Social media platforms lit up when sponsors of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) announced Step 1 score reporting will change from 3-digit numerical scores to pass/fail by January 1, 2022. First-year Harvard Medical School student LaShyra Nolen tweeted “this could reinforce the hierarchy among med schools,” arguing the score ... Read more
Bethany Erb
Updated June 22, 2022 by Bethany Erb
Today, the stakes are higher than ever to absorb as much information as possible during med school. Passing exams is great, but we need to be ready when we’re called into action — as many ... Read more
Mark Heslin
Updated August 24, 2020 by Mark Heslin
Updated June 21, 2021. The article was updated to correct minor grammatical errors, and technical details were added by Tyler York and Justin Pincar, founders of Achievable. On Wednesday, February 12, 2020, the United States ... Read more
Kunal Sindhu
Updated June 23, 2022 by Kunal Sindhu
For many medical students, and especially those nearing the end of their second year, one concern seems to prevail above most others: preparing for USMLE Step 1. This is the first big standardized exam in ... Read more
Emily Hayward
Updated June 23, 2022 by Emily Hayward
Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (or USMLE) covers all preclinical topics taught in medical school, from DNA replication to the details of disorders like ulcerative colitis and diabetes. Depending on your ... Read more
Cassie Kosarek
Updated June 24, 2022 by Cassie Kosarek
Many students don’t realize that the residency match should be top of mind when choosing their medical school. Even though residency is several years away, your time spent as a medical student will determine the ... Read more
Stacy Meyer
Updated June 26, 2022 by Stacy Meyer
Finally on the other side! This morning I soaked in the luxury of not having to be up at the crack of dawn, only to stare at the same brachial plexus diagram for what felt ... Read more
Adelle
Updated June 26, 2022 by Adelle
Here’s a scenario I am asked about a lot: It’s a month before Step 1 and a student is doing lousy on UWorld questions. Or sometimes a student tells me they just took a NBME ... Read more
Jason Ryan
Updated June 26, 2022 by Jason Ryan
1. Set a goal As the saying goes, “being begin with the end in mind.” Before you begin preparing for the USMLE Step 1, you should consider where you are with your knowledge base and ... Read more
Elsevier
Updated June 26, 2022 by Elsevier
Physiology is different! If you’re in the midst of learning physiology, either in a traditional or systems course, you’ve noticed that it feels different from biochemistry and anatomy. There are several reasons. First, the stakes are ... Read more
Elsevier
Updated June 26, 2022 by Elsevier
There exists a fundamental flaw in the USMLE exams – applicants who pass the exam cannot retake the exam. This means that applicants who score poorly in the exams are prevented from applying to competitive ... Read more
Arvind Kutty
Updated June 27, 2022 by Arvind Kutty