A little change in step 3 from mid february 2012 - oldhakim

[ArchivalUser]

http://www.usmle.org/announcements/?ContentId=85

[ArchivalUser]

Changes to Step 3 examination beginning in mid-February 2012 / Updated Step 3 practice materials available
Posted: November 30, 2011

Changes to both the Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) and the Computer-based Case Simulation (CCS) sections of the Step 3 examination will occur beginning in mid-February 2012.

Changes to Step 3 MCQs
Items with an associated drug ad or abstract will be introduced into the MCQ section of the USMLE Step 3 examination beginning in mid-February 2012. Each drug ad or abstract will appear as a 2- or 3- item set*; examinees will see no more than 5 of these item sets in their examination. A description of the purpose of these new item formats is provided in the November 2011 Comprehensive Review of USMLE update.

Introduction of these formats has resulted in the following changes to the structure of the MCQ portion of the Step 3 examination:

• Because item sets with an associated drug ad or abstract may require more time to answer than other multiple-choice items, exam blocks that include an abstract or drug ad item set will contain fewer items. A screen will appear at the beginning of a block alerting examinees if a block includes a drug ad or abstract item set so that examinees can monitor their time accordingly.
• The tutorial provided in Prometric centers on exam day at the beginning of the Step 3 exam has fewer screens and less detailed information than the tutorial available as part of the Step 3 practice materials on the USMLE website. In the exam-day tutorial, the screens describing some of the navigation features of the test delivery software have been consolidated into fewer screens. In advance of testing, examinees should review the longer tutorial available in the Step 3 practice materials.

* An “item set” is a drug ad or abstract and the two or three questions that accompany it.

Updated Step 3 practice materials have been posted to the USMLE website. Instructions for practicing with these new item formats are provided in the tutorial.

Changes to Step 3 CCS
The following changes to the structure of the CCS portion of the Step 3 examination will be introduced beginning in mid-February 2012:

• The CCS portion of the Step 3 exam, administered on the second day of testing, currently includes nine 25-minute cases. Examinees who test using the updated materials will see twelve cases: a combination of 20-minute cases and 10-minute cases; 25-minute cases will be eliminated.
• To help examinees manage their time, the Start Case screen has been updated to clearly indicate the allotted time for each case. In addition, the maximum allotted case time is displayed at the top of the screen during each case.
• In the current version of the software, when ordering a physical examination (PE) for a patient in a case, examinees can order a “Complete PE” or they can select individual physical examination components. The “complete PE” option will no longer be available in the updated version. For a physical examination, examinees will select the desired individual components; multiple components can be selected at one time.

Updated Step 3 practice materials have been posted. The updated materials contain both 20-minute and 10-minute cases. Examinees who will test during the transition period should practice with both sets of CCS practice materials.

[ArchivalUser]

thanks for the info. Would you all mind giving your opinion as to this change in exam pattern would be better or the present pattern of exam is better.

[ArchivalUser]

They keep changing things; don't they?! lol

I don't know if that would be better or not...probably the same..the problem is the scores will be delayed during that period...so if anyone is taking step 3 to get an H1 visa for this year's matching then they need to hurry up and take it as soon as possible.

[ArchivalUser]

Please i just postpone my test, to 21-22 of Feb, do you think i did the right thing???or should i go back to the previous date???
thanks for the advise

[ArchivalUser]

even i am very confused as to take the exam before mid feburary or not . If more people can give their views it will be helpful in making the decision.

[ArchivalUser]

I don't think you should base your decision on whether or not to take the exam on those changes. I don't think they really matter at the end of the day. My advice would be take the exam after you are done with your studying; that's all. After all, who can really advice you unless they have taken the new exam format?

If you do need an H1 visa then you should take the exam before the changes so that you can have your scores on time.

If not, then just take it whenever you are ready.

Just my two cents

[ArchivalUser]

there will be 20 minute and 10 minute cases in new format
we need to prepare for that too
we don't know how the 10 minute cases are
and 12 cases not 9 cases
everything is no problem except that 10 minute cases
safe side is prepare and work hard to complete the exam before Feb
this is my thought
if i am wrong forgive me
doc2099

[ArchivalUser]

Just do the 10 min cases like you would do a 20 min case, when time is up.. then time is up.. they are not going to expect much from you if they only give you 10 mins for a case.