USMLE Step 3

Exam at a glance

Questions

412

Duration

960 minutes

Pass mark

score 200

Sections

Day 1 FIP: 232 · 420 min / Day 2 ACM: 180 · 540 min

Exam type

Written and oral/practical

Language

English

Authority

USMLE

Curriculum

Built from the question bank and updated automatically when new questions are added. 11 modules · 2,141 questions · Last updated: 30 October 2026

1. 01Cardiovascular medicine234 questions · 10.9 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Acute coronary syndromes: recognising and treating chest pain
   • Chronic coronary syndromes, lipids and hypertension
   • Heart failure, valve disease, pericardium and the aorta
   • Arrhythmias: atrial fibrillation, tachycardias and bradycardias
   • Foundations: anatomy of the heart
   • Foundations: conduction system and cardiac cycle
   • Foundations: circulation and blood vessels

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 62-year-old woman with a prior myocardial infarction asks about antibiotics before a dental cleaning. She has no prosthetic valve, prior endocarditis or congenital heart disease. What is the best advice?

   AAmoxicillin 2 g 1 hour beforeBClindamycin before and afterCNo antibiotic prophylaxis is neededDAzithromycin for 5 daysECancel the dental cleaning

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
2. 02Endocrinology and diabetes146 questions · 6.8 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Diabetes mellitus: diagnosis and long-term treatment
   • Diabetic emergencies: DKA, HHS and hypoglycaemia
   • Thyroid disease: hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, nodules and pregnancy
   • Adrenal, pituitary, calcium and bone, and reproductive endocrinology
   • Foundations: endocrine glands and feedback control
   • Foundations: the thyroid in the neck and endocrine emergencies

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 42-year-old woman has a BMI of 31 and no symptoms. Fasting glucose is 104 mg/dL (5.8 mmol/L) and A1c 6.0%. How should these results be classified?

   APrediabetesBType 2 diabetesCNormal glucose toleranceDType 1 diabetesEGestational diabetes

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
3. 03Ethics, patient safety and prevention192 questions · 9 % of the bank

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 67-year-old man who smoked for 30 years has no symptoms. Which screening test is recommended?

   ACarotid ultrasoundBOne-time AAA ultrasoundCAnnual ECGDCoronary calcium scoreEAbdominal CT every 5 years until age 80

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
4. 04Gastroenterology and hepatology214 questions · 10 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Upper GI tract: reflux, dyspepsia, Helicobacter pylori and upper GI bleeding
   • Lower GI tract: inflammatory bowel disease, IBS, coeliac disease and colorectal cancer screening
   • The liver: reading liver tests, viral hepatitis and inherited or autoimmune liver disease
   • Cirrhosis and its complications
   • Foundations: the digestive tract, digestion and absorption
   • Foundations: peptic ulcer disease and upper GI bleeding

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 45-year-old man with no family history of colon cancer asks about screening. He has no symptoms. What is recommended?

   AWait until age 50BNo screening without symptomsCCEA level each yearDBegin colorectal cancer screening nowEUpper endoscopy

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
5. 05Infectious diseases211 questions · 9.9 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Sepsis, septic shock and antibiotic stewardship
   • Central nervous system, skin, soft tissue and bone infections
   • HIV, post-exposure prophylaxis and sexually transmitted infections
   • Travel, tropical and Gulf-region infections and vaccination
   • Foundations: bacteria, the Gram stain and antibiotic targets
   • Foundations: infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship

   Sample question

   Sample question1 / 1 · 0 correct

   A 26-year-old nonpregnant woman has 2 days of dysuria and frequency without fever or flank pain. Urinalysis shows leukocyte esterase and nitrites. What is the best treatment?

   ACiprofloxacin for 14 daysBIntravenous ceftriaxoneCNo antibioticsDNitrofurantoin for 5 daysEAmoxicillin for 3 days

   Keys: 1–5 or A–E to choose, Enter to check and continue, F to mark.

   MarkCheck answer
6. 06Neurology179 questions · 8.4 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Stroke and transient ischaemic attack
   • Headache, subarachnoid haemorrhage and raised intracranial pressure
   • Epilepsy, status epilepticus, Parkinson's disease and dementia
   • Neuroimmunology, neuromuscular disease, peripheral nerves and spinal emergencies
   • Foundations: brain anatomy and clinical localisation
   • Foundations: reflexes, the spinal cord and upper versus lower motor neuron signs
   • Foundations: spinal cord tracts and the cranial nerves
   • Foundations: the circle of Willis and intracranial haemorrhage
7. 07Obstetrics and gynecology199 questions · 9.3 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Antenatal care: screening, gestational diabetes and medicines in pregnancy
   • Hypertension in pregnancy: pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and HELLP
   • Bleeding in pregnancy and rhesus prophylaxis
   • Labour problems: preterm labour, ruptured membranes and postpartum haemorrhage
   • Gynaecology essentials: contraception, menstrual problems, PCOS, screening and menopause
   • Foundations: female pelvic anatomy
   • Foundations: placenta, pregnancy physiology and fetal circulation
   • Foundations: labour and the fetal skull
   • Foundations: the menstrual cycle in the ovary, endometrium and cervix
   • Foundations: breast anatomy and lymphatic drainage
8. 08Pediatrics213 questions · 9.9 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Growth and development: milestones, red flags and short stature
   • The newborn: jaundice, vitamin K and prematurity
   • The febrile child and acute respiratory illness
   • Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal emergencies and the child's heart
   • Safeguarding children and safe prescribing by weight
   • Foundations: the newborn and the transition after birth
   • Foundations: growth and development
   • Foundations: the child's airway, vital signs and resuscitation
9. 09Psychiatry and behavioral health181 questions · 8.5 % of the bank

   Chapters

   • Depression and bipolar disorder: recognition, antidepressants and lithium
   • Psychosis and antipsychotics: choosing, monitoring and their emergencies
   • Anxiety, OCD, PTSD and eating disorders
   • Alcohol and opioids: intoxication, withdrawal and complications
   • Delirium, capacity and self-harm: safety in everyday practice
10. 10Pulmonary and critical care medicine192 questions · 9 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Asthma and COPD: diagnosis, stepwise treatment and exacerbations
    • Pneumonia and tuberculosis
    • Pulmonary embolism, pleural disease and pneumothorax
    • Lung cancer, interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis, sleep apnoea and blood gases
    • Foundations: anatomy of the respiratory tract
    • Foundations: alveoli and gas exchange
    • Foundations: mechanics and control of breathing
    • Foundations: ABCDE approach and airway basics
    • Foundations: life-threatening chest emergencies
    • Foundations: shock, burns and sepsis
11. 11Renal, electrolytes and acid-base180 questions · 8.4 % of the bank

    Chapters

    • Acute kidney injury: definition, causes and management
    • Chronic kidney disease and glomerular disease
    • Urinary tract infection and kidney stones
    • Sodium, potassium and other electrolytes
    • Acid–base disorders and safe prescribing in kidney disease
    • Foundations: structure and function of the kidney
    • Foundations: fluids and electrolytes

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