If your Step 1 exam is scheduled in 2026, you may be wondering whether you need to be following conventional advice about Step 1 dedicated periods. Should you follow the detailed study calendars that abound online? Should you use the entire study period which your medical school has provided you? And most importantly: is it worth spending so much time preparing for this exam now that no numerical grade is given?

In this post we offer some do’s and don’ts about how to build your study strategy in 2026!

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Do: Have a concrete study plan going into dedicated.

In the days and weeks leading up to the start of your dedicated, take some time to create a detailed study schedule. Without a written list of your daily tasks, it can be easy to fall behind on milestones for questions completed and content reviewed. By having a concrete plan, you can make sure you’re meeting your goals.

One pro tip: be sure to schedule in flex days. As you can imagine, life continues even during dedicated and it can help to create time for catching up on work! I also recommend adding in one practice exam a week and time for review it.

🪄 Create a personalized study schedule that tells you exactly what to study each day with Blueprint’s Med School Study Planner! Take the stress out of falling behind with the magical Rebalance button, which automatically redistributes your upcoming tasks with the click of a button.

Don’t: Try to use every resource in existence.

Studying for Step 1 can be overwhelming and it may feel comforting to have a lot of resources in your arsenal. Next thing you know, every couple hours you are juggling a new resource and can’t give each one the proper due diligence.

As with most things in life, quality over quantity applies again. Hone in on 3-4 key resources. For example, use the question bank of your preference to practice test-taking strategies and content review. Pair this with a textbook or video series along with flashcards for further content review. This will serve as a solid foundation. If you find yourself wanting more, add in another resource. 

Do: Aim to be significantly above the passing threshold on your practice exams.

With Step 1 being pass/fail, it’s especially tempting to lower your guard. Still, full-length NBME practice tests are a necessary tool in this pass/fail Step 1 era! They serve as the best indicator for whether you will indeed pass the actual exam. You will have a better chance to pass if you recreate the exam environment while studying. That’s why it’s especially important to take each practice exam under testing conditions (with timed breaks and closed books).

Although the practice tests may leave you stressed and exhausted, by accurately replicating the real testing experience you will make sure it’s not as new and stressful when the time comes to take the actual Step 1. Test day requires you to be on your A-game for eight hours! By practicing ahead of time, you can prepare your stamina for this ultra marathon.

A major change in practice exams is that a score is no longer provided at the end, only a probability of passing. In conjunction with your academic advisors or Step 1 tutor, determine what threshold of passing is best for you. After some period of dedicated, it is common to reach a plateau where there are only slight variations in performance.

Aim to take the actual Step 1 exam only when your practice exam scores are consistently, comfortably above the passing threshold. If you have time, try to take as many practice tests as feasible. Keep in mind that they are also a high-yield way to gain medical knowledge, which will better prepare you for rotations, as well as for your entire medical career.

Don’t: Deviate too much from other well-established methods for success.

Although students may never again try to ramp up studying to increase from a 250 to a 260 during their final weeks of preparation, most aspects of Step 1 studying didn’t change when the exam went pass/fail. 

You may be tempted to reduce the length of your dedicated study period or to follow a lighter schedule of studying. Remind yourself that passing Step 1 is a formidable goal by itself (and a wonderful accomplishment, once it’s achieved)!

This exam tests a broad knowledge base and you want to have a strong foundation, especially for future clinical exams. It’s best to follow the steps of those who came before you and to take advantage of the many study guides, calendars, and resources that were created when Step 1 was a graded exam.

Do: Use the test’s pass/fail grading to help lower your anxiety.

Although you will continue to study for this exam as hard as the previous students did when it was graded, you can alleviate some of your stress by reminding yourself that your actual score will not be recorded as long as you pass. 

Use the new pass/fail scoring as motivation to feel more confident that you can master Step 1, as long as you stick with your efforts and continue to make progress!

Don’t: Focus on merely passing Step 1 for the purpose of this exam only.

Keep in mind that you are not merely passing Step 1 to move on to the next step of medical school. You are also passing Step 1 to prepare for your time on clinical rotations, where you’ll be directly involved with patient care. 

All of your knowledge will come in handy when it’s time to present on patients, write progress notes, or interview patients to fill in a history of present illness. In order to learn as much as you can in hospitals and clinics, and to prepare to be the best physician possible, it is especially crucial to approach clinical experiences with a wide, comprehensive knowledge base.

Once preclinical, lecture-based courses are over, you will begin the lifelong learning that a career in medicine always involves. As a clinical medical student, resident, fellow, or attending physician, no one will be directly tracking how much you study or what multiple-choice questions you can answer correctly. Continuous learning is a personal responsibility (and privilege). And the earlier you start, the easier this path will be for you. 

Do: Use the Step 1 experience to help guide your subsequent Step 2 experience.

Step 1 and Step 2 are unique in how they both involve weeks of dedicated studying, a few thousand practice questions, and a LARGE amount of content. Because of this, many students find that certain daily habits or study routines are useful additions to their typical patterns during Step studying periods.

During your Step 1 dedicated study time, try different approaches: concentrated studying blocks, an exercise routine, or the pomodoro technique (worth checking out even because of its name!). Sprinkle in breaks and fun activities. Figure out whether you like to take notes as you complete practice questions and how you can learn most effectively. You’ll thank yourself later when the time comes to start Step 2 study period!

Don’t: Try to cram in Step 2 studying right now.

Step 2 has an increasingly important role after Step 1 became pass/fail. Although the content of these two exams overlap, studying for Step 2 before taking Step 1 is not a great strategy. Step 1 is highly detailed and includes many subjects, ranging from biochemical reactions to immunological pathways and disease mechanisms. This is why you will likely need as much Step 1 studying time as you can get—and even then, still won’t think it’s enough.

Also, Step 1 and Step 2 assess fundamentally different aspects of medicine. The Step 2 exam emphasizes diagnostic reasoning and clinical management, whereas Step 1 emphasizes foundational content recall and is more detail-oriented. Because of this difference, the way to approach Step 2 practice questions is different from the way to approach Step 1 practice questions, and studying for both exams simultaneously may be counter productive.

Final Thoughts

While Step 1 becoming pass/fail has alleviated some of the stress of the exam, this is still an arduous experience. Nonetheless, with a good dedicated study plan in place, it is nothing that cannot be overcome!

One final tip that helped me was to study with the mindset that every fact I learned could help someone one day. I know that dedicated can become monotonous, but knowing that what I was learning was important in serving patients brought joy to it. Ok, maybe not the Krebs cycle, but most of the exam!

Also, dedicated is fortunately a finite time period. Once exam day is over, you can move on to the next step in your training. Best of luck as you embark on this journey!

You may have heard that the Step 2 passing score just increased from 214 to 218 starting July 1, 2025. So as a medical student preparing for the exam, what does this mean for you?

With Step 1 changing to pass/fail in 2022, Step 2 has gained even more significance in recent years when it comes to bolstering your residency application. In this guide, we explore why the passing standard for Step 2 has changed, the importance of the exam, and valuable insights on how to optimize your score. Let’s get started!

Why Is the Step 2 Passing Score Increasing?

Every three to four years, the USMLE Management Committee evaluates whether the current passing standard aligns with the evolving competencies expected of future physicians.

In spring 2025, the committee gathered input from multiple sources, including:

• Independent panels of physicians and educators (not affiliated with USMLE)
• Surveys of residency program directors, med school faculty, state licensing representatives, and test-takers
• Trends in test-taker performance
• The accuracy and reliability of test scores

The evidence above pointed toward a higher minimum score being necessary to ensure that those who pass Step 2 CK are equipped with the clinical knowledge expected in today’s patient care environment.

What Does This Mean for Med Students Taking Step 2 in 2025?

If you’re planning to take Step 2 CK on or after July 1, 2025, the new passing score of 218 applies to you. While the change isn’t drastic, it does mean that you’ll need a slightly stronger performance to pass. For students who were aiming close to the previous passing mark, this could mean re-strategizing their study plan, starting earlier, or seeking additional support.

It’s important to note that the increase does not mean the exam is becoming more difficult—just that the bar for passing has been raised. The Step 2 content and format remain the same, but the threshold for demonstrating competence is shifting slightly to keep up with current standards in medical education and patient care.

Why is Step 2 Important?

When applying for residency, think about your application from the perspective of the program: each residency program receives hundreds to thousands of applications each year, for only a dozen or so spots. It’s simply unfeasible for the core faculty at each program to read through each application from the thousands of applicants, not to mention their personal statements and letters of recommendation. Therefore, residency applications are almost always filtered initially by national exam scores.

In previous years, this onus fell to USMLE Step 1 scores—however, now that Step 1 is pass/fail, Step 2 has become a primary assessment tool for residency program directors to evaluate your clinical competence.

For applicants like yourself, this means that you must meet the score cutoffs before your application even has a chance of being seen by a pair of human eyes. Scoring well on Step 2 not only demonstrates your aptitude for clinical practice, but it’s also a key predictor of how you’ll perform on national board exams. Because of the hefty weight Step 2 holds, it’s imperative that you prepare adequately for it. 

Looking at the Data from Program Directors

According to a 2024 survey by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), residency program directors ranked the factors* that were of greatest importance in selecting applicants to interview:

1. USMLE Step 1 pass (90%)
2. Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE/Dean’s Letter) (85%)
3. Specialty-specific letters of recommendation (84%)
4. USMLE Step 2 CK score (83%)
5. Any failed attempt in USMLE (77%)
6. Grades in required clerkships (70%)
7. Class ranking/quartile (66%)
8. COMLEX Level 1 pass (62%)
9. Any failed attempt in COMLEX
10. Grades in clerkship in desired specialty (60%)

So yes, your USMLE Step 2 CK score as well as any failed attempts are indeed at the top of the list of the top factors that program directors consider.

* For the purposes of this article, the list above excludes the Personal Qualities section. View the full list of factors for >50% of program directors from NRMP:

8 Tips for Creating an Effective Step 2 Study Schedule

Everyone studies differently. It may take you two hours to learn an introductory subject while it takes your classmate two days. For this reason alone, students can find it difficult to adjust to a pre-made schedule, especially one that does not take your strengths and weaknesses into account.

Therefore, I recommend crafting your own Step 2 CK study plan. Doing so will allow you to optimize your time for Step 2 studying and get the best results.

Thousands of medical students use Blueprint’s Med School Study Planner to save hours of planning time, see exactly what to do each day, and ace their med school exams. Get unlimited access today!

While it’s important to make your own schedule, you still need to make sure it’s one that will get you adequately prepared for the exam! Here are eight practices for creating a study schedule that will get ready for Step 2. 

1. Assess Your Current Knowledge 

Begin by evaluating your strengths and weaknesses in different clinical areas. Be honest with yourself. This will help you allocate more time to topics that require additional attention. Are you nearing mastery of USMLE cardiology? If so, then just spend a few days brushing up on it and save the rest of the week for a subject you’re having trouble with. 

 2. Set Realistic Goals 

Establish achievable study goals and prioritize your tasks. Break down the content into manageable sections and assign specific timeframes for each topic. Detail a time frame and be realistic. You’ll need to take breaks, and be sure to schedule them to prevent burn out. You will also have distractions, so be sure to set aside additional time, especially if you are still on rotations and your school does not offer dedicated time off to study. 

3. Set Up Your Study Space

Whether you plan to spend the next few weeks at home or at the library, make sure you have a consistently available study space where you can focus. If you plan to be at home, use a room with natural light, a comfortable desk and office chair, or stand if you prefer standing desks.

Limit distractions by keeping your phone outside. If you plan to study at a library or coffee shop, have your backpack loadout ready to go. Be sure to bring your charger, a snack, a jacket, water, headphones, and whatever study materials you need for the day. 

4. Select Your Study Resources 

You don’t need to go overboard here, just utilize the appropriate study resources, including review books, question banks, online platforms, and supplementary materials. Ensure they align with your learning style and preferences. Qbanks are a must, and make sure you have practice questions and tests! If you’re unsure of where to start, check out this list of Step 2 study resources supported by Blueprint’s Med School Study Planner.

Still looking for a Step 2 Qbank? Meet the combined Step 2 & Shelf Exams Qbank with 5,500+ practice questions that most closely match what you’ll see on your USMLE Step 2 and all of your shelf exams. Get started with 7-day FREE access!

5. Create a Weekly Study Plan Down to the Hour

Divide your study time into manageable blocks, and assign dedicated time to each topic. Incorporate regular breaks to maintain focus and prevent burnout. Be sure to maintain flexibility and allow time for review. Give yourself room to account for unexpected events like getting sick or needing to schedule additional review time for certain topics. Adapt your plan as needed, but strive to stay consistent and disciplined. 

6. Review Efficiently 

To really internalize a topic, you need to learn and review it! This can involve going over the notes you jotted down, watching videos for these topics, answering MCQs, and reviewing the MCQs you struggled with. Topics you are familiar with can be reviewed in a few days, while heavier topics should span the better part of a week. Start with topics you need the most time for, and remember that reviewing flashcards regularly will solidify your knowledge in preparation for test day. 

7. Schedule Practice Tests 

Utilize practice exams at regular intervals, perhaps weekly, to track your progress and tailor your studying. Schedule these in advance, and designate a day to take and review them. I usually have my students do this on Sundays. You can check out the Comprehensive Clinical Science Self-Assessment (CCSSA) and Comprehensive Clinical Science Examination (CCSE) for Step 2 CK practice exams that mimic what you’ll see on the actual exam.

8. Take Days Off 

Let me repeat, plan days off! Then make some plans for your day off. Usually, one day off a week is adequate. This will help to prevent burnout and mentally refresh you for the week ahead. If you are really pressed for time, you can make this a half day. On your day off, go do something you enjoy, see your friends, watch a movie, or play a sport. Whatever it is, try and get your mind off the exam and all the pressures associated with it.

Furthermore, you should plan something special to celebrate once you complete the exam. Take an extravagant trip, eat a lavish meal, or do whatever you feel like because you will have just finished USMLE Step 2!

5 Tips That Will Help Maximize Your Step 2 Score 

Now that we’ve outlined how to create an effective study schedule, let’s discuss some strategic things you can do, above and beyond it, which will help you crush it on exam day. To optimize your Step 2 exam performance, consider the following:

1. Schedule Your Test Early 

This will light the fire and push you to start studying. Also, registering early will ensure you secure a spot in your city. My classmate had to fly out of state to take his Step exam, don’t let that be you!

2. Take Step 2 After You’ve Completed Your Core Clerkships 

In comparison with Step 1, Step 2 is more clinically focused. This is why I recommend taking Step 2 after you have finished the lion’s share of your core clerkships. The NBMEs and shelf exams you will have completed for the core rotations will help a great deal in your Step 2 preparation.

While a typical Step 1 question might ask basic pathology, microbiology, or simple pharmacology, Step 2 multiple-choice questions incorporate clinical findings while maintaining those basics. Thus, simply knowing the first-line antibiotic might not be enough, you will excel if you know the first, second, and third-line antibiotics because there will be hints in Step 2 question stems to steer you toward one particular answer.

3. Start Studying During Your Clinical Rotations 

In order to receive a score in the top quartile, you need to start focusing during your clinical rotations. It is a concerted effort throughout your MS2 and MS3 years. Ace your NBME shelf exams and continue to consolidate knowledge and make topics stick. Keep flashcards around and keep adding new ones as you cruise through your rotations.

Working hard in your clinical years has multiple benefits—you’ll do well on your rotations, receive better letters of recommendation, and earn higher grades for your MSPE. Your patients and medical team will benefit from your acquired knowledge, not to mention you will likely have a faster workflow. Furthermore, you will gain a deeper understanding of medicine that will ultimately help you review for USMLE Step 2 and Step 3. 

If I meet my students early enough, I always recommend they perform a first pass through a USMLE Step 2 question bank as they progress through their rotations. Doing so during your clerkship years will allow you to integrate the knowledge from each rotation with the topics on the NBME tests. Furthermore, it will be easier to go through 2,000 questions the second time around, deepen your knowledge, and help you memorize the topics. 

4. Take Step 2 Within 6 Months of Completing Your Core Rotations 

Given that clinical experiences are so relevant to Step 2, you should aim to take Step 2 within 6 months of finishing your core clinical rotations, if possible. It is obviously easier to review when the topics covered for Step 2 are similar to those tested on your core rotation’s shelf exams. However, be wary about jumping into Step 2 studying immediately after your core rotations, as that can lead to exhaustion and ineffective studying. 

5. Consider Getting a Tutor 

A common question is, “Should I get a tutor to help me prep for Step 2?” Most students do fine on Step 2 on their own—however, every student could benefit from utilizing tutoring services. A tutor can help you create a personalized schedule, pinpoint your weak spots, and help you best utilize your time studying.

📈 Plus, working with a tutor is a great way to feel confident about passing on your first try and increase your Step 2 score. For example, students working with Blueprint tutors have a 99.2% Step 2 pass rate and increased their Step 2 scores by an average of +38 points!

It may be a good idea to hire a tutor if your prior national exams or practice NBME exams suggest you may not obtain the score you desire. In addition, tutors can help students who find exams stressful or who have fallen behind for any reason.

(If you’re on the fence, take this quiz to find out if you’d benefit from working with a tutor!)

Further Reading

Given the recent increase in the Step 2 passing score and increased emphasis residency programs place on the exam, you’ll want to get the best score possible. Be sure to create your own study schedule, make it as effective as possible, and think strategically about ways to maximize your score. Follow the tips and strategies I shared with you in this post, and you’ll be more likely to crush it on exam day. If you think you may need a Blueprint tutor, please reach out to us!

For more (free!) tips from Blueprint tutors, check out these other posts:

• Top Step 2 FAQs: Everything You Need to Know Before the Exam
• How to Maximize Your Chances of Matching With Your Dream Residency
• What’s It Like Working With a Medical Residency Consultant?
• Dual Applying for Residency: Is It Right For Me?

Originally published June 2023 / Updated July 2025 by Hannah Brauer

In the new age of the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)—we’re talking new logo and everything—the question on medical students’ minds is just how hard is Step 1 now? It’s still difficult, despite being pass/fail. And in fact, the Step 1 pass rate has declined in recent years. So it’s important to take the exam seriously, and do everything you can to make sure you pass the first time.

To get you on the right track for Step 1 success, in this post we’re going to explore why Step 1 remains difficult, and what you can do to put it in the rearview mirror for good!

Let’s take a deeper dive into all of this.

Is Step 1 a Difficult Exam?

Many students find Step 1 to be a difficult exam. This is likely your biggest exam since the MCAT. Including breaks, that test was 7.5 hours and for Step 1, you can add an additional 30 minutes of fun for a total of 8 hours (spoiler: Step 2 is 9 hours, but that’s for another time!).

Even the style of questions on Step 1 is different than most prior standardized exams you may have taken. While others may require you to read a passage and answer questions about it, the USMLEs are more geared towards testing your clinical reasoning and basic science knowledge.

So according to the stats, how hard is it to pass Step 1?

Let’s look at some objective data. According to USMLE, the Step 1 pass rates for first time MD degree examinees in 2020 and 2021 were 97% and 95%, respectively. Of note is that Step 1 was still scored during those time periods. 

After the exam scoring changed to pass/fail and the passing threshold was increased from 194 to 196 on a scored scale, the pass rates continued to decline:

• 91% in 2022
• 90% in 2023
• 89% in 2024

What do those numbers mean, exactly?

In reality, how hard is it to pass Step 1 once you dig into the numbers? While the drop in scores may seem daunting, it’s a bit nuanced. Part of the drop in pass rate can be attributed to the increased passing threshold.In addition, a lot of medical students were told that given the lack of a three-digit score, less preparation and studying time was required.

All of this was compounded by the fact that many of those that took the new pass/fail exam were in their preclinical years during COVID, so the drop in pass rate isn’t exactly surprising.

Stats don’t tell the whole story!

Now, it’s important to remember that population level data is difficult to apply to individuals. How hard Step 1 actually is may be different for you compared to someone else, and it’s important to prep regardless.

So, I’d like to present you with some concrete action items to make your Step 1 journey a little easier!

4 Ways to Prep for Step 1

1. Keep up with content review. 

Something that really helped me when it came time for Step 1 was keeping up with content I had already learned throughout my preclinical time. Spaced repetition is the name of the game, whether that’s hitting the space bar on Anki or reviewing your notes periodically.

Watching review videos is a great way to keep your memory fresh on different topics. This really helps streamline your Step 1 dedicated study time by allowing you to drill in on your weak points rather than needing to do a comprehensive review. Having a solid foundation of content knowledge is essential for making test day easier. 

2. Practice applying concepts in new ways. 

One of the tricky things about the USMLE exams is learning how to connect different organs and associated pathologies. Get comfortable expanding your thinking outside the box. For example, when reading a question about a middle-aged adult with new heart and liver dysfunction, consider hemochromatosis as part of your differential. 

A great way of learning how to do this is committing to just a few practice questions a day during your preclinical time. This can bear great fruit later on. You’ll become familiar with the way NBME tests different concepts and incorporate content review. Think of this activity as an investment. Your future self will definitely thank you!

3. Build up your stamina, and it won’t be as tough!

Taking Step 1 is no different than running a marathon. You don’t just wake up and decide to run 26.2 miles. Well, maybe some of you can! But nonetheless, just like you have a training regimen for a marathon, your dedicated study plan should include plenty of practice exams.

Taking full-length Step 1 practice exams while simulating testing conditions is important and will prepare you for the grueling 8-hour test day. Note that while most practice exams have fewer questions than the real deal exam, they will help with building endurance.

Get ready to pass with Blueprint’s full-length Step 1 Practice Bundle! Assess your skills and perfect your exam strategy with two realistic mock exams. 🤩

Another tip for making test day easier is to plan out how you want to spend your breaks. This really depends on how you’re wired. I have some friends who took the full exam without any stops. My approach was a bit different.

After every odd section, I would take a quick mental break at the examination desk and then go outside the room after every even section. This helped me get in a rhythm and refuel so that I could be back on my A game. When you take practice exams, test out what break schedule fits you best. Having the rest you need can greatly improve your performance.

Also, if you require any testing accommodation, be sure to reach out to the NBME well ahead of time to get approval.

4. Find your motivation. 

Dedicated and test day are exhausting to say the least. One tactic to increase your chance of passing is to find a source of strong motivation.

One exciting aspect of Step 1 for many is that it comes right before you get to start working on the wards. This is when you finally get to do what you came to medical school for. The knowledge you’ve accumulated thus far can now be used towards helping others.

You can also think of Step 1 studying as building the foundation for future USMLE exams and board exams. Another source of motivation could be planning a fun trip after test day, or doing your favorite staycation activity. Find something that can get you to jump out of bed and begin your studying!

Final Thoughts

It’s challenging to give a definitive answer to such a broad question like “how hard is Step 1?”—if you ask 10 people, you’ll probably get 10 different answers. Some people may say it was so-so, and others might call it one of the most difficult experiences of their life. As such, I encourage you to direct your time and energy towards finding the best Step 1 study plan that works for you so that you can be successful on test day. Think about some of the pointers above to make it easier on yourself. And remember, passing Step 1 is just the next step in reaching your dream of becoming a physician!

While some med students may feel relief from Step 1 going pass/fail, others may still be wondering, “What happens if I fail Step 1? Without a score, how will I know how to improve when I retake the exam?”

Whether you’ve arrived at this article before taking Step 1 or after receiving a failing score, know that failing Step 1 doesn’t mean you are a failure or that you will fail again. According to the 2024 USMLE pass rates, U.S. MDs who retook Step 1 had a 70% pass rate, while U.S. DOs who retook the exam had an 86% pass rate. With a dedicated plan and absolute focus, you can get a passing score. Many have done it before—you are not alone.

Here is our comprehensive resource for next steps after failing Step 1.

Get ready to pass with Blueprint Med’s Step 1 Practice Bundle! Assess your skills and perfect your exam strategy with the most realistic mock exam that gives you the Step 1 experience. Get started today!

How do I make sure I don’t fail Step 1?

Naturally, the best thing you can do is pass Step 1 the first time around. If you’re looking to ward off failure before even taking the exam, a simple way to set yourself up for success is not rushing to take Step 1 too early. While it can be enticing to “get it out of the way,” not caring about your score (“I just gotta pass this!”), more time should equate to more studying, more knowledge, and a passing score.

The number one factor we’ve seen contribute to students who happen to fail Step 1 a second time is rushing to take the next attempt without giving themselves the proper amount of time to prepare.

Remember: Step 1 is about more than just passing!

When Step 1 was still a scored exam, students pushed the limits of their abilities to master as much material and score as highly as possible. Now that the exam is pass/fail, however, you might be tempted to cash it in once you’re sure you have what it takes to sneak by with a passing score.

But Step 1 is about more than just passing. I can still hear the voices of my classmates, who, after preparing for a scored Step 1, were thrilled about how smart they felt. Studying as hard as possible has the benefit of laying the foundation for what’s to come: third-year clinical rotations.

Giving it your all during Step 1 studying (even now that it’s pass/fail) will have you well poised to excel on rotations, and pass shelf exams. The exam train never stops moving forward. The knowledge base you build for Step 1 will continue to be called upon throughout medical school, and throughout life. Remember, after these shelf exams come Step 2, Step 3, and real-life practice!

This necessitates firming up all that knowledge you’ve built during the first two years of medical school. Step 1 studying does just that.

If I happen to fail Step 1, will it affect my ability to match into residency?

According to a 2024 survey by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), residency program directors ranked the factors* that were of greatest importance in selecting applicants to interview:

1. USMLE Step 1 pass (90%)
2. Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE/Dean’s Letter) (85%)
3. Specialty-specific letters of recommendation (84%)
4. USMLE Step 2 CK score (83%)
5. Any failed attempt in USMLE (77%)
6. Grades in required clerkships (70%)
7. Class ranking/quartile (66%)
8. COMLEX Level 1 pass (62%)
9. Any failed attempt in COMLEX
10. Grades in clerkship in desired specialty (60%)

So yes, a failed attempt at the USMLE or COMLEX is indeed at the top of the list of the top factors that program directors consider. However, pull back and look at the larger picture of these top-ranking factors—there are many other areas that go into the decision-making process, many of which are within your control.

* For the purposes of this article, the list above excludes the Personal Qualities section. View the full list of factors for >50% of program directors from NRMP:

What are the next steps if you do happen to fail Step 1?

1. Contact your school

If you do happen to fail Step 1, first and foremost, you need to contact your medical school. Do not avoid this and do not delay. It can be embarrassing to call your academic advisor to tell them you just failed Step 1, but it is imperative. While each school has its own policy, most schools will immediately reach out to you to assist you in the next steps and offer you support.

Your school isn’t out to get you, and they’re not looking for a reason to throw you out. It’s always good to have someone in your corner, and your advisor can be that someone. The truth is, even if you have had some academic struggles in the past, the fact that your school has stuck with you through the first two academic years in med school is a good sign that they are going to continue to stick with you through this.

This may be the first time you are dealing with a failing Step 1 score, but I guarantee your medical school has helped other students through this same situation in the past. Not only is your school a resource to help you plan and execute your next attempt, but there will undoubtedly be logistics to work out regarding delaying clinical rotations and authorizing a second attempt. Your school will need to get these things rolling quickly.

Also, believe it or not, you will feel better. It is never fun to go through something difficult by yourself. You will likely have a more positive outlook on the situation, knowing you have support. Your school is not there to wag a finger at you, rather they are going to help you through this.

2. Analyze your performance to figure out what went wrong

Complete a self-analysis

Think about the possible reasons for your failing score. Did you just “go for it” after not studying enough? Or were you fully prepared, but test anxiety overtook you in the test center? Or did you get bogged down by the minutiae and miss the big-picture concepts?

Try asking yourself the following questions:

1. Did I really give the test 110% effort? Or did I study too much without time to breathe, rest, and retain information?
2. Did I confront my weaknesses head-on?
3. Was I using only the most important resources and nothing extra?
4. Did I make effective and honest use of assessment tools? Was I adapting to the results?
5. Was I willing to ask for help when I was lost? Did I ask the right person?
6. Was I leveraging the power of USMLE flashcards?
7. Were my timeline and study plan appropriate? Did I choose my test date wisely?

Once you understand what may have caused your past performance, you will know the changes you need to make next time.

Not sure how to assess your own performance and test-taking skills? Take advantage of our free download, A Hero’s Guide to Defeating the USMLE, which has action items and exercises to help you with this essential process. It’ll pay dividends beyond Step 1 through the rest of your life as a learner.

Review your official score report

In the scored Step 1 era, it was a simple matter of seeing how far you were from a passing score, and figuring out how much effort and overhauling the process would take. For instance, if passing required a 192, and you scored a 188, you were merely a few questions away. You don’t need to blow things up and attack the exam from a totally different angle.

A mere strengthening of your knowledge base, with just a small amount of attention paid to study habits, will likely be what it takes to get you into passing territory. If you scored 164 but needed a 192, then it’s time to do a hard reset, and reapproach the entire process.

But what do you receive now, in this pass/fail era? A cryptic set of lines to show you “how far away” you were from passing. Take a look at this sample score report of a failed Step 1 result:

The black dotted line is a passing score, and there you are on the left side of it. So you now need to study…about an inch…harder?

This graphic is difficult to use, other than the obvious thought that being really close to the black line will require less work than being really far from it. Two other factors must be combined with this report, however: a) your confidence level, and far more important, b) your NBME performance(s).

Hopefully, your confidence is congruent with your performance. When you left the test, did you just know that you failed? Or did you leave proud of yourself, only to be furiously surprised when you discovered you failed? You will want to study until you get to a place where you feel confident about taking the test.

But if we can’t measure it, it becomes hard to change. That’s where NBME tests come into play. Taking an NBME test will generate a score report with so much more useful content that you can actually act upon.

The entire report is too large and in-depth to include here and can be accessed on the NBME website. The graphic from the first page says it all:

In this single picture, you are told your probability of passing Step 1, the percentage of content you “have attained mastery” of, and exactly how far away you are from passing (or failing). The 9-page score report that follows even hones things down by subject so that you know where your efforts should be focused.

3. Ask for help

Seek out people who have done well on Step 1, find out how they did it, and ask them for advice. Your medical school can likely help identify and contact upperclassmen who may have tips for you, especially since schools are intimately aware of their students’ academic performance. There may even be some upperclassmen who have worked with other students who failed Step 1 in the past.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to being successful on Step 1, but there are general trends among successful students. As you ask people about what helped them find success, identify these trends, and then compare them to your first approach to studying for Step 1. Stick with the strategies that seem to work for other students, and cut out things successful students did not do.

If you were intimidated by the thousands of pages of material you needed to master, a professional dedicated to your success can help you plan out a schedule so that you will know exactly what you should be studying each day. If test anxiety is standing between you and your passing score, a medical (or testing) professional can help you assemble a toolbox to deal with the negative emotions that creep in and foil your efforts.

Schedule a free phone consultation with our senior advisors and get personalized, expert guidance to help you ensure your success!

4. Solidify your study approach

Give yourself due time to prepare

After learning that you failed, you probably will benefit from an initial study-free period just to clear your mind and formulate your new plan of attack. Then, you’ll need to make sure you have ample study time to prepare: a combination of enough hours per day and enough days before your test day. The further you were from passing, the more time (and larger overhaul) you will need for studying.

Missed it by a hair? Repeat the study period you followed last time, and make some changes to your approach. A few standard deviations away from passing? Slot yourself with multiple months of studying while reworking your entire approach. 

Evaluate your resources

Another important factor is how long it’s already been since your last attempt. If you failed the test more than a year ago, start completely fresh. You will need to update your resources: buy the latest copies of the books you will use to study, and sign up for a full year of your chosen question bank. You might experience some inertia when you first fire up your studying. Starting is always hard, but a body in motion will stay in motion; gather momentum and keep moving forward.

If you are coming off a very recent failing score, your resources are likely up to date. Still, you might want to switch gears for freshness. Consider changing question banks, reference books, and/or video series in order to breathe new life into the material. In this case, change is good.

If you do decide to change up your resources, make sure you avoid one of the most common mistakes among students who happen to fail Step 1: resource overload. While you may feel pressured to find a resource for each topic that may show up on the exam, this is not the case. Your big-ticket items for Step 1 are physiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and biostatistics. You can get excellent coverage of these topics by sticking with UWorld, Pathoma, BRS Physiology, and First Aid.

Focus on high-yield topics

Another common mistake when preparing for Step 1 is focusing on low-yield topics. For example, you might see a single UWorld explanation that mentions the different anatomic locations of erythropoiesis during fetal life, and become anxious because you are not familiar with that topic. Then, you flip to the page in First Aid containing that information, and spend the next hour writing and re-writing the graph on fetal erythropoiesis, until you feel like you have it down.

Well, the truth is, you probably will never see a question on that topic on your Step 1 exam. Even if you do, the depth of knowledge needed to answer that question will be cursory at best. Instead of diving into these topics for long periods of time, you could have been learning something else that comes up over and over again in the question bank (e.g. hemochromatosis, cardiac tamponade, sickle cell disease, emphysema, etc.).

Let the frequency at which you see questions on a given topic be your guide as to how high-yield it is. If you have incorrectly answered six questions on type 1 hypersensitivities, it would be worth your time to spend an hour on that topic.

5. Make a bulletproof study schedule

If you are unable to get professional help from a tutor, it will be up to you to take your resources and create a study schedule (then stick to it). In reality, making your own study schedule is not as hard as it seems, and it will pay huge dividends in the future.

In the old days, creating a study schedule was a huge pain requiring hours of work breaking up the resources you want to study, and mapping them out on a calendar or spreadsheet. Then the moment you fall behind or need to make a change, you have to spend hours moving your assignments around.

Instead, let Blueprint’s Med School Study Planner do the work for you and create a detailed, personalized plan in minutes. A great study schedule is your map to get you where you want to go!

6. Take any and all Self-Assessments you can find

As stated earlier, NBME exams are your key to success. And along the way, you will need to determine if your new approach to studying is creating positive changes. A great way to monitor your performance is by using Self-Assessment exams along the way—the NBME Self-Assessments are great allies here. Take them frequently (once every 2-3 weeks) and take them seriously.

You should give these tests the same effort and dedication you will give to the real Step 1. Nothing else will better prepare you for what it feels like to sit and answer NBME/USMLE questions for hours and hours at a time. Your question bank might also include a long self-assessment or two as part of the package (like Blueprint’s Step 1 Practice Bundle). Take them all! The more questions you answer during your study period, the better your chance of success will be.

If you’re coming up short on your assessments, use the reports to see if a particular subject or type of question is giving you a hard time, or if it’s the test environment in general. 

Summing it all up

The entire exam prep is intimidating to face on your own, and it becomes even more intimidating if you’re still wondering what happens if you fail Step 1. We hope these tips help answer some of your questions—remember, utilize all available resources, as your career hinges on being able to pass this test!

If you do happen to fail Step 1, don’t repeat exactly what you tried to do last time—make a major change in your approach, and get someone on your team to help you through the prep process. Work with a Step 1 tutor, whether from your medical school or any tutoring company. Enlisting the assistance of your medical school Dean’s office is useful as well. Your dream and career are certainly worth the investment of time and money! 

Further Reading

• Why Take a Step 1 Mock Exam (Even Though It’s Pass/Fail)?
• Step 1 Pass Rates Are Decreasing: How to Make Sure You’ll Pass
• How Long Should You Study for Step 1?

So, what should you look for in a high-quality USMLE Qbank for Step 1 or Step 2 CK?

The moment you pull out your wallet to buy something at a store, you may feel overwhelmed with options, to the point that something as simple as picking a toothbrush can feel like you’re taking a quiz. Turns out, the same thing applies to USMLE Qbanks (question banks)—sometimes trying to pick the right one can feel like navigating your first question block on Step 1!

If you’ve had this experience, don’t worry—you’re not the only one that’s felt this way, and given all the options that are out there, it’s understandable to have decision overwhelm.

To make things a bit easier, we’re here to share our tips on how to find the best USMLE Qbank for you, including key features, study strategies to use with it, and how to choose one that’s right for you!

*Note: all sample images in this post are from Blueprint’s USMLE Step 2 CK and Shelf Exams Qbank!

6 Things to Look for in a USMLE Qbank

A great Qbank doesn’t just have high-quality questions—it also helps reinforce key concepts, build test-taking strategies, and track your progress. Here’s a breakdown of what we recommend looking for when choosing a Qbank for your Step and shelf exams:

1. Exam-Like Questions That Follow the Blueprint

A high-quality Qbank should be based on the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 content outline, with questions that replicate the exam topic distribution in the actual test, as well as the complexity and nuance of real test questions. 

To evaluate whether a Qbank meets this standard, consider the following key elements:

Authors

Questions should be authored and peer-reviewed by a team of physicians and academic faculty.

Format 

The structure and style of each question should align closely with those seen on the actual Step exams.

Distractors 

Strong distractors are essential as they determine the difficulty level of a question.

References 

Every question should be backed by a reputable source, such as a leading textbook or major medical journal. This way, you’ll always know where you can learn more!

2. High-Quality Explanations

Getting a question wrong isn’t a setback. Instead, view it as an opportunity to learn! The best USMLE Qbanks turn every incorrect answer into a teaching moment by offering in-depth explanations for all answer choices, not just the correct one. Since only one out of five answers is right, most of your learning will come from understanding why the other four are wrong. 

A high-quality explanation doesn’t just tell you the answer—it breaks down the reasoning, clarifies tricky concepts, and connects them to broader themes. This way, you’re not just memorizing isolated facts, but building a strong connection for long-term retention and actually understanding the “why” behind answer choices. 

Look for Qbanks that include clinical pearls, illustrations, tables, mnemonics, condensed bullet points, and references to foundational resources in their explanations of answers. The best explanations provide enough supporting content without overwhelming you.

3. High-Quality, Informative Images 

Images and illustrations enhance your learning experience in multiple ways. The best USMLE Qbanks help you develop the visual recognition skills under time pressure you’ll need for exam day by including image-based questions that feature radiographs, CT scans, dermatologic findings, and more.

In addition, visual aids within explanations reinforce understanding and long-term retention of key concepts. The best Qbanks use high-quality, exam-style visuals that closely resemble what you’ll see on test day, not just generic stock photos or outdated textbook images.

4. Personal Analytics 

Access to performance analytics is one of the biggest benefits of an online Qbank. A great Qbank is more than just a testing tool—it also gives you the data to build and perfect your study strategy over time. Explore the performance dashboard and analytics features that offer insights into your progress and highlight areas for improvement.

For example, can you track your progress over time? Compare your scores to other users or national averages? Break down performance by question type, topic, or difficulty? With these tools, you can identify areas where you need to practice the most and tailor your practice to focus on your weaknesses.

Another powerful feature of a good Qbank is “answer change” tracking. This feature lets you see how often you switch from a correct to an incorrect answer—or vice versa.

Why is this important? It reveals the meaningful patterns of your decision-making process. You may have an incredible gut instinct that’s usually correct, and second-guessing could cost you a point. Or, you may be someone who needs a minute to process all the information before selecting the correct answer. You may not know which category you fall into until you’ve gathered enough data.

When you start using the Qbank, give yourself the freedom to make as many switches as you need. This will give you necessary feedback to better understand your test-taking behavior and adjust your test-taking strategy accordingly.

5. Accessible Support and Regular Updates

Prioritize platforms that update their content regularly to reflect new guidelines, changes in testing emphasis, or student feedback. The quality of customer support is just as important.

Can you reach real people who respond promptly and help resolve technical or content-related issues? A Qbank with a responsive support team and frequent updates signals that its creators are invested in your success.

6. Mock Exams That Simulate the Real Testing Environment

Practice questions are essential, but nothing beats the full-length exam experience. The best USMLE Qbanks include NBME-style mock exams that replicate the time limits, topic distribution, and interface of the actual exam. Practice tests help you build stamina, refine timing strategies, and get comfortable with the format.

By familiarizing yourself with the platform beforehand, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the real exam, minimizing stress on test day. Look for a Qbank that offers at least one or two full-length exams that closely mirror the real test experience from start to finish.

Your USMLE Qbank Options

Before committing to a Step 1 or Step 2 CK Qbank, take advantage of the free trials most platforms offer. Trying out the Qbanks for yourself is the best way to see which one clicks with your learning preference. You can see how the questions feel, how detailed the explanations are, and whether you like the interface. Yes, you might get a few promotional emails afterward, but a cluttered inbox is a small price to pay for making a confident, informed choice.

If you haven’t already looked into the Qbanks below, consider adding them to your shortlist. (They’re listed alphabetically to keep things fair.)

A Simple Breakdown of Qbanks as of April 2025

Your Qbank Experience

Now that you understand the value of a quality Qbank, how do you actually make the most of it during your exam prep?

There are many ways to approach Qbank practice, but we recommend practicing in timed 40-question blocks of mixed content to stimulate the testing environment. Practice makes perfect, but only if you practice perfectly! That said, don’t be discouraged by mistakes early on. In fact, mistakes help you pay closer attention to the questions in practice, so you’ll be prepared to get them right on test day.

Something to keep in mind is your Qbank studying experience will likely change drastically over time. At first, you may take the full hour to finish your first block and two or three hours to review the questions. But by the end of your study period, you may find it takes only 30-45 minutes to finish a test block and about an hour to review! Everyone’s experience will vary, so it’s important to allow yourself some space to adapt to the approach that works best for you, without getting discouraged along the way.

Is One Qbank Enough, or Should You Use Two?

If you’re wondering whether one Qbank is enough for Step 1 or Step 2 CK prep, you’re not alone. The truth is, one high-quality Qbank can be enough. That said, depending on your learning preference, study timeline, and goals, incorporating a second Qbank can offer some real benefits. 

Here are a few advantages of using two Qbanks: 

1. Variety in Question Styles

Each Qbank has a distinct tone and structure. Different question styles = better prep. Exposing yourself to a wider range of questions helps you be prepared on test day.

2. Reinforcement Through Repetition 

Seeing the same concept explained in different ways can help reinforce high-yield material while avoiding the trap of memorizing specific answers.

3. Fill in the Gaps

Some Qbanks are stronger in certain areas. For example, one might have stronger biochemistry questions, while another offers a more comprehensive coverage of physiology. Using two Qbanks can help balance out these differences, giving you a more well-rounded and thorough preparation.

Of course, using two Qbanks doesn’t mean doubling your workload. It’s all about being strategic! 

Here’s how to do it without overwhelming yourself:

Pick a primary and a secondary. 

Use one Qbank as your main learning tool and the second to supplement or reinforce topics you’re weak in.

Alternate days or weeks. 

Instead of using both Qbanks every day, alternate between them on different days or weeks. This helps prevent burnout while allowing you to focus on mastering content from one Qbank before moving on to the next.

To reiterate, using two Qbanks isn’t about doubling your workload, it’s about expanding your perspective and mastering the concepts.

Your Next Step

In summary, your perfect Qbank is the one that helps you learn more efficiently, stay focused, and feel confident about your test! 

Now that you know what makes for a good Qbank, we can help you make them a part of your study plan! If you’re as confident as we are that we’ll make a great team, use Blueprint’s Med School Study Planner to easily put the Qbanks you pick into your study schedule. It’s the perfect way to get organized and stay on top of your USMLE prep. You can even reset the schedule if you fall behind for some reason (which happens to everyone). 

Anyway, we hope you feel a bit better about how to find the best USMLE Qbank for you. Just follow these guidelines and you’ll be all set. Good luck with your prep, and definitely reach out if you have any questions! 

For even more (free!) content to help you prep for your USMLE exams, check out these other posts on the blog:

• How (and Why) to Use a Qbank to Prepare for USMLE Step 2
• Why Take a Step 1 Mock Exam (Even Though It’s Pass/Fail)?
• 9 Common Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make on Your USMLEs

Reaching the final stretch of your USMLE exam preparation is a big milestone, and understandably your emotions may range widely from nervousness to eagerness. You’ve worked really hard to get to this point and now, it’s time for that commitment to pay off!

Navigating the day of your exam can be a unique experience, and we want to make sure that you’re ready for everything that comes along with it.

Here’s three tips that’ll help you go into exam day feeling confident, prepared, and ready to pass Step 1!

3 Tips That’ll Help You Maximize Your USMLE Exam Performance

1. Use the week before the exam to make key changes and preparations. 

What you do the week before the exam is important. For example, it’s crucial to start syncing your sleep schedule at least a week in advance. If you’re a night owl like me, you know the challenge that comes with suddenly trying to shift to going to bed early and then struggling to fall asleep. It’s far easier to do it slowly over many days to make sure you’re able to get a full night of sleep and wake up feeling ready to go on the day of your exam.

If you have the time, consider making a quick trip to your testing center before exam day. This will help you find the fastest route, give you an estimate of how long you should budget for transit, and minimize any chance of getting lost on the morning of the exam.

For certain USMLE exams, you can also look into doing a sample set of questions, sometimes called the “Free 120,” at the testing site for a small fee. While in no way necessary, if you elect to do this, you can get a sense of the regulations and policies of the testing center before your actual test day!

Develop a game plan for your test day including what time you’ll wake up, what your morning routine will look like, and how you’re going to get to the test center.

You should plan to budget plenty of time the morning of your exam for getting ready, eating breakfast, and getting to the testing center at least 30 minutes early.

2. Maximize your break time.

During your exam, you’ll notice two clocks in the corner of your screen. The first clock tells you the time remaining in your current block of questions, while the second clock indicates how much time remains for the whole exam day.

This second clock will also include additional time for breaks. For example, for USMLE Step 1, you have seven blocks for which you’re given 1 hour each. However, the second clock’s timer will start at 8 hours so that you have 1 hour of break time (45 minutes if you do the tutorial) over the course of the day.

You’re free to divide up your break time however you like! You can only take one long break for the entire day, or you can take a break after every block, or after every second block, etc. It’s really up to you. However, you should never take a break during a block, as this will get flagged as irregular behavior. Therefore, before clicking in to start the next section, check in with yourself to make sure you’re recharged enough to keep going.

My general advice is: take a break once every one to two blocks. Having just a few minutes to collect your thoughts, use the restroom, drink some water, or eat a small snack goes a long way in helping you be your best before you dive back into the exam.

A few pieces of advice about structuring your break time:

The time you spend on the tutorial at the beginning of the exam will come out of your break time.

The tutorial is posted on the NBME website so do this before your exam day! This allows you to skip right through the tutorial on the day of your exam.

Budget your time well!

Time management is part of what’s actually being tested on the USMLE. Any excess break time you use beyond what you’re allotted will come out of the time you have to answer the questions in the last block.

Once the second clock runs out, it’ll close out the testing interface no matter where you are in the test, so make sure you take this into account when planning your breaks.

Again, time management is part of what’s actually being tested on the USMLE!

3. Manage your emotions. 

From the days leading up to your exam through to the end of your test day, it’s natural to have a host of feelings. Making sure these feelings don’t get the best of you is crucial. 

It’s normal (even beneficial) to have a bit of stress over the exam. After all, it’s good to be in that moderate stress, maximum performance region of the Yerkes-Dodson curve.

In the weeks leading up to the exam, some tips to handle the stress include:

• Carving out time for yourself 
• Eating well
• Sleeping well 
• Staying physically active 
• Making time for family and friends

What to Do After Exam Day 

After you take the exam, de-stress! You’ve earned it. Hopefully, you have time to catch up on tasks (and your life) and are able to be with friends and family doing what you enjoy. The most important point here is that you shouldn’t dwell on the exam. If you found the exam very difficult, the likelihood is that other people did too. So don’t worry about it! 

In general, results are released two to four weeks after your test date. When your result is available, you’ll get an email from the organization you registered for the exam with. Until then, enjoy your life and celebrate—this is a momentous moment in your medical training and an incredible accomplishment!

The Bottom Line 

Remember: You can do this! You spent innumerable hours studying and already put in the work to get to this point.

Taking USMLE Step 1 is enough to make anyone a bit nervous, but remember, the exam is now pass/fail. You’ve already done the hard work to achieve your goals and you have what it takes to pass.

If you feel anxious, breathe and and think about how far you’ve already come. You wouldn’t have made it this far if you didn’t have what it takes. 

Good luck and remember, you can do this! 

In recent years, the role Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) plays in the residency application process has changed. When it transitioned from a scored assessment to a pass/fail test in January 2022, the change alleviated pressure to score as high as possible, and realigned the focus back to making sure students have the foundational scientific knowledge they need to take care of patients.

While well-intentioned, this change seems to have had an unintended consequence: the Step 1 pass rate is now decreasing. Needless to say, you don’t want to become a part of this unwelcome trend. Step 1 is still an important exam. and it’s to your advantage to pass it on the first attempt.

And we can help you do that! In this post we’re going to review some key stats about Step 1 and give you some tips that’ll help you put it in the rearview mirror. Read on to learn more about what’s happening with the Step 1 pass rate, and how to make sure you pass on exam day.

Downward Trends in the USMLE Step 1 Pass Rate

While the stress to maximize your score may be gone, the USMLE Step 1 still poses a big challenge to test-takers. In fact, the Step 1 pass rates have actually declined every year since its transition to pass/fail.

Here are the most recent Step 1 pass rates among first-time test-takers:
MD:
91% in 2022
90% in 2023
89% in 2024

DO:
89% in 2022
86% in 2023
86% in 2024

The reason for this decline in the Step 1 pass rate is likely multifactorial. Let’s look at a couple of reasons it may be happening:

Why There Has Been a Decrease in the Step 1 Pass Rate?

1. The Threshold for Passing

First, the threshold for passing has increased. On the previous three-digit score scale, the cutoff to pass the exam was 194. Though these three-digit scores are no longer reported, the passing cutoff has increased to what would have been 196 before. Understandably, as the minimum expectations increased, the rate at which students pass has slightly fallen.

2. Difference in Approaching the Exam

Beyond that, another possible reason for this decline in the Step 1 pass rate is an evolution in how students approach the test. Without the historical incentive to score as highly as possible, test-takers may not be as motivated to study for Step 1. In other words, the perception that passing is an easy hurdle to scale and performance beyond that has minimal return may diminish the drive to study. 

Blueprint Med School Study Planner data shows that students are also answering fewer practice questions to study for Step 1 now that it’s pass/fail. When the exam was still graded, the average student completed 2,000 practice questions to study for Step 1 in 2019—compared to an average of 1,500 practice questions after the exam went pass/fail.

While the cause for the decline in the Step 1 pass rate isn’t entirely clear, one thing is certain: students need to properly prepare for the exam. Even as a pass/fail test, the USMLE is as important as ever in obtaining residency and progressing forward in medicine.

The Importance of Passing Step 1

Residencies will not receive any comparative statistics about how you performed other than whether you passed. However, should you fail the exam, the failed attempt will be included in the score transcript attached to your application. While residency programs may have no way of knowing whether a passing score today would have reflected a 196 or a 270 in the past, they do know that a failing score would reflect less than a 196. Therefore, you should prioritize taking the exam once and passing on the first attempt.

Furthermore, the content on Step 1 overlaps in many ways with the material on the USMLE Step 2 CK, a test that is still scored on a three-digit scale and considered in applications. It even shows up on the many standardized shelf exams for different clinical rotations and the USMLE Step 3. This basic science foundation that underlies clinical medicine informs many of the management decisions that arise in patient care. Making sure you understand the mechanisms of diseases and treatments as tested on the Step 1 exam will lead to success on Step 2 CK and beyond.

That being said, don’t despair if you’ve failed the exam! While it can feel discouraging, this certainly doesn’t mean the end of your medical career. Discuss your circumstances with your advisers to identify a timeline for retaking the test and make a new study plan to ensure you pass on your next attempt. You will have opportunities in the future like your clinical rotations, shelf examinations, and of course the USMLE Step 2 CK to demonstrate your resilience.

How to Pass the USMLE Step 1

Now let’s look at what you can do to ensure you pass Step 1 on the first attempt! We recommend the following: 

1. Establish a sensible study timeline

The first step in your approach to Step 1 is developing a reasonable timeline. When you should take the exam is a highly individualized decision. However, you should consider where your starting point is, how much time you can commit to studying, and what deadlines you have to meet to advance through medical school in a timely manner.

Once you settle on an approximate exam date, register with the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) to obtain a scheduling permit and reserve a date. Having your exam scheduled as opposed to open-ended will motivate you and minimize procrastination.The backbone of your study plan should center on practice questions. There are various options for Step 1 question banks that have thousands of questions covering high-yield exam content. Working through one of these banks during your dedicated study period is a crucial component of any successful study plan.

Get ready to pass with Blueprint Med’s Step 1 Practice Bundle—test your knowledge with 2 full-length USMLE mock exams and a 500-question Qbank!

Beyond questions, you should also layer in quality reference text(s). In particular, First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 is practically a one-stop shop for high-yield content. To review more complex new concepts like cardiac or renal physiology, consider using other textbooks and video services like Pathoma and Boards and Beyond which take a deeper dive into certain topics. Importantly, any resources beyond questions are supplemental and should take up only a minority of your time.

2. Use practice tests to guide the timing of your exam

As we mentioned, one of the single most important tools to ensure you pass Step 1 is to make use of practice questions. More specifically, practice tests can be an incredibly effective way to prepare you for USMLE content, how to answer USMLE-style questions, and overall master your exam timing.

Currently, the NBME publishes six Clinical Basic Science Self-Assessments (CBSSAs) on their website for purchase, in addition to a set of 120 retired USMLE questions. Beyond that, certain question banks like UWorld and AMBOSS come with self-assessments that can serve as practice tests. You should aim to pass multiple practice exams, ideally three or more with a comfortable margin above the passing threshold.

3. Set your daily schedule with study planners

Translating all of this into a daily routine can feel overwhelming. To sort through everything, create a study planner to break down what you need to finish on a day-by-day basis. This can be as simple as a spreadsheet or a physical day planner, but if you’re looking for an online resource that automates much of the process, consider a smart study planner like Blueprint’s Med School Study Planner. Simply input the resources and practice tests you plan on using and the intuitive interface will make a checklist of tasks for you to do each day.

Final Thoughts 

Remember: Just because Step 1 is pass/fail doesn’t mean that it no longer matters. On the contrary, this is all the more important as the passing threshold rises.

The Step 1 pass rate is decreasing. Don’t become part of this unwelcome trend! Committing to a study plan will be key to passing this exam. Start with a quality question bank, layer in supplemental resources like textbooks and videos, and finally take and pass multiple practice tests before sitting for the real exam.

With the right amount of preparation, you’ll pass on test day and set yourself up for success throughout the rest of medical school, on your later board exams, and in your residency applications.

Success on your USMLE exams hinges on two things: having a solid foundation of medical knowledge, and developing strong USMLE test taking skills. The importance of a strong knowledge base is self-evident, and good execution on exam day allows you to effectively apply that knowledge under exam conditions.

Building your knowledge base involves a combination of strategies—reading textbooks, creating flashcards, and immersing yourself in question banks. However, developing USMLE test taking skills requires a different approach, which we’ll discuss in this post. 

Before diving into some USMLE test-taking strategies that can help you excel on exam day, let’s talk a little about building that solid foundation of knowledge that’ll be put to the test. Just how do you go about becoming a medical expert, and what can you do to make the process as efficient as possible?

Building a Foundation of Medical Knowledge 

There are a number of ways to build a base of knowledge. In the end, you’re the best judge of what works for you, but the following techniques can help:

Active Learning 

Instead of simply reading through material, engage in active learning techniques such as creating and reviewing flashcards or teaching concepts to a peer. 

Practice Questions

Continue doing USMLE practice questions on the topics you review. Be sure to focus on understanding the rationale behind both correct and incorrect answers. 

Review Mistakes 

Analyze your mistakes thoroughly to understand why you got them wrong and how you can avoid making similar errors in the future. This will help you identify patterns and areas for improvement, especially in your weaker subjects.

Rest and Relaxation 

Ensure you’re getting enough rest and taking breaks to avoid burnout. A well-rested mind performs better on exams.

4 USMLE Test Taking Strategies

As you build your base of knowledge and then apply it to USMLE practice questions, it’s important to realize that getting a question wrong doesn’t mean you didn’t know the answer. Maybe you did, but you still got the question wrong. You may have misread it, or misread the answer choice. 

Or, you may have chosen a response that only partially answers what the question is asking. For instance, we’ve all experienced a question that asks for the initial best step, and perhaps you picked a diagnostic modality or treatment that’s correct on the management algorithm, but not the first thing you should do. In cases like these, it’s important to start working on your test taking skills. 

These skills are more than just answering questions—they’re the ability to dissect the question and answer choices, integrate critical thinking with your knowledge, and find the best possible answer choice from the selection you’re given. Whether you’re tackling a question you’re uncertain about or verifying an answer you feel confident in, USMLE test taking strategies can help bridge the gap between what you know and what the exam demands. 

There are as many testing tricks out there as there are things under the sun, but some good USMLE test taking strategies to hone include the following: 

1. Read the question closely for key details (positives and negatives).

Highlight key details as you read. Focus on pertinent positives and negatives that support a diagnosis or management style you have in mind.

Example

“A 32-year-old female presents with fatigue and a rash. She denies fever, joint pain, or swelling. Physical examination reveals a malar rash.”

Highlight positives: Fatigue, malar rash

Highlight negatives: Denies joint pain or swelling

Application: These details suggest systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), while ruling out other rheumatologic or infectious conditions that have joint pain.

When reading the question, be sure to focus on specific wording. Slight changes in wording can have a big impact on the question stem. For example, let’s say the question stem is asking for the best next step. That would be answered differently than if it asked about overall management. 

2. Use the process of elimination. 

Process of elimination allows you to use key question stem details to rule out answer choices. For questions you feel confident about, this is a quick way to double-check yourself and ensure you’re not making a mistake. 

For more challenging questions, this provides a starting point to move efficiently through the answer choices and focus the majority of your thinking on the answer choice(s) that are most likely to be correct.

With the process of elimination, the goal is to first go through the answer choices and remove any answers that are obviously wrong (e.g., would not cause the patient’s symptoms, could not account for the laboratory findings). From there, you can evaluate the remaining answer(s) to find the best fit.

Eliminating distractors simplifies decision making and saves time.

Example

Question: “A 45-year-old male presents with new-onset diabetes, skin hyperpigmentation, and joint pain. There has been no change in his weight. What is the most likely diagnosis?”

A) Addison’s disease

B) Hemochromatosis

C) Cushing’s syndrome

D) Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Step 1: Rule out Addison’s (hypoglycemia more common), Cushing’s (no weight changes), and Type 1 diabetes (not associated with joint pain).

Step 2: Hemochromatosis fits better with the constellation of symptoms. 

3. Save time for the end of each block.

Use time at the end of each block to review flagged questions or ones you were unsure about. 

4. Figure out beforehand when you’ll take breaks.

This is a good idea because then you don’t have to think about it on exam day. Develop your own technique for managing time during practice. Many students I work with find it useful to take breaks every 2 or 3 question blocks. 

Remember that for USMLE, you have a cumulative break time pool that you can use how you want. By taking frequent, short breaks, you’ll stay fresh and on track to finish without running out of time or taking too long of a break, which can be detrimental. 

USMLE Test Taking Strategies FAQs

Some common questions I get asked as a tutor include the following:

1. How do I improve my USMLE test taking strategies, and how long does it take?

Let’s take the second part of the question first. This is kind of a non-answer, but the time to develop strong test taking skills varies based on factors such as baseline knowledge, experience, and study habits. However, in my experience, most people can see noticeable improvement in as little as 3 to 4 weeks with deliberate practice. For those skills to carry over from Step 1 to Steps 2 and 3, it’ll take more time. 

As for the second part of the question, improving test-taking skills requires a combination of baseline medical knowledge, strategy development, and mental preparation, as well as a willingness to implement and try new strategies based on how effective they are for you. The most important thing is to practice your strategies with high-quality question banks. In doing so, you’ll be able to analyze each question, even the ones you answer correctly, to understand the reasoning behind your choice and the choices the test makers wrote in. 

If you’re looking for a Qbank to help out with USMLE studying this year, look no further—Blueprint has got you covered with practice questions, detailed explanations, performance analytics, and more! 💙

🌟 Step 1 Practice Bundle – Includes 2 full-length USMLE practice exams with a total of 560 NBME®-formatted practice questions, plus 500 additional questions in a Qbank

🌟 Step 2 & Shelf Exams Qbank – Includes 5,500+ practice questions (1,500 Step 2 questions and 4,000 shelf questions across 8 specialties), plus 8 mock shelf exams!

Other important facets of test taking such as time management, building stamina for long exams, and adapting your approach will come with time. Start with untimed practice to build accuracy and then make the transition to timed conditions to see how you handle the added time pressure. Learn to flag questions for later, so you don’t spend too much time on them. 

Simulate full-length mock exams under realistic conditions. You’ll be tired after a full day of reading and answering USMLE questions, but it’s better to get used to it now. 

2. That’s great and all, but how will this benefit me?

Implementing these USMLE test taking strategies will improve not only your USMLE score, but scores on future in-service training tests, board certification exams, and beyond. Your testing capabilities and confidence will get a boost. Plus, you’ll be able to study more efficiently and have to spend less time on preparing. (Or put in the same preparation time, but get better results.) 

3. What if I don’t like your USMLE test taking strategies?

Give them a genuine try, and if they aren’t helpful, forget them. Do what works for you.

In general, if you don’t like the standard test taking strategies outlined above, try the following:

Change your learning approach. 

There are all sorts of different approaches to learning depending on how you like to do it. 

Several of them include: 

Visual: Use concept maps, color coded notes, and diagrams. 

Auditory: Listen to podcasts, record yourself explaining concepts, or use study groups. 

Kinesthetic: Teach others, learn in groups, or write things out repeatedly. 

Modify your test taking strategy. 

Answer backwards: Read the answer choices first, then the question. 

Cover up answer choices: Think of the answer before looking at the options to avoid bias. 

Or eat a chocolate muffin if you must before every section. Use whatever works for you. 

Seek a different approach from peers or mentors.

Talk to people who have excelled in similar exams. Some may have unique strategies that work for them. 

Consider professional test prep coaching if self-study strategies aren’t working, or to get a fresh perspective if you’re in a rut. 

4. How do you deal with test day anxiety? 

Feeling anxious before a performance is normal. From athletes to violinists to someone’s first day as an attending physician, almost everyone experiences nerves to some degree, and I certainly did. 

Adequate preparation will make you confident on exam day. After all, you passed all of the practice exams. Recognize that you have the knowledge and tools to succeed on the exam and the jitters will start to fade once you answer a few questions. Thousands of people pass their USMLE exams every year, and you can too!

Before the Exam

Being prepared for test day with snacks, water or your favorite drink, your ID, etc., can help. Know your preferred route to the test center and have a backup one in place just in case of heavy traffic or road closures. Arrive early, get situated and take some deep breaths. Make sure you’re fed, hydrated, and comfortable prior to starting the exam. 

During the Exam

Once you begin, read the questions and answer choices carefully, use the strategies that you’ve practiced, and select the answer you deem best. And then move on. It’s important not to dwell on a question. Flag it if needed, but remember, it’s a timed exam!

Final Thoughts

The strategies we’ve outlined here are designed to help you pass your USMLE exams, and they can 100% do that. But always remember the following: this isn’t the first exam you’ve taken! At this stage, you’ve taken and passed plenty of standardized exams since middle school. So be confident in yourself—you’ll pass this one too. 

Implement some of these strategies, reach out for help if you need it, and soon you’ll be one of the thousands of med students this year for whom USMLE Step exams are in the rearview mirror!

Image source: captainvector

Wondering how to use the USMLE First Aid 2025 updates to study for your Step exam? If so, your head is in the right place. Any seasoned medical student today, similar to students from a decade ago, will tell you: the sooner you integrate First Aid into your study routine, the better. Its usefulness in preparing for the USMLEs can’t be overstated. It’s not just a book—it’s also a roadmap to success. 

And it continues to be a key resource for medical students preparing to take the USMLEs in 2025. But maybe you’re not sure how to use it, and are wondering what it can be used for? We’re going to show you how to get the most out of the study guide, so you can be as prepared as possible for the step exams. 

But before we get into some USMLE First Aid 2025 tips, let’s begin with the basics. Just what is First Aid anyway? And why is it so great when it comes to preparing for Step exams?

Looking for a Qbank to help out with USMLE studying this year? Blueprint has got you covered with practice questions, detailed explanations, performance analytics, and more! 💙

🌟 Step 1 Practice Bundle – Includes 2 full-length USMLE practice exams with a total of 560 NBME^®-formatted practice questions, plus 500 additional questions in a Qbank

🌟 Step 2 & Shelf Exams Qbank – Includes 5,500+ practice questions (1,500 Step 2 questions and 4,000 shelf questions across 8 specialties), plus 8 mock shelf exams!

What is First Aid? 

First Aid is a series of comprehensive review books designed to help medical students prepare for their USMLEs. They summarize high-yield (frequently tested) topics, mnemonics, and practice questions tailored for Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3. They’re essential study tools for many examinees.

The series is one of the most iconic resources for USMLE preparation, with a history that spans over three decades starting in the 1990s. It was developed with the help of medical students aiming to simplify the overwhelming content of the Step 1 exam into a concise, high-yield format. The book was created to focus on what students needed to know most—condensing vast amounts of material into high-yield summaries, mnemonics, and tables. 

Over the years, First Aid has been revised annually to include updated exam content, more algorithms and diagrams, along with new clinical correlations reflecting the evolving USMLE blueprint. Finally, following the success of First Aid for Step 1, versions for Step 2 CK, Step 3, and other specialized iterations were introduced.

Why First Aid Is Essential

What makes First Aid a must have for every medical student? Quite simply, it’s the organizational framework that transforms overwhelming amounts of information into digestible, testable nuggets.

Medical school curricula differ widely, and the sequencing of topics can sometimes feel chaotic. First Aid provides a backbone for structuring your learning, offering a coherent overview of high-yield concepts and clinically relevant details. Its detailed indexing also saves precious time when revisiting topics—trust me, you’ll be flipping to the “anemias” section more times than you can count. 

Now with technology and the digitized version of USMLE First Aid 2025, you can easily find (ctrl + F or command + F) what you’re searching for that much easier. You can search for the topic, add it to a flashcard and continue effortlessly with your studying. 

Beyond its structure, First Aid can help you identify what’s actually important. For instance, rather than bogging you down with every enzyme in a pathway, it highlights the ones most likely to appear on exams. This high-yield approach is invaluable not only for USMLE prep but also for school exams and NBME assessments.

Tips & Tricks for Getting Started with First Aid

The first thing you’ll want to do is get acquainted with the structure and content of First Aid. 

I recommend you do the following: 

1. Understand the layout. 

First Aid for Step 1 is structured with organized sections, including systems-based and discipline-based chapters, high-yield facts, mnemonics, and tables. 

Take time to understand this format and use it to your advantage. Perhaps you learn best with tables and diagrams, perhaps learning medical mnemonics helps your recall, or maybe you like to create your own way to understand a complex medical topic. Either way, First Aid is a great outline to use for each section and topic of the USMLE Step 1 exam. 

2. Build a study plan. 

Divide the book into manageable chunks, such as specific organ systems or topics, and plan your study sessions around them. Do a section of Qbank questions and refer to that same section in First Aid to jot down notes or tips for yourself to review later. 

3. Use active learning techniques. 

This includes things such as annotating directly in the book with key insights from other resources, such as your Qbank. Focus on frequently-tested concepts like pathophysiology, mechanisms of drugs, and clinical correlates that are highlighted in the book.

USMLE First Aid 2025 Cheat Sheet: Modern Study Strategies to Use With First Aid

Customizing and personalizing your First Aid book is an effective way to enhance your learning and make it a central resource for USMLE prep. 

Here’s a few examples to help you do it efficiently: 

1. Select your tools.

Highlighters 

Use different colors to categorize information (e.g., green for facts you know, yellow for key points, orange for things to review). 

Pens & Markers 

Fine tip pens are great for writing in the margins or adding annotations. Add information to a diagram or table from a question you answered incorrectly. Or add a medication the book left out. 

Sticky Notes 

Use for more detailed notes that won’t fit in the book margins. 

Tabs 

Mark key sections for quick reference (e.g., organ systems, pharmacology tables). 

2. Annotate with purpose. 

Supplement with notes. 

As you review other resources and answer online Qbank questions, annotate key insights or add missing details directly in the margins of your First Aid book so it can become a one-stop shop for all of your USMLE Step 1 needs. 

Link related topics. 

Add cross references within First Aid (e.g., “See respiratory physiology, pg. XX”) when appropriate to link topics together. It’ll help you understand and remember them with ease. 

Summarize complex topics. 

Condense difficult concepts (e.g., detailed pharmacology mechanisms) into your own words for easier review. The book will have plenty of images and diagrams. Add your own sketches or flowcharts to simplify processes like the Krebs cycle or drug mechanisms. 

Finish charts and tables. 

The book has many charts and tables. If any are incomplete, unclear, or just lacking a tidbit of information you find necessary, easily expand them with additional notes or mnemonics of your choice. Utilize arrows, stars, or boxes to emphasize relationships or critical points.

Track your progress.

Use sticky tabs or a tracking system to identify sections you’ve mastered versus areas needing more work. Avoid overloading your book with too much information—focus on the most high-yield insights. And clear up sections you’ve mastered! Resist the urge to highlight everything and keep your annotations clear and organized. Overloading the page can make it harder to review later. As you gain more knowledge, refine your notes and remove redundant or outdated information. 

Tailoring the book to your learning style makes it more effective. Highlighting, writing, and organizing content boosts retention. With a well personalized First Aid, you can transform it into a powerful resource that anchors your USMLE preparation!

4 Ways to Use First Aid Throughout Medical School

One of the great things about USMLE First Aid 2025 is that you can use it in so many different ways. It’s a great resource, and you can be creative with it. 

Here are some things you can use it for: 

1. Previewing Lectures

Before attending class, take a glance at the corresponding First Aid sections to familiarize yourself with key concepts. This seemingly small effort pays off in a big way by making lectures more engaging and less overwhelming. You’ll remember more and might even have questions to ask the speaker. Many students’ first purchase in medical school is First Aid. In fact, many schools across the US provide the book for their MS1 class! 

2. Integration with Other Resources

Tools like Anki, Sketchy, and Qbanks are staples for modern med students. Linking your First Aid notes to Anki decks or Sketchy videos ensures the material sticks. Some students take separate notes while others annotate directly into First Aid while completing Qbank questions. 

Additionally, tools like Blueprint’s Med School Study Planner and online annotation platforms make it easy to integrate USMLE First Aid 2025 into a personalized, tech-enabled study plan.

The study planner breaks the book down by page, allowing students to create detailed study schedules with minimal effort. It’s a gamechanger for balancing First Aid with other resources!

3. Dedicated Prep

During dedicated USMLE Step 1 prep, I relied on First Aid as my central hub. Any new detail from practice questions or supplemental resources went straight into the margins of my copy. This ensured I wasn’t spreading myself thin with multiple resources.

4. Subject-Specific Tips

Here’s how I approached different subjects using First Aid:

Biochemistry 

First Aid can be to preview pathways and focus on clinically relevant enzymes.

Pharmacology 

I reviewed mechanisms of action and side effects before lectures. I also added lecture-specific details as annotations.

Pathology 

For this I used First Aid as a quick reference, especially for summarizing large amounts of material. I like Pathoma for this topic. 

Microbiology 

I used First Aid before lecture as a primer to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Sketchy Microbiology is key here. 

The 4 Lasting Benefits of Using First Aid Consistently 

Using a tool like First Aid consistently for all your USMLE Step studying provides lasting benefits that go beyond test preparation.

Advantages include the following: 

1. Concept Reinforcement

Repeatedly revisiting First Aid across Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 reinforces foundational medical knowledge, ensuring long-term retention. Starting with Step 1’s focus on pathophysiology and applying that knowledge to patient and disease management in Step 2 CK and Step 3 creates a seamless understanding of medicine. 

Step 2 and Step 3 emphasize clinical scenarios and decision making rather than basic sciences. Use the same annotation and active learning techniques, but adapt to include management protocols, diagnostic workups, and patient-centered care. Your knowledge base from Step 1 will help as you now apply that understanding to clinical vignettes.

2. Consistency and Efficiency

Sticking with First Aid reduces the learning curve, since you’re already comfortable with the format and layout. Having a familiar, reliable resource eliminates the anxiety of choosing new study tools for each exam leading to more streamlined prep.

3. Cumulative Annotations

Over time, your notes, mnemonics, and highlights evolve, turning First Aid into a personalized and comprehensive study guide tailored to your learning style that strengthens memory and aids deeper understanding.

4. Connections and Common Cause

Lastly, since most medical students studying for the USMLEs use First Aid, it serves as common ground for in-person and online group study sessions. Other people in the group may have the same questions you do, and everyone can use First Aid as a reference. 

Final Thoughts

First Aid is a resource that blends organization, high-yield focus, and adaptability to make it a cornerstone of modern medical education. Start early, make it your own, and watch it transform the way you study and retain information. Many students are using the techniques discussed here to get organized and prep hard in 2025. Dust off your copy (or download the PDF) and take the first step toward mastering the USMLE!

Have you heard the news?! In an exciting move, the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) has introduced a Fee Assistance program to support med students’ fees for the United States Medical Licensing Examinations® (USMLE®) in 2024. This is a crucial step towards making medical education more accessible—after all, financial strain shouldn’t determine who gets to wear a white coat. 🧑‍⚕️

In this post, we’ll break down everything to know about the new program, who’s eligible, and how to apply. Let’s dive in!

Why are financial aid programs important for med students?

The cost of medical education can be daunting, and exam fees are a significant part of that financial weight. Fee assistance programs like NBME’s not only alleviate these costs but also play a crucial role in promoting diversity and equity within the medical field. 

With fewer financial barriers, more students from a wide variety of backgrounds can pursue their dreams of becoming physicians. This diversity enriches the medical community and fosters a healthcare system that better represents and serves all populations. 🤝

Who qualifies for the program?

The NBME Fee Assistance program offers $670 awards to 1,340 medical students registered for the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK exams. This financial assistance aims to offset the exam registration costs, making it easier for students to focus on their studies rather than financial stress.

To qualify for this program, applicants must demonstrate financial need and meet the eligibility criteria:

• Be U.S. citizens or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approval.
• Be eligible to take the USMLE and currently enrolled in an LCME- or COCA-accredited medical school in the U.S. or select designated schools in the Caribbean (see the full list on the NMF website).
• Have registered for the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK exam in 2024.
• Provide a valid USMLE ID number.
• Have not been referred for disciplinary actions related to USMLE or NBME exams.

How do I apply for the Fee Assistance program?

If you’d like to be considered for this year’s program, you’ll need to act quickly! Applications are due by October 16, 2024. The application process involves a few steps:

1. Gather necessary documentation:

• USMLE ID
• Verification of citizenship
• Academic transcripts
• Enrollment verification
• Loan history from studentaid.gov 

2. Ensure you have either completed or received your scheduling permit for the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK exams within the eligible timeframe (January 1, 2024, to October 16, 2024).

3. Visit the National Medical Fellowships (NMF) Scholarships and Awards webpage to access the application form.

4. Submit your completed application before the October 16 deadline.

How else can I receive financial assistance during med school?

Aside from the Fee Assistance program, there are plenty of additional ways to receive financial aid during medical school. Here are some options to consider:

Federal Student Aid: The U.S. Department of Education offers various forms of financial assistance, including grants and loans, for students pursuing higher education. You can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility.

Private Scholarships: Many organizations and foundations offer scholarships specifically for medical students. These can range from general scholarships based on academic merit or financial need, to those geared towards specific demographics or fields of study. You can explore various scholarships on the NMF website.

State Assistance Programs: Some states have their own programs that provide financial aid for medical students, such as loan forgiveness programs in exchange for service in underserved areas. Check with your state’s department of higher education to see what options are available.

💸 For a breakdown of how to manage your finances from pre-med through residency and beyond, check out this interview with a Blueprint tutor and a financial advisor!

What’s next?

If you’re a med student in need of an extra financial boost this exam season, we absolutely recommend you apply for the Fee Assistance program! 

And in case you’re looking to lighten the load in the meantime, Blueprint has some ✨free✨ prep resources designed to make medical education more accessible for all:

🗓️ Customize a study planner

📈 Start your FREE trial for the Step 2 & Shelf Exams Qbank

👩‍💻 Join our FREE webinars

📓 Download the FREE USMLE guide

Best of luck on your medical journey—we’re rooting for you here at Blueprint! And stay tuned for more initiatives to help close the financial gap in medicine 💙