Writing Questions for Learning and Assessment (JiTL)-Sample Test Questions for US Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 (FSMB and NBME, 2022)

Sample Test Questions for US Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 (FSMB and NBME, 2022)

Pdf Summary

This document is a June 2022 updated booklet providing sample test questions for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, a joint program by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). It serves as a resource for medical students preparing for Step 1, highlighting the examination format, test-taking strategies, sample questions, and relevant laboratory reference values.

Key features of the booklet include:

1. <strong>Question Formats and Strategies</strong>: The examination primarily uses single-patient vignettes with one best-answer multiple-choice questions. The booklet advises careful reading of patient scenarios, eliminating incorrect answers, guessing when unsure, and practicing with downloadable software. Some question types, such as multimedia (e.g., audio), are used in the live exam but not depicted here.

2. <strong>Laboratory Reference Values</strong>: Pages 5-7 provide extensive normal laboratory value ranges including electrolytes, hepatic enzymes, hormones, hematologic parameters, arterial blood gases, cerebrospinal fluid, and more, essential for clinical interpretation during the exam.

3. <strong>Sample Questions</strong>: The booklet contains 119 sample questions across three blocks replicating the USMLE Step 1 content and style. These represent diverse disciplines such as cardiology, endocrinology, infectious diseases, pharmacology, pathology, genetics, and clinical management, designed to simulate the real exam. Questions include clinical vignettes with relevant labs, images (e.g., histopathology, imaging), and data interpretation exercises.

4. <strong>Answer Forms and Key</strong>: An answer form (page 52) allows practice under exam-like conditions, and the detailed answer key (page 53) provides answers for all sample questions.

5. <strong>Exam Timing Guidance</strong>: It is recommended that examinees allocate about 1 hour per 40-item block (with slight adjustment for the block with 39 items), totaling nearly 3 hours for the full sample set.

Users are encouraged to actively engage with the material, use online downloadable practice tests, stay updated on changes at the official USMLE website, and apply test-taking strategies to optimize performance. This booklet is a critical preparatory tool for medical students aiming to master the foundational sciences and clinical application tested in USMLE Step 1.

Keywords

USMLE Step 1

medical licensing examination

sample test questions

test-taking strategies

laboratory reference values

clinical vignettes

multiple-choice questions

FSMB and NBME

medical student preparation

exam timing guidance