General
- How do I apply for the USMLE?
- What is the cost of the USMLE exams?
- Is there a fee for changing my appointment?
- Am I allowed to bring water into my exam?
- Where can I obtain a copy of the USMLE Bulletin of Information?
- How do I update my contact information (email, mailing address, phone number) or register a name change?
- Why did the policy on attempt limits change?
- Do the Steps have to be taken at particular points during my medical education and career?
- If I have been granted a license by a US medical licensing authority based on other licensure exams, am I eligible to take the USMLE?
- I am a graduate of a medical school outside the United States and Canada. How can I get information on what is required to enter graduate medical education and/or practice medicine in the United States?
- I am a MD/PhD candidate and the state board where I am applying for licensure requires applicants to complete all three Steps within seven years. Is there an exception to this policy?
- What are the rules regarding retakes?
- Can I retake a Step that I previously passed?
- What is ERAS?
- How do I report a problem related to my testing administration?
- What are the rules regarding what I can and cannot bring into the secure areas of the testing center?
- When can I begin writing on the provided noteboards?
- How early should I arrive to the test center for my scheduled appointment?
- What forms of acceptable identification can I present at the testing center?
- What should I do if my name as it appears on my scheduling permit does not match the government identifcation I plan to present on test day?
- How do I prepare for the test? Is there a review book for USMLE?
- Is there a deadline to extend my Step 1 and/or Step 2 CK eligibility period?
- How can I check the status of my Step 1 and Step 2 CK application?
- Can I cancel my application after submission and receive a refund?
Anomalous Performance
- Why did my exam outcome get flagged for anomalous performance?
- Is the email I received related to score invalidation?
- Why can't I appeal my anomalous performance sanction?
- I had extenuating circumstances on my exam day that I feel impacted my performance. Who can I speak to about this?
- Should I request a score recheck?
- I have an incomplete registration for another USMLE Step that has not been cancelled - what should I do?
Applying, Scheduling, and Rescheduling
- I am an IMG from one of the countries listed in President Trump’s Executive Order 14161, which restricts travel into the United States as of June 9, 2025. Can I still take my exam?
Attempt Limit
- When did the change to the attempt limit policy take effect?
- What is the USMLE policy on attempt limits?
- Before July 2021, USMLE allowed six attempts per Step examination. Why did this change?
Biometric Enabled Check-In System
- What biometric information is collected from a USMLE® candidate?
- How long will my biometric information be stored?
- Who will have access to my biometric information?
- Will my biometric information be used by Prometric, USMLE, or USMLE sponsors for purposes other than those stated in the Privacy Notices for USMLE Candidates?
- I would like to read the Biometric Enabled Check-in System Privacy Notice.
- How does the USMLE obtain your consent to collect biometric information and how can you withdraw consent?
Cancelling & Rescheduling
- Are there reasons Prometric may need to cancel my testing appointment?
- How can I know which Prometric centers are open?
- I'm unable to test, what should I do?
Practice Materials
- Where can I get sample test materials to practice taking a test?
- Can I use the USMLE practice materials on a Mac?
- Who can I talk to if I have trouble installing or using practice materials?
- Can I access web-based practice materials on my phone?
- What are the system requirements for using the streaming Step examination practice materials?
Score Report
- I took my exam over multiple days, but I only see Day 1 on my score report. Was Day 2 scored?
- If I scheduled a test appointment, but did not show up for the exam does the "no show" appear on transcripts.
- Who else sees my score report?
- How much of each content area appears on the examination?
- What is the best remediation strategy if I did not pass a Step examination? Should I focus only on content areas in the lower or same categories?
- In the relative strengths and weakness section of my score report, all the boxes for every content area are the same as my overall performance. What does this mean?
- How do I interpret my Relative Strengths and Weaknesses?
- What is the standard error of the estimate (SEE), and what does it tell me about my performance?
- How is my performance compared to others?
- What is the minimum passing standard, and is it always the same?
- How are scores from different forms of a Step examination made comparable?
- Why have the Step examination score reports changed and how was the new format developed?
- How do I interpret my score?
Scores
- When will I get my scores?
- What are the passing scores for the three Steps, and do they ever change? If so, why?
- Why isn't my score available right after testing?
- What are the current pass rates for the Steps?
- What are the group pass rates by medical school for the Steps?
- May I retake a Step that I passed to raise my score?
- How can I request a transcript of my USMLE scores?
- How do I request a score recheck?
- Who else sees my score report?
- Does USMLE use normative scoring/grade on a curve?
Step 1
- When did the policy change of reporting Step 1 as pass/fail only occur?
- What information appears on USMLE transcripts since the transition to Step 1 pass/fail?
- If I received a 3-digit score on Step 1 examination, will my 3-digit score be visible on paper and ERAS transcripts after Step 1 outcomes are reported as pass/fail?
- How can I compete with others who have a numeric score when I have pass/fail?
- What new content appeared on Step 1 exams administered after the exam was updated in October 2020?
- What kinds of pharmacology items are on the Step 1 following the October 2020 updates?
Step 2 CK
- How is foundational (basic) science being assessed on Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) since the November 2020 update?
- What changes in content categories such as Diagnosis Management or Organ Systems occurred in the November 2020 update to the Step 2 CK exam?
Step 3
- Where can I find more information about CCS?
- What are my responsibilities?
- How do I manage a patient?
- How do I write/cancel orders?
- How do I see order results?
- How do I advance simulated time in a Primum Computer-Based Case Simulation (CCS) case?
- Can I change my mind or cancel an order?
- When should I order a consultation?
- What kind of feedback do I get while caring for the patient?
- How long do cases last?
- How do I end a Computer-Based Case Simulation (CCS)?
- What do I do when the Computer-Based Case Simulation (CCS) ends?
- What should I do if we have a computer problem?
Test Accommodations
- What if I’ve never received accommodations in school or for other exams?
- What is the cost of applying for accommodations?
- What is the standard equipment at Prometric Test Centers?
- What accessibility features are standard (do not require an accommodation request)?
- How do I request testing accommodations?
- What should I do if I have a disability that requires test accommodations?
- Are separate testing rooms available?
- Is there a file size limit?
- How long does the personal statement have to be?
- How much documentation should I provide?
- What if historical records are relevant to my request but I cannot access academic records and/or information to my scores or need for accommodations on previous standardized tests (for example, SAT scores)?
- What does a temporary hold on my scheduling permit mean?
- How long does the accommodation review process take?
- Who reviews my file?
- When does the processing of my request start?
- How long before I know if I need to send additional information?
- If I am not approved for my requested accommodations, how do I appeal that decision?
- Can you speak with my provider directly?
- Can I speak directly to the individual reviewing my file?
- I was granted accommodations to a Step exam. Do I need to submit a request for subsequent exams?
- What do you do for nursing/breastfeeding individuals?
- Can I request new or additional accommodations for a subsequent exam?
- When will I be able to schedule my exam? Can I schedule my test while my file is in process?
- Can I withdraw my request for test accommodations?
- How can I see available test dates and centers?
- If my eligibility period has begun and my request for accommodations is still in process, will I lose time to schedule my exam?
- How do I cancel and/or reschedule my test date?
- Who do I contact for registration or eligibility questions?
- What documentation do I need to provide in support of my accommodation request?
- What if I have an emergency and need to take a break during an open block?
- What if I’ve never received accommodations in school or for other exams?
- If my eligibility period has begun and my request for accommodations is still in process, will I lose time to schedule my exam?
- Is it possible to get a different accommodation than the one I requested?
