About the USMLE
- The MatchThe National Residency Matching Program has collected data on medical students who were accepted into a residency.
- NEJM How to Study for the Boards10 common mistakes to avoid plus 10 tips and strategies for studying for the boards from the New England Journal of Medicine.
- USMLEUnited States Medical Licensing Examination website
- USMLE Bulletin of InformationThe Bulletin includes information on all aspects of USMLE, such as eligibility requirements, scheduling test dates, testing, and score reporting. You must review and become familiar with the Bulletin before completing your application for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, or Step 3.
- USMLE Practice MaterialsPractice Sessions are available, for a fee, for registered examinees who want the opportunity to become familiar with the Prometric test center environment.
NBME
- NBME Subject ExaminationsSubject Examinations allow you to measure your students’ knowledge and understand how their performance compares to examinees in medical schools throughout the United States.
- Taking an NBME Self-AssessmentWith NBME Self-Assessments, you can evaluate your readiness and practice for the USMLE®, an NBME Subject Exam, or the International Foundations of Medicine® (IFOM®) Exam.
Study Tips
Study tips fro USMLE or COMLEX-USA from the AMA
Find tips on test preparation courses to study for medical and licensing exams with confidence
General study tips:
- Take a practice test.
- It is important to know where you stand before you start to study. This way you will know your strengths and weaknesses and where you need to focus.
- Set a goal.
- Think about the score you would like to get and work toward it. If you aren't sure, the NRMP has collected data to help you get an idea of what medical students did to get into their preferred residency including their USMLE scores.
- Have a Study Plan.
- Many resources recommend at least 2-3 months of serious study but to begin studying as early as the start of your first year. When you get within 3 months of your USMLE test, make a study schedule including breaks and meal times. It is important to pace yourself so that you do not get overwhelmed.
- Use a question bank.
- Question banks will give you hundreds of questions to help you review the material you need to know for the USMLE. Most will provide explanations to each answer, allow you to take timed or untimed tests, and practice a full test, in question blocks, or in categories.
- USMLE Step 1: Leading up to the Dedicated PeriodAdvice from Med School Insiders
- Study tips for USMLE or COMLEX-USAfrom the AMA - Find tips on test preparation courses to study for medical and licensing exams with confidence.