Yes, Step 1 is a major milestone, but

You have plenty of time
You will be well-prepared by your curriculum

Yes, Step 1 is a major milestone, but

You have plenty of time
You will be well-prepared by your curriculum
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Create a study schedule

Resources to match your learning strategy (Library resources Alice Stokes)
Peer mentors/study partners
Step 1 Practice session (early January)
Minimize your anxiety

Yes, Step 1 is a major milestone, but

You have plenty of time
You will be well-prepared by your curriculum
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Create a study schedule

Resources to match your learning strategy (Library resources Alice Stokes)
Peer mentors/study partners
Step 1 Practice session (early January)
Minimize your anxiety

You have ways to assess your strengths and weaknesses to

focus your study
Your strengths and weaknesses in the VIC
Practice tests
Take one or more NBME Self-Assessments in addition to
whatever other practice tests you take. Use these to guide your
initial and midterm study plan.
To schedule an appointment with Laurey Burris regarding preparation for Step 1,
Please contact via email Kiersten.Hallquist@uvm.edu

http://www.nbme.org/
http://www.nbme.org/Students/sas/Comprehensive.html

NBME Self-assessment page

http://www.nbme.org/students/sas/information.html

CCSSA

CCMSA

Seven forms: 200 multiple-choice items each. Six forms

have an expanded feedback option.

CBSSA

Four forms: 184 multiple-choice items each. Two forms

have an expanded feedback option.

Two forms: 180 multiple-choice items. Item

formats are similar to those used in Step 3. Two
forms have an expanded feedback option.

Standard-Paced

Four sections, 50 items each. Up to 1 hour, 5 minutes to

complete each section.

Four sections, 46 items each. Up to 1 hour, 3 minutes

to complete each section.

Five sections; 36 items each. Up to 45 minutes

to complete each section.

Self-Paced

Four sections; 50 items each. Up to 4 hours, 20 minutes

to complete each section.

Four sections, 46 items each. Up to 4 hours, 12 minutes Five sections; 36 items each. Up to 3 hours to
to complete each section.
complete each section.

Format

Access &
Assessment

Self-Assessments are delivered over the Web. You must log on to access a self-assessment and start it within 30 days (access period). Once the self-assessment is
started, you must complete it within 20 days. You may sign off and resume/continue the self-assessment at any time during this 20-day administration period.

Self-Assessments are delivered over the Web. You must log on to access a self-assessment and must start within 30 days (access period). Once the self-

Access to Assessment & assessment is started, you must complete it within 20 days. You may sign off and resume/continue the self-assessment at any time during this 20-day administration
period.
Administration Period
These self-assessments are available for a fee of $50.00 in US currency ($60.00 for the expanded feedback option). Payment is non-refundable.

Fees

*Note: You cannot change the timing mode of a self-assessment once you have accessed it.

http://www.usmle.org/practice-materials/

Yes, Step 1 is a major milestone, but

You have plenty of time
You will be well-prepared by your curriculum
You have ways to assess your strengths and weaknesses to
focus your study
Average across your courses
Practice tests
Take one or more NBME Self-Assessments in addition to
whatever other practice tests you take. Use these to guide your
initial and midterm study plan.
January 31, 2014 you will take the Comprehensive Basic Science
Shelf exam from the NBME (required). Use the results to guide
your final study plan. (3-day turnaround)

The Comprehensive Basic Science Examination is a general, integrated achievement test

covering material typically learned during basic science education, with somewhat more
emphasis on second-year courses. The exam reflects content coverage on USMLE Step 1 and
uses the same item formats.
System
General Principles 40%50%
Individual Organ Systems 50%60%
Hematopoietic & lymphoreticular
Central & peripheral nervous
Skin & related connective tissue
Musculoskeletal
Respiratory
Cardiovascular
Gastrointestinal
Renal/urinary
Reproductive
Endocrine
Process
Normal 30%50%
Abnormal 30%50%
Principles of therapeutics 15%25%
Psychosocial, cultural, occupational, and environmental considerations 10%20%

Relationship Between
Foundations Grades, CBSSE
Score and USMLE Step 1 Score
UVM COM
Data from Classes of 2014 & 2015

Correlations
USMLE Step 1
Score
Foundations
Average

.780**

CBSSE Score

.838**

** Significant at p<.01 (2-tailed)

Subject Performance

Class of 2015 CBSSE Score Distribution

16
14

Number of Students

12
10
8
6
4
2
0
<52

53-55

56-58

59-61

62-64

65-67

68-70

71-73

74-76

77-79

80-82

83-85

86-88

89-91

92-94

95-97

98+

Scores

20,200 national test takers (2008-11): average 64 with standard deviation of 10

111 UVM test takers: average 74.0 with standard deviation of 10.1

Class of 2015: Subject Performance Summary

NBME Step 1 Examination with an average score = 230 and a 99.1% pass rate.

Important Dates
Students must complete USMLE Step 1 prior to
beginning Clerkship
You will have 5 weeks of protected study time

Convergence ends Thursday, January 30, 2014

NBME Practice Comprehensive Basic Science
exam will be given Wednesday, January 31, 2014
Clerkship Bridge I begins Monday, March 10, 2014
Last possible date to take USMLE Step 1 is
Thursday, March 6
NOT recommended
Emergent situations
Snowstorms
You need a break before clerkship!

When Should You Start Studying for Step 1?

0.45
0.40

Fraction of Respondents

0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00

When Should You Schedule Step 1?

1.00

Fraction of Respondents

0.90
0.80
0.70
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.30

0.20
0.10
0.00

In retrospect, which organ systems would you focus on?

0.70

Fraction of Respondents

0.60

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20

0.10

0.00

* Don't choose another answer if you choose this option.

In retrospect, what subject areas would you focus on?

0.45
0.40

Percent of Respondents

0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.00

* Don't choose another answer if you choose this option.

What Study Guides Should You Use?

How Many Full Length Practice Tests Should You Take?
What Percentage of Your Study Time Should be Spent on Practice Questions?

USLME Step 1 Student Panel

Please feel free to view these students as mentors, and
contact them with any questions:

James McAvoy: James.McAvoy@med.uvm.edu

Liz Abernathey: Liz.Abernathey@med.uvm.edu
Casey Wilson: Casey.E.Wilson@med.uvm.edu
Whitney Hine: Whitney.Hine@med.uvm.edu
Alison Aly Frizell: Alison.Frizell@med.uvm.edu (was
not present for the panel, but has volunteered to be a
resource)