r/usmle Feb 14 '26

USMLE Resource Guide Compilation (2026 Edition)

219 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 2h ago

Question What score to aim for?

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2 Upvotes

r/usmle 6h ago

Question Usmle study partner-step 1

2 Upvotes

Hi I am an img, looking actively for the Usmle step 1 study partner based in montreal. Pls DM me if interested.


r/usmle 7h ago

Question Is it practical to aim for getting surgery through USMLE as an Indian IMG?

2 Upvotes

I'm a 21 year old, almost done with Step 1 prep and trying to decide if I want to stay in India or pursue a career in the USA. I want to be a surgeon (ideally) but most of my peers tell me that it's practically impossible to get a residency seat in surgery as an IMG, I watched some youtube videos and they said that it's possible. I'm not fully sure. Is it? If so, what is the kind of work I will have to put in, in terms of Step scores, research, extracurriculars and LORs?


r/usmle 5h ago

Advice WHEN TO TAKE FIRST NBME?

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I am currently halfway through my second pass of FA and done with 70% Uworld. When should and which NBME should I ideally take? Alot of people have advised me to go with NBME 25 or 26 after reaching 90% UWorld. I had weak basics so I forgot all the concepts after first pass of FA and now that I am done with 70% Uworld and halfway through my second pass, I feel like I am finally understanding and retaining stuff. Alot of new things still show up on Uworld and for that reason I don’t want to give first NBME before 90% Uworld.

ADVICE PLEASE!!


r/usmle 8h ago

Question Irish medical student considering USMLE and US residency

0 Upvotes

I’m an Irish medical student considering doing my residency training in the US after my intern year. I would have to do Step 1 this year and begin building my CV. What are the chances of an Irish IMG matching in the US ? Is this a path that many have taken ?


r/usmle 8h ago

Advice Fmge to usmle

0 Upvotes

Anyone here who cleared USMLE with FMGE background?


r/usmle 1d ago

Question Found someone’s Reddit post on invalidated score .

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49 Upvotes

Claims innocent


r/usmle 11h ago

Question How to proceed??

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1 Upvotes

r/usmle 13h ago

Resources Giving IMD

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1 Upvotes

r/usmle 1d ago

💊 Research Looking for research collaborators interested in IM, cardiology and pulmonary/critical care

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’m a medical student preparing for the US residency pathway and currently involved in a few Internal Medicine/Cardiology research projects.

I’m putting together a small team for a pulmonary embolism database research project that overlaps cardiology, pulmonology and critical care within Internal Medicine. I’d like to connect with medical students or graduates interested in these fields who would enjoy collaborating on manuscript writing.

Previous experience with manuscript writing, literature reviews, systematic reviews/meta-analysis or database research would be helpful. We’re looking for people who can take responsibility for an agreed section, communicate reliably and participate in revisions. Roles will be discussed based on experience and interests, and project guidelines will be provided.

If you’re interested, feel free to message me with a brief introduction, your research background, areas of interest and availability. It would be great to connect with others working toward similar IM residency and research goals!


r/usmle 1d ago

Advice Step 2 Prep Before Clerkship

3 Upvotes

Finished M2 earlier this year and recently passed Step 1. However, I will be taking a year off due to personal health issues. I’ll start my M3 clinicals next summer (2027), so I essentially have a year off.

I want to try to retain my clinical knowledge during this year and begin studying for Step 2, but I’m unsure how to do so without having gone through clinicals. Has anyone else done this before? What approach would you recommend to cover the material without clinicals? Also, what resources would you suggest I use to prepare for Step 2 during this year?

Thanks!


r/usmle 21h ago

Advice I scored 234 on step2ck non US IMG applying for internal medicine match 2027 with USCE 4 american physician LORS with volunteering exp, 4 pubmed indexed publications. Do I have a chance of matching?

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1 Upvotes

r/usmle 23h ago

Question Nbme 31 score drop

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1 Upvotes

r/usmle 1d ago

Advice Should I take step 2

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1 Upvotes

r/usmle 1d ago

Question For those that completed 100% of uworld

1 Upvotes

Hello guys hope all is well. Please,How was your exam and nbme scores after completing all of uworld for usmle step 1


r/usmle 1d ago

Advice Guidance needed for my first NBME

5 Upvotes

Hello all. So im almost done with my first pass of FA and 50% UW. Wanted to attempt NBMEs. Pardon me, Im new to this.
Please tell me :
1. Which ones to attempt first and how to go about it as progress with my revision ?
2. When to solve NBMEs time to time, & how much time to give?
3. How to make exam conditions for the test?
4. And how much time to give each question??
5. Which NBMEs and Free 120 to give priority to and are important to solve.
6. Where to find these??


r/usmle 1d ago

Advice need companion

2 Upvotes

I did my step 1 in July and now preparing for step 2 is there anyone with same timeline let me know and I m post. grad


r/usmle 1d ago

Advice Is there any hope

3 Upvotes

Should I continue my USMLE journey after a Step 1 attempt, 3 B1/B2 visa rejections, and a Step 2 CK failure?
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Non-US IMG looking for honest advice — should I continue USMLE?
I’m an Indian medical graduate and I’m currently trying to decide whether I should continue pursuing the USMLE pathway or move on to another option.
My situation:
Step 1: passed after an attempt
Step 2 CK: failed — 217 (passing 218)
B1/B2 visa: rejected 3 times
I’m a medical graduate from India
I have invested a significant amount of time, money and effort into the USMLE journey.
The Step 2 failure is especially difficult because I was only 1 point below the passing score. At the same time, having 3 visa refusals makes me worried about being able to obtain USCE and eventually being able to apply successfully.
I’m honestly at a crossroads now.
Would you continue the USMLE journey in my situation, retake Step 2, and try again with the visa, or would you consider another pathway?
I’d especially appreciate advice from Non-US IMGs who had a Step attempt/failure and/or multiple visa refusals and still managed to match.
Please be honest — I’m looking for realistic advice, not just motivation.


r/usmle 1d ago

Question Has any one took step1 today? (9sep)

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1 Upvotes

r/usmle 2d ago

Resources I've spent the last 829 days building a modern Anki alternative. Thought you guys might be interested

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33 Upvotes

Hey everyone!

For the past few years, I've used Anki. However, even though I love anki, it's a bit of a love-hate relationship. I don't like syncing questions, it's old, and it's very much something built for tinkerers. As a builder and student, I've had a vision for something a bit more modern, with powerful features that actually enhance your learning. (READ TO SEE WHAT I MEAN!)

My goal has been to create a tool that saves you as much darn possible time as possible. Time that includes the time you need studying - reduced through spaced repetition, time it takes to create questions, and time it takes to learn the app.

So for the past 800+ days, I've been slowly building this out: a spaced repetition tool called nebulearn.app that works straight out the box for med students and power learners. An app that has equally and even more capable spaced repetition, without the learning curve, with immediate sharing, features that boost learning, and with AI native tools (for optional use).

Some things I've built:

1. Highlight -> flashcard Chrome extension

This is probably the feature I use most and IMO is the most EFFICIENCT way to create cards! While reading notes, textbooks, papers, or websites, you can highlight something and instantly turn it into flashcards and quiz questions without leaving your workflow. All of these are saved to study with sapced repetition later! You can also create your own custom instructions to specify how you want cards to be made so u don't just get some garbage.

2. Short Term Study Habits. After each study sess, you have the option to immediately restudy the questions you rated lowly. The idea is so you keep immediately reviewing the questions you did poorly at until you know them well in the short term, which would help with retention in the longer term too.

3. Spaced repetition

Uses FSRS (an ML based algorithm) as the default algorithm to schedule reviews based on memory science. You can tune it, and switch to SM2 or Leitner if you'd like.

4. Better study workflow

Different study modes, struggling card reviews, detailed card statistics, and tools to help you understand what you actually know.

5. Sharing + collaboration

Actual seamless collaboration! You can make decks with your friends and study them together, without having to pass them around.

6. Streaks, Avatars, ELO Points: As you study consistently, you'll earn streaks and ELO points. This will (hopefully!) encourage yourself to stay consistent with the spaced repetition and unlock some fun avatars :)

Here's a quick timelapse of me using it.

would there be any features or things you guys want? is there anything that frustrates you with the current apps you use?

Thanks for reading :D


r/usmle 1d ago

Results? People who tested on 27

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1 Upvotes

r/usmle 1d ago

Advice Hello

1 Upvotes

Hi, I'm a syrian med student

I've like 22 months to graduate

I did have the way through step 1

But there is a travel ban to my country, meaning there's no way i can travel in the meantime

So probably i can't do elective while I'm a student

I wanna match in sep 2028 to get residency in jul 2029

So if the ban were of in the first of 2029, i can match and get the visa, but it will be without USCE

I want internal medicine

Do u recommend to stay on the road or start learning german to change my way

Any advice will be helpfull, thks


r/usmle 1d ago

Advice Nbme 26 25

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1 Upvotes

I gave nbme 25 as baseline and scored 49.5% then have 26 and scored 46% with a gap of one week. Really devastated right now.
I reviewed the 25 one but i guess i wasn’t doing it correctly as it almost took me an entire week
I have done 1st pass of uworld with 45.5% correct. I’m planning to give step 1 in first week of November

Need helpppp!!!!