Three Myths about USMLE Step 1

Three Myths about USMLE Step one:

1-It’s pure basic science: 

This is a common myth. Many people think USMLE step one is solely about basic sciences and has nothing to do with patient care. From the begging of USMLE 1, when it was ECFMG, the exam was basic sciences that are related to clinical. With the time, the committee are making the test more like clinical cases, to mimic the real life.
USMLE step 1 is heavily focus on materials that are related to clinical science. Unless you understand the basic of Medicine, you will not become a great physician. Basic Science is the foundation of the career of Medicine, whether they call it USMEL, MRCP (UK) or GAMSAT (Australia).

2-USMLE Step 2 is purely clinical:

This myth is very dangerous, as many students think they can do step 2 before step 1. They usually say “we want to hit two birds with one stone”, to prepare for Canadian as well.
I usually prefer to tell students “If you want to apply to Canada, take the Canadian, while if you want to apply to USA, take the USMLE”. 

Step two has almost 40% of it's materials are founded on basic sciences. Thus, if you flip the equation and take Step 2 before Step 1, you are doing your self a disservice 

3- To score 99, I will need to answer all the question correctly:

Even though, the term 99 is not used nowadays, I would use it to mean “High Score”. Although I took mine one thousand years ago, when I took 
the exam, 99 scores varied greatly. 

Excuse my French, but I use to name the barely scored 99 “ Homeless 99”.
I usually answer this myth by telling the students “Even Hippocrates, did not answer all the questions right!”

Well, Hippocrates was an ancient Greek Physician, so he did not technically need to do USMLE, he might aced the GMLE (Greek Medical License Examination). That was a joke!

To make a long story short, you are allowed to miss questions and still score 99 or 240. 

Lastly, the USMLE Step1, 2 and 3 might look intimidating but they are the road to become a great 
physician. Such a road wouldn't be paved with roses!

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