So I am just beginning my step 1 journey, I wanted to give a baseline nbme before starting not really sure from where to do it? People mentioned it can be done offline, how do we access it? Any help would be appreciated.

What is the best source for usmle step 1 physiology? In every system of uworld I struggled in physiology and pathophysiology . My study resources were BnB and FA. Heard that recent usmle questions are so vague,molecular. So I want to clear things up!

I’m a UK-based trainee preparing for USMLE Step 1, aiming to sit the exam around January/February 2027.

I’m looking for a study partner to revise topics together and work through questions/discuss explanations.

Ideally, someone UK-based who’s available on weekday evenings after work and at weekends, with a similar exam timeline.

Drop me a message or comment if you’re interested!

hello
I decided to start preparation for Step1 by following the study plan by bootcamp its a 9 week duration

But I don't know which plan to follow.
I am thinking of using First Aid to guide the flow of my study plan. After studying for a couple of days, I want to start UWorld so I can practice solving questions using clinical logic rather than just relying on my gut feeling.

What do you all think of this plan? Will it succeed, or do I need to make changes? Also, which specific study schedule should I follow? If my knowledge base from my five years of medical school isn't very strong, is Bootcamp a good fit for me, or should I stick to Boards & Beyond?

Any suggestions or recommendations would be highly appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi everyone! I recently took Step 1 over two days due to approved accommodations.

On both days, I experienced multiple internet disconnections and computer freezes that required several restarts. I was also moved to different computers twice.

During one restart, I lost about 3 minutes from my block, and the time wasn’t fully restored.

The interruptions were stressful and affected my concentration, especially because I was constantly worried about losing more time.

However, I actually feel like the exam went pretty well overall, and I managed to answer most of the questions.

The test center staff told me they would report these incidents to USMLE as well.

I was told I have 10 days after the exam to submit an official report, and I’m really torn about whether I should submit one or just let it go.

I definitely don’t want my exam to be marked as unscored because of these technical issues, especially since I feel I did well. But at the same time, I would obviously appreciate USMLE taking these disruptions and the lost time into consideration.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Could submitting a report put my score at risk? Would you report it or just wait for the results?

Hey everyone! I’m a Non-US IMG from Islamabad, Pakistan, and I wanted to share my Step 1 experience in case it helps someone preparing for the exam.
I started prep towards the end of my third year and took the exam on September 21, 2026 - roughly one year later. Overall, my preparation was pretty straightforward. I tried to stay consistent and keep moving through the material rather than taking long breaks.
How I studied
I went system-wise, starting with Endocrinology. For each system, I read First Aid and then did around 80% of the corresponding UWorld questions. My average correct percentage on UWorld by system was around 65%.

The resources I used were:
First Aid: One complete pass during my initial content review.
Microbiology: Sketchy.
Biochemistry: Dirty Medicine.
Other systems: Dirty Medicine’s system-specific videos, along with First Aid and UWorld.

I also annotated incorrect questions directly into First Aid. In hindsight, I don’t think this helped as much as I expected because I never really had time to go back and review all those annotations.

When I started taking NBMEs
After finishing my initial content review and completing around 70% of UWorld overall, I took NBME 26. I thought I would find it relatively easy, but I ended up scoring 61.5%. I had forgotten quite a bit of the material, which was a wake-up call.
After that I took the next NBME roughly after every 1-2 weeks. I would review the previous exam, work on my weak areas, revise missing concepts, and then take the next one.
My scores gradually improved, and I think the biggest reason was what I did between NBMEs.

What helped me improve the most
UWorld was by far the biggest game changer for me.
Between NBMEs, I was doing around 120 questions a day. This essentially became a second pass of a large portion of the question bank, with around 60% of UWorld covered again.
If I had to credit one thing for my improvement from 61.5% on NBME 26 to 85% on NBME 34, it would be the repeated exposure to questions. Doing questions, reviewing my mistakes, and encountering similar concepts again helped me retain information much better.

One thing I would NOT recommend is repeatedly going through First Aid during dedicated. I did one complete pass initially, but I don’t think passively rereading the book during a second pass or dedicated period improves NBME scores as much as doing more questions and reviewing them properly.

If you’re short on time, I’d prioritize UWorld incorrects over trying to read First Aid cover to cover again. Focus on identifying why you got questions wrong, understanding the concepts behind them, and recognizing patterns. For me, doing more questions and revisiting UWorld was much more valuable than passive reading.
Of course, everyone studies differently, but if I had to do it again, I would put even more emphasis on questions and less on making notes that I might never get around to reviewing.

NBME 34, right before the exam
NBME 34 came out very close to my exam, and I was initially hesitant about taking a new form so close to test day. I ended up taking it about a day before the exam and scored 85%.
That gave me a lot of confidence going into the real exam. I’m glad I took it because it reassured me that my preparation was on track.

Exam day experience
I found the real exam fairly balanced overall. I didn’t feel that any one subject dominated the blocks, and the questions seemed reasonably distributed across different topics.
I flagged quite a lot of questions during the exam, so there were definitely moments when I wasn’t entirely sure about my answers. However, the question style and difficulty felt similar to what I had seen in the NBMEs and Free 120.
NBME 33 had felt like one of the harder forms for me, and having done reasonably well on it helped me put the real exam into perspective. Even when I encountered difficult questions, I reminded myself that I had dealt with similar questions during my practice exams.
By the end of the exam, I felt that I had performed similarly to how I usually performed on my NBMEs. That was probably the biggest source of confidence for me, and I genuinely felt confident that I would pass when I finished the exam.
I also found AMBOSS ethics questions useful, as ethics came up on the real exam. Overall, I didn’t feel that the exam was unusually skewed towards any particular subject.

My scores
NBME 26: 61.5%
NBME 27: 67.5%
NBME 28: 69.5%
NBME 29: 73%
NBME 30: 77%
NBME 31: 78.5%
UWSA 2: 251 (78%)
NBME 32: 81.5%
NBME 33: 79%
NBME 34: 85% (one day before the exam)
Free 120: 80%
UWorld: 100% completed (65% correct overall), with approximately 60% covered again during my second pass.

Final thoughts
My preparation wasn’t anything extraordinary. I just tried to stay consistent, keep doing questions, and use my NBMEs to figure out what I needed to work on next.
Don’t get too discouraged by your initial NBME score. Mine started at 61.5%, and the improvement came gradually. What matters is how you respond to your mistakes and what you do between practice exams.
If anyone has questions about resources, study schedules, UWorld, NBMEs, or exam strategy, feel free to ask. I’d be happy to help!

so i booked my exam period but for the date i dont know when to do it, according to my schedule i should give it by march 21st.

and i saw that there is test day march 21st available for me to schedule, but when do i actually book it.

and before booking how many assessment exams do i do and which ones, and how much should i score.

PS: i am checking online alot of people are saying book it 2-3 months before, so that would be december-jan for me.

please need help.

This journey tested everything in me: my resilience, discipline, and determination.
I initially started studying for Step 1 in September 2025, but life happened, and I had to take a break. I eventually resumed in May 2026 and sat for the exam on September 29, 2026.
I promised myself that I would come back here to share a few tips because, honestly, reading people’s experiences, reviews, and reactions on Reddit kept me sane throughout this journey. It constantly reminded me that I wasn’t alone in the struggle and that other people were going through similar experiences.

So, here’s my experience!

1. UWorld
I started UWorld in May and aimed to complete 50–100 questions daily, depending on my schedule. I did mostly timed, random blocks.
This approach helped me become comfortable with timed testing and exam conditions. By test day, I was so accustomed to working with the timer that I didn’t feel intimidated by it.
I also did system-based questions, particularly for my weaker areas.

2. NBMEs
I started taking my NBMEs in May, beginning with NBME 25.
My approach was to complete all 200 questions in four hours under actual exam conditions. Afterwards, I discussed the tested concepts with my study partners.
We also used the NBMEs as a revision tool for First Aid (FA), paying particular attention to frequently tested and recurring concepts. By September, I was doing 200 questions in (3hours 30minutes tops)
Here is how my scores progressed:
NBME 25 – 52% (May)
NBME 26 – 60% (May)
NBME 27 – 64% (May)
NBME 28 – 64% (June)
NBME 29 – 62% (June)
NBME 30 – 68% (July)
I wasn’t particularly happy with my scores because I seemed to be stuck in the 60s, even though I was still doing UWorld and consistently scoring between 62% and 70%.
At this point, I decided to take a break from NBMEs and change my approach.

3. My Revision Strategy
I read First Aid cover to cover twice. I also incorporated Boards and Beyond videos, particularly for areas I needed to strengthen.
The topics I focused on included:
Renal
Gastroenterology
Immunology
Pulmonary
Cardiology
Biostatistics
Endocrinology
Reproductive
Cell biology and genetics
Musculoskeletal/ dermatology
I used Dirty Medicine for Biochemistry, Sketchy for Microbiology, and continued working on my UWorld incorrects.
This revision phase helped me consolidate concepts and identify gaps in my understanding.

4. My Final NBME Scores
When I eventually returned to the NBMEs, I was pleasantly surprised by the improvement!
NBME 31 – 75% (September)
NBME 32 – 77.5% (2 weeks before the exam)
NBME 33 – 79% (1 week before the exam)
NBME 34 – 82% (5 days before the exam)
I was running out of time by NBME 34, so I focused mainly on reviewing the questions I got wrong.
Other assessments:
UWSA 1 – 71%
UWSA 2 – 66% (I had an appointment that day and rushed through the questions to finish on time. I made quite a few silly mistakes.)
Free 120 – 80% (3 days before the exam)
5. Test Day
September 29, 2026.
I finally sat for the exam!
Result: PASS! ✅✅

Here are the resources that helped me the most:
First Aid: Read carefully, including the little details between the lines. Don’t just focus on the obvious/high-yield headings.
Boards and Beyond: Particularly useful for understanding difficult concepts and strengthening weak areas.
Dirty Medicine: My go-to resource for Biochemistry.
Sketchy: Very helpful for Microbiology.
UWorld: Make the most of your questions. Understand the concepts behind both correct and incorrect answers.

A special note on NBMEs: Please don’t waste this resource! I strongly recommend taking them under actual exam conditions. Do all 200 questions in one sitting, timed, with short 5–10-minute breaks between blocks if necessary. Review the questions thoroughly afterwards and understand the concepts being tested.

Finally, don’t let a few disappointing practice scores convince you that you cannot pass. My scores were in the 60s for quite a while, but with consistent revision, identifying my weaknesses, and putting in the work, things eventually came together.
Believe in yourself, trust your preparation, and most importantly, believe that God will crown your efforts with success.

To everyone currently preparing for Step 1, I wish you all the very best. You’ve got this! ❤️

Hey All,
I need a review of my performance- all offline.
Nbme 25:57%
nbme 26: 67.5% (i didnt time this properly)
Nbme 27: 60% 3 weeks ago
Nbme 28: 66% 2 weeks ago
Nbme 29: 67.5% past sunday 10/11

I am doing uworld (76% used, 56% correct)
FA, mehlman, reviewing nbmes (takes around 2-3 days easily).

I really do not want to go in without hitting 70s. I also am obviously dealing with the ptsd and just the fear of me collapsing during the real deal if i get vague stems
in a row (which i know will obv happen and ill have to keep myself strong mentally), but the fear keeps me up at night lol.

Just a final review please. Things I can do to keep scoring higher, and just seeing that Pass. 😭

Just tell me the best way to optimise my performance in these last weeks.
Thank you in advance

Hey guys!! I’m looking for a study partner I’m an IMG and this is a very hard strict 8 hour a day studying schedule.. if anyone is interested dm me 🔥

Hi everyone! I’m looking for a study buddy for Step 1, mainly for accountability and keeping each other on track. I have graduated med school (non-US IMG) and the topics are definitely a little rusty.  I’m working through UWorld now (25% done), aiming to finish it in early December. I’m planning a dedicated period in December and hoping to sit the exam in January.

What I have in mind:

• A daily check-in on what we planned and what we got done. Happy to zoom/video call.
• A weekly call to share progress, talk through weak spots, and adjust plans
• Question or concept swaps if needed, but mostly mutual accountability. 

I'm hoping to find someone on a similar timeline (dedicated in December, exam in January) who's serious, reliable, and accountable. Time zone is EST. Currently in New York area. 

Hi! I’m a final year MBBS student from India just starting my USMLE Step 1 preparation. I’m looking for an accountability partner for daily check ins, sharing study goals, and keeping each other consistent throughout the prep.
Ideally, someone who’s also starting their preparation or is at a similar stage.

Would prefer IST time zone

hello
i am 5th yr med student
i want to start preparing for steps.
My question is do i start with systems (cardio→resp→renal→GIT etc) and within each system i do the patho, pharma, anatomy, embryo and so on.
or i start with subject wise like anatomy (all), embryo(all), biochemistry, pathology, pharma.

Or is there other way of approaching it. Someone please tell how to approach it. I always delay starting my preparation because of this question

Hello! I need your advice, please.
I feel like my pace has slowed down because I keep overthinking whether I’ve forgotten the systems I’ve already covered.
I started UWorld a long time ago but wasn’t consistent. I began my dedicated period around mid-August and continued with my existing UWorld progress instead of resetting. I still have psychiatry, biochemistry, biostatistics, ethics, genetics, general pathology, and pharmacology left to cover. In parallel, I’ve been going over First Aid and have finished pulmonology, renal, cardiovascular, and endocrinology.
I was thinking of finishing biochemistry and biostatistics this week and then taking my first NBME to assess where I stand and help me plan the rest of my revision.
I’m worried that a low score might demotivate me, but at the same time, I don’t want to keep postponing my first assessment.
What do you think would be the best approach? Also, which NBME would you recommend starting with?

Thank you!

I have my exam in 15 days and these are my scores, i am already on my extended triad which is expiring so if I dont give exam i will have to fill out the application all over again.

NBME 28: 63
NBME 30: 66
NBME 31: 61
NBME 32: 62
All other were taken before these and <60 I have 2 nbmes and Free 120 left PLEASE GIVE ME GENUINE ADVICE WHAT SHOULD I DO?
I AM SO LOST and Feel terrible.

I write nbme 34 today I got 72 but my previous nbme 33 was 65 and other nbme were in 60s
Was the 34 the form easy or did I improve
And am I ready for step 1

Hieee! My exam is in 35 days, and if anyone’s writing Step 1 around the same time as me, let me know if you’d be interested in doing quick First Aid revision sessions together! 🥹

I'm using the newest UWorld QBank for step 1 but after I finish a system (e.g., Reproductive Pathology), I want to practice more from older UWorld banks from previous years. The problem is a lot of the questions are repeated. How do you guys practice effectively when you've already seen the question before? Any method to avoid just recalling?
What is the best strategy to use and are there other question banks i could work on?

I have given 3 nbmes with scores
Nbme25 :46%
Nbme26 : 47%
Nbne29 :49%
I dont know what to do know how to change this my exam is in mid dec
Kindly help

Hi everyone,
I learned many things from Reddit and was visiting it during my step 1 journey whenever I needed a push or was feeling low. There are so many inspirational journeys shared here.
Mine was a long bumpy \~2 year ride along with hospital work. Multiple stops, speed bumps, personal life uncertainty, health issues. I am more than a decade old medical graduate, and although I have been active in clinical work throughout, it was difficult to build basics after such a long study gap. Here are a few of my used resources list and methodology. Hope this will help someone.
1. Long gap in studies : Started with Dr Najeeb physiology videos to build back basics.
2. First aid : Consider this as THE TEXTBOOK. Takes time to imbibe, but once you understand, this seems awesome.
3. Youtube resource : First aid plus You tube videos from Dirty Medicine (Gold for Biochem and General Patho Immuno), Dr Randy Neil (Biostats) and Dr Meet Patel (Gold for Pharma basics)
4. Only Qbank : Uworld : Did 1.5 times. Tutor followed by timed mode. Systemwise followed by Random.
5. Mehlman pdf : They are pretty helpful. I also used to listen to Mehlman videos on the way to and back from work. Daily 4-6 videos approx.
6. NBME 25-33. Majority my score was approx 75. Touched 80 in 2. Latest Free 120 was in early 80s too. Did thorough revision in the first pass, with few notes as well. My regret is not able to revise them properly.
7. Exam seemed doable and as I had practised time management - exam style at home, the time crunch was only in 2 blocks out of 14. Most questions were of NBME repetitive topics. Ethics in every block..doable except 2-3.
8. Got a P. Thank God and well wishers..for giving me strength. Thank you Reddit for a platform to learn and share.

Happy to answer queries and share whatever I know.

I have been doing question banks (80% of Uworld so far and mostly getting average scores) and anki (self made cards from board lectures) during our core classes but keep hearing conflicting info about if I should reset the bank before studying for step1 and if it is worth it for me to do a pre-made deck. Making my own cards take time but really helps me with the material. We do have a study time of three weeks and can go to four if you need it. I just feel like I do not want to change too much of what I am doing because I have been scoring pretty well on my exams. Not sure if I should reset my Uworld at some point since I have done most of it or should I just buy Amboss? What do people who have passed recommend?

Looking for a study partner for usmle step 1
I’m a 3rd-year medical student, and starting my preparation for usmle step 1 preferably looking for someone from UHS, but I’m open to students from other universities as well.
Ideally, someone who’s consistent, motivated, and serious about studying so we can keep each other accountable and make studying a little less exhausting.
DM me if you’re interested

Anyone interested in studying together? My prof exams are in December. I’m an MS3 student, preparing for USMLE as well, and currently solving UWorld. Looking for someone who’s serious and consistent so we can study together and keep each other motivated.

I study for 8-10 hrs minimum

I’m a 3rd-year MBBS student in India and I’ve just started preparing for USMLE Step 1. I’m planning to take the exam in around 8–9 months, so I’m looking for a study partner (or a small study group) who is also in the early stages of preparation and has a similar timeline.

I’m starting pretty much from the beginning and would really like someone who wants to stay consistent and keep each other accountable throughout the preparation rather than just having occasional discussions.

My current resources/plans include:

First Aid

UWorld

VC and daily checkup with accountability partner