As we previously told, changes to the USMLE Step 3 examination were scheduled to take place no earlier than 2014.

The redesigned examination changes announced by USMLE will include assessment of “a comprehensive knowledge of both foundational science and clinical medicine,” as well as “a demonstration of evidence-based medicine and quantitative reasoning skills important to patient care and to life-long learning.”

Over the next few years, Step 3 examinees will see a gradual increase in test items that assess knowledge of foundational science.

Starting 2013, Step 3 examinees will see an increase in the number of research abstract and pharmaceutical advertisement questions also.

Reference: http://www.usmle.org