Tufts University School of Medicine

Preparing for the USMLE Exams

Tufts School of Medicine students are very well prepared for the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) through the Tufts medical education curriculum. From the beginning of your medical education journey, Tufts School of Medicine provides students with resources and support to prepare for the USMLE licensing exams. Some of the resources include: 

  • Class meetings and student panel to provide advice from 3-4th year students 
  • National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) subject base exams in the second year of medical school 
  • Comprehensive Basic Science Exam (CBSE) mandatory practice for all second year students offered in the spring semester
  • Group discounts on board preparation materials including UWORLD, Sketchy Medical and Pathoma
  • Board Review Course offered in the Spring of the second year before dedicated study 
  • Individual and small group sessions with the Associate Director of Academic Support

Step 1 

The United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. The USMLE Step 1 is designed to assess a physician’s ability to apply knowledge, concepts and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills (NBME, 2018).

Step 2 

The United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 2 consists of two separate examinations. The USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) is a multiple–choice exam, which assesses your ability to apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for patient care under supervision (NBME, 2018). The USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) is a one day, “hands-on” examination, which uses standardized patients to test medical students on their ability to gather information from patients, perform physical exams, and communicate findings to patients and colleagues (NBME, 2018).

Step 2CK