kells wrote:
Step 1 - 8 hours, taken in 2nd or 3rd year of medical school, very high stakes. Closed-book. If you do poorly, you can forget about a competitive specialty. $1000. Step 2 - 8 hours, taken in 3rd year. Score isn't as important but can still screw you if you tank it. Closed-book. $1000.
Step 2 CS - 8 hours, you go around and see a bunch of fake patients. Unfortunately this test is only offered in a few cities, so it's gonna run you a few thousand dollars for travel + testing fees.
Step 3 - 8 hours, taken in intern year. Hard to study when you're working 80 hour weeks, but if you fail, you can't get a medical license. Closed-book. $1000.
Each Step tests similar material - a little bit more advanced as you go, but they cover all specialties. If you're a fully boarded doctor overseas, chances are you have to take all the Steps in the US to practice here.
After all this, you're qualified to obtain your medical license. My medical school did not cover the testing fees whatsoever - all goes into that huge pile of loans you've accumulated.
Close, this is the current state of affairs:
Step 1 - 8 hours - $600
Step 2 CK - 9 hours - $600
Step 2 CS - 8 hours - $1275 (only offered in 5 cities)
Step 3 - 6 hours / 9 hours (2 days) - Total 15 hours - $830