Manipal U launches course for U.S. Medical Licensing Exam

Package aimed at fresh doctors who want to practise overseas

• 8,000 doctors from India appear for USMLE
   

• New course developed in collaboration with Exam Master
   

• Tutorials to be set up first in Mangalore and Bangalore
   

• Study and review of 20,000 questions on offer

Are you a medical student aspiring for higher studies abroad Or an MBBS doctor looking for a test that can help you fare better in a qualifying examination to practice overseas?


Hundreds of medical graduates aspire to enhance their prospects by studying abroad and the U.S. is a preferred destination for a career in medicine.


Every year, at least 8,000 medical students and doctors from India appear for the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). But getting through with a required 90th percentile is tough.


To help doctors prepare better for the examination, Manipal Universal Learning (Manipal U), the distance learning and training services wing of the Manipal group, is launching its new USMLE testing service.


The service has been developed in collaboration with the U.S. based Exam Master and is called "Manipal U Exam Master Online Testing Solution".


Tutorial service

While the online testing service has just been initiated, what differentiates it from other available testing solutions is a USMLE tutorial service, which is being offered along with the online test to doctors to help tackle the questions better, said Rajen Padukone, Executive Director of Manipal U.


"The tutorial service will be launched by October and will have expert faculty coaching the students on various topics with special emphasis on the type of questions that usually appear in the USMLE. Initially, the tutorials will be held in Bangalore and Mangalore. Later, they will be extended to 13 other locations across the country," Mr. Padukone said.


Personalised tests

"One of the main highlights of the testing solution is that the student can take the test at his or her own pace and personalise it according to his or her needs based on various topics, subjects or different components that are part of the medicine syllabus. In addition, students can customise sample tests to assess knowledge in specific subjects. The service will provide a score once the test has been taken and give the candidate information on areas for improvement," said M.Gowrinath, Head-Continuing Medical Education at Manipal U.


The service offers study and review sessions, a databank of 20,000 USMLE-style questions, clinical vignette type questions which are practice-oriented, and focus on patient management and services to identify weak points and prepare accordingly.


Online package

He said that the candidates had the choice of opting for either the online test package or the tutorial service or both according to their needs.


Once the candidate enrols for the programme, he or she can access the testing service online anytime and anywhere for three months.


The tutorial service is offered for the same period.


"The programme ensures that you save time and have a testing tool that gives maximum flexibility," Dr. Gowrinath said.


For details visit www.manipalu.com
(Source: TOI  Dated:25/08/2006)