Making the Most of UWorld’s 30 Day Subscription

The Challenge

Students preparing for Step 1 or Step 2 often find themselves overwhelmed by the number of resources available. A comprehensive study plan for Step 1 will include a variety of learning methods including flashcards, content review, and practice questions from a question bank (Qbank). Ideally, students have been using a USMLE Qbank for a long period of time, but if time is limited, the Uworld 30 day subscription is one way to maximize your learning before the test. 

When short on time, many ask if it’s worth getting the UWorld 30 day subscription. In this post, we’ll show how to make the most of your subscription, including exactly how many UWorld questions per day to complete and how to schedule them effectively.

Is a 30-day subscription worth it? 

Yes!  Even if you just have 30 days, UWorld can boost your performance on Step 1 or 2! UWorld is the gold standard for USMLE QBanks as it is made by the makers of the USMLE exams. Each UWorld question tests key concepts that come up again and again on the USMLE exams. 

UWorld questions are known to allow students to practice critical reasoning skills, second and third-order questions which require multiple steps to arrive at the correct answer. The types of questions UWorld offers allow students not only to hone their factual knowledge but also to hone their critical thinking ability and practice applying the foundational pathophysiologic principles of medicine to scenarios that they haven’t previously encountered.

High-scoring students quickly recognize that it is impossible to be an expert in every facet of medicine, both for the exam and clinical medical practice. Encyclopedic knowledge of facial neuroanatomy, synovial carcinosarcomas, congenital heart disorders, and liver transplant pathology is rarely (if ever) held by any single physician. High-scoring students recognize that the USMLE step exams are much more than a test of factual medical knowledge; they are a test of critical reasoning. High-scoring students also recognize that QBanks, such as UWorld’s, help them sharpen their skills for future practice in applying the principles of medicine to unseen clinical situations.

How Many UWorld Questions a Day Should You Do?

The biggest challenge of the UWorld 30 day subscription is completing a large number of questions in a limited timeframe. So, how many UWorld questions per day should you do? Aim to complete four blocks of 40 questions (160 questions total) per day, 5-6 days per week. This schedule allows you to cover between 3,200 and 3,840 questions in 30 days, effectively tackling most of UWorld’s 3,600+ Step 1 or 4,300+ Step 2 CK questions. To practice exam day timing, at least 1 block per day should be timed and untutored. 

For examples of how to structure this daily schedule and additional guidance on incorporating practice tests, check out our ultimate Step 2 study schedule, as well as our 6-week and 10-week Step 1 study schedules..

Reserving 1-2 days per week to take a UWorld self-assessment exam or NBME practice exam and review it is also important because students must get a sense of their scores or probability of passing. In this case, four blocks of 40 questions taken five days each week for four weeks will get students through 3,200 questions, while taking four blocks of 40 questions six days per week for four weeks will get them through 3,840 questions.

Students often hear that getting through the UWorld QBank twice will help them get a 270+ on the exam. While two passes through UWorld can benefit students with a longer study period, it’s unrealistic if you only have 30 days. With such limited time, it’s nearly impossible to thoroughly review questions twice and gain maximum benefit. A key principle in effective board exam preparation is learning deeply from the questions you complete. Although you may not encounter the exact same questions on exam day, concepts frequently repeat. Mastering these concepts will better prepare you to answer related questions correctly. One thorough pass through UWorld is far more effective than rushing through it twice without truly understanding the material.

Key Takeaways

On a 30-day time frame, the most important thing is to review each UWorld question thoroughly. For most students, this means annotating First Aid and generating flashcards to prevent the same mistake again. When UWorld is reviewed in a single pass, the review time and flashcards become even more important, since students won’t see the question again during a second pass. Taking four blocks of 40 questions per day amounts to four hours of question time.

A comprehensive review of those blocks usually takes students twice the block’s length, so in this case, it would take approximately six hours. Reviewing flashcards and other resources such as Sketchy or First Aid usually adds another 2-3 hours per day for a total of 8-9 hours daily.  

In summary, making the most of the UWorld 30 day subscription is achievable with disciplined scheduling. Aim for 160 questions daily and prioritize thorough review with annotating First Aid and creating flashcards. 

For more help setting up a study schedule, identifying weaknesses, and adopting effective study and test-taking skills, consider enlisting the help of a tutor! Schedule your complimentary consultation to learn more about Elite Medical Prep tutoring services.

Initially guest posted on the UWorld Blog