For years, one of the conveniences of the USMLE Step exams has been scheduling flexibility. If your practice scores weren't quite where you wanted them to be, you could often push your exam back a week or two. If you felt ready sooner than expected, you might even move your...

USMLE Step 1 is the first examination in the United States Medical Licensing Examination sequence. It assesses whether students can understand and apply the foundational sciences needed for the safe and effective practice of medicine.   Although Step 1 is reported as pass/fail, it remains an important milestone. Passing requires...

USMLE Step 1 sample questions provide an early look at how foundational science is tested through clinical scenarios. They can help you become familiar with question structure, practice identifying relevant clues, and evaluate whether you can apply what you have learned.   However, answering Step 1 questions requires more than...

USMLE Step 1 practice questions should not be reserved for the final weeks before your exam. Used correctly, they can help you learn foundational science, develop clinical reasoning, identify weaknesses, and determine whether you are ready to test.   However, completing a large number of questions is not automatically an...

If one study tool often separates top scorers from those who struggle on exam day, it is USMLE practice questions.   Many students spend months reading review books, watching video lectures, and making flashcards. They do this before they ever open a question bank. Others rush through thousands of questions...

Many medical students look back at their MCAT studying experiences with disdain, we study for months on end, sometimes while in school, trying to achieve a score that will better our application. Then, in medical school, we face another beast of a standardized test: Step 1. If you’re gearing up...

Introduction: The First Big Hurdle Every medical student knows that Step 1 or COMLEX Level 1 is a defining moment. Even though Step 1 has shifted to pass/fail, both exams still carry weight, and both require months of preparation. The good news is that the students who succeed aren’t necessarily...

For many medical students, the USMLE Step 1 is one of the most stressful and overwhelming experiences of medical school. However, with proper planning and organization, you can make test day feel more manageable. In this post we will not only provide you with a USMLE Step 1 checklist of...

FAQ Section   1. Is Step 1 still scored? No, Pass/Fail since Jan 2022. Passing is essential, but more importantly, Step 1 builds the foundation for Step 2. 2. So which score matters now? Step 2 CK. Scored 1-300; Pass = 218; Average = 245-247 As part of their holistic...

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) has announced an important update to its test accommodations request process that will affect all Step exam candidates, including international medical graduates (IMGs), beginning June 1, 2026.   If you plan to request testing accommodations for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, or...