Best USMLE Step 2 CS Mnemonics
The United States Medical Licensing Examination ® (USMLE®) is a 3 part examination, which is required for every medical student to take and successfully pass in order to be able to receive their medical licensure in the United States.
USMLE Step 1 is a 1 day examination that must be taken after finishing the first 2 years of medical school’s basic science and before being able to transition into 3rd year of medical school.
USMLE step 2 is divided into two parts; Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Clinical Skills (CS). Each part is a 1 day examination.
By providing standardized patients, USMLE Step 2 CS will test the examinee’s communication skills with patients and colleagues, their ability to gather information from the patient, as well as their ability to perform appropriate physical examination for each patient encounter.
USMLE Step 2 CS, is one of the most important exams a medical student must take and successfully pass in order to be qualified to apply for residency in the U.S.
Unfortunately for some students USMLE Step 2 CS can be very challenging, specially for those who are Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs). There are two major reasons that FMGs have higher failing rate compared to American Medical Graduates (AMGs).
- For some AMGs, the main reason is poor time management. In majority of cases this is due to their English proficiency, which limits their ability to communicate well and effectively with their standardized patients. This limitation also plays a big role in the writing part for each of their patient encounter. Therefore, in most cases, the examinees has no choice but to submit an incomplete note as the result of poor time management.
- The second reason, and probably the most important one is not being prepared for the exam. Unfortunately, there are many rumors about how “easy” USMLE Step 2 CS and that there is “no need to waste time practicing cases”. These false claims are major reason for both AMG and FMG students who end up failing the exam regardless of the level of their english proficiency.
So, if you work on your timing and practice enough before taking your USMLE step 2 CS exam and work on your English proficiency and your communication and typing skills, then you have all the right tools to help you pass the exam.
BONUS!
Use this TIMER to practice & improve your overall timing.
Timing is one of the most important part of your USMLE Step 2 CS Exam.
CASES: Best USMLE Step 2 CS Mnemonics
- Assault/Rape Mnemonic
- Child with Diabetes Mellitus Mnemonic
- Child with Noisy Breathing Mnemonic
- Cough Mnemonic
- Depression Mnemonic
- Diabetes Follow up / Refill Mnemonic
- Dizziness Mnemonic
- Domestic Violence Mnemonic (abuse mnemonic)
- Dysphagia Mnemonic (difficulty swallowing mnemonic)
- Enuresis Mnemonic (bedwetting mnemonic)
- Erectile dysfunction Mnemonic (impotence mnemonic)
- Headache Mnemonic
- Hearing loss Mnemonic
- Hematuria Mnemonic (bloody urine mnemonic)
- Hoarseness Mnemonic
- Insomnia Mnemonic (sleeping problem mnemonic)
- Jaundice Mnemonic
- Knee pain Mnemonic
- Musculoskeletal Pain Mnemonic (shoulder, back, calf and heel pain)
- Psychosis Mnemonic (hallucination mnemonic)
- Trauma Mnemonic (chest wall/abdominal wall)
- Tremor Mnemonic
- Forgetfulness Mnemonic (Alzheimer’s dementia, memory loss mnemonic)
Still stressing over USMLE Step 2 CS exam?
Don’t worry! we got you covered.
Read this super helpful article, which gives you GREAT Tips on How to Study and Pass USMLE Step 2 CS.
Physical Exam Video Tutorials:
Performing physical examination on USMLE step 2 CS is crucial and many students miss easy points for performing them wrong.
Click here to watch the most comprehensive collection of physical exam video tutorials for USMLE Step 2 CS exam.
Differential Diagnosis:
- Abdominal pain Mnemonic
- Altered Mental Status Mnemonic
- Child with Fever Mnemonic
- Hematuria Mnemonic (bloody urine ddx mnemonic)
- Loss of Consciousness Mnemonic
- Headache (Coming soon!)
Best USMLE Step 2 CS Mnemonics
Other Important Mnemonics:
- Blue Sheet Mnemonic (.pdf file)
- OB/GYN History Mnemonic
- Pain History Mnemonic
- Smoking Cessation Counseling Mnemonic
- HIV / Sexually Transmitted Infections Counseling Mnemonic
Best USMLE Step 2 CS Mnemonics
