How to prepare for USMLE?
Step 1 can be taken anytime after the second yr of MBBS.
Step 2 consists of 2 exams : CK and CS i.e. Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills respectively.
While step 1 and step 2 CK can be taken in India at the Prometric centres, step 2 CS is offered at 4 centres in the US only as it is a practical exam where simulated patients are given to you with different case scenarios.
Step 3 is the last step and can be taken either before or after applying for the match.
Apart from clearing these examinations with good scores, you must have certain activites which give you an edge over the others like Research, US clinical experience in the form of electives or observerships, voluntary work etc.
This is the basic overview of the USMLE. Feel free to ask any more queries and i will be more than happy to help.
Good luck.
In order to prepare for USMLE you should take question bank. Solve as many as MCQs for your practice.
Below is the list of most popular books
-
Anatomy: “High-Yield Gross Anatomy”
-
Behavioral Science: “High-Yield Behavioral Science” or “BRS Behavioral Science”
-
Biochemistry: “Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry”, “BRS Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”, or “High-Yield Biochemistry”
-
Biostatistics: “High Yield Biostatistics”
-
Embryology: “High-Yield Embryology” or “BRS Embryology”
-
Genetics: “High Yield Genetics”
-
Histology: “High-Yield Histology” or “BRS Cell Biology and Histology”
-
Immunology: “High-Yield Immunology or “Review of Medical Microbiology and Immunology”
-
Medical Ethics: “Master the Boards USMLE Medical Ethics: The Only USMLE Ethics High-Yield Review “ or “Khan's Cases: Medical Ethics”
-
Microbiology: “Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple”
-
Neuroanatomy: “High-Yield Neuroanatomy” or “Clinical Neuroanatomy Made Ridiculously Simple”
-
Pathology: “Rapid Review Pathology” (Goljan)
-
Pharmacology: “Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology” or “Katzung and Trevor's Pharmacology”
-
Physiology: “BRS Physiology”
You should also take complete mock test series to analyze your preparation level and to know your strength and weakness.
All the Best!!