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How to Study for Medical Board Exams: Prioritize “the Big and the Bad” for Smarter Board Review

May 15, 2025 by Jack Krasuski, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam Tags: board exam prep, board exam prep tips

Board exam prep made easy  No matter how much time you have remaining to prepare for your boards, you must still prioritize certain exam topics over others. This is true because even if you go through ALL the material once or even twice during your board review, there will always remain topics that you’ll perform worse on during your practice tests.  How do you know which topics you’re weaker on as you’re progressing through your studies? If you took the exam previously and failed,… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam Tagged With: board exam prep, board exam prep tips

EXACT Board Prep Accelerator Delivers Custom Board Success — Here’s How

March 28, 2025 by Jack Krasuski, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam Tags: board exam prep, board exam prep tips, board prep

board prep, board exam prep, medical student studying at laptopEXACT is a proprietary algorithm that customizes a study program for each learner. The learner completes a board-reflective practice test and EXACT converts the results into a personalized board prep review schedule and study plan so learners pass on their first try At American Physician Institute (API), a leading medical education and certification solutions provider, we offer EXACT — a FREE game-changing board prep program for medical professionals.  API’s proprietary EXACT algorithm powers the program, which provides individuals with personalized… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam Tagged With: board exam prep, board exam prep tips, board prep

How to Study for the Boards: The Dos and Don’ts of Preparing for Your Medical Board Exam

September 25, 2023 by Gail Clifford, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam Tags: board exam prep, board exam prep tips, board exam studying

Medical student with textbooks, a laptop, and a board review course - how to study for the boards.If you’re on the journey to becoming a board-certified medical professional, let me tell you firsthand how important passing the medical board exam is. I’ve been through this crucial phase myself, and I understand the pivotal role it plays in shaping your career. So, as your friendly board-certified physician, I’m here to share some personal insights on how to study for the boards, how a board review course can help, and how I conquered the board exams and helped my… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam Tagged With: board exam prep, board exam prep tips, board exam studying

ABA BASIC Exam: Everything You Need to Know to Prepare

August 11, 2023 by Dr. Jason Barnes, DO Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Anesthesiology, Board Exam Tags: anesthesiology, anesthesiology board exam, Anesthesiology board exam prep, board exam prep, board exam prep tips

Woman studying at her laptop for the ABA BASIC examPrepping for an Anesthesiology Board Exam? Get a comprehensive ABA BASIC or ABA ADVANCED board review course from The Pass Machine to get your board prep on track. I had not really heard of the ABA BASIC Exam until I matched into an anesthesia residency, and after some research, I recognized that this test carries the same weight as a Step/COMLEX. The ABA basic examination determines whether or not you will be able to continue your training in an anesthesia… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Anesthesiology, Board Exam Tagged With: anesthesiology, anesthesiology board exam, Anesthesiology board exam prep, board exam prep, board exam prep tips

What Is the Best Internal Medicine Board Review Course?

July 14, 2023 by Gail Clifford, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Certification, Board Exam, Internal Medicine

An internal medicine resident looking through binoculars to find the best internal medicine review course.Prepping for an Internal Medicine Board Exam? Get a comprehensive Internal Medicine Board Review Course from The Pass Machine to get your board prep on track. Looking for the best Internal Medicine Review? Choosing the right board review course is a crucial step in preparing for the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Examination. With so many options available, it’s important to consider several factors when making this decision. First, you should consider the format of the ABIM review… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Certification, Board Exam, Internal Medicine

Pediatrics Board Review: How to Study for the Exam

July 7, 2023 by Jessica Johnson, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, Pediatrics Tags: board exam prep, board exam study tips, how to study for the boards, pediatric board prep, pediatrics board review, peds board exam, peds board prep

Your pediatric boards study plan can help you pass the pediatric boardsPrepping for a Pediatric Board Exam? Get a comprehensive Pediatric Board Review Course from The Pass Machine to get your board prep on track. The pediatric board exam is hard and is statistically getting more and more difficult based on the declining pass rate in recent years. The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) General Certifying Examination is offered only once a year. So, if you don’t pass, this exam and preparing for it will preoccupy your mind for nearly a… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam, Pediatrics Tagged With: board exam prep, board exam study tips, how to study for the boards, pediatric board prep, pediatrics board review, peds board exam, peds board prep

Should I Maintain My Board Certification for as Long as I Practice?

June 30, 2023 by Jack Krasuski, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Certification, Board Exam Tags: board certification, board-certified physician, medical board preparation

Board Certification: A woman smiles at a desk with a certificate in her hand.My answer for myself is: Yes, I would always maintain my board certification for as long as I see patients. I would not practice with lapsed board certification. Here I present my reason – yes, I have only one reason to remain board certified. This medical-legal reason is relevant to and resonates with me. It may or may not be relevant or resonate with you, but I think it’s good for you to at least be aware of it as… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Certification, Board Exam Tagged With: board certification, board-certified physician, medical board preparation

USMLE: When Do You Take Step 2?

June 22, 2023 by Simon Padanilam, MD Leave a Comment Categories: Board Exam, USMLE Tags: medical school, medical students, USMLE Step 2 CK, when do you take step 2

A medical student, looking at a calendar, wonders when to take the USMLE Step 2 exam.Prepping for your USMLE Step 2 exam? Try 200 free USMLE Step 2 CK practice questions from The Pass Machine to help get your USMLE prep on track. Medical students who plan to pursue residency in the United States must complete the USMLE board examinations, the aim of which is to certify a baseline level of knowledge and competence in patient care. The first component in certification is USMLE Step 1, which is most often completed at the conclusion of… Click to Read More

Filed Under: Board Exam, USMLE Tagged With: medical school, medical students, USMLE Step 2 CK, when do you take step 2

How to Study for USMLE Step 3

June 2, 2023 by Nicole A. Colwell, MD Leave a Comment Categories: Board Exam, USMLE Tags: How to prepare for USMLE step 3, How to study for USMLE Step 3, USMLE prep courses, USMLE Step 3, USMLE Step 3 prep course

A medical intern prepares for USMLE Step 3Prepping for your USMLE Step 3 exam? Try 200 free USMLE Step 3 practice questions from The Pass Machine to help get your USMLE prep on track. If you are currently wondering how to study for USMLE Step 3, by now, you have probably heard the adage in medical school: “Two months to study for Step 1; two weeks to study for Step 2; and for Step 3: all you need is a #2 pencil.” Clearly, the reality of studying… Click to Read More

Filed Under: Board Exam, USMLE Tagged With: How to prepare for USMLE step 3, How to study for USMLE Step 3, USMLE prep courses, USMLE Step 3, USMLE Step 3 prep course

USMLE Step 1: What’s on It?

May 26, 2023 by Simon Padanilam, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: USMLE, usmle qbank, USMLE step 1

Young African american woman studying with a laptop on a desk while holding an open book.Prepping for your USMLE Step 2 exam? Try 200 free USMLE Step 2 CK practice questions from The Pass Machine to help get your USMLE prep on track. Taking Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination Any medical student hoping to become a doctor in the United States must take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) as part of their medical education requirements, starting with USMLE Step 1. This rigorous exam consists of three “steps” designed to… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tagged With: USMLE, usmle qbank, USMLE step 1

USMLE Step 3 Exam: Optimize Your Performance on Test Day

May 19, 2023 by Nicole A. Colwell, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: USMLE, USMLE Step 3, USMLE Step 3 exam

Medical intern sits for a computer-based USMLE examPrepping for your USMLE Step 3 exam? Try 200 free USMLE Step 3 practice questions from The Pass Machine to help get your USMLE prep on track. The USMLE Step 3 exam is the final assessment first-year residents take before they can practice medicine independently. The exam assesses a physician’s knowledge of advanced clinical medicine and is different from the other two USMLE examinations taken in medical school. The experience of sitting for Step 3 of the USMLE will be… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tagged With: USMLE, USMLE Step 3, USMLE Step 3 exam

USMLE Step 3 Content: What’s on the Exam?

May 12, 2023 by Shaun Kink, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: passing the USMLE, Step 3 Content, USMLE Step 3, USMLE Step 3 examples

Three steps outlined on a chalkboard with Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 above the outline and an arrow pointing up from Step 1 to Step 3.Prepping for your USMLE Step 3 exam? Try 200 free USMLE Step 3 practice questions from The Pass Machine to help get your USMLE prep on track. The USMLE Step 3 exam is the final examination first-year residents need to pass to practice medicine independently. USMLE Step 3 content assesses a practitioner’s knowledge of advanced clinical medicine and is vastly different from the other two USMLE examinations, so interns should know what to expect and how to prepare to face… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tagged With: passing the USMLE, Step 3 Content, USMLE Step 3, USMLE Step 3 examples

The USMLE Step 2 CK Score

May 5, 2023 by Shaun Kink, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: understanding USMLE score, USMLE Score, USMLE Step 2 CK

Overhead view of a woman in a yellow sweater seated at a desk with an open laptop, coffee, and colorful charts on papers on the desk.Prepping for your USMLE Step 2 exam? Try 200 free USMLE Step 2 CK practice questions from The Pass Machine to help get your USMLE prep on track. Each United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step exam is scored differently. Understanding what your USMLE Step 2 score means and how it is calculated can help you prepare in a more focused way. Understanding your USMLE Step 2 CK score Scores for the USMLE Step 2 exam range from 1 to… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tagged With: understanding USMLE score, USMLE Score, USMLE Step 2 CK

USMLE vs. COMLEX: What’s the Difference?

April 27, 2023 by Nicole A. Colwell, MD 2 Comments Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: complex, medical licensing exams, USMLE, usmle vs complex

Women looking slightly suspicious while her arms are raised, palms up, in a gesture showing imbalance.Prepping for a USMLE Step exam? Try 200 free USMLE Step 2 or Step 3 practice questions from The Pass Machine to help get your USMLE prep on track. USMLE vs. COMLEX: Is one exam for MD students and the other for DO students? It’s not that simple. Traditionally speaking, osteopathic medical students have been required to take the COMLEX (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination) to be eligible for licensure, whereas allopathic medical students are required to take the USMLE… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tagged With: complex, medical licensing exams, USMLE, usmle vs complex

What Is “Irregular Behavior” on the USMLE? How Do I Avoid It?

April 21, 2023 by Simon Padanilam, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: board exam prep, how to pass the USMLE, how to study for the boards, USMLE, USMLE exam prep, USMLE Step 2CK

View of a Classmate in the background trying to cheat of students seated ahead of him.Prepping for a USMLE Sexam? Try 200 free USMLE Step 2 CK practice questions or 200 free USMLE Step 3 practice questions from The Pass Machine to help get your USMLE prep on track. What Is “Irregular Behavior?” The USMLE examinations are tightly regulated and have a high level of security in place to maintain the integrity of their content and ensure their value in assessing candidates for medical licensing. As a result, there are certain actions of examinees that… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tagged With: board exam prep, how to pass the USMLE, how to study for the boards, USMLE, USMLE exam prep, USMLE Step 2CK

How to Study for USMLE Step 2: 6 Tips for Success

April 13, 2023 by Shaun Kink, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: exam prep, study tips, USMLE Step 2, USMLE Step 2CK

Silver clock surrounded by study items, notebook, clipboard, tablet, keyboard, mouse, and pen on a light blue background.Prepping for your USMLE Step 2 exam? Try 200 free USMLE Step 2 CK practice questions from The Pass Machine to help get your USMLE prep on track. Studying for USMLE Step 2 Now that USMLE Step 1 is a pass/fail exam, many residency programs will put greater importance on your USMLE Step 2 CK score. Earning a high score on this national board exam will help set you apart from other students and applicants. This article will focus on… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tagged With: exam prep, study tips, USMLE Step 2, USMLE Step 2CK

What You Need to Know About the November 2020 Update to the Step 2 CK Exam

April 6, 2023 by Shaun Kink, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: HIPAA, USMLE exam, USMLE Physician Tasks/Competencies outline, USMLE Step 2 CK, USMLE topics

Hand with pen over blank form with patient information.Update to Step 2 CK Exam As of November 11, 2020, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 clinical knowledge (CK) exam will increase the percentage of questions assessing the social sciences of examinees. What questions are included in the social sciences? The social sciences, or “soft skills,” will test an applicant’s knowledge of legal and ethical issues, professionalism, systems-based practices, and patient safety. These questions will consist of a particular concept, such as professionalism, rooted in a… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tagged With: HIPAA, USMLE exam, USMLE Physician Tasks/Competencies outline, USMLE Step 2 CK, USMLE topics

USMLE Step 2 CK Content Tests Clinical Knowledge Base

March 31, 2023 by Michael Sapko, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: board exam, career options, clinical knowledge, how to pass the USMLE, residency options, Step 2 CK, USMLE, USMLE Content, USMLE Step 2, USMLE Step 2CK

Open text books on a table with colored pencils lined up with two students, one seated and one standing, using pencils to point at the open books they are holding.Prepping for your USMLE Step 2 exam? Try 200 free USMLE Step 2 CK practice questions from The Pass Machine to help get your USMLE prep on track. Learn More About USMLE Step 2 CK Content Now that Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) has become a pass/fail exam, your USMLE Step 2 CK score is more important than ever in deciding your medical residency and career options. In this article, we will review the USMLE… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tagged With: board exam, career options, clinical knowledge, how to pass the USMLE, residency options, Step 2 CK, USMLE, USMLE Content, USMLE Step 2, USMLE Step 2CK

USMLE: 10 Tips to Ace the Exams

March 30, 2023 by Simon Padanilam, MD Leave a Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tags: USMLE exam, USMLE prep, USMLE prep courses, USMLE step 1, USMLE Step 2, USMLE Step 3, USMLE tips?

Focused male medical student studying at a coffee shop with an open book, laptop, coffee, and donut on table.Prepping for a USMLE Step exam? Try 200 free USMLE Step 2 CK practice questions or 200 free USMLE Step 3 practice questions from The Pass Machine to help get your USMLE prep on track. USMLE Step Exams The USMLE Step exams can be difficult not just in content but in terms of USMLE preparation and learning how to effectively use the resources at your disposal. In this article, we break down the top 10 tips to most effectively help… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam, USMLE Tagged With: USMLE exam, USMLE prep, USMLE prep courses, USMLE step 1, USMLE Step 2, USMLE Step 3, USMLE tips?

A Perfectionism That Will Kill Your Board Exam Performance

August 12, 2022 by Jack Krasuski, MD 1 Comment Categories: All Posts, Board Exam Tags: exam performance challenges, How to Prepare For Your Board Exam, medical board preparation, perfectionism

Close-up Of A Businesswoman's Hand Looking At Contract Form Through Magnifying GlassThis week we completed our 5-Day Psychiatry Board Prep Course in Chicagoland. (It was great to see and speak with so many colleagues there.)  At the course, I received several questions from our attendees about what turns out to be a single problem described in different ways – board exam performance. The problem is a manifestation of one type of perfectionism in exam performance. It arises as a feeling of a strong need to get complete and/or definitive information about… Click to Read More

Filed Under: All Posts, Board Exam Tagged With: exam performance challenges, How to Prepare For Your Board Exam, medical board preparation, perfectionism

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