This guide will provide you with a walkthrough of the test-taking experience using the USMLE testing interface. This test-taking experience is currently available for our USMLE Smartbanks, and will provide the best simulation of what you will find on exam day.
Header
Within the header of the USMLE interface, on the left-hand side, you will see the question you are on, the total number of questions on the assignment, and the Mark questions functionality. In the center are your navigation buttons to toggle from one question to the next. On the right-hand side, you will see tools for lab values, notes, calculator, feedback, and change interface.
Marking Questions
You have the option to flag (mark) questions for review by selecting the button on the left-hand side of the toolbar section of the USMLE interface. Once a question has been flagged, the questions will be marked with a flag icon making it easy to return for review either before submitting the test/quiz or after. Flagged questions may be used within the assignment for questions learners want to come back to before submitting. Additionally, you can filter questions when creating a test to just include Flagged/Marked questions.
Lab Values
Selecting the Lab Values button opens a modal that displays the lab values. There are multiple tabs and you can choose to show or hide SI Reference Intervals. You can also search for keywords in the search bar at the top. Selecting the Lab Values button again will close the modal.
Notes
Using the Notes button in the toolbar, you can add your own comments/notes to a question for future reference. These are text only and can be up to 2000 characters. Previously entered notes are hidden by default, but can be displayed and edited by selecting “Show” and “Edit Notes”. The Notes form opens in a modal and can be open while you interact with the question or other modals. Selecting the Notes button again will close the modal.
Calculator
For USMLE banks, you can access a calculator within the take test interface via the Calculator button. The calculator opens in a modal and can be open while you interact with the question or other modals. Selecting the Calculator button again will close the modal.
Feedback
If you select “Feedback” you will be prompted to share feedback with the TrueLearn team about the specific question you are viewing. The Feedback tool allows you to indicate your feedback type and provide more information about the comment or concern. Comments are regularly reviewed by TrueLearn content teams. The Feedback form opens in a new modal and can be open while you interact with the question or other modals. Selecting the Feedback button again will close the modal.
Change Interface
If you would like to change to a different testing interface, select the “Change Interface” button. This can be done as often as desired during a test. Selecting the button again will close the modal.
Footer
Within the footer of the USMLE interface, learners can see the remaining time for timed assignments (and hide if desired) and access the End Block or Pause Timer functionality (where allowed).
Pause Timer
If the assignment you are completing has been set up to allow for pause, you will see a “Pause” button in the footer. When selecting pause, a pop up box will appear with additional prompts.
End Exam
When you select the “End Block” button, a modal appears that highlights if you have any unanswered questions and gives the option to end the exam and review (if allowed) or save and resume later.
Navigation Side Panel
Users can navigate between consecutive questions using the Previous and Next buttons in the header or can use the navigation side panel on the left.
From the side panel, you can select a specific question to be brought directly to that question. The dot next to the question number indicates the question has not been answered yet. If a question has been flagged, a flag icon will be present to the right of the question number.
Additional Functionality
Highlight
To highlight text, drag your cursor over the text. Any selected text will automatically highlight. Clicking on already highlighted text will remove the highlight.
Strikethrough
You can strikethrough an answer option that you want to eliminate by right clicking the answer text. To remove a strikethrough, right click the answer text again. Strikethrough is available for Multiple Choice, Multi-Select, and Matrix questions.
Answer Selection
To select an answer, left-click anywhere on the answer choice or selection bubble.
Abstract Format and Sequential Item Set Questions
If you are in the USMLE Step 2 bank, there are two different types of multi-part questions, with varying functionality within each.
Sequential Item Set Questions
If you are in the USMLE Step 2 bank, all multi-part questions that are NOT abstract format have restricted navigation. This means users must answer them in the order presented on the test. Once you move to a subsequent part, additional information is provided to move you through a clinical scenario. Answers to previous parts cannot be changed once you have seen any subsequent parts. You will be prompted as you progress to confirm you want to move forward. If you select a later part of a question from the Navigator when you haven’t seen the first steps, you will also be prompted with a confirmation modal to confirm you want to mark earlier parts as blank/incorrect.
Abstract Format Questions
Abstract format questions are all multi-part questions where an abstract is available for the question set and appears in the left panel, while the question portion displays in the right panel. These questions are not restricted navigation and can be answered in any order.
Tutor Mode
Show Explanation
If your test or quiz has been set up in Tutor Mode you’ll have the option to view answer explanations. When using tutor mode, you will see a ‘Show Explanation’ button for each question that opens the answer and explanation for a question once selected. Once the explanation is displayed, the answer choice can no longer be changed, even if it was originally left blank. The explanation opens in a right-hand side panel and can be collapsed by selecting Hide Explanation. It includes information about the correct and incorrect answers, a bottom line (key takeaway), additional references, as well as information on what topic and category the question belongs to. You can use the highlight functionality within the explanation as well.
Performance
Once the explanation is displayed from within Tutor Mode, you can view information on how other students performed on the same question, including the distribution of answer selections nationwide and the total % of learners that answered a question correctly. Please note, the distribution of answer selections is only available on multiple choice, multi-select and matrix questions.
Rating
Once an explanation is displayed from within Tutor Mode, you can rate the question with a thumbs up or thumbs down. This provides additional data to our content teams about what questions learners find most helpful.
