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In my first clerkship, I quickly learned that the information medical students were expected to know was suddenly very different from the knowledge that got me through my pre-clerkship curriculum....

Short on time? Consider our 6-week COMLEX Level 1 calendar for an intensive alternative.   You're 10 weeks away from conquering COMLEX Level 1, and it's time to embark on...

You're 6 weeks away from conquering the COMLEX Level 1, and it's time to dive into an intensive study plan tailored to ensure your success. Our 6-week COMLEX Level 1...

Latest Blogs

Residency is a stage of medical training that, in the US, is completed after medical school. As post-graduate medical education, residency training ranges in length depending on what field you...

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...

In my first clerkship, I quickly learned that the information medical students were expected to know was suddenly very different from the knowledge that got me through my pre-clerkship curriculum....

USMLE STEP 1

Medical school students taking the USMLE Step 1 in a computer room in a Prometric testing center.

The USMLE Step 1 exam is an important early step in the career of any aspiring US-licensed doctor. In this blog post we will review some frequently asked questions about the exam. This includes USMLE Step 1 2024 exam dates and costs, the scope and length of the exam and...

A medical school student studying for USMLE Step 1 on her laptop in a cafe.

The United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 Step 1 stands as a crucial milestone for medical students, typically undertaken between their second and third year of medical school. Despite its pass/fail nature, it remains a challenging exam, demanding thorough preparation. Most medical schools allocate 4-8 weeks of dedicated...

Medical school students taking their USMLE Step 2 exam in a prometric testing center.

Thousands of UWorld questions, endless Anki cards, and countless sleepless nights later, you’re ready to take on the USMLE Step 1! But what should you actually do to prepare for test day? After weeks to months of studying for such an important and challenging test, you might run up again...

USMLE STEP 2CK

A medical school student studying for his shelf exams using OnlineMedEd, sitting at a desk in front of a laptop.

In my first clerkship, I quickly learned that the information medical students were expected to know was suddenly very different from the knowledge that got me through my pre-clerkship curriculum. Instead of the emphasis on basic science and foundations, the clerkship year and shelf exams required much more focus on...

This is an article about Step 2 that is useful long before dedicated test prep! Whether you are in the midst of your dedicated study time or more than a year out, read on to find out what the best score predictor is for USMLE Step 2 CK! Some would...

A focused medical school student taking her USMLE Step 2 CK exam in a computer room.

What is the USMLE Step 2 CK Exam?   USMLE Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) is an examination conducted by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) in the United States. It is one of the steps required for medical licensure in...

COMLEX LEVEL 1

6-week Study Planner preview image for COMLEX Level 1 by Elite Medical Prep.

Short on time? Consider our 6-week COMLEX Level 1 calendar for an intensive alternative.   You're 10 weeks away from conquering COMLEX Level 1, and it's time to embark on a comprehensive study journey designed to aid in your success. Our 10-week COMLEX Level 1 study calendar is a strategic...

6-week Study Planner preview image for COMLEX Level 1 by Elite Medical Prep.

You're 6 weeks away from conquering the COMLEX Level 1, and it's time to dive into an intensive study plan tailored to ensure your success. Our 6-week COMLEX Level 1 study schedule is designed for dedicated students with a strong foundation, aiming for optimal performance on test day. Whether you're...

Osteopathic medical school student sitting in a library with a laptop in his lap, studying for the COMLEX exams.

The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) is a three-part assessment conducted by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME). To graduate from an osteopathic medical school, students are required to pass both the COMLEX Level 1 and Level 2 exams. Typically, Level 1 is taken after the second...

RESIDENCY ADVISING

A group of medical residents in their chosen specialty, smiling and wearing scrubs in a hospital.

Residency is a stage of medical training that, in the US, is completed after medical school. As post-graduate medical education, residency training ranges in length depending on what field you are training for. Additionally within each field, there are opportunities to specialize even further through an added few years of...

A group of medical school students on their clinical clerkship.

Selecting a desired medical specialty marks a pivotal moment in a medical student's career. However, the process is intricate and evolves with factors throughout your academic journey. One of, if not the most important, contributors to this decision-making process is the exposure gained during clinical clerkships in medical school. In...

A group of IMGs who matched in the 2024 cycle.

The new transition from previous online support services to the new MyIntealth portal has been a source of great stress to IMGs applying for the 2024 Match. Understandably, there is a lot of confusion surrounding the launch, but there are several new benefits to transitioning fully to MyIntealth. Some of...

RESOURCE REVIEWS

A medical school student studying for his shelf exams using OnlineMedEd, sitting at a desk in front of a laptop.

In my first clerkship, I quickly learned that the information medical students were expected to know was suddenly very different from the knowledge that got me through my pre-clerkship curriculum. Instead of the emphasis on basic science and foundations, the clerkship year and shelf exams required much more focus on...

A group of surgery residents preparing for surgery.

Unlike other standardized tests, it can be difficult to find comprehensive resources for ABSITE studying. Surgery requires a lot of knowledge, and doing only one question bank may limit you when it comes to scoring a higher percentile. Unfortunately, none of the resources for ABSITE are fully comprehensive. So it...

A medical school student looking at the AMBOSS website on their phone for USMLE review.

This blog was originally posted on December 18, 2018, and was edited on October 2023 to update pricing details, however, some of the content may be out of date. Consider looking into some of our more recent resource reviews: AMBOSS vs. UWorld: Which is a Better USMLE Resource? Pathoma: USMLE...

HOW TO

Someone with open book studying for ABIM Exam

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.

student on the computer taking notes for USMLE Step 2CK

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…

a student holding knees up with hand on forehead managing Step 1 test anxiety

Just like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, at times medical students can feel like they are living the same day over and over again (especially now in the midst of coronavirus test cancellations). Between learning new content, spending long hours studying, and anxiously taking exams, many students feel stuck in a perpetual cycle of anxiety

ABIM

Someone with open book studying for ABIM Exam

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.

Desk with Laptop, stethoscope and notes for ABIM QBank Review

Each year, as thousands of physicians begin studying for the internal medicine boards, an age-old question comes up: Which question bank (Qbank) should they choose? Today we are going to be reviewing the UWorld ABIM question bank to evaluate its quality as a study resource.

A family medicine doctor and her patients.

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.