FAQ#11: Plans for a final year European medical student

Question for a medical student from overseas:

"I am a final year medical student from Malaysia studying in Europe, and I would like to take the USMLE exam, therefore, I would like to seek your opinion, should I take the Step2 CK first since you mentioned in your blogs that the clinical knowledge are still fresh in mind? If so, when and where can I sit for the exam? I have read most of the FAQs written on your blog, that I can take the exam in Kuala Lumpur. As I am still in Europe, is it better for me to take the exam somewhere in Europe, for e.g Germany? 

I am JPA sponsored student, therefore, my initial plan was to go back to Malaysia, work as a houseman and then only seek to specialise after getting experiences from housemanship years, however, like yourself, I am interested in living in the US, and due to the issue of overflow of housemen in our country, do you think that I should just sit for the exam, which I have not planned and studied for it, yet. Therefore, I do not know if my plan to take the USMLE is good for me, Or, I should start my work as a houseman in Malaysia, and study for the USMLE as a part time job?

In your articles, you used US dollar $ in answering questions regarding the exam fees, do you mean RM or it really was in US dollar? I'm asking because for me the fees are expensive. :( 

When should I register myself to sit for the USMLE exam? If I register in May, I can take the exam in September in Kuala Lumpur for example? My graduation day will be in June, I will be staying in Europe in July, and most probably head home in early August, and then I can sit for the exam in September in Kuala Lumpur? where can I get the details of the location? 

I know you mentioned the website ECFMG for registration, get a USMLE ID, and then what's next? I have to make the payment online?

I apologise for all these questions, or rather my expression of confusions in taking the USMLE exams. I hope you can help me to make them clear and guide my visions in taking the USMLE examinations."

Dear Europe Med Student,

I will try to answer your questions one by one.

1) Should I take the Step 2 CK first?

Since you are a final year medical student, I see that it would be more advantageous for you to go for the Step 2 CK first.

2) Is it better for me to take the exam in Europe?

The location for where you take the exam doesn't really matter.  Just choose the exam location based on your convenience.

3) Cost of exam fees?

The exam fees change from time to time, but would cost around USD$800 to 900.  Yes, it is expensive if you convert it to Malaysian ringgit.  When I paid for my Step 1, I used the cost of it to motivate me to study harder and put in longer number of hours.  I am glad that I took it, as now that I am an internal medicine resident here in the U.S., earning salary in USD, and getting awesome training here, I was glad that I didn't let the cost of the exam deter me from taking it.  What you are worried about is that if you did poorly in the exam, you would have wasted all your money.  Let me tell you this, regardless of how well you do in the exam, you will have gained precious medical knowledge and have cultivated in yourself the hardworking spirit as you brace through the preparation process for this exam.

4) When should I register for my exam?

Ideally, you should register about 3-4 months prior to the date you plan to take it.

5) Should I start housemanship and study for the USMLE as a part time job?

That is definitely possible, but you will have to allocated more months in the preparation process.  Instead of 3-4 months full time, you may want to study it for 6-7 months part time.  This means the preparation process starts today.

6) Where is the location of the test center?

It is in K.L.

7) What's the step after getting the USMLE I.D.?

You will have to make the payment for the exam.  Once the payment goes through, your medical school will be sent a letter for them to prove that you are their medical student.  Once all is done, you will be allowed to schedule your exam.