This guide contains information on the resources available for the USMLE Step 1 through this library. This examination will be taken during second year of medical school and there are many resources readily available. This guide will contain electronic and print books available through this library to further your application of basic science principles that will later be implemented in the practice of clinical medicine.
First learn more about the USMLE STEP 1 through their website at https://www.usmle.org
This guide also contains information on STEP 2 & STEP 3 which will be completed through your clinical years.
The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and NBME, co-sponsors of the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®), are today announcing the discontinuation of work to relaunch a modified Step 2 Clinical Skills examination (Step 2 CS).
Following the May 2020 suspension of Step 2 CS due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we announced our intention to take 12-18 months to bring back a modified Step 2 CS exam that was appreciably better than the prior assessment. After reviewing current and anticipated progress with the exam and in consideration of the rapidly evolving medical education, practice and technology landscapes, we have decided to discontinue Step 2 CS. We have no plans to bring back Step 2 CS, but we intend to take this opportunity to focus on working with our colleagues in medical education and at the state medical boards to determine innovative ways to assess clinical skills.
Independent standardized assessments of medical knowledge and clinical skills are important inputs for state medical licensure decisions. In the absence of Step 2 CS, elements of clinical reasoning and communication will continue to be assessed on other exams (Steps) in the USMLE sequence. Computer-based case simulations in Step 3 and communication content recently bolstered in Step 1 are examples of these efforts that will continue. While not a replacement for Step 2 CS, these formats continue to contribute positively, e.g., measuring critical knowledge of medical communication.
Updated January 26, 2021
Available in print in the library.
Available in print in the library
Available in print in the library.
6th edition
ClinicalKey
7th edition
LWW
2nd edition, c. 2019
LWW
2nd edition, c2013
LWW
1st edition, c2016
LWW
4th edition, c2020
LWW
2nd edition, c. 2018
2nd edition
LWW
8e
LWW
6e
LWW
9e
LWW
6e
LWW
6e
LWW
2e
LWW
7e
LWW
7e
LWW
Step 1 Test Specifications
System | Range, % |
General Principles** | 12-16 |
Blood & Lymphoreticular/Immune Systems | 7-11 |
Behavioral Health & Nervous Systems/Special Senses | 9-13 |
Musculoskeletal, Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue | 6-10 |
Cardiovascular System | 5-9 |
Respiratory & Renal/Urinary Systems | 9-13 |
Gastrointestinal System | 5-9 |
Reproductive & Endocrine Systems | 9-13 |
Multisystem Processes & Disorders | 6-10 |
Biostatistics & Epidemiology/Population Health | 4-6 |
Social Sciences: Communication & Interpersonal Skills | 6-9 |
* Percentages are subject to change at any time.
** The General Principles category for the Step 1 examination includes test items concerning those normal and abnormal processes that are not limited to specific organ systems. Categories for individual organ systems include test items concerning those normal and abnormal processes that are system-specific.
Step 1 Physician Tasks/Competencies Specifications
Competency | Range, % |
Medical Knowledge: Applying Foundational Science Concepts | 60-70 |
Patient Care: Diagnosis | 20-25 |
Patient Care: Management | 0** |
Communication & Interpersonal Skills | 6-9 |
Practice-Based Learning & Improvement | 4-6 |
*Percentages are subject to change at any time
** Test items related to management will be covered in Step 2 CK examinations
Step 1 Discipline Specifications*
System | Range, % |
Pathology | 44-52 |
Physiology | 25-35 |
Pharmacology | 15-22 |
Biochemistry & Nutrition | 14-24 |
Microbiology | 10-15 |
Immunology | 6-11 |
Gross Anatomy & Embryology | 11-15 |
Histology & Cell Biology | 8-13 |
Behavioral Sciences | 8-13 |
Genetics | 5-9 |
*Percentages are subject to change at any time.
Step 2 CK System Specifications*
System | Range, % |
General Principles of Foundational Science** | 2-4 |
Immune System | 3-5 |
Blood & Lymphoreticular System | 4-6 |
Behavioral Health | 6-8 |
Nervous System & Special Sense | 6-8 |
Musculoskeletal System/Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue | 6-10 |
Cardiovascular System | 8-10 |
Respiratory System | 7-9 |
Gastrointestinal System | 7-9 |
Renal & Urinary System & Male Reproductive | 4-6 |
Pregnancy, Childbirth & Puerperium | 4-6 |
Female Reproductive System & Breast | 4-6 |
Endocrine System | 4-6 |
Multisystem Processes & Disorders | 4-6 |
Biostatistics & Epidemiology/Population Health/Interpretation of Medical Literature | 3-5 |
Social Sciences: Legal/Ethical Issues & Professionalism/Systems-Based Practice & Patient Safety | 10-1 |
* Percentages are subject to change at any time.
** The General Principles category for the Step 2 CK examination includes test items concerning those normal and abnormal processes that are not limited to specific organ systems. Categories for individual organ systems include test items concerning those normal and abnormal processes that are system-specific.
Table 2: Step 2 CK Physician Task/Competencies Specifications*
Competency | Range, % |
Medical Knowledge: Applying Foundational Science Concepts | 0** |
Patient Care: History & Physical Exam | 0*** |
Patient Care: Laboratory/Diagnostic Studies | 13-17 |
Patient Care: Diagnosis | 16-20 |
Patient Care: Prognosis/Outcome | 5-9 |
Patient Care: Health Maintenance/Disease Prevention | 8-12 |
Patient Care: Pharmacotherapy | 8-12 |
Patient Care: Clinical Interventions | 6-10 |
Patient Care: Mixed Management | 12-16 |
Practice-Based learning & Improvement | 3-5 |
Professionalism | 5-7 |
Systems-based Practice & Patient Safety | 5-7 |
* Percentages are subject to change at any time.
** Test items that assess patient care competencies may also assess knowledge of underlying foundational science concepts.
*** Test items that assess history and physical exam competencies will be covered in Step 1 examinations.
Step 2 CK Discipline Specifications*
Competency | Ragne, % |
Medicine | 50-60 |
Surgery | 25-30 |
Pediatrics | 20-25 |
Obstetrics & Gynecology | 10-20 |
Psychiatry | 10-15 |
* Percentages are subject to change at any time.
Step 3 MCQ Test Content Specifications*
System | Range, % |
General Principles of Foundational Science** | 1-3 |
Immune System, Blood & Lymphoreticular System, and Multisystem Processes/Disorders | 6-8 |
Behavioral Health | 4-6 |
Nervous System & Special Senses | 8-10 |
Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue | 4-6 |
Musculoskeletal System | 5-7 |
Cardiovascular System | 9-11 |
Respiratory System | 8-10 |
Gastrointestinal System | 6-8 |
Renal/Urinary & Male Reproductive Systems | 4-6 |
Pregnancy/Childbirth & Female Reproductive System & Breast | 7-9 |
Endocrine SYstem | 5-7 |
Biostatistics & Epidemiology/Population Health & Interpretation of the Medical Literature | 11-13 |
Social Sciences: Communication Skills/Ethics/Patient Safety | 7-9 |
* Percentages are subject to change at any time.
** The general principles category for the Step 3 MCQ examination includes test items concerning normal processes not limited to specific organ systems. These test items are typically related to normal development. Categories for individual organ systems include test items concerning those normal and abnormal processes that are system-specific.
Step 3 CCS Test Content Specifications
General Principles of Foundational Science
Immune system
Blood & lymphoreticular system
Behavioral Health
Nervous System & Special Senses
Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue
Musculoskeletal System
Cardiovascular System
Respiratory System
Gastrointestinal System
Renal & Urinary System
Pregnancy, Childbirth, & the Puerperium
Female Reproductive & Breast
Male Reproductive
Endocrine System
Multisystem Prozesses & Disorders
Biostatistics & Epidemiology/Population Health, & Interpretation of the Medical Literature
Social Sciences