Anyone here know when exactly are they planning to combine Step 1 & 2?

[Knicks]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I guess the question banks out there would also "update" themselves to reflect that sort of change, right?

 

[theman1990]

They'll do it as soon as they manage to triple the price of them... It's all about the $$$

 

[fergustsi]

I read on their website they are planning on making step 1 more like step 2 (clinical) and the step 2 and 3 will include more basic science concepts.
but i havent heard anything about combining the two.

"This endorsement marks the start of a multi-year process. During 2009, staff will:

• Convene a group of past and present Step Committee members to advise staff throughout the revision process;
• Review the balance of content in the Step 1 examination, with a goal of enhancing clinical relevance;
• Begin developmental efforts to increase representation of foundational science material in Steps 2CK and 3,
• Direct test committee members to develop items that more closely reflect the residency practice of recent medical school graduates; and
• Elaborate a timeline of developmental activities and implementation steps that may include changes to the Step 2 CS examination, new types of assessment activities, and other innovations needed to broadly measure the competencies of physicians who seek licensure to practice medicine within the United States"

http://www.usmle.org/General_Information/CRU/CRU-2009-06-19.html

 

[lord_jeebus]

My understanding is that if you know about the change either

1. You're too far along for it to affect you.

or

2. You should go back to studying for MCAT and worry about USMLE once you're a medical student.

 

[genius19]

are there any plans to combine USMLE step 1 and step 2 in the next 3-4 years ?

 

[sendwich]

one of our administrators said this will probably be in effect for the class of 2013

 

[genius19]

one of our administrators said this will probably be in effect for the class of 2013

do you mean students entering the med school in the year 2013 or those passing out in 2013 ?

 

[TXDO]

N/a

 

[genius19]

I guess it's for people who graduate in 2013, since I heard someone mentioned that the new step 1 will be tested in 2011 (2nd year of class'13).
It's just a guess, anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong 🙂Dsure I am)

Thanks

I am in a dilemma . I am currently a second year student in a top med school in India. I will be graduating in 2013. I was planning to take the step 1 after completion of second year. Now considering the fact that the new format of USMLE may be implemented by 2013 , when should I take the exam ?

 

[medschoolmania]

just curious but does anyone know exactly when(what year) till the test change will be put into effect? i understand why they would do such a change...but how and when will students be required to take the combined exam then? after 3rd year? LOL imagine trying to keep up with the basic sciences during the IM rotations!!!! complete nightmare if you ask me lol. anyone else with similar notions?

 

[medschoolmania]

but in all honesty, this would SHOULD be a sign of relief for most students because then the exam would be shown to be more effective in "real world" associations not so much the MOLECULAR reasoning behind certain aaspects. this will probably rid the type of information that we just choose to "cram" for the step lol

 

[TXDO]

I am in a dilemma . I am currently a second year student in a top med school in India. I will be graduating in 2013. I was planning to take the step 1 after completion of second year. Now considering the fact that the new format of USMLE may be implemented by 2013 , when should I take the exam ?

Second year of 4-year MD program in America which is 2011. I don't know about foreign school. However, it's not officially change yet, so we never know when it will be tested. For now, USMLE step 1 it is.

 

[metallo]

but in all honesty, this would SHOULD be a sign of relief for most students because then the exam would be shown to be more effective in "real world" associations not so much the MOLECULAR reasoning behind certain aaspects. this will probably rid the type of information that we just choose to "cram" for the step lol

Actually, I'm pretty sure they're just combining the basic science and clinical info. There will still be basic science questions, including molecular ones. I believe the reason they're doing this is to motivate students to retain basic science knowledge beyond second year. The NBME has published some info recently (someone on SDN posted a Powerpoint about it a few months ago) that shows that students don't retain enough basic science knowledge between Step 1 and Step 2.

 

[sendwich]

Actually, I'm pretty sure they're just combining the basic science and clinical info. There will still be basic science questions, including molecular ones. I believe the reason they're doing this is to motivate students to retain basic science knowledge beyond second year. The NBME has published some info recently (someone on SDN posted a Powerpoint about it a few months ago) that shows that students don't retain enough basic science knowledge between Step 1 and Step 2.

I've also heard that this will make the combined exam pass/no pass (no score), which has it's own goods/bads. Dont know if it's true but rumor has it that this will prompt a move to use shelf exams for years 1 and 2. grades will actually count! 🙁