GUIDE TO TAKING THE USMLE STEP 3 EXAMINATIONFOR BIDMC RESIDENTSGeneral Exam InfoStep 3 is a two-day computerized examination. Although you may leave early on either or both days, expect to be at the center from approximately 8am-pm !actual times will vary with your testing center".#ay one consists of multiple choice $uestions in a format similar to Steps % and &. #ay two consists of some bloc's of multiple choice $uestions, as well as ()omputer-based )ase Simulations* !))S", which are basically li'e seeing (standardized patients* in cyberspace.+lease see the general website for the ,S-./ for information about test content, helpful hints, and all other general exam information0 !""#$$%%%&'(mle&or)$1or registration, as you will read below, you will use the 1ederation of State -edical 2oards !1S-2" website0 !""#$$%%%&f(m*&or)$3verall, when thin'ing about Step 3, +.A4 /A5.6 - as you will see below it is tedious7+!en ,an I "a-e S"e# 3.6ou may ta'e Step 3 at any time during your internship or residency !8t is available to all medical school graduates who have passed Steps % and &".6ou must pass Step 3 to apply for a full license. 9he test is not o:ered on federal holidays, or during the ;rst & wee's of ere at 28#-), you may only schedule your Step 3 exam during /a,a"0on, ele,"0/e, or am*'la"or1 time. !6ou will 439 be excused from your normal continuity clinic to ta'e the Step 3 exam, so don?t schedule it for that day7"+!en (!o'l2 I re)0("er for S"e# 3.)omplete registration for Step 3 within @A days of when you wish to ta'e the examination.9he cloc' begins when you complete registration. !9echnically this is a @A-day eligibility period and the cloc' starts when yourmailed A4# on-line forms are all received.) 6ou may no" specify another eligibility period B you are assigned the period for the @A days beginning immediately after your registration is complete. !9here is a one-time only extension of this eligibility period for another @A days if you tell them in time - see the 1S-2 website for details".==4ote0 6ou will not be entering the exact date that you would li'e to ta'e the test, nor the exact test center on your application, so you do not need this information as long as you 'now it will fall within your eligibility period.====4ote0 9he cut-o: for registration during a given calendar year is usually early September of that year7 == !9ranslation0 you can?t decide in 3ctober that you want to ta'e it in #ecember B it will be too late to register7 6ou?ll be forced to wait until