Online conversation with NBME representatives: What is IFOM and who is it for?
In medical education, there are different approaches to assessing students’ knowledge. Assessment is not only an instrument for deciding who is “worthy” of a medical diploma and who is not. It shapes the overall idea and purpose of the entire learning process. What knowledge should a doctor possess? How should they think? Which approaches should they apply in their work? Every exam offers its own answers to these questions. One of the most widely used exams worldwide is IFOM (International Foundations of Medicine), developed by the National Board of Medical Examiners — the organization also behind USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 in the United States. IFOM brings together dozens of countries across different continents. Why has this exam become such a popular benchmark for the quality of future physicians?
We invite you to 👇
- See how assessment approaches in medical education work in the Western world
- Understand why some countries have implemented IFOM
- Explore the contexts in which this exam is used
- Discuss its strengths and limitations
- And consider whether a similar tool could be relevant for Ukraine in the future
During the meeting, we will discuss:
- The structure and philosophy of IFOM
- How the exam is developed and which competencies it assesses
- The benefits it offers to students, universities, and even national health systems
- The experience of countries that have implemented it
- How IFOM can contribute to improving curricula and quality assurance in medical education

This will not be a lecture on “how things should be done,” nor a “presentation of the one correct solution.”
It is an open professional conversation about standards, tools, and assessment in medical education.
📍 Online
📅 26.02.2026 18:00
Event language: English.

At Klats, we believe that learning from others’ experience helps us better understand how to build our own path.
See you there 💚