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USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 Score Percentiles

Several USMLE percentile score graphs over an outstretched hand.

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How to calculate your USMLE Step 1 or USMLE Step 2CK score percentile is a common question many medical students ask. Here are the 2020 USMLE Step 1 and Step 2CK percentile charts to see how you compare to other students.

How to Approach ‘Most Likely Diagnosis’ Questions on USMLE Exams

8 Steps for Mastering ‘Most Likely Diagnosis’ Questions on the USMLE

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8 Steps for Mastering ‘Most Likely Diagnosis’ Questions on the USMLE   The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is filled with clinical vignette-style questions designed to assess your ability to apply medical knowledge in real-world scenarios. One of the most common question types you’ll encounter is the "Most Likely...

Making the Most of UWorld’s 30 Day Subscription

Medical school student studying for the USMLE in a library in front of a laptop, making the most of her UWorld subscription.

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Is it worth it to get UWorld’s most basic 30 day subscription? While we certainly don’t advise waiting until a month before your test date to start going through UWorld, it is actually possible to get through one full pass in only 30 days.

When Should You Start Studying for USMLE Step 1? A Longitudinal Approach That Works

15 min

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Medical student studying on a laptop in the library with earphones in, preparing for USMLE Step 1.

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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...

Guide to USMLE Permits: Everything You Need to Know

12 min

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

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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

14 min

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Medical students studying in a library, using notebooks, laptops, and headphones—illustrating focused microlearning techniques for USMLE Step 1 preparation.

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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

A medical school student taking an NBME practice test for USMLE prep in a living room in front of a desktop computer.

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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?

24 min

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Medical student focused on studying for a USMLE Step 1 retake at a library desk with a laptop covered in sticky notes.

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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

10 min

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

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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

12 min

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A medical student lying on a rug, studying the USMLE Step 1 Content Outline with a focused expression, surrounded by study materials, a laptop, and natural light from a nearby window.

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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...

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