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caduceus

  
Clinical Competence Center


of New York

 

About Step 2-CS 

The USMLE Step 2-CS exam is a practical examination using standardized patients (SP): individuals trained to simulate the signs and symptoms of disease and act as a real patient.


The eight hour Step 2-CS examination consists of 11 scored SP encounters which evaluate the candidate's knowledge of clinical and communication skills. The candidate will have 15 minutes for each encounter during which time he/she will take a history, examine, and counsel the "patient" as would be done in a real environment.


After the candidate leaves the room, the standardized patient (SP) recalls the details of the session and fills out history, physical examination and communication checklists about the interaction. The candidate then has 10 minutes to write up the Patient Note which includes the pertinent positive and negative findings of the history and examination as well as providing a differential diagnosis and management plan.

The Step 2-CS examination is conducted at regional Clinical Skills Evaluation Centers located in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The cost is $975 (USD) for United States and Canadian medical school students and graduates, and $1,200 (USD) for international medical school students and graduates.


For more information about the exam, see the following web sites:
http://www.usmle.org
http://www.nbme.org
http://www.ecfmg.org




 

 


SP cartoon
Our C3NY Step 2-CS Workshops prepare the candidate for taking the USMLE Step 2-CS examination. They provide detailed information about the entire Step 2-CS examination focusing on history-taking skills, physical examination skills, interpersonal and communication skills, as well as note writing. They also include a discussion of cultural diversity and the different social norms in the United States.