STEP 2 CK ( Step 2 Clinical Knowledge) assesses whether you can apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision and includes emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. Step 2 ensures that due attention is devoted to principles of clinical sciences and basic patient-centered skills that provide the foundation for the safe and competent practice of medicine. It is a computerized test of the clinical sciences consisting of 370 multiple-choice questions. Step 2 is required for ECFMG certificate. It reflects the level of clinical knowledge of the applicant.

Step 2 specifications: Aspect One:

Normal conditions and disease categories

a) 10-15% Normal Growth and Development, General Principles of Care

b) 85-90% Individual Organ Systems or Types of Disorders

a) 15-20% Promoting Health and Health Maintenance

b) 25-40% Understanding Disease Mechanisms

c) 25-40% Establishing a Diagnosis

d) 10-20% Applying Principles of Management

Eligibility: Students and graduates from medical schools that are listed in IMED are eligible to take Step 2. Students must be within 12 months of graduation by the beginning of the eligibility period selected.

Eligibility Period: A three-month period of your choice.

Fees: A fee for Step 2 is $ 685 plus an international test delivery surcharge (if you choose a test region other than US and Canada)

Retaking exam: In the event you failed the test, you can reapply and select an eligibility period that begins at least 60 days after the last attempt. You cannot take the same Step more than three times in any 12-month period. If you pass a Step or Step Component, you are not allowed to retake it, except to comply with the time limit of a medical licensing authority for the completion of all Steps or a requirement imposed by another authority recognized by the USMLE program for this purpose. The medical licensing or other authority must provide information indicating that you are applying to retake the passed Step or Step Component in order to comply with its requirement. If you are repeating a Step or Step Component because of a time limit, you may apply to retake the examination only after the applicable time limit has expired.

Application materials and Test delivery: Same as Step 1.

Score reporting: USMLE Step scores are sent to you by your registration entity- for Step 1 and Step 2, either NBME or ECFMG; Scores ready for release are released on a weekly basis on Wednesdays. Generally these will include examinees tested three to six weeks before the release date. Currently, the passing scores as set by the USMLE program is 182 on three-digit scale and 75 on a two-digit scale. Each of these corresponds to answering 60-70% of the items correctly.

Statistics: In 2000-2001, 75% of ECFMG candidates passed Step 2 on their first attempt, compared with 95% of US and Canadian candidates. In 2002-2003, the pass rates for first-time takers from MD-granting US and Canadian medical schools were 97% and 96%, respectively, whereas from non-US medical schools, it was 79%.

Tips: Because this is a clinical sciences exam, cultural and geographic considerations play a greater role than is the case with Step 1. You must work to familiarize yourself with topics that are more heavily emphasized in US medicine. You must also have a basic understanding of the legal and social aspects of the US medicine, because you will be asked questions about communicating with and advising patients. The recommended study period is 6-9 months.

a) First Aid for USMLE Step 2

b) Kaplan Medical USMLE Step 2 CK Q Book

c) Crush Step 2: The ultimate USMLE Step 2 Review

d) NMS Review for USMLE Step 2

e) USMLE Step 2 secrets

f) USMLE Step 2 Mock Exam

g) Clinical Vignettes for the USMLE Step 2: Pre-Test Self-Assessment & Review

h) Appleton & Lange's Review for USMLE Step 2

i) Rypin's Clinical Sciences Review

j) Prescription for the Boards, USMLE Step 2

k) Cracking the Boards: USMLE Step 2 (Princeton Review)

l) USMLE Step 2 The Stanford Soultions to the NBME Computer-Based Sample Test Questions

m) Medical Boards Step 2 Made Ridiculously Simple

Courses for Step 2 CK:

a) Center Prep USMLE Step 2 CK- Kaplan

b) Intense Prep USMLE Step 2 CK- Kaplan

c) Med-Pass for USMLE Step 2 CK- Kaplan

d) Deluxe Prep for USMLE Step 2 CK- Kaplan

e) Live Prep for USMLE Step 2 CK- Kaplan

f) Falcon Physician Reviews- USMLE Step 2 CK

g) UKMC Institute for Professional Preparation

a) Kaplan Medical USMLE Step 2 CK Q book

b) Q Bank USMLE Step 2 CK- Kaplan

c) USMLE-World Step 2 Q Bank

d) NBME Self-Assessment Program

e) Exam Master Online- USMLE Step 2

f) USMLEasy Step 2

g) Q Review USMLE Step 2 CK- Kaplan