USMLE Step 1 Practice Question Types

1192 Views
Types of Questions You’ll See on USMLE Step 1
There are many different types of USMLE Step 1 questions, and preparing for each type of question can help students gain confidence in their question approach and test-taking strategy. Prior to preparing for the different types of questions, it is often helpful to know what areas of content will be spanned by the test. Without knowing the areas The recent changes to the USMLE Step 1 include increased questions about applying basic science concepts and communication competencies. Systems-based practice and patient safety questions are decreasing, while diagnosis and management questions have been eliminated from Step 1 and moved to USMLE Step 2. These changes are likely related to the soon-to-be pass-fail grading system of USMLE Step 1, and demonstrate that USMLE Step 1 is pre-clinical exam, primarily testing application of basic science concepts, as well as communication skills.
Studying communication is not often prioritized by students, as it is perhaps seen as “common sense” or “low yield.” While communications can often be answered with a gut feeling, spending a limited amount of time preparing for this content can be helpful, particularly as the number of these question types will be increasing on Step 1 exams. Empathetic statements, obtaining more information or prior medical records, open-ended questions, and statements that avoid judgment or declarative statements are often the best answer in communication-style questions.
Related Articles
Read More
USMLE Sample Question Categories
While basic science concepts can be asked by the USMLE Step 1 in multiple different ways, each question on USMLE Step 1 can be fit into 1 of the following 3 categories: most likely, multimedia questions, and chart questions. It is important to note that negatively phrased questions (LEAST likely?; all of the following EXCEPT?; which is NOT?) are no longer present on USMLE Step 1, to the relief of many students. If you are stressed, there are ways to manage USMLE Step 1 Test Anxiety. Questions which were phrased in this way were often confusing and added a layer of complexity which detracted from the subject matter at hand, and were therefore eliminated from USMLE Step 1.
Most Likely Step 1 Questions
The most likely question students will encounter on the USMLE Step 1 exam is a “most likely” question (eg. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?)! Often, “most likely” questions will be asked in the context of a long clinical case. To approach these long cases, it is important for students to put together all the pieces of the puzzle. In order to do this quickly and efficiently, students should read the actual question of the stem first. This is important so students know if they will need to focus on diagnosis, a biochemical correlate, anatomy, etc. while they read through the question. Often, a brief 1-2 second skim through the answer choices will help students put together a framework for what they should be looking for in the stem. While reading, highlighting between 3-5 clues can help students put together the mental puzzle. Often, a clinical case is written, and one or two extra distracting details are added in that may be relevant to some of the (incorrect) answer choices. Because of these distractors, it is extremely important to put together all the clues and treat the case as a whole.
Multimedia Step 1 Questions
Multimedia questions encompass questions that contain radiologic or pathologic findings, or videos or audio of physical exam maneuvers. These questions often stress students out, and panic sets in the moment they press the “play” button on that dreaded cardiac physical exam. The first thing to do with any multimedia question is to keep calm and carry on. Many multimedia questions can in fact be answered by reading the stem alone! Therefore, the best approach to these types of questions is reading the actual question first, skimming the answer choices, then listening or watching or looking at the image at hand for no longer than 15 seconds, then reading the stem. Sometimes, the physical exam finding or the image will be easily recognized, in which case, great! Use it as one of the clues in the question stem. Sometimes, the multimedia may be harder to interpret – is that a rumbling diastolic murmur? Is it a fixed split S2? Is it a loud S4? In these cases, students should try to use the stem to put together as many clues as they can prior to jumping into the answer choices.
Chart Step 1 Questions
The last type of question that is commonly seen on USMLE Step 1 is a chart question. By this we mean that instead of sentences comprising the answer choices, students find a huge chart that is dominated by an assortment of up, down, and sideways arrows, with a sprinkling of urine findings (different types of casts, for example), CSF findings (protein, glucose levels), or pretty much anything else. Like multimedia questions, students often get easily overwhelmed by the charts and can easily get slipped up. The best way to approach a chart question is to start with the column you are most familiar with and use the process of elimination wisely. It is also important to remember which aspect is the cause, and which aspect may be a consequence – it is extremely easy to get mixed up with all the up and down arrows. Students should take their time and approach chart questions methodically. As always, if you need additional help or want to incorporate 1-on-1 tutoring into your study schedule, you can contact us here.
Need additional
help with your exam?
Enter your info to hear from a member of our team and discuss if 1-on-1 tutoring is right for you.
About the Author
Karolina Woroniecka, MD/PhD
As a former Howard Hughes Medical Institute Student Fellow, Karolina Woroniecka graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Brown University with a B.S. in Biology and Hispanic…
Read MoreNever Miss an Article!
Sign up to our newsletter and get the best of Elite Medical Prep, tailored for you.
Featured Articles
Elite Medical Prep
How to Make Memory Palaces in Medical School
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for the Internal Medicine Shelf Exam
Elite Medical Prep
What are Memory Palaces?
Elite Medical Prep
5 More New NBME Practice Exams Are Coming
Elite Medical Prep
Everything About UWorld’s ABFM QBank
Elite Medical Prep
Dealing With Test Anxiety During Medical School
Elite Medical Prep
5 Biggest Mistakes Students Make While Studying for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
How To Triage Reviewing for ABSITE and USMLE Step 3
Elite Medical Prep
Things IMGs Can Do to Improve Their Chance of US Residency Matching
Elite Medical Prep
Aim High or Just Pass USMLE Step 1 in 2021
Elite Medical Prep
A Complete Guide to Getting Through the UWorld QBank Twice
Elite Medical Prep
Elite Medical Prep Co-Founder Receives COVID-19 Vaccine
Elite Medical Prep
What to Do the Day Before Your USMLE Step 1 Exam
Elite Medical Prep
Why Basic Sciences Are Still Important During Preclinical Studies
Elite Medical Prep
COMLEX Level 1 to Become Pass/Fail!
Elite Medical Prep
Common ABSITE Question Types You’ll Encounter on the Exam
Elite Medical Prep
How I Used My UWorld Subscription for MS1 and MS2
Elite Medical Prep
Options for a Low ABSITE Score
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for USMLE Step 2CS
Elite Medical Prep
2021 USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK Score Percentiles
Elite Medical Prep
How to Simultaneously Study for Step 2 CK and Your Shelf Exams
Elite Medical Prep
5 Things US IMGs Should Know When Applying to Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Questions You Should Ask Your Prospective Residency Programs
Elite Medical Prep
How to Create an ABSITE Study Schedule
Elite Medical Prep
A Quick User’s Guide to Pathoma for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
How to Write a Personal Statement Hook
Elite Medical Prep
When is it Time to Get a USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 Tutor?
Elite Medical Prep
UWorld in 30 Days: Making the Most out of UWorld’s Most Basic Subscription
Elite Medical Prep
Here’s How Residency Programs Rank Applicants
Elite Medical Prep
The Ins and Outs of Virtual Residency Application Season
Elite Medical Prep
How to Use the AAMC Residency Explorer Tool
Elite Medical Prep
Residency Matching: How to Cancel an Interview the Right Way
Elite Medical Prep
Post Interview Communication: The Residency Thank You Letter
Elite Medical Prep
So You Want to Be a Neurologist
Elite Medical Prep
An Interview with NBME Free 120 Explanation Guru: Ben White
Elite Medical Prep
5 Effective Study Tips to Help You Prepare for COMLEX Level 1
Elite Medical Prep
What to Look For in a Residency Program
Elite Medical Prep
USMLE Step 1 Practice Question Types
Elite Medical Prep
When to Start Studying for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
5 Most Productive Study Tips for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
Why Spaced Repetition is SO Important for USMLE Studies?
Elite Medical Prep
Taking USMLE Step 1 with Step 2CK After Rotations
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for COMLEX Level 2-CE
Elite Medical Prep
My Experience Taking the USMLE during COVID-19
Elite Medical Prep
Most Common Reasons for Failing USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
USMLE Step 2CS is Cancelled
Elite Medical Prep
How to Manage USMLE Step 1 Test Anxiety
Elite Medical Prep
When to Start UWorld for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
How to Best Use First Aid USMLE Step 1 to Study
Elite Medical Prep
WEBINAR: Tutoring Program Best Practices for Institutions
Elite Medical Prep
NBME Updates: Free Assessments & Explanations
Elite Medical Prep
Without Active Learning, You Could Fail USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
Elite Medical Prep Founder Delivers Grand Rounds at University of Hawaii
Elite Medical Prep
WEBINAR: COVID-19 Imaging for Medical Students & Residents
Elite Medical Prep
How to Painlessly Prepare for USMLE Step 3 & COMLEX Level 3
Elite Medical Prep
Medical School Closed Due to Coronavirus? Remote Learning Tips
Elite Medical Prep
Everything Changed – COVID-19 From a 1st Year Resident’s View
Elite Medical Prep
Pushing Back your USMLE Test Date Without Losing Knowledge
Elite Medical Prep
What COVID-19 Means for Medical Students
Elite Medical Prep
All United States Prometric Testing Centers CLOSED
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for the American Board of Internal Medicine Exam
Elite Medical Prep
How USMLE Step 1 Going Pass/Fail Will Affect Medical School Curricula
Elite Medical Prep
How USMLE Step 1 Going Pass/Fail Will Affect DO students
Elite Medical Prep
How USMLE Step 1 Going Pass/Fail Will Affect IMGs
Elite Medical Prep
USMLE Step 1 to Become Pass/Fail
Elite Medical Prep
COMLEX Level 1 to USMLE Step 1 Predictor
Elite Medical Prep
Mistakes Students Make With First Aid for USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
Best COMLEX Level 2-CE Study Resources
Elite Medical Prep
Essential Tips for Excelling on the ABIM Certification Exam
Elite Medical Prep
Best COMLEX Level 1 Study Resources
Elite Medical Prep
How to Score 260 on USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
5 Tips on Studying for Step 3
Elite Medical Prep
Best Ways to Study for Step 2CK
Elite Medical Prep
COMLEX Level 1 Exam Blueprint and the AOA ACGME Merger
Elite Medical Prep
How to Score a 280 on USMLE Step 2 CK
Elite Medical Prep
UWorld vs. TrueLearn
Elite Medical Prep
How to Study for USMLE Step 1 During MS2
Elite Medical Prep
Matching Into Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Matching into Thoracic Surgery Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Match into OB/GYN Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Match into a Vascular Surgery Residency Program in 2021
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match Into MED/PEDS for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Internal Medicine Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Plastic Surgery Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Match into an ENT Residency Program 2021
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Pediatrics Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Radiology for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Match into a Neurology Residency Program
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match into Emergency Medicine for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match into Psychiatry for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into a Transitional Year (TY) Residency
Elite Medical Prep
What You Need to Match into Family Medicine for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Match into a Dermatology Residency Program in 2021
Elite Medical Prep
Acceptance Factors for Matching into Anesthesia for Residency
Elite Medical Prep
Will I Match into My Residency Specialty of Choice?
Elite Medical Prep
Scheduling Residency Interviews
Elite Medical Prep
Studying for USMLE Step 1 During MS1
Elite Medical Prep
Saving Money on Residency Applications
Elite Medical Prep
Preparing for Your Residency Interview
Elite Medical Prep
The Elite Medical Prep Anki Biochem Deck
Elite Medical Prep
Journey to Orthopedics Residency- Interviews
Elite Medical Prep
Why QBanks are a CRUCIAL Part of Your USMLE Review
Elite Medical Prep
Failing USMLE Step 1: What to Do
Elite Medical Prep
How to Write Your ERAS Personal Statement
Elite Medical Prep
How to Write the MSPE
Elite Medical Prep
Your 10 Week USMLE Step 1 Study Schedule
Elite Medical Prep
Applying Into Pathology Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Score Above 270 on USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
Applying to ENT Residency
Elite Medical Prep
How to Make Your Residency Rank List
Elite Medical Prep
Entering Week 3 at Mount Sinai Medical School
Elite Medical Prep
Elite Medical Prep Course at Mount Sinai
Elite Medical Prep
How Many Residency Programs & Where to Apply
Elite Medical Prep
Using Flashcards to Study for the USMLE
Elite Medical Prep
Using Brosencephalon Effectively for USMLE Studying
Elite Medical Prep
6 Tips on Using Anki USMLE Flashcards
Elite Medical Prep
Benefits and Drawbacks of Zanki Deck for USMLE Step 1 Studies
Elite Medical Prep
New NBMEs- Our Professional Opinion
Elite Medical Prep
2021 Free 6 Week USMLE Step 1 Study Schedule
Elite Medical Prep
Let’s Talk NBMEs! Free Webinar Sunday, March 31st @3pm EST/noon PST
Elite Medical Prep
Takeaways You Can Expect From the New NBME Forms
Elite Medical Prep
Using the UWSA Practice Tests After New NBME Releases
Elite Medical Prep
Using the Old NBME Exam Forms Before They Are ‘Retired’
Elite Medical Prep
Planning to Use the New NBME Practice Forms
Elite Medical Prep
Residency Letters of Recommendation: Everything You Need to Know
Elite Medical Prep
How to Use the ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service)
Elite Medical Prep
Residency Application Timeline: What To Do When
Elite Medical Prep
Amboss Review: USMLE Prep Platforms
Elite Medical Prep
Online MedEd: USMLE Prep Platform Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Pathoma: USMLE Prep Platform Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Kaplan: USMLE Prep Platform Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Osmosis: USMLE Prep Platform Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Lecturio: USMLE Prep Platform Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
What if I fail? Bouncing back on the USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
What Makes a Great USMLE Tutoring Service?
Elite Medical Prep
How to Score Above 240 on USMLE Step 1
Elite Medical Prep
The Ultimate USMLE Step 2 Study Guide
Elite Medical Prep
What is the USMLE Exam?
Elite Medical Prep
Flash Facts: USMLE Flashcard Resource Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Brosencephalon: USMLE Flashcard Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Firecracker: USMLE Flashcard Resource Reviews
Elite Medical Prep
Zanki: USMLE Flashcard Resource Reviews
Elite Medical Prep