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You can purchase your first tutoring session now or schedule a time to speak to one of our consultants to get more information.
The Elite Difference is in the Details
There are several different USMLE Step 3 tutoring options available to students, so what makes Elite Medical Prep the best? When you sign up to work with a Step 3 tutor, you are getting much more than access to our world-class MD tutoring services.
24/7 email support, a student success team, organized custom curriculum, and our 100% unused hour refund guarantee are just a few reasons our students love us.
Not to mention the fact that our USMLE Step 3 tutors go beyond test prep to provide you with the guidance and USMLE Step 3 study resources you need.
When you join Elite Medical Prep, you join a community that cares about helping you reach your goals. It’s about more than passing an exam – it’s about achieving success together.
Who Actually Needs a USMLE Step 3 Tutor?
Receiving 1-on-1 help from a USMLE Step 3 tutor is always helpful, but it isn’t necessary for everyone. The first thing you’ll want to ask yourself is if USMLE tutoring is necessary. Keep in mind that it’s just another step in the right direction toward achieving your ultimate goal. If you think you could use a little extra help or a lot of extra help, USMLE Step 3 tutoring is here for you.
Regardless of your background and how you’ve performed on the Step 1 and 2 exams, you might feel like now is the time for you to get some help. You can be sure that you’ll receive everything you need from practice questions to live tutoring sessions with an Elite Medical Prep tutor.
Students with Anxiety/ Poor Testing Skills
If you historically have high test anxiety and/or are a poor standardized test taker, a couple USMLE Step 3 tutoring sessions focused on strategy and wellness can be very beneficial to your success.
Students with a Previous Exam Failure
If you have previously failed USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, or USMLE Step 3 you are at risk for another failed exam if you do not make major changes to your study habits. USMLE Step 3 tutoring can help evaluate where you went wrong last time and make sure that this time you have a successful outcome.
IMG Students
IMG students have significantly lower chances of being accepted into US residency programs. Often, USMLE scores are one of the only ways for non-US medical students to stand out on their applications. Especially after Step 1 becomes pass/fail, a high Step 3 score may help residency acceptance. Therefore, we recommend considering USMLE Step 3 tutoring.
Students Applying to Competitive Specialties
Some medical students may have the option to take Step 3 before applying to residency. Now that step 1 is pass/fail, a high score on Step 3 may help bolster your application making a USMLE Step 3 tutor a good idea.
100% Online, Without Compromising Quality
As pioneers in the online tutoring industry for medical school exams, we've been teaching and tutoring exclusively online for the past 10 years. Our methodology is based on research in education and is custom-tailored to your needs as a student.
Over the past decade we have cultivated best practices for virtual instruction that foster student success. Our tutors complete comprehensive training focused on research-supported techniques to ensure an engaging and effective Step 3 tutoring experience.
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The Final Exam of Medical School
The USMLE Step 3 exam serves as the final assessment of med school, encompassing the culmination of medical knowledge and clinical skills acquired throughout the rigorous training process. Step 3 aims to ensure that graduates are prepared to enter independent practice and provide competent and safe medical care. USMLE Step 3 is taken after internship or residency, which generally makes it much less stressful than the others. However, this exam is nearly twice as long as Step 1 and Step 2 CK, and contains an unfamiliar component (to most) known as the clinical case simulations (CCS). The sheer length of the test is something that no amount of studying can prepare you for. This is where USMLE tutoring comes into play. It’s a great option to help you prepare your test-taking skills and stamina for a longer exam.
What is USMLE Step 3?
USMLE Step 3, the final examination in the USMLE series, is designed to assess whether or not students should be allowed to partake in the unsupervised practice of medicine. Passing USMLE Step 3 allows you to practice medicine in the United States of America.
This part of the exam is typically taken during the first year of residency and is designed to gauge your understanding of how to care for patients.
While it’s not considered an important step, it is a huge milestone for physicians. With a USMLE Step 3 passing score, you’re now able to practice independent medicine without direct supervision.
How is USMLE Step 3 Scored?
USMLE Step 3 is scored on a scale of 1 to 300 with the national mean for first-time test takers being 228±15 (for 2022). The lowest minimum passing score for Step 3 is 200 (as of January 31st, 2024).
The score is based on a scoring method called equating which takes the difficulty of the question into account when determining the overall score. This ensures that no single candidate is given an unfair advantage.
Candidates who receive a passing score are also given a breakdown of their performance which helps them identify strong and weak areas.
How is USMLE Step 3 administered?
Unlike USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK, USMLE Step 3 is a two-day exam. Day 1 is 7 hours long and tests using 232 multiple-choice questions divided into six 1-hour blocks of 38 to 40 questions each.
Day 2 is 9 hours long and tests using 180 multiple-choice questions divided into six 45-min blocks of 30 questions each and 13 case simulations (CCS), approximately 10 to 20 minutes each.
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Level 3 rates range from $195-$350/hr
*As determined by tutor seniority and extensive track record with Elite Medical Prep
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Frequently Asked Questions About USMLE Step 3 Tutoring
How much tutoring do I need to prepare for Step 3?
Tutoring needs vary widely depending on your clinical experience, past performance on Step 1 and Step 2 CK, and your confidence with CCS cases. The amount of time you’ve set aside for USMLE preparation also plays a big role.
Some students benefit from just a few targeted sessions focused on strategy or high-yield practice exams, while others require a more structured program. A personalized study schedule developed with a USMLE tutor can help you focus on areas with the biggest score potential.
We recommend beginning with a diagnostic consult to tailor the number of sessions to your specific goals — no matter if that's passing, improving your USMLE score, or preparing after a failed attempt.
Can a tutor help me with the CCS cases on Step 3?
Yes. Many students are unfamiliar with the CCS interface or logic, especially if they haven’t used simulation tools before. A Step 3 tutoring services provider can walk you through real cases, demonstrating how to approach each scenario confidently and avoid common missteps.
Your tutor will also guide you on Step 3 test day strategies, helping you prioritize diagnostic and management decisions within the CCS timeframe. These live sessions are often more effective than pre-recorded courses, since you’ll get immediate feedback tailored to your clinical reasoning style.
Is Step 3 tutoring helpful even if I did well on Step 1 and Step 2 CK?
Definitely. Step 3 presents a unique challenge, combining long testing days, case simulations, and applied reasoning. Even high scorers can benefit from USMLE tutoring online that helps reinforce test-day stamina, sharpen pacing, and reduce preventable mistakes.
For many students, tutoring isn't just about remediation — it's about performance optimization. A USMLE prep program can turn a good test-taker into a great one and offer guidance on using the best resources for Step 3 to stay efficient.
How do I fit Step 3 tutoring into a busy residency schedule?
That’s where flexibility matters. Private USMLE tutoring is designed to fit around your schedule — early mornings, evenings, or weekends included. Sessions are typically one hour and tailored to the most impactful content areas, so you’re never wasting time.
If you're in residency, your tutor will help you build a realistic plan that complements your work responsibilities. Spaced repetition, targeted reviews, and smart scheduling mean your Step 3 exam preparation won’t derail your clinical duties.
Knowing how to study for USMLE Step 3 means focusing on clinical reasoning and endurance — not just memorization. A simple USMLE Step 3 preparation tip is to simulate the full two-day exam schedule at least once to build stamina and identify pacing issues.
What if I’m retaking Step 3 after a failed attempt?
It’s more common than you think. Many students stumble due to test fatigue, CCS confusion, or inefficient study methods. A medical student retaking Step 3 will benefit from a structured review plan, emotional support, and accountability.
A good USMLE tutor will help you dissect what went wrong and rebuild from the ground up. From customizing your study schedule to refining how you approach the USMLE exam, tutoring can improve performance and restore your confidence.
USMLE Step 3 Free Information & Resources
Have a question about USMLE Step 3 or Step 3 tutoring? Visit the Elite Medical Blog for a collection of articles and learning resources written by our MD and MD Candidate tutors covering a variety of popular topics.
Our experienced Step 3 tutors regularly update the content in the blog to provide more insight into the latest test content and preparation strategies.
Whether you want to better understand recent changes to the exam, are unsure how many practice questions you should be doing weekly, or need advice on avoiding burnout, our in-depth blog posts deliver actionable tips.
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Purchase Your First Tutoring Session Now
You can purchase your first tutoring session now or schedule a time to speak to one of our consultants to get more information.
