The exam is divided in 2 parts. When I took it, the written exam was the only requirement. I study and pass in 2 weeks. It is all in Spanish and used to be much easier than the USMLE. I can't give any personal opinion on the clinical skill part of the exam but I was told it is equivalent to the IPM exam, just don't know how many cses you have to go through.

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Moderator - UAG Forum

Please verify this for yourself with the fine ladies in the Asuntos Academicos office (in the rear-left corner of the main UAG building in CU, same floor level as ISAO/DAEI) but my understanding is that you do not have to have a professional license to go back via ECFMG, you only need the UAG diploma (ie, you are TRULY graduated at the same level as any other Mexican medical school graduate ready to start their independent career/further training). If UAG requires taking part of this exam to graduate as I think UAGDoc might have implied, then you'd be responsible to take it; if UAG doesn't require something, it doesn't matter for ECFMG purposes.

Having that beautiful Latin-calligraphied final diploma is a proud thing to have[1]; it's just too bad it takes so long to get it.

[1] And why does everyone look like someone just shot their dog in those diploma pictures? I understand they want consistency and seriousness, but jeez--it's like one sold their soul to have that piece of paper. Which, depending on how you look at it....

Your Titulo won't be printed until you fulfill this requirement. The Mexican government requires the exam in order to certify your "titulo". In order to practice in Mexico and get your "cedula"( a gp type of license to practice in Mexico, in the US would be equivelent to Family Medicine), the social service year needs to be completed in Mexico. There is no definitive answer in what to study for the exam because they can ask anything but this exam isn't harder than the UAG exams during 3rd and 4th year. A previous student had posted some notes over the internet. I will post the link if I find it.

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Moderator - UAG Forum

As it was explained to me (I'm 8th semester, and I looked into getting my licensure in MX in addition to going to fifth pathway) the test is not part of the Titulo, per se....we get a diploma at the end of our 4 years (actually, you get a certificate of completion in Spanish, and an all Latin diploma). The Titulo needs the extra 2 years (Servicio social and internado) If you want to be able to USE that Titulo in Mexico, of course you will have to take the test (most of the internos I am working with have told me that from what they have seen, the USMLE is more complicated and a bigger bear to handle, though the licenciatura is still nothing to sniff at.) Otherwise, upon completion of your service with the Titulo, you could run off and head to the US as an certified (Titulo) but unlicensed doctor from Mexico....still, if you made it that far, the licenciatura test isn't that expensive, so why not take it too? Would a second license really be all that bad? Either way, you might want to double check with the proper authorities (if you can find them, someone who has actually gone through the process would be best, I think) Just my 20 centavos.

--EDIT-- Just saw UAGDOC's comments, so I stand corrected. I guess the person who told me about the licensure needs didn't know what they were talking about, but that doesn't suprise me. I should have taken my own advice and gone straight to an expert on the matter, and not take someone else's word. I do believe the internos I have worked with, though, about the test. One of them showed me some of the questions they were studying and I felt thte USMLE were more complicated....the questions for the test down here were a bit more straight forward. As for the clinical tests, they are exactly like the PMC tests....I got to sit in on a few of them at my hospital, and it was exactly what we went through for PMC: patient comes in, is assigned, and the doctor sits in while the student goes through the interview, exploration and diagnosis, then afterwards they discuss any labs, errors, diagnoses, etc.

really? I am assuming this was before the 5th pathway fiasco. I think everything changes now since we need the blessing of the mexican department of education. Your explanation is valid only for 5th pathway graduates. Good luck

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From one of the speakers during Orientation, "There is nothing wrong with Mexico; it is JUST different"

This is what I would like to do to the "burros" of Megacable....

Actually, I think when I asked I mentioned staying here instead of going back to NY for fifth pathway.....I didn't mention the fact that I would do the Fifth Pathway/Internado substitution, etc. I did correct myself on my previous post, though, since someone with a bit more knowledge spoke up Hey, I know my limitations, and am not afraid to admit when I am wrong

that is the scary part, talking to officials at school and they dont even know what they are talking about. Now, ( at least from 6th semester down) you need to go to the process AS if you were a latino student with very few exceptions like maybe going to NY during 5th year. This is the whole problem of the abolishment of 5th pathway as a residency pathway. Otherwise, as you stated, why go to 5th pathway if the ECFMG will take the "titulo" for the first 4 years? the titulo + certification of 5th pathway from NY were the two things that were considered. Good luck

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From one of the speakers during Orientation, "There is nothing wrong with Mexico; it is JUST different"

This is what I would like to do to the "burros" of Megacable....

http://greglakin.tripod.com/

The above link is the class notes from 3rd and 4th year which will prepare you for the"examen profisional". The questions are straight forward and easier than the USMLE.

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Moderator - UAG Forum

Sooo.. . . .can the four-year be used for ECFMG?

No, negative, niente, nein, um.....no. The four year is technically useless in Mexico. You get a diploma, sure, but it doesn't mean anything. For ECFMG you must have the TITULO which is all 6 years (must do the internado, servicio social, and as UAGDOC said, the test as well...)