The equation is simple: solid preparation = successful exam performance. Whether you’re getting ready to take the USMLE or COMLEX, dedicating a large chunk of time exclusively to test prep is how to ensure you’ll crush it on exam day. If you don’t put the time in, you’re going to be disappointed—period. So do yourself a favor, and put some serious prep work in for that upcoming big exam! Of course, you probably already knew you had to take preparation seriously ..read more

As a third-year medical student, you no doubt spend a lot of time going through your Step 2 & Shelf Exams Qbank getting ready for your M3 exams. At some point during your study period, you’ve probably asked yourself how your Qbank provider came up with the questions. Who is making sure the content and format is similar to the questions you’ll see on exam day? How are the topics chosen? And how do you know the information in your Qbank is current ..read more

USMLE preparation is no small task, and it’s easily the most crucial step in any medical student’s future. When you’re preparing for the USMLE Step 1, it’s important to have a strong study plan. This helps you organize your time better, so you can cover all the material on which you will be tested and become familiar with the test format. Here are 10 essential steps for creating an effective USMLE study plan that will help you achieve success ..read more

Finally, you’re done! You spent hours on Excel creating a study plan, and you’re letting out a sigh of relief. But your joy is short-lived: your professor adds another suggested book to your reviewing list, a friend insists a lecture series is a must-have based on their experiences prepping for Step, or you get an additional research project, become sick, or have to take your cat to the vet. Bam – your study plan doesn’t work anymore ..read more

Wait, so Step 2 CK matters? Yes, yes it does! I think by now, most medical students know USMLE Step 1 is a pass/fail exam. Thus, the primary objective measure on our application for residency is the USMLE Step 2 CK score. It wasn’t always this way, of course. I remember many of my attendings saying, “One month for Step 1, one week for Step 2, and one day for Step 3.” This statement applies to a very different time and a completely different environment for medical students, especially when it comes to Step 2 ..read more

The exams you take during medical school are designed to test your knowledge, critical thinking skills, and ability to apply medical concepts in various clinical scenarios. During these exams, it’s inevitable that you’ll encounter difficult questions, and it’s important to have some tricks up your sleeve for how to deal with them. To maximize your performance on exam day, in this post we’ll explore seven strategies that can help you handle hard questions. Put them to good use, and you’ll be sure to improve your performance ..read more

That drive home after the USMLE Step 1 was a wonderful cocktail of emotions. I felt light, free, breezy, and unburdened. There was a theme of, “Thank goodness, I never have to go through this again.” While that was true to some extent, exam prepping was far from over. While there was never another Step 1 dedicated study period, or 7-hour exam covering the Krebs cycle and histology stains, there were shelf exams and then, of course, USMLE Step 2 CK ..read more

When preparing for Step 2, it’s important to be strategic in how you do it. You’ll only need to use a handful of resources to adequately prepare for the exam, with your main resource being a Step 2 Qbank (or two) and other resources providing you with topic reviews (such as USMLE flashcards, videos, and books). Along the way, you should utilize NBME practice exams to assess your progress.  In this post, we’re going to focus on that crucial main resource you’re going to need to be ready for exam day: Step 2 Qbanks ..read more

As a medical student, preparing for Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a crucial milestone on your path to becoming a licensed physician. With the recent change in Step 1 scoring to pass/fail, Step 2 has gained even more significance in showcasing your clinical knowledge and skills. In this guide, we explore the importance of Step 2, provide tips for creating a study schedule, and offer valuable insights on how to optimize your score so you can boost your residency application ..read more

Congratulations, med students! You’ve completed and passed Step 1 and now get to prepare for the arguably more important (and graded) exam: USMLE Step 2. In this blog post, I detail a seven-point guide that will provide you with essential information about USMLE Step 2, including its purpose, eligibility requirements, and a guide on how to register for one of the biggest tests of your career. Let’s dive in! Answering Your Top Questions About USMLE Step 2 CK: A Tutor’s Guide What is the format of USMLE Step 2 CK?  ..read more