What is the British version of the USMLE?

The British version of the USMLE is the UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA or MLA).

What is the UK equivalent of USMLE?

USMLE is the medical licensing examination for global doctors who want to practice residency in the US. PLAB is the test conducted by the General Medical Council of the UK to give registration to global doctors. Both USMLE and PLAB are amongst the best exams for career advancements amongst global medical practitioners.

Which one is easier, PLAB or USMLE?

Many aspirants often ask, “is PLAB easier than USMLE?” While PLAB is generally considered more clinically oriented and less extensive compared to the USMLE, both exams pose significant challenges, requiring substantial preparation and dedicated study.

Is PLAB accepted in the USA?

PLAB results are not accepted as a qualification to practice medicine in the USA. Physicians wishing to practice in the United States must pass the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) series. Effective PLAB preparation involves understanding the latest exam syllabus and practicing extensively.

How hard is the USMLE in the UK?

I've just done finals and have sat step 1 and 2, the USMLE are significantly harder than any aspect of uk medical school. I haven't studied specifically for uk medical school at all since I started usmle prep. No idea how it compares to post grad exams here, but finals felt like a joke compared to step 2.

USMLE 🇺🇸 vs PLAB 🇬🇧 in 2025 | Exams, Residency, Lifestyle, Salary & Beyond

Is UK or US med school harder?

Is medical school tougher in the US than in the UK? Ans: Medical schools, in general, are longer in the UK but also less intense comparatively. In the UK, a minimum of 5 years is required to complete the residency, whereas it can be done in 3 years in the US.

How much does USMLE Step 1 cost in the UK?

USMLE Step 1 costs $1000 (£792) for international students, in addition to an international test delivery surcharge of $195 (£154).

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in surgical and high-demand procedural specialties frequently earn over $500,000 annually, with top earners often being Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Cardiology, and Thoracic Surgery, driven by complex skills, high demand (especially with aging populations), and lucrative elective procedures or emergency needs. Other fields like Radiology, Gastroenterology, Urology, and Anesthesiology also see average incomes exceeding this threshold.
 

Which is best, PLAB or USMLE?

Both exams serve as licensing gateways, but the paths they open are very different. PLAB is required for doctors aiming to work in the UK, while USMLE is essential for practicing in the US. According to the GMC (General Medical Council, UK), over 16,000 doctors appeared for PLAB in 2023, showing its rising popularity.

What is the 7 year rule for USMLE?

The USMLE 7-year rule, primarily for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) seeking ECFMG Certification, mandates completing all required USMLE Steps (1, 2 CK/CS, and eventually 3) within seven years of passing the first exam; failure to do so invalidates earlier scores, requiring retakes, though waivers or extensions may be granted for documented issues like PhD programs, severe illness, or certain military service. Most U.S. medical licensing boards also enforce this timeframe for state licensure, starting from the first successful Step pass. 

What's the hardest medical exam in the world?

When considering the hardest medical exam in the world, several tests consistently top the list. Exams such as the USMLE Step 3, the MRCP (UK) and certain specialty boards in surgery or cardiology are widely regarded as extremely challenging.

What score is 75% correct on step 2?

Getting 75% correct on Step 2, especially on practice tests like NBMEs or UWorld, usually translates to a strong score in the mid-to-high 240s or even into the mid-250s, placing you well above average and competitive for many specialties, though top-tier competitive fields might require even higher scores (around 255-270+). A 75th percentile score means you scored better than 75% of test-takers, indicating solid performance and often helping balance a weaker Step 1 or improving residency options. 

Can it ok to take USMLE 2 without taking USMLE 1 for do students?

Students can take USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) before Step 1. This flexibility in the exam sequence caters to students' varied learning styles and strengths.

Which country has the best medical residency?

United States: The Gold Standard

In 2024, International Medical Graduates (IMGs) had a match rate of 61.2%, filling over 9,000 positions. The specialties most open to IMGs include Internal Medicine, Pathology, and Family Medicine. Most U.S. residency programs last between 3 and 7 years, depending on the specialty.

Does it take longer to become a doctor in the US or UK?

In the USA, postgraduate training quality is recognised as a similar standard as to the UK but is much shorter and so means you can become a senior or fully qualified doctor/consultant in as quick as four years compared to at least ten in the UK.

Which USMLE is the hardest?

The USMLE is widely considered one of the toughest medical licensing exams globally, known for its vast content, high-stakes nature, and demanding clinical reasoning, but whether it's the absolute hardest in the world is subjective, with strong competition from other exams like China's Gaokao or India's UPSC, depending on criteria like sheer volume, cultural pressure, or scope. While USMLE Step 1 is now Pass/Fail, the entire three-step process remains a formidable hurdle requiring immense stamina, deep foundational science, and extensive preparation for US and International Medical Graduates (IMGs). 

What is a 75% on step 1?

A 75% on USMLE Step 1 usually refers to a high performance level, often meaning you scored better than 75% of other test-takers (75th percentile) or got around 75% of questions correct on practice exams, indicating a very high chance of passing, as a ~65% correct on NBMEs often predicts passing. While Step 1 is now pass/fail, historically, a score in the 75th percentile (around 240-250+ on the old scale) was considered strong for residency applications, and 70-75% on practice NBMEs suggests near-certain success on the actual exam.
 

Can I work as a doctor in the USA without USMLE?

No, you generally cannot work as a fully licensed, independent physician in the U.S. without passing the USMLE, as it's a core requirement for medical licensure, but recent state-level legislation in about 20 states offers limited pathways for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to practice under supervision or in specific roles without residency, often for underserved areas or in academic settings, requiring ECFMG certification and meeting other criteria like foreign practice experience. For those not aiming to be fully licensed doctors, roles in clinical research or healthcare management are alternatives, but for patient care, the USMLE and licensure are key, although specific waivers exist in states like Florida, California (special permits), New York (limited permits), and Virginia. 

What is the lowest paid doctor?

The lowest-paid doctor specialties consistently fall in primary care and certain pediatric subspecialties, with Pediatrics often cited as the lowest overall, followed by Public Health/Preventive Medicine, Family Medicine, and pediatric subspecialties like Endocrinology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases. These roles offer lower compensation than surgical or high-demand adult specialties, often due to the broad nature of primary care and the focus on children's health, though they provide excellent work-life balance for many.
 

What jobs in the US pay $300,000 a year?

Jobs paying $300,000 or more in the U.S. are typically senior roles in technology, finance, law, and medicine, including roles like CEOs, Chief Technology Officers, Investment Bankers, Partner-Level Lawyers, Surgeons, and Specialized Physicians, along with top-tier Sales Directors, Management Consultants, and Private Equity Executives, often relying on bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing for high earnings. High-income careers without traditional degrees can also be found in tech entrepreneurship, high-level skilled trades, and top-performing sales. 

Who is the richest doctor in the USA?

Dr.

But Thomas Frist Jr. is wealthier than just about everybody after he and his dad founded HCA Healthcare, which owns 190 hospitals and thousands of other healthcare sites, in 1968. Thomas Frist Jr.

Who gave $1 billion to medical school?

Students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine won't have to pay tuition after the school received a $1 billion gift. Ruth Gottesman made the donation using money left to her by her late husband.

What if I can't afford USMLE Step 1?

USMLE Fee Assistance Program

Financial barriers shouldn't stand in the way of your journey to becoming a licensed physician. That's why USMLE co-sponsor NBME is supporting medical students and residents with demonstrated financial need through a program to help cover the cost of Step exam fees.

How much does 4 years of med school cost?

Four years of medical school costs between roughly $120,000 and over $400,000, with the median total cost for the class of 2026 being about $298,000 for public schools and $408,000 for private schools, including tuition, fees, living expenses, and books. Costs vary significantly by institution, residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state), and lifestyle, with averages around $235,000 to $370,000 total for the degree.