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For osteopathic (DO) medical students, one of the biggest decisions during preclinical and clinical training is not just what specialty to pursue or where to apply for residency - but now, it is whether to take the USMLE in addition to the COMLEX.   While it was much more common...

Deciding how to study for Step 1 can be a daunting task. There are so many educational resources to choose from, and so much conflicting advice on the internet and from other…

You’ve already done the hard emotional work of accepting that you’re entering SOAP Week. You’ve processed the shock, the disappointment, the uncertainty — all the feelings that come with not matching the first time around. So, let’s shift gears.   This post isn’t about emotions; it’s about strategy. It’s about...

For osteopathic (DO) medical students, one of the biggest decisions during preclinical and clinical training is not just what specialty to pursue or where to apply for residency - but now, it is whether to take the USMLE in addition to the COMLEX.   While it was much more common...

Clinical reasoning is the skill that connects your clerkship experiences with Step 2 CK performance. Whether you are interpreting a long exam vignette or assessing a new patient on rounds, you must be able to identify what matters, filter out noise, and make safe, efficient decisions.   We have worked...

You’ve already done the hard emotional work of accepting that you’re entering SOAP Week. You’ve processed the shock, the disappointment, the uncertainty — all the feelings that come with not matching the first time around. So, let’s shift gears.   This post isn’t about emotions; it’s about strategy. It’s about...

Applying to residency is one of the most exciting and pivotal steps in your medical journey. For most U.S. medical students, the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) is the mechanism through which you will tell your story, showcase your qualifications, and secure those all-important interviews and ultimately a spot in...

The Step 2 CK exam score is one of the top factors residency programs use when selecting candidates to interview. Most students in the United States take the USMLE Step 2 CK after their third-year clinical rotations—typically between May and July—to align with residency application timelines. This schedule ensures you...

With the change of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 transitioning to an entirely pass-fail examination, more emphasis has been placed on the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (Step 2 CK) score in the residency selection process. [blurred_unlock] KeyPoint Details Importance Step 2 CK is one of the most important...

One of the hardest decisions that all medical students face involves picking the resources to help them succeed on their board exams. To provide you the best and most accurate advice, we have our tutors personally utilize the services we review. In this blog post, we will share our impressions of TrueLearn’s SmartBanks for COMLEX Level 1 and COMLEX Level 2 CE.

This blog was updated in 2025 to reflect the latest ABSITE study strategies and resources.   Preparing for the ABSITE in 2025 comes with new challenges and opportunities. Unlike for other standardized tests, it can be difficult to find comprehensive resources for ABSITE studying. Surgery requires a lot of knowledge,...

This blog was originally published on March 21, 2023, and was updated in September 2025 with new information.   There are innumerable resources available for Step 1 preparation. No one study approach will work for everyone or guarantee success. Whatever plan or resources you decide to use, everyone will need to...

UWorld flashcards have several unique features that make them particularly well suited to USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 prep. The flashcard feature utilizes spaced repetition systems and is completely integrated with the UWorld question bank which makes creating flashcards very simple. Here’s our guide to creating UWorld cards!

The ABIM tests your knowledge on common and rare diagnoses expected from a board-certified internist according to American Board of Internal Medicine standards. To set yourself up for success, it is important to start early and practice often.

Having scored in the 270-280 range on Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 of the USMLE, I am often asked by students questions like “What’s your secret?”, “How can I plan my study schedule to…