Kaplan Medical, the leader in USMLE preparation, has helped tens of thousands of students and physicians pass their medical licensing boards with high scores and continue on to successful careers in medicine. At Kaplan Medical, your success is our goal.
We offer a variety of courses that fit your individual study needs and learning style, including live lecture courses, center-based study and online resources.
USMLE Licensing Exams
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) consists of three steps with four exams designed to assess a physician's ability to apply a broad spectrum of knowledge, concepts, and principles to evaluate the physician's basic patient-centered skills.
Step 1 - The Step 1 exam is a multiple-choice exam designed to test how well the examinee applies basic, integral science concepts to clinical scenarios.
Minimum score to pass Number of questions Duration Additional information
Exam Content
185/75
336 multiple-choice questions on computer
8 hours
Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS can be taken in any order.
Anatomy, Behavioral Science, Biochemistry,
Medical Genetics, Microbiology/Immunology,
Pathology, Pharmacology, and Physiology
Step 2 CK - The Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) is a multiple-choice exam designed to determine whether the examinee possesses the medical knowledge and understanding of clinical science considered essential for the provision of patient care under supervision.
Minimum score to passNumber of questions DurationAdditional information
Exam Content
184/75
370 multiple-choice questions on computer
9 hours
Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS can be taken in any order
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Surgery, Neurology, Psychiatry, Public Health
Step 2 CS -The Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) is a separate "hands-on" exam that tests the examinee's clinical and communication skills through his/her ability to gather information from standardized patients, perform a physical examination, communicate the findings to the patient, and write a patient note.
What it tests
Minimum score to pass
Number of questionsDurationAdditional information
Clinical Skills/Doctor-Patient Communication
No score - Pass/Fail (Must pass Integrated ClinicalEncounters, Communication and Interpersonal Skills,and Spoken English Proficiency subcomponents).
12 standardized patients (11 scored)
7-8 hours
Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS can be taken in any order.
Step 3(multiple-choice exam) - This two-day exam assess the examinee's ability to apply medical knowledge and the understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine, with emphasis on patient management in ambulatory settings.
Kaplan Course Options in the US
CompletePrep for Medical Residency $33,000This course is only offered in Chicago, Illinois and New Jersey Medical Institute.
Kaplan Medical’s 16 month immersion-styleCompletePrep program is our most rigorous, personalized course covering all of the exams needed to begin residency in the United States. CompletePrep provides intensive Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 2 CS preparation combined with personalized attention and expert guidance from our all-star faculty, academic advisors, and test-taking and study-skills experts. Students receive premium course instruction, comprehensive step-by-step guidance on residency applications and personal help with the Match process.
In addition, students will receive 8-weeks of hands-on clinical experience working with physicians in Family Practice, Pediatrics or Internal Medicine programs. From beginning to end, international medical graduates will receive only the best. From high-yield exam preparation to individualized career guidance, CompletePrep has all the tools necessary to attain a residency in the States.
Premier Step 1 and Step 2 CK Combination Courses
Kaplan Medical Institute (Step 1) + DeluxePrep Step 2 CK Combination $12,959
This course is only offered in Chicago, Illinois and New Jersey Medical Institute.
12 month immersion-style program featuring intensive live lectures, small groups and individualized counseling
This course provides a comprehensive and intensive review option for Step 1 plus our standard lectures for Step 2 CK. Enrolled students will receive 12-months of access to center and online resources plus 16 weeks of live lectures for Step 1 combined with individual study skills counseling and personal attention from our renowned faculty. The Step 2 CK portion provides students with 6-7 weeks of live lectures alongside center resources. Additionally, all enrolled students receive continuous support and counseling from trained residency advisors.
DeluxePrep Combo for Step 1 and Step 2CK Preparation $8,799
12 month enrollment with access to Step 1 and Step 2 live lectures and QReview
Get the most value and enjoy the benefits of attending our live lecture courses with the flexibility and time to review recorded lectures at your own pace. You will be able to choose a 6-7 week Step 1 live lecture series and a 6 week Step 2 live lecture series during your enrollment. This combination course has all that you need to succeed – high yield content covered in both live and structured study format, exam-style questions with access to both Steps1 and 2 QReview for the duration and full-length simulated exams for realistic practice. Trained residency advisors will assist you in mapping out your residency timeline and planning your studies accordingly.
Structured Self-Study for Step 1 and Step 2 Preparation $6,299
9 month enrollment with access to Step 1 and Step 2CK materials
The Structured Self-Study program is an excellent option for students who would like a longer enrollment, but don’t want to attend live lectures. With this course you will receive 9 months of continuous access to a Kaplan Center of your choice. Using our revolutionary Personal Learning System (PLS) you will make your way through the high yield content by watching recorded live lectures.
Kaplan Medical courses are based on a core curriculum focused on high-yield, exam-relevant topics and exam-style questions for the USMLE. Our courses are designed by learning style and offer rigorous structured study that can be accompanied by live lectures with Kaplan Medical faculty or small groups.
Step CS Courses:
Our intensive review courses feature hands-on interactive learning through frequent and numerous patient encounters with guided instructor from our expert faculty. You will benefit from feedback from standardized patients, step-by-step instructions and time management strategies. You will also receive training and individualized coaching in:
Effective physician/patient communication
Conducting a relevant patient history
Performing a focused physical exam
Writing a concise and clear patient note
Step 2CS Deluxe
Course highlights:
$3,299
6 full days and 2 full-length simulated exams
Offered in Chicago and Newark, New Jersey
Step 2 CS Basic
Course highlights:
$2,799
5 full days and 1 full-length simulated exam
Offered in Chicago, Palo Alto, CA and Newark, New Jersey
Kaplan Medical Location
City / State
Complete Prep
KMI Lectures
Step 1 Lectures
Step 2CK Lectures
Step 2 CS Lectures
Step 3 Lectures
Small Groups
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New York City, NY
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Chicago, IL
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5 Reasons to Prepare for the USMLE Exam Series with Kaplan:
Kaplan’s USMLE Preparation courses are based on a core curriculum focused on high-yield, exam-relevant topics and exam-style questions
Our faculty is comprised of U.S. Medical School faculty and practitioners who are acclaimed lecturers in their respective fields
We offer a range of comprehensive preparation courses in over 70 locations throughout the U.S., including live lectures with elite medical faculty, intensive immersion-style retreat courses and center-based courses with access to filmed lectures for complete flexibility
Our exam-style multiple-choice questions are in the USMLE vignette format and reflect the most recent exam trends
We will guide you through the residency application process to help you succeed during the match