USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) Minimum Passing Score

USMLE examinations are mandatory for all first and then a clinical internship, engage thereafter as a doctor. Preparation for USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge can be a stressful business. It comprises of multiple choice questions on clinical applications of medical knowledge divided on eight 44 question sets. It requires many hours of dedication. USMLE scores are unfortunately the only real way to a residency program can evaluate the qualifications of a candidate. For this reason, many students feel extreme pressure to get the highest score possible. This pressure is even greater on foreign graduates. For many, they begin to lag the United States without any clinical experience, a language barrier and many years of lay-off of a traditional classroom. But despite these obstacles, it is worth the challenge.
  
    Most foreign graduates are married, have children and have a job, the usual scenario. The most important thing a student has to do is set a time line and transmits this timeline to your significant other very clearly and honestly. Without (or in some cases parents) your spouse's full support you will not achieve your goal. They need to know how long it will take, where do you stand now and what is your plan. If you share this information with them openly and completely your trip will free ride, and especially you have zero stress from your life, which is invaluable, while preparing for the USMLE Step 2 in particular.

    The score of USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge is reported in 2 digits and 3 digits scores. The minimum score required to pass this exam is 75 in the two digits score and 189 in 3 digits score; however, from 1st July 2012 the passing score is increased to 196. Good luck and work hard. Hard work always pays.

Source: http://usmleworldwide.blogspot.com/2012/07/usmle-step-2-clinical-knowledge-ck.html

Overview About USMLE

Introduction

The United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States and is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®).
The Composite Committee, appointed by the FSMB and NBME, establishes policies for the USMLE program. Membership includes representatives from the FSMB, NBME, Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®), and the American public.
Changes in the USMLE program may occur after the release of this Bulletin. If changes occur, information will be posted at the USMLE website. You must obtain the most recent information to ensure an accurate understanding of current USMLE rules. If you are unable to access updated USMLE information via the Internet, you may contact the USMLE Secretariat in writing for updated information.

1. Purpose of the USMLE
2. The Three Steps of the USMLE
3. Examination Committees
4. Ownership and Copyright of Examination Materials
5. CBT – Computer Based Testing
6. Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills)

Source: http://usmleworldwide.com/blog/?p=66

Attempt Limit for USMLE Examinations

All doctors wishing to practice medicine in the United States must take the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam), beyond who have graduated in that country or outside it. Medical graduates from outside the U.S. must take the USMLE before entering a residence or a research program. After approving the USMLE and received the certificate from the Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates Educational (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates - ECFMG) there is no distinction between foreign and American physicians when applying for residencies and other programs. In the perspective of attempt limits regarding the USMLE examinations, the http://blogs.askdoc-usmle.com provide the useful updates regarding that as per this blog, “Examinees who have made six or more attempts to pass a Step or Step component, including incomplete attempts, should be aware that all applications to register for additional attempts will not be processed unless they are submitted on or before December 31, 2012. This limit was first announced in August of [last year]. The effective date for the six-attempt limit depends upon whether an examinee has taken any Step or Step Component (including incomplete attempts) before January 1, 2012. Examinees who had NOT taken any Step or Step Component before January 1, 2012
if you did not take any Step or Step Component before January 1, 2012, the six-attempt limit went into effect for all exam applications that you submitted on or after January 1, 2012. Examinees who have taken any Step or Step Component before January 1, 2012.
If you have taken any Step or Step Component (including incomplete attempts) before January 1, 2012, the six-attempt limit is in effect for all exam applications that you submit on or after January 1, 2013.  After that date, all attempts at a Step or Step Component will be counted toward the limit, regardless of when the exams were taken.” To have further detailed, a particular individual can go ‘Bulletin of Information’ section of this blog. There are several source provides a rich online environment where medical students can prepare their vital clinical examinations. These web sites offers preparatory exams direct medical professional assessments such as the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills. In the perspective of preparation USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills there are several source on the web is a very comprehensive program with availability on convenience of taking courses online. There are several source offers a unique interactive experience that provides the opportunity to enhance learning and readiness of the medical examination candidates.

In the perspective of Review of Step 2 Clinical Skills. Evaluates if the applicant can demonstrate mastery of basic skills examination for essential patient care safely and effectively. There are three sub-components theme of the review of clinical skills step 2:

Another cutthroat advantage of these sources is that it uses only Board certified health professionals to develop and implement the contents. Web based USMLE courses are available in different lengths. Usually registration is simple and payments are accepted only paypal to protect the subscriber information.

 Source: http://usmleworldwide.blogspot.com/2012/07/attempt-limit-for-usmle-examinations.html

Effective way to get through in USMLE

examinations that is prerequisite to have the medical license in the jurisdiction of USA.  This examination is held under the sponsorship of Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®). It should be noticed that this step wise process is highly technical that required diligent attention to have the flying colors. In the perspective of USMLE, a United States Medical Licensing Examination that is also knows a USMLE is step wise series of different candidate should adhere with the schedule and particular dates so that any possible discrepancy could be avoided.  To be the certified USMLE professional, one should prepare oneself with proper attention, preparation and scheduling that is inevitable otherwise to have this examination on the basis of trial basis will be just the loss of resources.

There are several positive, useful and authentic sources regarding the USMLE that can easily be extracted via the internet such as official websites of medical authorities and different types of blogs. A particular enthusiastic candidate should keep update so that he or she could be achieved what the planned. 

In the perspective of getting the certifications on one go, there are several options regarding the preparation such as polishing the learning and skills via MCQs (multiple choice questions).  In that perspective, there are lots of online sources that offer such type of practices via on paid subscription or free to try. However, one aspect that should be seriously considered is the authenticity of particular resources because to have the flying colors and to be certified on one go proper, authentic and updated info is inevitable. 

Source: http://usmleworldwide.blogspot.com/2012/06/effective-way-to-get-through-in-usmle_04.html

Preparing for USMLE

Like any other tertiary level students, those in the medical school develop a sense of freedom when they are accepted as they are. They take risks and develop the initiative they feel recognition, not so much on their own success but on their efforts to learn what to pass USMLE steps each one successfully. They spend time studying their USMLE lessons because it has accepted responsibility and believes in their control for their own USMLE success or failure. This sense of internal locus of control benefits medical students because of the leadership, effort and sustained motivation.

In addition, medical students undergoing effective review of USMLE appreciate the results of their efforts and learn to make adjustments according to the results of their efforts. They evaluate their strategies and modify their learning styles as they mature and develop into self-management and personal fulfillment. This sense of direction and accomplishment gives the feeling of self-esteem that makes a difference in involvement, effort and persistence to succeed in the USMLE. Indeed, you wonder what is inside the USMLE examination that creates these aptly prepared USMLE medical students, right?

There are a number of things that the medical license control programs initiated to help medical students. First, they receive the emotional support and other events, like the blink of an eye, a smile or praise. Safety and preparedness of medical students are considered to reread the lessons learned and planning activities. Their experience of success in small tasks builds their confidence.

Secondly, the examination mentors and facilitators play behavior that says "Prepare for USMLE is fun," "You can do it", or "You can succeed if you study hard.”Mentors show their own interest, enthusiasm and positive attitude that provide the motivation for participants in the review.

Third, the review program itself is a balanced combination of expertise in the areas required for USMLE and interpersonal relationships. Review session activities and experiences are well planned to promote the learning of control, problem solving, persistence and success - where students develop self-esteem.

Fourth, leadership mentors provide guidance and authority in the development of discipline and competence. Firm decisions, participation encouragement and cooperation is highly stressed. After all, these firm decisions and directions are genuine expression of concern for participants to review the USMLE.

Examining mentors and facilitators can help the medical student to persist in his task of control of reinforcement and teaching him to stick to his task. Activities and practice tests are provided which makes the student experience success at each stage in the same time, awareness of the student's expectations.

While the medical student develops persistence, he gains confidence in himself and his ability to succeed. Ultimately, he learns to like engaging in important work and persist until it succeeds. This kind of experience will cultivate a fondness for the school, which is a very important factor for successful USMLE. 

Source:  http://usmleworldwide.blogspot.com/2012/05/preparing-for-usmle.html