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How to Study for the Internal Medicine Shelf Exam: A Practical Study Plan

8 min

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Someone using their laptop for studying the Internal Medicine Shelf Exam.

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So you’ve got the internal medicine shelf exam ahead of you huh? Well, don’t stress! While shelf exams may seem stressful or intimidating at first, with proper preparation and planning, you’ll do just fine. Here are our tips on how to study for the IM shelf exam.

Step 2 CK vs. Shelf Exams: What’s the Real Difference (and Which Is Harder)?

12 min

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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.

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If you’re a medical student deep in clinical rotations, you’ve probably heard the constant chatter about shelf exams and USMLE Step 2 CK. Maybe you’ve even asked yourself: Are shelf exams harder than Step 2 CK? Does Step 2 feel like a bunch of shelf exams stitched together? Can I...

Are NBME Practice Exams a True Reflection of Shelf Exam Difficulty?

Medical school students taking a practice NBME to prepare for their shelf exams.

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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...

Creating a Study Plan for Clinical Rotations: A Guide from a Core Clerkship Lead

12 min

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Medical student wearing headphones, studying with a notebook and laptop, creating a study plan for clinical rotations.

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Clinical rotations are a very important part of your medical school experience; the hands-on learning that you are exposed to is pivotal to creating a well-rounded approach to your clinical practice. However, rotations bring a unique challenge: balancing shelf exam preparation with the long hours required at the hospital or...

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

7 min

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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.

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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...

How to Honor Your Family Medicine Rotation: Advice From a Former Preceptor

Young doctor in a white coat with stethoscope, ready to excel in a family medicine rotation.

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Your Family Medicine rotation is a fantastic opportunity to develop a broad set of clinical competencies that will benefit you in any field of medicine. In fact, honoring your Family Medicine rotation can prepare you for future rotations and board exams like Step 2 CK and Step 3 (as well...

Scoring Over the 90th Percentile on Your Ob/Gyn Shelf Exam

Pregnant woman lying on an exam table while a healthcare provider uses a fetal doppler to listen to the baby's heartbeat.

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Scoring over the 90th percentile on your OBG/YN shelf exam can be a great way to let your residency application shine. This is especially true if you are applying to OBG/YN residency or a related specialty like family medicine, surgery etc.  With that said, your OB/GYN clerkship is arguably one...

Why Getting a High Percentile Score on Your Shelf Exams is More Important Than Ever

6 min

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Study essentials for shelf exams including an open notebook, headphones, pencils, and a cup of coffee on a desk.

5258 Views

Many medical students take NBME Clinical Science Subject Exams, or “shelf” exams after completing core clinical rotations in Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine, Surgery, OBGYN, Family Medicine, Neurology, and Pediatrics. While passing and honors scores for these exams differ between medical schools, it is important to do your best on...

Overcoming Common Challenges in Pediatrics Clerkships

Female doctor using a stethoscope on a teddy bear to engage a young girl and her mother during a pediatric check-up in a medical office.

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Pediatrics clerkships are crucial in medical education. They offer students hands-on experience caring for infants, children, and adolescents. As you will hear time and time again, children are not mini-adults! They have their own dedicated speciality for a reason. While pediatrics rotations are rewarding and offer unique learning opportunities, they...

How to Simultaneously Study for Step 2 CK and Your Shelf Exams

11 min

39418 Views

Student with a number of open books studying for USMLE Step 2 CK and Shelf Exams

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Applying for residency is a stressful process with much that feels out of the applicant’s control. In truth however, there are some very important actions that can be taken to maximize your chances for success as an IMG!

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