
-Only go through one full pass of UWorld — focus on understanding, not memorization.
-Choose your Step 2 exam date, and plan to finish your UWorld questions at least 5–6 weeks before that date.
-Pick your test date → go through your calendar and mark any life events or days you won’t study (e.g., Match Day, graduation, birthdays, school practice tests, clerkship events).
-Divide the total number of UWorld questions by your remaining weeks and days to determine exactly how many questions you’ll complete each day.
-Review the subjects in UWorld and, based on how many weeks you have and which clerkships remain, decide how many weeks to dedicate to each subject and estimate the number of study days for each one.
Take each practice test and review it the same day — this helps you save time, retain key details, and remember your reasoning behind each answer.
-Complete the AMBOSS self-assessment (available for free in April) within the specified date range for an accurate score estimate.
-Focus on UWorld Step 2 Self-Assessments 1 & 2 only — skip #3 (it’s not representative and not recommended).
-Don’t forget to complete the NBME Free 120 — use the newest version first, and the older versions only if you have extra time.
-Take the free self-assessment when available — it provides a reliable benchmark for your readiness.
-Complete the following study plans:
-High-Yield 200
-Screenings & Vaccinations
-Ethics
-Read the following key articles:
-Quality Improvement
-Patient Safety
-Go through these materials once during your dedicated study period, review any missed or uncertain questions, and revisit them a few days before your exam for reinforcement.
-If your UWorld subscription is still active, complete a second pass focused on Public Health topics.
Supplement your prep with AMBOSS Public Health questions for additional coverage.
-Must Watch:
YouTube: “High Yield Public Health Review | USMLE Step 1 & Step 2 CK” by Doctor Tim
-This 40-minute video provides concise, high-yield coverage of essential public health topics — guaranteed to earn you easy points on test day.
-You’ll have access to all shelf exams, Free 120s, and NBMEs.
-Be sure to Google the newest Free 120 for your testing year.
-Do not complete the EM (Emergency Medicine) shelf.
Recommended forms: Complete Forms 6, 7, and 8 of each subject (or the two to three most recent versions available for that subject).
-If you’re short on time, prioritize Family Medicine, Psychiatry, OB/GYN, and Surgery — these are typically the most helpful.
-Each CMS form contains 50 questions.
These are great for additional knowledge and NBME-style practice, but you don’t need to do them timed or under strict test conditions.
-Think of this as your Step 2 Bible — just like First Aid was for Step 1.
-Review the corresponding WCC sections as you cover each topic in UWorld.
-Many answers in UWorld, NBME, and Step 2 are taken word-for-word from the WCC — learn it thoroughly.
-Aim to complete most of WCC by the time you finish your first full pass of UWorld.
-In later stages, we’ll cover additional passes of WCC to reinforce mastery and long-term retention.
-Focus on NBME Forms 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. (Form 9 is available but increasingly outdated.)
-Purchase the NBME bundle (Forms 11, 12, 14), then download the remaining forms for free from the
CMS site to simulate your own testing conditions.
Use online tools such as the “NBME Score
-Calculator” (searchable on Reddit) to estimate your Step 2 score based on your performance.
-Completing multiple forms is valuable for simulating real exam conditions and tracking how your score trends across attempts.
-Prioritize accuracy and testing realism — take each exam in one sitting, without interruptions, to replicate your official testing environment.
-If your UWorld subscription is still active, do a second pass focusing on Ethics questions.
Complete the AMBOSS Ethics Study Plan for additional reinforcement.
-The key is to learn the pattern of how the exam wants you to respond — Step 2 questions test emotional intelligence as much as medical knowledge.
-Typical correct responses include phrases like:
“Repeat what they say”
“Show empathy”
“Ask for more information”
“Use open-ended questions”
-Pay close attention to question phrasing — once you recognize the common patterns, these become easy, consistent points on test day.
-Watch Randy Neil, MD on YouTube — his Step 1 & Biostats playlists are essential and highly recommended.
-This is one of the only sections (along with Ethics and Social Sciences) worth doing a second UWorld pass on if your subscription is still active.
-Know all major equations and feel completely comfortable applying them.
-If you only learn one thing — master PPV vs NPV vs Sensitivity vs Specificity.
-Understand exactly how interpretation wording is phrased — these often appear directly as answer choices.
-Be confident reading and interpreting the central graph/chart questions — they’re easy points if you recognize the setup.
-Expect frequent questions on Type I error, Type II error, and statistical power — these are classic Step 2 favorites.
-Recommended Channel: Emma Holliday
If you’re starting M3 year:
Watch these videos throughout your rotations, then re-watch 1–2 times during your final study weeks.
-If you’re a rising M4:
Watch them at the start of your dedicated study block and again in the final weeks before your exam.
-Example: If you’re beginning your OB block on UWorld, watch one Emma Holliday video to start your day, then complete your UWorld questions, and watch the next video the following day.
-Maximize your time:
Watch these videos during walking breaks, on the treadmill, or in the car — perfect for passive review and reinforcement throughout the day.

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