USMLE Step 2-CK
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
The USMLE-Step 2-CK ("Clinical Knowledge") is the multiple-choice portion of the second part of the United States Medical Licensure Examination. Assesses clinical knowledge through a traditional, multiple-choice examination. In contrast to the USMLE Step 1, the focus is much more on clinical application of medical knowledge. The USMLE Step 2 is generally taken during the 4th year of medical school by medical students.
Format
The exam is a nine-hour single-day computer-based test composed of eight 46-question sets (368 multiple-choice questions in total). Each section is one hour long. The test taker is permitted 45 minutes, in total for the whole day, for the purpose of breaks that can only be taken between sections. There is a 15 minute tutorial at the beginning of the exam, which the test-taker can choose to skip, and have the time added to the break time. If the taker finishes any section before the alloted 1 hour time limit, the remainder of the time is added to break time. The test is administered at the Prometric testing sites around the world. Scoring is reported in 2 digit and 3 digit scores. Student is required to get 75 and 184 scores to pass the exam in 2 digit and 3 digit scores respectively.
Topics
- infectious and parasitic diseases
- neoplasms
- immunologic disorders
- diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs
- mental disorders
- diseases of the nervous system and special senses
- cardiovascular disorders
- diseases of the respiratory system
- nutritional and digestive disorders
- gynecologic disorders
- renal, urinary, and male reproductive systems
- disorders of pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium
- disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissues
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
- endocrine and metabolic disorders
- congenital anomalies
- conditions originating in the perinatal period
- symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions
- injury and poisoning