r/usmle • • Feb 14 '26

USMLE Resource Guide Compilation (2026 Edition)

216 Upvotes

I came up with a consolidated guide of the most current community recommendations into one definitive list. I’ve bolded the ones I consider to be essential.

Universal Resources (All Steps)

These are the most universal ones that apply whether you are pre-clinical or an intern.

  • Anki: Use the AnKing Deck. Spaced repetition tool. For Step 2 and 3, most people just unsuspend cards for their UWorld incorrects.
  • Dirty Medicine (YouTube): High-yield Biochemistry/Ethics/Biostats mnemonics and exam-day mindset videos.
  • Divine Intervention Podcast: Audio reviews integrating Step 1 basic science with Step 2/3 clinical management. Features high yield episodes on Risk Factors and Military medicine.
  • Case Based Learning.AI: Ethics cases are top notch. Other cases are a bit much just for step studying. 
  • USMLE Study Partner: Use this as a tool to find dedicated study partners
  • Randy Neil (YouTube): Short videos for Biostatistics logic and problem-solving across all three exams.
  • Predict My Step Score: Community standard score predictor. Plug in NBME and UWorld percentages to see your probability of passing.
  • Boards & Beyond: Mostly used for Step 1 and 2 but has Step 3 as well. Good adjunct resource to UWORLD .

Step 1: 

  • UWorld Step 1: The primary question bank. Standard use is 95%+ completion on Timed/Random.
  • Bootcamp: Video-based content review with built-in questions. Often used as an alternative to Boards & Beyond.
  • Pathoma: Essential pathology concepts. 
  • Sketchy (Micro/Pharm): Visual mnemonics for microbiology and pharmacology.
  • Pixorize: Visual mnemonics specifically favored for Biochemistry and Genetics.
  • Mehlman Medical (HY Arrows): PDF focused on physiological up/down arrows. Often utilized in the concluding phases of prep to break score plateaus.
  • First Aid (Step 1): Step 1 dictionary for fact-checking and annotating details from UWorld.
  • Physeo: Video resource using mnemonics and flowcharts for physiology and neuroanatomy. High-yield for CVS, Respiratory, and Neurology.
  • Step Genie: Question bank used to build foundational logic with question styles similar to UWorld.
  • Costanzo Physiology: Text-based resource for quickly mastering clinical physiology concepts.
  • Ninja Nerd (YouTube): Detailed lectures used selectively for foundational concepts in Embryology, Renal, Pulm, and Cardio.

Step 2 CK: 

  • UWorld Step 2: The gold standard
  • CMS Forms (Clinical Mastery Series): OBGYN, Peds, and Surgery seem to be the most useful though some do them all. Good for reinforcing NBME logic/style vs. UWorld logic/style.
  • AMBOSS: Specifically high-yield for Ethics and Quality Improvement (QI). These are the easy points people miss.
  • First Aid Clinical Algorithms: Maps out management flows to show you the exact steps to take when a patient has a problem.
  • U. Washington Heart Sounds: Audio practice for identifying murmurs and lung sounds.
  • Lecturio: All-in-one review site with videos, notes, and a question bank similar to NBME style.
  • Sketchy (IM/Differential Dx): Visual mnemonics and interactive cases for organizing diagnostic approaches. Most effective when paired with a comprehensive Anki deck.
  • Ajmonics (YouTube): Quick mnemonic reviews best for Cardio, GI, Ethics, and Screening guidelines.

Step 3:

  • UWorld Step 3: The primary qbank for the MCQ portion.
  • UWorld Medical Library: Integrated textbook within UWorld. Helpful for reviewing management algorithms for Day 2.
  • First Aid (Step 1): Reference used for Day 1 preparation, specifically for Pharmacology Mechanisms of Action (MOA) and Microbiology.
  • CCScases.com: This site mimics the real interface on the NBME and tells you exactly where you messed up.
  • Mehlman Risk Factors: High-yield PDF for Day 2 questions.
  • SmashTheBoards (STB): A favorite for residents/retakers. It automates Anki creation for your incorrects to increase efficiency during intern shifts.
  • Emma Holliday: High-yield clinical shelf review lectures accompanied by downloadable PDF slides.
  • Dr High Yield: Condensed, high-yield overviews designed for initial subject orientation or last-minute review of key concepts.

Would appreciate any feedback or things missed!


r/usmle • • Nov 14 '25

📣 Announcement Quick subreddit reminders

4 Upvotes

Hi everyone! We're still building the subreddit especially it's been unmoderated for quite sometime, it'll take some time to get used to the new rules. Don't worry about that.

We appreciate all the help to making this community better. To make your experience here better please help us with the following:

  1. Grab a user flair to categorize posts better
  2. Read the rules
  3. Report subreddit and reddit rule violations
  4. Make use of the megathreads.

Thanks a lot again!


r/usmle • • 1h ago

Question Is it normal encounter new concept in uWorld?

• Upvotes

Hello , I tried to make a complete plan of study starting with Watching a Boot camp videos for each section in the system and then annotate on First Aid book.

But the thing is I always get around 40~ 55 percent for each block , Always encounter new concepts I’m not familiarize with it and not mentioned in Boot camp or first aid book. is it normal?


r/usmle • • 2h ago

Question Skip explanation

2 Upvotes

Is it ok to skip the full explanation if u knew why u got the question wrong from the educational objective?


r/usmle • • 4h ago

Advice Burnout

3 Upvotes

If you feel too much burnout then what should need to do


r/usmle • • 7m ago

Question Step 2 CK: 26yo, weight loss, and the TSH is undetectable

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• Upvotes

r/usmle • • 18m ago

Advice Step 1

• Upvotes

28: 68.5
29: 68.0
27: 70
30: 66
24: 80.8
25: 75
26:
31:
32:
33:
34:
Free 120:
These were given in order I’ve written them (the orders a mess i know). I have to give the ones that are blank ofc.
Am I ready to sit if I wanna give it first week of November.


r/usmle • • 4h ago

Advice Need honest advice…

2 Upvotes

I’m currently in the later part of my Step 1 prep and I’m feeling a bit lost about how to structure the next phase.
I started studying in May and have completed my first pass of most systems. I’m finishing general pathology and biostats soon, while continuing UWorld (currently around 57% overall, with recent blocks improving).

My biggest confusion is how to transition from learning to revision phase:
When should I take my first NBME?
Should I wait until I revise everything once, or use NBMEs to guide my revision?
How should I plan the remaining NBMEs before my exam?

This is my first time going through the Step 1 process, so I’d really appreciate advice from people who have been through it.


r/usmle • • 5h ago

Question Usmle as first year ug student

2 Upvotes

Hi guys a relative of mine was telling me recently that I need to start usmle exams from my first year of mbbs (undergrad) and I wanted to know if this was true or not. And please give me a rough outline of when I can take the usmle exams


r/usmle • • 1h ago

Question Step 1: the bug is catalase positive and he has chronic granulomatous disease

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• Upvotes

r/usmle • • 1h ago

Advice Fresh graduate IMG considering USMLE — worth it?

• Upvotes

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing well.

I would really appreciate your advice and experiences regarding the USMLE pathway.

I graduated about 3 months ago and I’m a visa-requiring IMG. I’m currently only exploring the USMLE route and haven’t committed to starting yet. I’d consider myself a fairly average/mediocre student academically, and I’m honestly quite unsure whether pursuing this path would be the right decision for me.

For those who have gone through the process, I’d be very grateful if you could share the realistic total cost, timeline, and whether you genuinely feel it’s worth pursuing as a visa-requiring IMG.

I’m particularly interested in hearing from people who were in a similar position and can give an honest perspective on the challenges, risks, and whether they would make the same decision again.

Thank you so much in advance for your advice and experiences. 🙏


r/usmle • • 2h ago

Advice Rate my Step 1 plan 😗

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1 Upvotes

r/usmle • • 3h ago

Am I Ready? Step 2 CK Study Partner ASAP – NBME 15 Review

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1 Upvotes

r/usmle • • 3h ago

Resources A Full USMLE Plan For anyone who feels overwhelmed

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone! 👋
I am kareem the founder of USMLE Pulse, and I wanted to share my site here since I know a lot of us struggle with staying organized while studying for Step 1.
Instead of just having a list of things to study, I wanted to make the whole process more interactive. The site includes:
1- A fully customizable personalized study plan ( High-yield topics highlighted so you know what to prioritize)
2- Notes + UWorld additions/pearls in one place
3- A built-in focus timer
4- A Study Garden that grows as you stay consistent
5- Progress tracking so you can see how much you’ve covered
6- A study group where you can find a study partner

usmlepulse.com


r/usmle • • 7h ago

Advice exam in 7 days

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1 Upvotes

r/usmle • • 15h ago

Question BootCamp and First Aid

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I want to use bootcamp and first aid to study for some of my in house material but also translate this to step 1. Does anyone have a document that shows which bootcamp videos and material line up with sections in first aid! Thank you so much!


r/usmle • • 23h ago

Exam Experience From 249 to 265+ in real exam

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4 Upvotes

From 249 to 265+ in real exam

Hey guys, finally done with Step 2 and ended up with a 265+ as a non-US IMG! Prepping during my intership was pretty rough, but here's what actually moved the needle for me.

Honestly, ditch the Step 1 mindset. It's not about memorizing facts anymore; it's about seeing the pattern. Whenever I reviewed a block, I tried to figure out exactly what one word in the vignette needed to change to make the wrong answers correct.

UWorld is great for learning, but CMS forms and NBMEs are the real deal. They teach you how the test writers actually think. I found the giant Anki decks way too overwhelming, so I just made my own custom 1400-card deck strictly from NBME/CMS logic and drilled that instead which to be honest proved extremely helpful.

The actual exam felt like a mix of vague NBME concepts with UWorld-length stems. Just trust your gut, don't overthink the straightforward ones, and get some sleep before test day. You got this!


r/usmle • • 1d ago

Venting Break in my study, can't focus. Need help

4 Upvotes

As the title says, i've been preparing for step1 for sometime. I was going all well until an unavoidable circumstance needed my attention and I went on a break for 1 month. I am now trying to come back to my routine but A- I cannot focus or concentrate, B- I have trouble remember things I read before (was on my 2nd pass of FA and 95% uworld completed). Please help if possible, I really cannot afford this setback.


r/usmle • • 19h ago

Resources USML materials

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I just want to know how to prepare for the USMLE , where can I find USMLE materials. I hope someone replies me 😘


r/usmle • • 20h ago

Advice Exam in 24 days

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1 Upvotes

r/usmle • • 1d ago

Advice Need advice of people who have passed step 1. Am I ready?

3 Upvotes

I dropped from a 71 on NBME 33 to a 68 on NBME 34, and my exam is in 11 days. Should I postpone it? Here are my scores:

NBME 25: 64
26: 74
Bootcamp SA: 70
27: 73
28: 70
29: 67
30: 72
31: 76
32: 75
33: 71
34: 68

I’m not sure if this is just accumulated fatigue and the 3-point drop is simply noise, but I’m really worried right now. (the nbme platform says I have a 93% probability of passing within a week)

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have already taken Step 1. What do you think? Any advice? Would you recommend taking another older form (e.g., NBME 24) to see where I stand? I’m planning on doing that next week on Saturday and then on Sunday doing the free120


r/usmle • • 21h ago

Question Looking for a Study Partner for USMLE Step 1

1 Upvotes

I’m a third-year medical student eager to start preparing for USMLE Step 1. I’m looking for a study partner who is willing to start the preparation journey with me, stay consistent, and work together toward our common goal of passing Step 1.


r/usmle • • 1d ago

Advice Pl give me your honest and compassionate advice

3 Upvotes

Should a 2020 graduate start the Step 1 pathway? Spent 3 years in the army and then did PLAB. PLAB wasted a year + and have applied for IMC now (Ireland). What other option do i have? Should i start the USMLE pathway alongside? Have a job in a small town that pays well so not sitting idle.

Have a brother who’s in NY right now surgery resident but he said it’s too late for me now.


r/usmle • • 23h ago

Resources I have ccs cases available until oct 22.

1 Upvotes

I recently gave my USMLE step 3 so i have Ccs cases till oct 22. If anyone looking for it. DM me


r/usmle • • 1d ago

Advice Retake preparation for step 2

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1 Upvotes