In mid-February 2012, the number of multiple choice questions (MCQs) in STEP3 will decrease from 480 to 474 questions. Additionally, the number of CCS cases will increase from 9 to 12 cases.
Drug ad and abstract questions will also be added to the MCQ section of the STEP3 exam. Each drug ad or abstract question will appear as part of a 2-3 item set.
The CCS portion of the exam will include a combination of 20-minute cases and 10-minute cases. 25-minute cases will be removed from the exam.
Scores on the previous STEP3 exam format and the new format will be comparable, however, and the total time to complete the STEP3 exam will remain the same.
Please see www.usmle.org for further information.