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A Step-by-Step Guide to Acquiring USMLE Test Accommodations

10 min

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Close-up of hands typing on a laptop, submitting a USMLE test accommodations request online.

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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?

9 min

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

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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

9 min

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Medical students taking their USMLE Step 1 exam in a classroom.

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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...

Pros and Cons: Is the AMBOSS Step 1 Self Assessment Worth Your Time?

8 min

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A smiling woman with curly hair and glasses, reviewing study materials at her desk, representing a medical student preparing for the USMLE Step 1 exam using various resources like the AMBOSS Step 1 Self-Assessment.

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When it comes to acing USMLE Step 1, practice exams are essential. You've likely heard of NBME and UWorld self-assessments, but have you considered Amboss Step 1 Self-Assessment? In this post, we'll put it to the test: how does it stack up against the competition, and is it worth your...

Comparing Step 1 and Step 2 CK: What Changes to Expect

13 min

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A young woman with curly hair and glasses studies for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 in a library, intently reading a textbook.

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What is the Difference Between USMLE Step 1 and Step 2?   USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 are compulsory licensure exams for medical students before residency in the US. Scores on these exams are also used by residency programs to evaluate each individual student’s didactic knowledge and capabilities. However,...

8 Tips on How to Use Anki USMLE Flashcards

17 min

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Student on laptop using Anki USMLE Flashcards

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When it comes to studying for the USMLE, it’s worth learning how to make proper flashcards up front. While there are many different USMLE..

What is Spaced Repetition and Why it’s SO Important for USMLE?

9 min

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A medical school student studying for USMLE using spaced repetition techniques.

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On its most basic level, spaced repetition is spacing out new concepts that we are learning over time to more efficiently remember various things. Furthermore, it involves progressively spacing out concepts that we are relatively strong in further and further into time while re-introducing topics that we are relatively weaker in a shorter interval in between.

How Long to Study for Step 1: Road to USMLE Success

13 min

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A medical student organizing their study schedule for Step 1 in front of a calendar, making notes with colorful sticky notes.

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With the transition from a scored Step 1 to PASS/FAIL, many students are left asking themselves how long they should take to study for Step 1. Is 2 weeks enough? Should I plan for a full 6 weeks for Step 1?   And, like many things in life, the answer...

Master the USMLE in 6 Weeks: Your Free Step 1 Study Plan

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

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The USMLE, encompassing Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3, serves as an important milestone in the journey toward medical licensure. Despite the transition of Step 1 to a pass/fail grading system in February 2022, effective preparation remains paramount. That is why we created the 6-week Step 1 study schedule!...

Farewell to General Principles in Step 1: 2024 USMLE Update

5 min

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A medical school student studying for her Step 1 exam in a library in front of a laptop.

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What is the 2024 USMLE Step 1 Content Outline Update?   Exciting news has arrived for aspiring medical professionals! The USMLE recently revised its Step 1 content outline, a crucial step in the path to medical licensure. In this 2024 USMLE Step 1 Content Outline Update, the topics which were...

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