What are FAQs About USMLE® Step 3 and COMLEX® Step 3?

Consensus opinion provided by Dan Mountcastle, MD; Ali Tariq, MD; and Nick Lorenzo, MD

• When do you take the USMLE® Step 3 or COMLEX® Step 3?

• • Most candidates take the USMLE® Step 3 or COMLEX® Step 3 during their first or second year of residency.

• What is a passing score on the USMLE® Step 3?

• • A score above 196 is passing.

• What happens if you fail the USMLE® Step 3?
  • An examinee may not take the same USMLE® Step 3 examination more than six times, including incomplete attempts. All attempts are counted toward the limit, regardless of when the examinations were taken. 

• How long does it take to get your USMLE® 3 or COMLEX® 3 score?

• • Scores of USMLE® Steps 1, 2 CK, and 3 or COMLEX® 3 scores are normally available within three to four weeks from the test date.

• What is a good USMLE® Step 3 Score?

• • Generally, your USMLE® Step 3 score will have little effect on your future career in medicine unless you fail. Any score above 230 is good, and above 240 is considered excellent.

• How to study for USMLE® Step 3 or COMLEX® Step 3?

• Being in a residency training program takes up most of your time. Yet, old habits should die hard. The best approach to passing the USMLE® 3 or COMLEX® 3 and scoring well is following a consistent study pattern. It is strongly recommended that students develop a habit of spending at least 30 minutes twice a day doing practice questions throughout their 4th year of medical school and internship, repeating questions missed until consistently answered correctly with an understanding of the concept. This will most likely result in an easy time of passing USMLE® or COMLEX® Step 3. Focus on core subjects in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and psychiatry to achieve the best results.