The USMLE-Step 2-CK ("Clinical Knowledge") is the nine-hour-long multiple-choice portion of the second part of the United States Medical Licensure Examination.[1] It assesses clinical knowledge through a traditional, multiple-choice examination. In contrast to the USMLE Step 1, the focus is much more on clinical application of medical knowledge. It assesses the ability to apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision.[2] The USMLE Step 2 is generally taken during the 4th year of medical school by medical students.[1] From January 2010, to take the exam in North America the registration fee is $645 (as of December 2016) for students attending medical colleges in the United States and $850 for medical students from other countries. There are additional charges for applicants who choose a testing region outside the United States or Canada.

Format

The exam is administered in a 9-hour single-day computer-based session.[4] The session is divided into eight one-hour blocks of questions, a 15 minute tutorial and a 45 minute break.[4][2][5] The 15-minute tutorial at the beginning of the exam is optional. The 45 minutes allowed for breaks can only be taken between sections at the discretion of the test taker. Both the unused tutorial time and time saved from finishing a test block early is added to the break time.[6] The test is administered at the Prometric testing sites.