NBME online services for students and graduates of US and Canadian medical schools include application for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS and provision of score documents, certificates and/or confirmation letters. Additional online services include web-based self-assessments for US and international medical school students and graduates.
The NBME offers standardized, objective discipline-based examinations for use in assessment throughout the medical school curriculum. Developed by nationally-representative committees of content experts, the examinations are designed to provide institutions with effective evaluation tools and useful examinee performance data that can be compared with a large, representative group of examinees at the same stage of training.
The NBME is developing a web-based system to allow faculty to develop examinations tailored to a variety of curricular approaches. The NBME has assembled a large pool of items covering the topics commonly taught and tested in basic science coursework. Examinations are then delivered using web-based test administration and proctoring software developed by the NBME. This service is planned for full implementation in the 2007-2008 academic year.
The NBME will plan and facilitate workshops for faculty interested in enhancing the quality of their multiple-choice items for use in their own examinations and programs. Guidance is also available in other test development areas such as setting pass/fail standards and examination planning.
The NBME offers web-based self-assessments for basic science and clinical content for US and international medical students and graduates. Participants receive immediate diagnostic feedback highlighting areas of strength and weakness. These self-assessments may be a valuable tool for anyone preparing to take USMLE.
The NBME provides testing, educational, consultative, and research services to a number of medical specialty boards, societies, and health sciences organizations. Services support development, administration, and analysis of more than 50 examination programs for certification, recertification, in-training, self-assessment, or evaluation of special competence.
The Post-Licensure Assessment System (PLAS) provides third party assessment programs with an in-depth analysis of physicians' clinical competency through use of a combination of standardized and personalized assessment tools. PLAS comprises two independent yet complementary services, medical knowledge assessment resources (the Special Purpose Examination) and clinical competence assessment resources.
During the past several years, the NBME has also been exploring collaboration with international partners to help improve the assessment of health professionals outside the United States and Canada.