What’s a “Good” MCAT Score for You? A Strategic Breakdown by Goals
Question Quick Answer Why It Matters What’s the MCAT score range? 472–528 (4 sections, each 118–132). Knowing the scale helps you set realistic goals. Average is ~500 (50th percentile). What do accepted students actually score? MD: ~511–512DO: ~504–505 Top-tier (Harvard, Hopkins, Stanford): 517+ These benchmarks give you a sense...
How to Identify a Student’s Learning Style — and Why It Matters
A guide for learning advisors and tutors working with premedical and medical students. When it comes to mastering medicine, no two students learn in exactly the same way. Some thrive on visual mnemonics and diagrams; others need to talk through mechanisms or teach the material to solidify their understanding....
What Residency Programs Are Looking for During SOAP Week — and How to Set Yourself Up for Success
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...
Step 2 Prep: Tips, Resources, and Common Mistakes
For today’s medical student, preparing for USMLE Step 2 CK feels bigger than ever. With Step 1 now pass/fail, Step 2 CK has become the centerpiece of many residency applications. A strong score can open doors, while a weak one can limit interview offers in competitive specialties. But here’s...
SOAP: How to Optimize Your Application and Match Strategically
Introduction: Why SOAP Matters Match Week is one of the most exciting (and nerve-wracking) times in a medical student’s journey. By Monday of match week, you’ll find out whether you matched. For many students, this brings relief and celebration. But for some, it’s the start of an incredibly stressful process:...
How to Prepare for USMLE Step 2 CK: A Complete Guide (2025)
When Step 1 officially shifted to pass/fail, Step 2 CK became the numerical score that residency programs rely on to compare applicants. For many students, this exam feels like the make-or-break milestone in the application process. That can sound intimidating, but the good news is that you have already built...
Step 2 Scores by Specialty: What You Need to Know
The U.S. residency application landscape has shifted dramatically since USMLE Step 1 became pass/fail. For today’s applicants, the Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) exam is often the only numerical score available to program directors when comparing candidates. This change has made Step 2 CK more influential than ever before. ...
How to Make the Most of Your AAMC Practice Tests for the MCAT
A Tutor’s Guide to Smarter Studying, Stronger Scores, and Minimal Stress Why Your AAMC Practice Exams Are Gold If you’re preparing for the MCAT, you’ve probably heard it a hundred times: The AAMC practice tests are the most accurate predictor of your actual score. And it’s true - no...
How to Tackle the Hardest USMLE Step 1 Topics: A Tutor’s Guide
As many have said before, preparing for the USMLE Step 1 can feel like trying to drink from a firehose. And while some topics may come easily, others feel like they were designed in a secret lab just to test your sanity. As a tutor, I’ve worked with dozens of...
How to Stay Motivated Throughout COMLEX Level 1 Preparation
Preparing for COMLEX Level 1 is a unique kind of marathon - equal parts knowledge, endurance, strategy, and mindset. When it comes to COMLEX Level 1 preparation, as you gear up for what might feel like the most important test of your life (so far!), it’s completely normal to ride...