After successfully completing the basic sciences, all students who intend to go to the USA for their third year (or part thereof) are required to sit a clinical placement examination, the National Board of Medical Examiner’s Comprehensive Basic Sciences Examination (NBME CBSE). The CBSE is a clinical placement examination for all US sites and is not reflected on a student’s transcript or MSPE.
Upon successful completion of the basic sciences all students requesting US placement are required to pass the CBSE examination, and be certified for the USMLE Step 1 examination via ECFMG. Once certified, the USMLE Step 1 examination can be booked.
The CBSE, a scheduled examination will be offered after successful completion of the basic sciences phase and students have met standards for promotion to the clinical phase. If a student fails the first attempt and timeline permits, a second attempt is required as scheduled. A passing grade is required in the CBSE before ECFMG certification is granted for the Step 1 examination. Students who pass the CBSE and Step 1 can proceed to any SGU affiliated clinical site in the USA based on availability at the time of their qualification.
Students not passing the CBSE will proceed to a UK clinical site or an SGU affiliated US clinical site in a state that does not require Step 1.
If a student later wishes to participate in clinical rotations at a US clinical site in a state that does require Step 1, they will be required to pass the CBSE and USMLE Step 1 at the end of their third year.