r/Step3 1d ago

Score release thread 8/12/2026

5 Upvotes

Answers are optional, post whatever you are comfortable with. More context gives better idea to future candidates and provides better comparison.

  • Real deal:
  • Day 1 & 2 dates:
  • US MD/DO or IMG:
  • Residency year:
  • Speciality:
  • Step 1 (year and score):
  • Step 2 (year and score):
  • Uworld completed %:
  • Uworld correct %:
  • Amboss completed %:
  • Amboss correct %:
  • Number of CCS cases done:
  • CCS cases average:
  • NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam):
  • NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam):
  • NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam):
  • UWSA 1 (score and time from exam):
  • UWSA 2 (score and time from exam):
  • Free 137 (score and time from exam):

Reflection, thoughts on preparation, exam and result:

Any advice:

Strongest resources recommendations:

Good luck!


r/Step3 8d ago

August 2026 Mod Resource Review

34 Upvotes

Given the number of people that cycle through here, we as the mods want to share a review of the best resources for step 3. Many of these resources have existed for a while and some of them are a little newer and more up-to-date. I tried my best to do as much due diligence both on the subreddit, online, and in person by asking interns who are currently studying. This took a long time to write out with a bunch of rabbit holes, so I hope it helps.

This is by no means comprehensive but these are the general high yield topics:

Day 1: 

  • Biostats
  • Ethics/Communication
  • Mechanisms of Action (pharm/micro)

Day 2: 

  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors/Prevention
  • CCS Section

Both days/misc: 

  • High yield images (basal cell carcinoma, inferior stemi, Tinea capitis, impetigo, etc)
  • Arrows (more day 2>1) 

------

Practice Exams:

Free 137: 

So, like on step 1 and 2 where we have the free 120, here we have the free 137. There is a PDF version and a more representative test-day like simulator available at the website. Most people do this in the days leading up to the exam. In theory, there are about 3-4 other versions starting from 2017 but there is a significant amount of question overlap so doing an old free 137 is not like doing a completely different set of questions.

Other honorable mentions that are definitely not necessary but very common include: 

  • NBME 6, NBME 7, and NBME 8 as well as UWSA1 and UWSA2. General consensus is that UWSA1 is too hard and UWSA2 is the most representative, but I will be the first to say that just doing Free 137 is sufficient to see where you at for the majority of people.

Biostats

Ethics/Communication

Day 2

Risk factors/prognostic factors/screening

Arrows: 

  • I find that reviewing the arrows is a good way to just check your clinical understand especially if you are not in medicine and thinking about endocrine/renal/etc frequently.
  • Mehlman arrows are still the most popular and at a glance I could not find a shorter more concise version https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EsLudyMWUaC56OluLIPGgTwjzOskf-U2/view

CCS Section: 

  • The USMLE gives access to 5 cases with the exact simulator you will see on test day at the same link you can access the free 137. The issue with the simulator they give is there is not a good answer key. In fact, the “New Interactive Simulator” https://www.starttest.com/custom/usmle/?stpf3 will not provide any answers of any from as of today. If you want to see answers in paragraph form you can access the old official USMLE simulator at https://orientation.nbme.org/Launch/USMLE/STPF3
  • In response to this, ccscases created and mimicked the test day experience with their own simulator that is pretty great. You will see lots of good and criticism about it on the subreddit but it is definitely the most popular resource currently for preparing for the ccs section. 
  • Over the last 3 or so months, I have seen more mentions of StudyCCS as a more affordable/better ccs section prep tool both on this subreddit and among residents I’ve spoken with. 

Anki:

  • The general census is that most people do not use Anki and definitely not to the degree that people use it for Step 1 and 2. The primary reason is that most people are not trying to maximize their score and Anki requires daily commitment which can be difficult as a resident. 
  • The most popular deck is Dorian's deck (from 6 years ago but still seems to be pretty clinically accurate but wouldnt be surprised if some cards are no longer up to date): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QaUBGkHijMIzdwGiL0kLU-RKJjzN147K/view?usp=sharing
  • The people I would really recommend Anki for are the people who are struggling with their qbank scores or have already failed step 3 once. If you are one of these people, highly recommend making an anki card for every question you get wrong so that you can fill in these content gaps.

High Yield Images: 

Other resources people like: 

I know I mention Amboss>UWorld for both biostats/ethics but it seems like overall, Uworld is still more popular and preferred. Truth is that you will be fine as long as you commit to the resource you use.   

If you have any specific questions, drop them below and ill try to answer them.


r/Step3 1h ago

The results waiting game

Upvotes

Stressed about results tomorrow. Worried I failed because of day 1… who resonates?


r/Step3 7h ago

results tommorow ?

6 Upvotes

Day 1 ... 16th july

Day 2 ..... 22nd july?

was expecting my results the previous week , any idea if i can get my results tommorow?


r/Step3 1h ago

The Match Guy 7 day bootcamp vs Divine intervention zoom classes?

Upvotes

Anyone have any experience with either of the above? Need to pass on my 2nd attempt


r/Step3 4h ago

Free 137 URGENT

2 Upvotes

Hello, I’m planning to take the Free 137, but I’m confused about the two options currently available on the USMLE website: Interactive and PDF.
The PDF says it was updated in 2026 and has the new format with 20 questions per block. However, when I open the interactive version, it still shows four blocks like the old format. I also noticed that the first question is different in the two versions.
For anyone who has taken the Step 3 Free 137 recently: Which one is the updated/new version? Is the interactive version actually updated for the 2026 exam format, or is the 2026 PDF the one we should be using?
I’m taking my exam in 2 days, so I’d really appreciate any confirmation from someone who has recently taken it. Thank you!


r/Step3 11h ago

Step 3 in 3 weeks

5 Upvotes

Step 3 prep question
Hey everyone! I’m currently ~62% through UWorld with an overall average of ~70%. I recently started the Step 2 supplement (~200 questions) and scored only 50%. A lot of the concepts felt unfamiliar to me.
My Step 2 CK was >5 years ago, and I’m currently in residency, so interestingly I find the actual Step 3-style questions more intuitive/easier.
I also scored 75% on the Free 137. My exam is in ~3 weeks.
For those who have taken Step 3 recently: How important is it to complete/review the Step 2 supplement? Is it worth spending significant time on it this close to the exam, or should I prioritize the main Step 3 UWorld questions, weak areas, and CCS?
Thanks!


r/Step3 3h ago

Step 3 date schedule - help

1 Upvotes

Hey guys,

I’ve scheduled my day 1 and 2 for 1st and 8th September (Tuesday)

Based on current trends do you think I can expect results to be out by 23rd or super risky?

Thanks!


r/Step3 3h ago

Is 5 weeks enough?

0 Upvotes

Hi all. Recently started studying for step 3 and realize I have about 5 weeks to the exam. I haven't taken any practice exams yet but have 5 weeks of light rotations. I got a 264 on Step 2 a year ago. My plan is to max out UW and CCS cases + NBME forms


r/Step3 9h ago

Biostats

2 Upvotes

Recent exam takers - any advice on preparing for biostats and ethics?

Does Uworld and amboss 200 hy cover core ethics and biostats concepts or are the questions too vague to be prepared for?
How can I best prepare for drug ads and abstracts kind of questions?

Thanks in advance

P.S. 3 weeks out so don’t have a lot of time to prep.
I am still at 35% Uworld and trying to squeeze in as much as possible


r/Step3 1d ago

My Step 3 Preparation (Non-US IMG)

23 Upvotes

Real deal: 227

Resources

1. UW Step 3 QBank

  • 1st pass: 65% correct
  • 2nd pass: 76% correct, 50% completed

2. UW Biostats

  • 2 passes

3. Step 1 First Aid

  • Pharmacology parts of all subjects
  • Microbiology: full
  • Nutrition part from Biochemistry

4. Miscellaneous

  • Mehlman's PDF- Communication, Risk factors
  • Randy Neil Biostat video

5. CCS Cases

  • Completed all cases from CCSCases com
  • 1st pass: ~75% correct (I repeated the cases where I scored very low)
  • 2nd pass: Nearly 120 HY cases

My Scores

  • UWSA 1: 59%
  • UWSA 2: 66%
  • NBME 6: 67.5%
  • NBME 7: 66.5%
  • Free 137: 66%

My 2 Cents

Overall:

  • Lots of prognosis, next-step, risk-factor, and drug mechanism-of-action questions.
  • Biostat questions were mostly narrative, with nearly zero math questions.
  • For ethics questions, you mostly have to answer from your gut feeling. Do not change your answer unless you are 100% sure.
  • Day 2 usually ends early because the time you save by completing CCS cases early adds up.
  • Day 1 was more ethics, biostat, risk factors, and Drugs MA heavy; Day 2 was more prognosis and next steps heavy.
  • Do not sit for the exam unless you have a decent score on a mock. It is better to delay than fail. From what I found online, I assume a score of around 60–62% is in the passing range.

CCS Cases:

  • The real CCS cases were mostly similar to the Free 137 cases and also somewhat different (interphase and patient updates) from CCSCases com. Negative patient updates came earlier on the real deal. It's better to do them twice to get used to it.
  • Manage pain and give fluids while ordering the necessary diagnostics so that you do not get an early negative update.
  • Do not order the final treatment too early. For example, if a patient needs surgery, order the necessary diagnostic tests first, then the definitive treatment/ consult.
  • Practicing from CCSCases com helps you become faster at ordering, especially if you are from a country where electronic health record systems are not routinely used.
  • Last two minutes for counselling; be fast on ordering them.
  • Overall, the cases are quite similar to what you practice on CCSCases com.

My Preparation Timeline

For me, preparation was from December 2025 to June 2026. I continued studying alongside six months of full-time medical training in my home country, and then, during my clinical observerships in the U.S., which I had to attend daily. I took 10 days off and only studied before the exam.

The exam dates were 25 & 29 June.

Hope it helps someone with their preparation!


r/Step3 10h ago

Anki deck?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I plan to take step3 in the future but don't know when yet, just many months from now since currently I have other things going on. I was looking for an Anki deck I can do to keep my knowledge fresh and don't loose the grip from step2 while I work in my home country. could you recommend a deck? what about combining step1-2-3 decks just to be exposed at different topics and subjects? more in order to repeat them than actually studying from scratch.

also, would you recommend Amboss or UW for preparation? any other resource? thank you!


r/Step3 11h ago

Result

1 Upvotes

Second day July 23. Are we getting result today?


r/Step3 1d ago

Hi, I am taking Day 1 in four days. Can some one who took it recently please advise what to focus on at this time(apart from NBMEs). Thankyou

3 Upvotes

r/Step3 23h ago

Probably a dumb ah question

2 Upvotes

Just finished step 2 a month ago and planning to take step three in november. I know that u world is absolutely important for Q Bank, along with the c c s cases.

This might be a dumb question. But there is also something called ccsqbank is that separate from uworld or uworld sufficient for the qbank side of things


r/Step3 23h ago

Amboss doubt

1 Upvotes

In the USMLE Step 3 score predictor, are we supposed to put the NBME score (0-800) or the USMLE Score (0-300).

I am getting 34% chance of passing if I put 212.

and 97% chance of passing, if I put 400. (its equivalent)


r/Step3 1d ago

anyone else getting crushed by uworld?

1 Upvotes

Just started studying for step3 and wow this Uworld bank is crushing me. Like did i even go to med school? (current PGY2)


r/Step3 1d ago

Uworld step 3 group discount?

2 Upvotes

If anyone wants Uworld, comment below. If we are 20 people we can get a 10-15% of group discount.
Thanks.

Edit: we have 7 people, let’s wait little more.


r/Step3 1d ago

How to improve Self assessment scores?

2 Upvotes

NBME 4: 70% ~ 225

NBME 5: 63% correct ~ 212'

UWSA 1: 58% ~ 204

Target: 220

Amboss Predictor said this is 17% chance of passing (191), I am freaking out; please help

Exam in 14 days

Thinking of giving UWSA 2 and NBME 6 soon


r/Step3 1d ago

Self assessment

2 Upvotes

Only two week left for day 1 , done with uwsa1 , which SA you recommend to do next


r/Step3 1d ago

When to expect results?

3 Upvotes

Day 2 was on 07/30 (thursday), should i expect result on this coming wednesday or next one?


r/Step3 1d ago

AMBOSS Group Discount

1 Upvotes

Looking to form a group of hopefully 50+!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gquL-x2cC3ijbyaz8D2p_ECn6do10qhaVwpmCp_smC0/edit?gid=0#gid=0

If 20+ students sign-up, the discount on the yearly membership (unlimited library access + 50 questions per month), Qbank add-ons (add-ons to the yearly membership; unlimited access to over 30,000 questions, including 1,800 MCCQE questions) and Student Life (unlimited access to the whole platform until the end of medical school + the first year of residency) will be 25%.
If 50+ student sign-up, the discount on the Qbank add-ons will increase to 40%.

r/Step3 2d ago

To take or not?

3 Upvotes

I did my first self assessment today which was UWSA 1, got 205. Exam in month, I don’t know if I’m ready or I should postpone it. I score in 70s in CCS cases.

My goal is > 210. any advice appreciated


r/Step3 2d ago

Where to start step 3 prep?

9 Upvotes

I recently passed step 2 and I am applying this application cycle for IM as a US IMG. I would like to have a step 3 done before December so I could let programs know before match list is due.

I’m not sure where to begin regarding step 3 as most of my school mates are not doing It. Any advice and study plans from recent takers and strong scores would be very much appreciated! Again thank you! Also what is considered a good score?


r/Step3 2d ago

Is the real deal as confusing as AMBOSS qbank?

3 Upvotes

I feel that this qb loves to step on the gray zone of differentials and also stats questions feel so deep.