Effectivity of basic clinical skills among students in their final year at two typically European medical schools was evaluated. The two schools rely heavily on clerkships to train basic clinical skills. Three groups of final-year students from two medical schools were studied in a 12-station, 13-minute OSCE. This OSCE was based on existing skill lists and was constructed in close consultation with faculty of both schools. Observers were senior faculty and experienced general practitioners. Students were rated unsatisfactory in any station when a mean score of 50% was given. Results show poor overall performance, indicating defective skills training, for skills of both the compulsory and the non-compulsory clerkships. Therefore curricula need revision and in the meantime basic clinical skills should receive ample attention in postgraduate education.