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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 September 2025 with 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...

How to Tackle the Hardest USMLE Step 1 Topics: A Tutor’s Guide

14 min

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As many have said before, preparing for the USMLE Step 1 can feel like trying to drink from a firehose. And while some topics may come easily, others feel like they were designed in a secret lab just to test your sanity. As a tutor, I’ve worked with dozens of...

You Just Found Out Your USMLE Step 1 Score! Now What?

12 min

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

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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

11 min

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Step 1 Mnemonics: Master Your Study Techniques

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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

13 min

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Active Recall and Spaced Repetition for Step 1

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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...

AMBOSS vs. UWorld: Which is a Better USMLE Resource?

14 min

44347 Views

Student studying for USMLE exam in front of her laptop.

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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...

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...

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