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Move over UWorld! There’s a new qbank in town! Is there a new contender for the qbank throne? Here’s our honest reviewal of the TrueLearn question bank and how it stacks up next to UWorld.

This blog was originally written by Dr. Chris Bassil in May 2022, and was updated for accuracy by Dr. Ria Patel on August 7, 2025. As a board exam tutor,...

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...

Latest Blogs

A Step-by-Step Guide for International Students Applying to U.S. Medical Schools International students can and do regularly matriculate to medical school in the United States. However, applying as an international...

Congratulations! You did it! You took USMLE Step 1, the test you spent months studying for, and now you’re anxiously awaiting that email notification telling you that your Step 1 score is available. So now what? 

Starting a family during medical school is both exciting and overwhelming. Between exams, clinical rotations, and everything else on your plate, figuring out parental leave policies can feel like yet...

USMLE STEP 1

A medical school student looking excitedly at a piece of paper after finding out that she passed Step 1.

Congratulations! You did it! You took USMLE Step 1, the test you spent months studying for, and now you’re anxiously awaiting that email notification telling you that your Step 1 score is available. So now what? 

Step 1 Mnemonics: Master Your Study Techniques

From the perspective of a med student-turned-tutor who has used them in the trenches.   Want the Science Behind It? If you’ve ever found yourself reciting “Some Say Marry Money, But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More” while trying to remember the cranial nerves, you already know the quiet...

Active Recall and Spaced Repetition for Step 1

Active Recall and Spaced Repetition for Step 1: Why They Work (and How to Start) If you’re in medical school, you’ve probably heard people talk about active recall and spaced repetition like they’re some kind of magical learning tools. And honestly? They kind of are - if you use them...

USMLE STEP 2CK

A medical school student looking excitedly at a piece of paper after finding out that she passed Step 1.

Congratulations! You did it! You took USMLE Step 1, the test you spent months studying for, and now you’re anxiously awaiting that email notification telling you that your Step 1 score is available. So now what? 

Student studying for USMLE exam in front of her laptop.

This blog was originally written by Dr. Chris Bassil in May 2022, and was updated for accuracy by Dr. Ria Patel on August 7, 2025. As a board exam tutor, the first meeting I have with almost any new student involves a discussion of their study schedule and resources. During...

The blog was originally published in March 2024, and updated in July 2025 by Dr. Bijoya Basu Big Take Away For Step 2:  The best predictor of your Step 2 Success is not a single practice exam or resource, but it’s a combination of consistent performance and dedication throughout medical...

COMLEX LEVEL 1

A DO doctor and his patient.

When starting your medical school application, you will find that there are multiple paths you can choose, namely, MD vs DO. Should you apply to an Allopathic or an Osteopathic medical school? What’s the difference between them, and which path is right for you?

A medical student studying on a laptop, preparing for COMLEX and USMLE exams.

This is a common question that my osteopathic medical students ask me. The answer is not so straightforward because they are different exams. As a DO student, an important decision that you have to make is whether or not you should take the USMLE exams in addition to the required...

A stethoscope resting on a thick medical book, symbolizing the study and preparation required for medical exams like USMLE and COMLEX.

Historically, DO students were recommended to take both the COMLEX and USMLE Step exams (specifically Step 1 and Step 2 CK) in order to be competitive for residency applications. However, now that both COMLEX Level 1 and Step 1 have become pass/fail, DO students wonder if they should still take...

RESIDENCY ADVISING

A medical school student looking excitedly at a piece of paper after finding out that she passed Step 1.

Congratulations! You did it! You took USMLE Step 1, the test you spent months studying for, and now you’re anxiously awaiting that email notification telling you that your Step 1 score is available. So now what? 

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Residency application is fast approaching and students need to decide which programs they want to apply to and ultimately interview at. When compiling a list of these programs, there are several key factors that ought to be kept in mind.

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. While your Step 2 score is not the only factor that programs use...

RESOURCE REVIEWS

Medical school student studying for USMLE exams in front of a laptop using TrueLearn and UWorld.

Move over UWorld! There’s a new qbank in town! Is there a new contender for the qbank throne? Here’s our honest reviewal of the TrueLearn question bank and how it stacks up next to UWorld.

Student studying for USMLE exam in front of her laptop.

This blog was originally written by Dr. Chris Bassil in May 2022, and was updated for accuracy by Dr. Ria Patel on August 7, 2025. As a board exam tutor, the first meeting I have with almost any new student involves a discussion of their study schedule and resources. During...

Medical student preparing for the USMLE Step 2 exam, taking notes at a desk with a laptop and study materials, representing focused study and exam preparation.

As you prepare for the high-stakes USMLE Step 2 exam, practice exams are a crucial tool to gauge your progress and identify areas for improvement. While many students rely on NBME and UWorld self-assessments, the AMBOSS Step 2 CK self-assessment offers another valuable tool for gauging readiness and reviewing key...

HOW TO

A deck of empty flashcards to be used on UWorld.

UWorld flashcards have several unique features that make them particularly well suited to USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 prep. The flashcard feature utilizes spaced repetition systems and is completely integrated with the UWorld question bank which makes creating flashcards very simple. Here’s our guide to creating UWorld cards!

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.

How-to-Score-a-280-on-USMLE-Step-2-CK

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…

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.