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My Journey Through COMLEX Level 2 and Step 2: Decoding the Differences

A DO med school student studying for her COMLEX Level 2 and Step 2 simultaneously, sitting in front of a laptop.

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Beginning your journey of medical licensing exams can be a tough experience. As a recent DO graduate, I know the challenge of combining studying for the USMLE and COMLEX. For many, the dichotomy between the USMLE Step 2 and COMLEX Level 2 poses a unique set of hurdles—one that goes...

Tips for Effective Anki Use Studying for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2

14 min

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A medical school student studying for his USMLE exams in a library using Anki.

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What is Anki   If you are a new medical student, you have undoubtedly been bombarded with Anki since starting. Its application has spread like wildfire among medical students countrywide and with good reason. Anki is a spaced repetition flashcard program that works on both mobile devices and your computer....

How to Use OnlineMedEd to Study for Shelf Exams and Step 2

13 min

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A medical school student studying for his shelf exams using OnlineMedEd, sitting at a desk in front of a laptop.

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In my first clerkship, I quickly learned that the information medical students were expected to know was suddenly very different from the knowledge that got me through my pre-clerkship curriculum. Instead of the emphasis on basic science and foundations, the clerkship year and shelf exams required much more focus on...

The Absolute Best Predictor of Step 2 CK Scores

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This is an article about Step 2 that is useful long before dedicated test prep! Whether you are in the midst of your dedicated study time or more than a year out, read on to find out what the best score predictor is for USMLE Step 2 CK! Some would...

USMLE Step 2 CK 2024 Exam Dates and Costs

8 min

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A focused medical school student taking her USMLE Step 2 CK exam in a computer room.

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What is the USMLE Step 2 CK Exam?   USMLE Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) is an examination conducted by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) in the United States. It is one of the steps required for medical licensure in...

Best Resources for USMLE Step 2 CK Exam

19 min

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A medical school student and his Step 2 CK tutor studying with a variety of resources in a cafe.

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Are you thinking about preparing for the USMLE Step 2 CK exam? Feeling overwhelmed about where to start or what resources to use? The USMLE Step 2 exam is a big hurdle for medical students, and there are seemingly endless resources available to prepare, leaving many students wondering where to...

What to Bring With You to Your Step 2 Exam

11 min

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group of medical school students taking their Step 2 exam at a Prometric center.

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Preparing for USMLE Step 2  is no small feat. You have spent hours dissecting UWorld questions and crushing your Shelf exams. All while still diligently learning how to be an exemplary physician in your classes and clerkship rotations. With so much on your plate, you may forget that one of...

Understanding the New NBME Score Report

A medical school student looking through his NBME score report on a laptop to determine if he is ready for the USMLE exam.

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Understanding the New NBME Score Reports for USMLE Step 1 and 2 Preparation   So you just finished an NBME practice exam and the score report pops up. Most students immediately focus on the big score reported at the top. However, there is a wealth of information you can glean...

Scheduling Your Step 2 CK for the 2025 Residency Match

8 min

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A group of medical students studying for their Step 2 exam, sitting in front of a lap top.

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With Step 1 transitioning to a pass/fail format, the significance of the Step 2 CK exam in medical school has heightened. For third-year medical students approaching the 2025 Residency Match, determining the timing for Step 2 CK is crucial. Unlike Step 1, scheduling Step 2 CK offers greater flexibility. Various...

2023 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. In this post, we...

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