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. 2020 Jun 16;30(3):1267-1272.
doi: 10.1007/s40670-020-01011-1. eCollection 2020 Sep.

Preparation for the United States Medical Licensing Examinations in the Face of COVID-19

Brianna Borsheim  1 , Chelsea Ledford  1 , Edan Zitelny  1 , Caroline Zhao  2 , John Blizzard  3 , Yenya Hu  1
Affiliations

Preparation for the United States Medical Licensing Examinations in the Face of COVID-19

Brianna Borsheim et al. Med Sci Educ. .

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the canceling and rescheduling of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) examinations due to the nationwide closure of the Prometric testing centers, which poses a significant challenge to medical students. The rescheduling of a high-stakes board examination leads to significant stress and potential burnout. Students may need guidance to decrease anxiety and reframe their study plan while maintaining their knowledge. Here, we combined board examination coaching tips with specific worked examples to describe how to prevent burnout, give recommendations for scheduling, and suggest practical approaches to USMLE and other high-stakes examinations.

Keywords: Approach; Burnout; COVID-19; Coaching; Scheduling; USMLE examination preparation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A visual aid developed by the corresponding author for a recommended study plan based on the availability of the testing date and performance level. The level of intensity depicted on the graph represents an individual’s effort in preparation for USMLE examinations
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The framework of continued study strategies in an extended studying period. The shaded parameter illustrates the recommended proportion of time each student should spend on the content within the respective buckets
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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