CBT Registration: Some New Policies and Procedures
An Overview of Registration & Scheduling: What You Need to Do
Examinees with Documented Disabilities
Computer-based USMLE: An Introduction for
Students and Graduates of Foreign Medical Schools
How to Prepare
ECFMG provides registered applicants with free practice materials for computer-based Step 1 and Step 2. These materials are available in two formats--as a printed booklet and in the form of a compact disc (CD).
Both the booklet and CD will help you become familiar with the types of questions you will encounter on the exams. The compact disc will help you to become familiar with the operation of a personal computer and with the exam software that you will encounter on the date of your exam.
If you do not have extensive experience with computers, you may be concerned about taking a computer-based exam. The NBME has conducted field trials to determine the effect of prior computer experience on examinee performance on computer-based exams. These field trials show that experience with computers generally does not affect how examinees score on computer-based, multiple-choice exams.
It is recommended that you practice with the exam software before taking the exam. One way to do this is to take the practice tests on the CD. The USMLE CD contains a brief tutorial and practice tests for both Step 1 and Step 2.
If you do not have the CD, you can install the Step 1 and Step 2 Sample Test Items on your computer from the USMLE web site.
If you have already received your scheduling permit for a computer-based Step, you can schedule a practice session for this Step at a Prometric test center. You must pay a fee to Prometric for this service. You should know that the practice materials used for the practice sessions at Prometric test centers are the same materials included on the USMLE CD. No new material will be presented during the Prometric practice sessions.
If you would like to take a practice session at a Prometric test center, you must register for the practice session to obtain a practice session scheduling permit. You can register for a practice session on the USMLE web site. Information on the fee for the practice sessions is also available at this site. If you do not have access to the Internet, you can call ECFMG at (215) 386-5900 for assistance.
Tip: When you register for a practice session, you will be asked for the Scheduling Number and Candidate Identification Number from your Step 1 or Step 2 scheduling permit. You must have your Step 1 or Step 2 scheduling permit before you can register for a practice session.
We hope that you find this brochure helpful in preparing to take computer-based USMLE Step 1 and Step 2. If you have questions about which entity to contact as you proceed through registration and scheduling, please refer to the Directory of Services. If you have questions about CBT that are not answered here, you can call ECFMG's Applicant Information Services at (215) 386-5900.
Copyright © 1999-2002 by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. All rights reserved.
Portions reprinted, with permission, from the USMLE 1999 Bulletin of Information on Computer-based Testing (CBT). Copyright © 1998 by the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc. and the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®).