Below is a complete list of all forms available this year for the USMLE NBME self-assessment and practice exams for USMLE Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 offered by the NBME and some guidance on using them in your study preparation. Continue reading
On December 1, 2017, the Step 1 committee announced that it raised the minimum passing score for the USMLE Step 1 examination citing these reasons: Continue reading
It’s time to study for your board exams. You open First Aid with a highlighter in hand but realize no matter how much you read and take notes, it feels like things just aren’t sticking. You need to hear and … Continue reading
On September 20, 2016, the NRMP established a new communication rule that comes into effect for all Matches opening after June 30, 2016. Programs are not allowed to request the names, specialties, geographic locations, or other identifying information about programs that you have or may apply to. Continue reading
Residency interview season can become quite hectic. It is exciting to break away from school and visit so many programs, dreaming about what the future holds, but interviewing at multiple programs back-to-back while also doing rotations and studying for Step … Continue reading
How can you integrate studying for classes and board exams? This is a common question from medical students. One plan does not fit every student. The best approach is to come up with a plan that takes into consideration several things including; your performance in medical school thus far, your learning style, your test-taking skills based on past scores, and an NBME self-assessment (if you have already completed this). We will give you general advice, but you should tailor this plan to your learning style, background, and abilities. Continue reading
The NRMP released updated results on the 2014 Main Residency Match®. To make it easier for you, we’ve created a table showing the Average Step 2 CK Scores by Specialty for the 2014 Match, summarized some of the findings and provided general tips for the Match. Continue reading
What Step 1 score do you need to match in the specialty you want? The NRMP just released updated results on the Main Residency Match® (See Charting Outcomes in the Match, 2014: Characteristics of Applicants Who Matched to Their Preferred Specialty in the 2014 NRMP Main Residency Match (5th edition) Continue reading
I'm trying to decide which Step 2 CK NBME (CCSSA) to take first to determine my baseline and make a study plan. I see there are a total of 4 Step 2 CK assessments currently available, forms 3, 4, 6 and 7. Which one would you recommend to start with and in what order I should take them? Continue reading
Do you find yourself wishing you made better scores on tests? Why does the method of taking notes in a lecture matter? When we are writing, it is impossible to write down every word as fast as a person talks, so we have to be very selective in choosing which information is important enough to document. As we are listening to someone, we have to actively think through what is being said and summarize it to capture all of the main points. This method boosts our comprehension and retention of the information for success come test day. Continue reading
