The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a series of tests that medical students and doctors must pass in order to practice medicine in the United States. These examinations were put in place so there would be a standard for everyone who wishes to treat patients in the United States. There are four separate tests that medical students and doctors must pass during their education before beginning patient care. These four examinations are called the USMLE Steps.

The USMLE Step 1 is a standardized test of medical students' basic sciences. This examination is normally taken after the first two years of medical school. This will allow the students to have taken all their fundamental requirements, such as Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology.

The USMLE Step 1 has to be taken during medical school but prior to getting your license to practice medicine in the United States. There are physicians from other countries and United States citizens that went abroad to medical schools that want to come to the United States to practice medicine. They must all pass the same USMLE Steps prior to beginning patient care. The severity of passing these Steps on the first attempt with very high percentages, will determine their career path because their choice of medical specialty is decided by residency committees looking for the best interview candidate to take into their residency program.

I recommend all medical students and doctors who aspire to practice medicine in the United States to study focused and diligently. Have a study plan months in advance prior to scheduling any USMLE Step. The best advice I can ever give to any aspiring physician is not to take any of the USMLE Steps if you are not fully prepared and only walk in the Testing Center if you know you will pass the USMLE. The USMLE transcript will include every attempt made at all the USMLE Steps, including all passing and failing scores along with the locations where the tests were taken. So just remember the USMLE is the number one factor that helps determine medical students' and doctors' fates in practicing medicine in the United States.

The USMLE Master System was established to teach medical students and doctors the most high-yield information needed to pass the USMLE. By purchasing the USMLE Master System, you will have access 24 hours a day to the online lectures, as well as one scheduled tutoring session a week and unlimited email access to Dr. Hicks. So if you need clarification regarding a lecture or are confused about a test question and/ or answer before or after your tutoring sessions, feel free to email me. I am here to help you pass your USMLE Step 1 on your first attempt with a high score.