Second Year of Medical School

In the second year of medical school the primary teaching format is still classroom-based, but you will be given more patient contact. Before, leaving for the wards on third year you must be proficient in taking a patient's history and completing a physical examination. The focus after the first year is on disease and its treatment. Courses include:

• Pathology - the science of disease, especially changes in structure and function, causing or caused by disease.
• Pharmacology - the science of medications.
• Microbiology - the science of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses.
• Immunology - the science of how humans combat disease.

USMLE Step 1 Exams

You should realize by now that one of the easiest ways to test your scientific and medical knowledge is through multiple-choice exams. Yes, scantrons again.

There is one huge exam which stands between you and making it to the clinical years and this would be your USMLE Step 1. Now if you thought the MCATs were a big deal then you better get ready for this test. This test is commonly known as the "Board(s)" and it tests everything you've learned in the first two years of medical school.

Each medical school will have a varying policy on what score is needed or considered a pass but it will be looked at closely by the Residency Directors when you select your medical specialty and rank residency programs for the MATCH. As you can tell the USMLE Step 1 is a big deal so study hard while in class because you will be seeing the material again.