ECFMG Registration Process: To enroll for the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1, the online registration can be completed via the USMLE website. The registration process involves the following steps:
- Establish an ECFMG account and apply for ECFMG Certification. Your ECFMG ID and password will be provided within approximately two weeks.
- Complete the USMLE Step 1 Application form on the ECFMG website, submit the exam fee, and choose your preferred eligibility period. You have the option to select a three-month window for scheduling your test.
- Fill out and dispatch Form 183 to ECFMG. Ensure that the signature of the college dean on the form corresponds to the one on record with ECFMG.
- Await the receipt of your scheduling permit from ECFMG. Approximately 2-3 weeks after mailing Form 183, you will receive an email from ECFMG containing your scheduling permit. This document is vital and must be brought with you on the day of the exam. Verify the permit to confirm the accuracy of the information provided.
USMLE Examination Centers:
The USMLE Step 1 is available for administration at Prometric test centers globally, including India. With more than 150 Prometric test centers located outside the United States and Canada, candidates have widespread accessibility. In India, there are eight designated USMLE test centers situated in major metropolitan cities, namely Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Allahabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
USMLE Step 1 Examination Structure: While the scoring for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 has undergone changes, the overall exam pattern remains consistent.
The USMLE Step 1 consists of a computer-based format with 280 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) organized into 7 blocks, each lasting 60 minutes. Each block contains a maximum of 40 questions, allowing 90 seconds per question. An optional 15-minute tutorial (USMLE Orientation) is provided, along with a minimum of 45 minutes of break time. The entire duration of the exam is 8 hours. Therefore, the total number of questions is 280. If you manage to complete a block in less than the allocated 60 minutes, any saved time can be utilized as additional break time.
USMLE Step 1 Attempts: Candidates are permitted to retake the USMLE Step 1 Exam up to four times. However, failing to pass or complete the exam on four occasions renders an individual ineligible to apply for any subsequent step in the USMLE sequence. Once you pass, your score is secured for a period of 7 years, during which you are not allowed to retake the exam.