FAQ#15: Exam dates, recent graduate from medical school

I received this email from a medical student who just graduated and is currently waiting for housemanship posting, He is thinking about the USMLE given that he has some time at hand.

Before i start i would like to intro myself here... I just graduated from Medical school and currently waiting for my housemanship posting. I have always been interested in taking the Usmle
Here i would like to ask 3 simple questions which i hope ul can guide me thru it.

1. When are the examination dates? Is it only once a year?

The exams for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK will be taken in a test center. There is one in Kuala Lumpur. It is a computerized test. Just think of it as taking an 8-hour driving license. Like driving license test, you can take it any day of the year. You will have many people in the center taking other tests as well, such as TOEFL. There may also be those who will happen to be taking USMLE on the same day as you. Just like driving license computer test, the questions will be entirely different even if you take them on the same day.

2. Can i know how and where i could get myself registered for this exam?

You can apply for the exam via USMLE.org.

3. Do u think it is possible to study for Usmle during housemanship because i might be getting my posting in XXX and i think it my distrupt the entire studying process. Do u think it is worth to delay my housemanship a year later just to focus on this exam? I really hope you can give me a good advice on this.

I think it really depends on what are your goals. Most fresh medical graduates who express interest in the USMLE belong to one of the following groups:

The “All-in” group : I am sure that I really want to go to the U.S. My family is supportive of me putting away housemanship and focusing in the USMLE exams. I don’t care if my friends start posting their housemanship photos on Facebook. I won’t be envious because I have a much bigger goal now.

The “50-50” group: I really want to go to the U.S. However, I am not sure if I can really make it. Can I really do well in the USMLE? I don’t think my family will approve of me taking time off to study. All my friends are already working, how can I just keep studying and spending parent’s money? Okay, perhaps I will not delay my housemanship. In the meantime, I will spend my current free time studying for the USMLE. I will also try to work hard and take some hours out to study for USMLE when my housemanship starts. Perhaps I will do well in the Step 2 CK that I will be taking, which gives me the sign that I should continue to study and ace the Step 1, and then pass the Step 2 CS. Once I have those papers done, perhaps I will apply to the U.S. before I start MO-ship and have a chance to train in the U.S. Anyways, studying for the USMLE now will keep my clinical knowledge active, rather than lazing around before housemanship.

The “maybe” group : I just graduated,and have some time. What should I do? Maybe try to study for the USMLE? I am not too sure if I want to do that. This is my last vacation before slaving off with KKM. Wouldn’t it be good if my medical school degree is recognized all over the world? Anyways, will see. Perhaps I will try searching around about this USMLE thing, and see how hard the exam really is.

Therefore, I think in the end, it really depends on the amount of "pain" you are willing to go through. You probably just completed your major final medical school exam. You may decide that you want to take the time off to enjoy. Or you may decide to continue the momentum you had from studying for your finals, and pour your energy into studying for the USMLE.