When Should You Start Studying for USMLE Step 1? A Longitudinal Approach That Works
Preparing for the USMLE Step 1 can feel like an enormous task. With so much content to cover and the stakes so high, it’s no wonder students are constantly asking: How early should I start studying for Step 1? What’s the ideal Step 1 study timeline? What month do...
The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to USMLE Permits: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re a medical student or an International Medical Graduate (IMG) preparing for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), one of the first steps is obtaining a USMLE scheduling permit. This document allows you to book your exam date and is essential for progressing in the licensure process. ...
The Power of Microlearning for USMLE Step 1 Prep
The USMLE Step 1 is one of the most challenging milestones for medical students. With high stakes and a grueling preparation process, it often feels like an overwhelming task. Many students rely on traditional study methods such as long lectures, hours of reading dense textbooks, and marathon review sessions, but...
2025 Guide to Interpreting NBME Practice Exams for Step 1 and Step 2
Almost all students preparing for the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 will take at least one (hopefully more!) practice test leading up to test day. While various practice tests are available to assess your performance, many students will turn directly to the NBME practice tests to estimate their chances...
How Many Times Can You Take the USMLE Step 1? Preparing for the Worst Case Scenario
The USMLE Step exams are no joke. There are plenty of students who have struggled to pass their exam on the first, second, or even third try. If you find yourself in a position where you are asking, “How many times can I take USMLE Step 1?”, know that you...
USMLE Step 1 2025 Exam Dates and Costs
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 2025 exam dates and costs, the scope and length of the exam and...
The USMLE Step 1 Content Outline: How to Make the Most of The Guide
When preparing for the USMLE Step 1, students often find themselves wading through an ocean of resources, practice questions, and review books. Among the numerous tools available, one that is often overlooked but extremely useful is the USMLE Step 1 Content Outline, available here. Published by the USMLE itself, this...
A Step-by-Step Guide to Acquiring USMLE Test Accommodations
Navigating the USMLE is not an easy task in and of itself. Add on to that a need for testing accommodations, and it may well feel impossible. While the process can certainly be difficult, it’s not impossible. This blog offers a few simple steps to help you navigate the process...
Do Osteopathic DO Students Need to Take USMLE Step Exams?
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...
NBME 26-NBME 31: Which is the Best Predictor for Passing Step 1
This blog was originally published on March 21, 2023, and was updated in August 2024 for new information. There are innumerable resources available for Step 1 preparation. No one study approach will work for everyone or guarantee success. Whatever plan or resources you decide to use, everyone will need to...