About the Author

Karissa Libson

Karissa is attending the Ohio State University College of Medicine where she is in her 4th and final year of medical school.

How to Get a 90th Percentile Score in Your Psychiatry Shelf

6 min

80 Views

A doctor in a white coat, holding a card with the word "psychiatry" written on it, symbolizing the focus of the blog on achieving a high score in the Psychiatry Shelf Exam.

80 Views

Most medical students will take NBME Clinical Science Subject Exams, or “shelf” exams at the end of a clinical rotation. Depending on your medical school, there may be different score or percentile cutoffs for passing and honors grading. While the grading system at each medical school is unique, a 90th...

Study Strategies for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) for Step 2 CK

7 min

108 Views

A group of diverse international medical graduates (IMGs) studying together at a table, using laptops and tablets, symbolizing collaboration and preparation for the USMLE Step 2 CK exam.

108 Views

International medical gradutes (IMGs) represented ⅓ of the applicants to residency programs participating in the 2022 main residency match (30.4%). IMGs include both US-citizens who graduate from foreign medical schools and non-US citizens who graduate from foreign medical schools. However, despite their significant presence in the applicant pool, IMGs often...

Pros and Cons: Is the AMBOSS Step 1 Self Assessment Worth Your Time?

8 min

109 Views

A smiling woman with curly hair and glasses, reviewing study materials at her desk, representing a medical student preparing for the USMLE Step 1 exam using various resources like the AMBOSS Step 1 Self-Assessment.

109 Views

When it comes to acing USMLE Step 1, practice exams are essential. You've likely heard of NBME and UWorld self-assessments, but have you considered Amboss Step 1 Self-Assessment? In this post, we'll put it to the test: how does it stack up against the competition, and is it worth your...

How to Maintain Work-Life Balance During USMLE Step 2 Prep

8 min

158 Views

Person balancing wooden blocks with the words 'WORK' and 'LIFE' on a seesaw, symbolizing work-life balance during USMLE prep.

158 Views

How to Maintain Work-Life Balance During USMLE Step 2 Prep   Medical school is notoriously time-consuming and dedicated study periods for USMLE board exams (Step 1, Step 2) can be even more demanding. While your preparation for USMLE Step 2 CK can be stretched out over a long period during...

Navigating the Transition from Step 1 to Step 2 CK

11 min

470 Views

A medical student studying for his USMLE Step 2 CK exam at home in front of a laptop.

470 Views

Navigating the USMLE Step 1 to Step 2 CK transition is a pivotal moment for many medical students, demanding a thorough grasp of the similarities and differences between these two exams. In this blog, we'll explore essential facets of each exam, from their structure and content to strategic insights for...

Aim High or Just Pass USMLE Step 1

9 min

20315 Views

Medical school student studying for the USMLE Step 1 at home.

20315 Views

Every year, medical students between second and fourth year will sit for the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK. With upcoming changes to how USMLE Step 1 is scored, many students find themselves wondering “What score do I really need?”

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