Navigating the ERAS Application: Tips & To-Do’s
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...
US Doctor Specialties by USMLE Step 2 CK Scores
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...
USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 Score Percentiles
How to calculate your USMLE Step 1 or USMLE Step 2CK score percentile is a common question many medical students ask. Here are the 2020 USMLE Step 1 and Step 2CK percentile charts to see how you compare to other students.
2025 Guide to Interpreting NBME Practice Exams for Step 1 and Step 2
Almost all students preparing for the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 will take at least one (hopefully more!) practice test leading up to test day. While various practice tests are available to assess your performance, many students will turn directly to the NBME practice tests to estimate their chances...
How to Prepare for Residency Match Day
The day you have been waiting for has finally arrived! You have spent years training to become a doctor. And in just a few days or weeks, you will learn on Match Day where you will spend the next few years of your life as a practicing physician in residency....
How to get a 90th percentile score in your Pediatrics shelf
The pediatrics shelf exam is one of the more challenging examinations given its breadth of topics, covering everything from neonatology to adolescent medicine. To achieve a 90th percentile score, you will need a targeted study strategy that leverages high-yield topics, effective study methods, and the best available resources. This guide...
Getting the Most Out of AMBOSS for Step 2 CK Prep
For medical students preparing for Step 2 CK, choosing the right study resources is crucial. AMBOSS has gained popularity as a powerful question bank (QBank) and medical knowledge resource, but many students wonder: Is AMBOSS worth it for Step 2 CK? How many Step 2 CK questions does AMBOSS have?...
Step 2 CK Timing: Should You Flag Questions?
Step 2 CK is an entirely different examination compared to Step 1. While Step 1 is now pass/fail, Step 2 CK is scored, making time management even more critical for those aiming for competitive specialties as this score is extremely important in selecting who are the top residency candidates. One...
How to Approach ‘Most Likely Diagnosis’ Questions on USMLE Exams
8 Steps for Mastering ‘Most Likely Diagnosis’ Questions on the USMLE The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is filled with clinical vignette-style questions designed to assess your ability to apply medical knowledge in real-world scenarios. One of the most common question types you’ll encounter is the "Most Likely...
Are NBME Practice Exams a True Reflection of Shelf Exam Difficulty?
In medical education, shelf exams evaluate students' knowledge and clinical reasoning during core clinical clerkships. Administered by medical schools, often written by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), these pivotal exams determine students' readiness for clinical rotations and overall performance. Questions often arise about the correlation between NBME practice...