How To Prepare For USMLE
USMLE STEP 1 & STEP 2 PREPERATION
Graduates of international medical schools must take and pass all steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination in order to be eligible to practice in the United States. This is an important requirement for AUC students who plan to obtain licensure to practice in the U.S.
The AUC medical school curriculum includes elements designed to prepare students to succeed on these important exams. In addition, AUC has partnered with organizations such as Becker Professional Education (Becker) and C3NY to make USMLE prep resources available to our students.
USMLE STEP 1
Your Step 1 score significantly affects how competitive you are in the residency match. The medical sciences portion of AUC's curriculum, taught during students' first five semesters, includes USMLE preparation for Step 1.
AUC students prepare for USMLE Step 1 preparation during the Medical Sciences portion of the curriculum. The capstone to Medical Sciences is Introduction to Clinical Medicine VI (ICM VI), a course taught with contributions from adjunct faculty who specialize in Becker Professional Education review strategies geared towards optimal performance on Step 1.
INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL MEDICINE VI (ICM VI)
Course Objectives
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Provide a structured comprehensive review of medical sciences
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Provide the various learning methods for building insights for solving scientific and clinical problems by organizing pieces of knowledge the students accumulated during the medical sciences curriculum into a systematic whole
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Prepare students for clinical medicine with sound medical sciences knowledge
The course is structured to promote improvement in learning and problem solving. It includes various subject examinations and comprehensive examinations. Individual scores on the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) exams are compared with national norms relevant to the assessment of students’ competencies. The focus of the review is on application and integration of knowledge rather than recall of isolated facts.
It is comprised of two parts: Medical Science Live Review and NBME Assessment, and Comprehensive Basic Science and Pathophysiology Live Reviews. This provides an overview of clinical cases and correlations by Becker medical specialists. Students review the basic medical science material throughout the Becker review program. During this course, students have access to Becker review books, which provide updated, relevant material on the current USMLE Step 1 Examination. A student’s strengths and weaknesses are identified during the course using Becker diagnostic tools.
Materials
The following materials are provided as part of the ICM VI live review lectures in addition to the NBME Subject Exams.
- Seven volumes of USMLE Step 1 Lecture Notes (Anatomy, Behavioral Science, Biochemistry, Pathology, Physiology, Immunology/Microbiology & Pharmacology)
- USMLEWORLD Qbank
Examinations
AUC provides students with diagnostic tools, two NBME Comprehensive Examinations, various subject examinations and the Becker USMLE Computer Simulated Comprehensive Examination.
USMLE STEP 2
Step 2 CK and CS scores are becoming increasingly important to residency directors. The foundational knowledge our students receive through our clinical sciences curriculum is aimed at increasing student’s USMLE preparation for the Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Clinical Skill (CS) sections. AUC’s partnership with Becker and other educational partners, in addition to strategic initiatives led by institutional leaders, also strengthens students’ readiness.
For a deeper look at Step 2 CK, check out our USMLE Step 2 CK FAQs.
The clinical skills and knowledge our students attain while completing rotations at affiliated teaching hospitals helps prepare them for Step 2 CK. Additional resources available to AUC students to prepare for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)® Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) include Millennium Program components, online lectures through Becker Professional Education (Becker) and review programs through USMLEagle Prep LLC (USMLEagle Prep).
Canvas
Canvas is an online learning environment designed to enhance the experience of our clinical students and improve their preparedness for USMLE Step 2. It provides all clinical students access to course objectives, lists of essential patient encounters, online cases to complement real patient care, and practice questions.
Step 2 CK Live Online
This Becker program provides a comprehensive approach to the USMLE Step 2 CK that is focused on understanding, retention, and clinical teaching, not rote memorization. The online program utilizes interactive live lectures delivered by experienced subject matter experts. Live lectures with faculty occur during evenings and weekends using the Adobe® Connect™ platform, allowing students to access the program anywhere they have Internet access. Students have access to more than 2,500 questions through Assessment Exams and Question Bank resources.
USMLEagle Prep LLC
USMLEagle Prep offers smaller-sized classes to help ensure that each student receives the individualized attention necessary to successfully pass the USMLE Step 2 CK. USMLEagle’s tutors are MDs with clinical management backgrounds who have maintained an emphasis on education.
Workshops include systems-based exam review, group and individual sessions, a personalized strengths and weaknesses calendar, and use of the computer lab.
For a deeper look at Step 2 CS, download our USMLE Step 2 CS FAQs and related appendices.
AUC helps students access a number of different programs and workshops to prepare for Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)®.
Clinical Skills Assessment
AUC has partnered with Becker Professional Education (Becker) to develop a complimentary Step 2 CSA (Clinical Skills Assessment) for AUC students. The program covers six Standardized Patient (SP) encounters in a test-like setting, including:
- Focused History
- Focused Physical Examination
- Communications
- Patient Notes
CSAs are offered in Chicago, Miramar, Detroit, New York, Washington DC, Pomona, CA, and the United Kingdom. For more information, including dates, times, and how to enroll, click here.
New York Clinical Skills Prep
This course will prepare students for all components of the USMLE Step 2 CS, including Integrated Clinical Encounter (ICE), Communication and Interpersonal Skills (CIS), and Spoken English Proficiency (SEP). Students will learn how the exam is graded, what the standardized patients are looking for and how to write patient notes.