About the Author

Coco Stewart

Coco Stewart began tutoring with a much younger demographic when she taught Spanish to preschoolers and middle schoolers while studying at Lipscomb University. She greatly enjoyed teaching and even considered it as a full-time career. After college, she was awarded a prestigious Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in northern Spain. She then worked at the NIH studying the psychosocial variables of sickle cell disease prior to beginning medical school. During her time in medical school, Coco was president of the Urology Student Association and a member of the AOA Medical Honor Society. Coco is a first-year urology resident at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

How Many Times Can You Take the USMLE Step 1? Preparing for the Worst Case Scenario

24 min

141 Views

Medical student focused on studying for a USMLE Step 1 retake at a library desk with a laptop covered in sticky notes.

141 Views

The USMLE Step exams are no joke. There are plenty of students who have struggled to pass their exam on the first, second, or even third try. If you find yourself in a position where you are asking, “How many times can I take USMLE Step 1?”, know that you...

USMLE Step 2 CK Percentiles: How to Interpret and Score in the Top Ranges

18 min

23674 Views

Two medical school students on their clinical rotations studying for Step 2 CK in front of a laptop, wearing scrubs.

23674 Views

The USMLE Step 2 CK percentiles provide a benchmark to evaluate your performance compared to other test-takers. With Step 1 now pass/fail, Step 2 CK scores play an increasingly important role in residency applications, making a high percentile score critical for competitive specialties. This guide breaks down the latest percentile...

A Step-by-Step Guide to Acquiring USMLE Test Accommodations

10 min

1731 Views

Close-up of hands typing on a laptop, submitting a USMLE test accommodations request online.

1731 Views

Navigating the USMLE is not an easy task in and of itself. Add on to that a need for testing accommodations, and it may well feel impossible. While the process can certainly be difficult, it’s not impossible. This blog offers a few simple steps to help you navigate the process...

Balancing Medical School and Life: Strategies for Maintaining a Social Life

13 min

473 Views

Group of medical students studying together and socializing, illustrating the balance between academic life and maintaining friendships.

473 Views

The transition from undergraduate to medical school can be a difficult one! You may be accustomed to having lots of time on your hands to study, exercise, hang out with friends, and work. As you get used to your medical student life, you may have less personal time on your...

The Experts Weigh In: Survey Results on the Best Way to Study The Week Before Step 2

16 min

591 Views

Chart showing the results of question 1 of our Step 2 tutor survey: What is the general schedule do you recommend to students the week before the exam (excluding the day before)?

591 Views

Step 2 Studying: The Week Before Test Day Advice   So you’ve been studying for weeks or even months for your Step 2 exam… you are SO close, yet so far away. With only a week left before the big day, you may be asking yourself, “How should I spend...

Mastering SOAP Note Style Questions on USMLE Step 2 CK

20 min

1225 Views

A doctor in a clinical setting discussing a patient's medical history with the patient for the purpose of writing a SOAP note.

1225 Views

The USMLE Step 2 CK now includes SOAP note style vignette questions, a format that tests your ability to manage clinical scenarios efficiently. These questions require a structured approach to patient care, making it essential to master the SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) framework.   The SOAP notes presented on...

What You Need to Match Into Urology for Residency – Step 2 Scores and Other Helpful Tips!

14 min

2041 Views

Medical tools and supplies arranged on a table with a paper labeled 'Urology,' including a stethoscope, syringes, a pill organizer, and a urine sample container.

2041 Views

What Step 2 score do I need to get into a urology residency?   With the new scoring system of Pass/Fail for Step 1, much of the focus has shifted to a Step 2 score. In competitive residencies like urology, a higher Step 2 score can help open the door...

How Long to Study for Step 1: Road to USMLE Success

13 min

2214 Views

A medical student organizing their study schedule for Step 1 in front of a calendar, making notes with colorful sticky notes.

2214 Views

With the transition from a scored Step 1 to PASS/FAIL, many students are left asking themselves how long they should take to study for Step 1. Is 2 weeks enough? Should I plan for a full 6 weeks for Step 1?   And, like many things in life, the answer...

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