Let’s face it - there are a few things in medical school that will drain your spirit quite like seeing a low score on an NBME Step 1 practice exam. After the days and nights of review, Anki cards, reading First Aid, and watching Pathoma, a disappointing practice test score...

Pharmacology is one of the most challenging topics of medical school, and many students struggle with it during their preparation for Step 2 CK. Unlike Step 1, where pharmacology is heavily mechanism-focused, Step 2 CK emphasizes on clinical implications. In general, it is critically important that you understand which medications...

If you’ve recently passed Step 1 or you’re preparing to take Step 1 and Step 2 close together, you’ve probably heard that Step 2 is just Step 1 with longer clinical vignettes. While this is a commonly shared idea, it doesn’t quite hold up. Step 2 isn’t simply a longer...

Why tricky questions aren’t “tricks”, and how to start thinking like the test writers.   If you’ve ever left an NBME feeling like the test was out to get you, you’re not alone. Students often describe NBME exams as filled with tricks, traps, or wordplay designed to confuse you. But...

Medical school is a marathon, not a sprint. Long study blocks, whether for preclinical courses, shelf exams, or Step 1/Step 2 prep, can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to start a study session with full energy and then feel your motivation fade after a few hours, days, or weeks. The key...

This blog was originally published in October 2025 by Dylan Eiger and updated in April 2026 by Kala Frye Bourque.   NBME shelf exams have evolved. Today’s shelves are longer, more reasoning-focused, and often mirror Step 2 CK in style. They emphasize next-step management, guideline-based care, and outpatient medicine more...

Preparing for Step 2 CK can feel like a fresh start, but in reality, many of the foundational topics from Step 1 resurface in a more clinical and applied context. Students often wonder which Step 1 topics they should review before diving into Step 2 CK prep. While Step 2...

Preparing for the USMLE Step exams as an international medical graduate can feel like learning a new language - sometimes quite literally. Many IMGs come into the process with strong medical knowledge, solid clinical experience, and impressive academic backgrounds, yet still feel blindsided by USMLE-style questions. It’s frustrating to know...

The transition from the preclinical years to the clinical phase of medical education is marked by a fundamental shift in how your knowledge is acquired, processed, and, importantly, applied. For most students, the pinnacle of this transition is the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK)....

Here’s Why That Should Make You Pause If you’re applying to residency soon, there’s a good chance AI will be involved in reviewing your application.   A recent JAMA viewpoint highlights how quickly AI has entered the residency selection process through its integration into ERAS. Programs are using AI tools...