The United States Medical Licensing Examinations are designed to assess all of the knowledge and skill acquired during medical school, so it is not possible to study all of the relevant information in a brief period. In other words, the best preparation for success on the USMLE is diligence and hard work in medical school. That being said, there are a few good ways to get prepared in the days before the exam.

For one thing, students should undertake a general review of all the content outlined in the examination descriptions. Any areas of content that seem unfamiliar should be reviewed more thoroughly. The USMLE website also offers some free test samples so that students can become acquainted with the format and level of difficulty of the exam. Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 are all administered via computer, and students are given an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the software before their testing date. Indeed, students are encouraged to practice with the software before their test date, since testing site staff are not authorized to provide guidance. Software practice is available at the USMLE website.

Finally, students may want to acclimate themselves to testing conditions by visiting one of the Thomson Prometric testing centers in advance of their exam. For a small fee, students can tour the testing center and review some sample testing materials. Any student who has completed his or her registration for the Step 1, Step 2 CK, or Step 3 exam is eligible to schedule some practice time at a Thomson Prometric location.

USMLE Preparation information provided by Morrison Media LLC.

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