You just finished the USMLE Step 2 CK Free 120—now what? Find out exactly where your clinical reasoning broke down and whether your score means you're actually ready.

The ECFMG certification process just got more complicated with a major system change in January 2026—and most IMGs don't realize what's different until it's too late. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to do, when to do it, and the costly mistakes that derail applications.

Not matching isn't the end of your residency journey—but SOAP residency success depends on what you do before Match Week even begins. This guide covers everything from document prep to the critical hours after you get the news.

Biochemistry doesn't have to be the score-killer everyone warns you about. We break down exactly which topics show up repeatedly on Step 1—and the study strategies top scorers actually use.

Not all USMLE question banks are worth your money—and the "best" one depends entirely on which Step you're preparing for. We break down pricing, features, and what the med student community actually says about each option so you can stop second-guessing and start studying.

The surgery shelf exam tests something most students don't expect—and it's not what you're learning in the OR. Here's exactly what it takes to hit the 90th percentile and honor your rotation.

Research can make or break your residency application—but most students go about finding opportunities all wrong. Here's what actually works, based on what program directors say they care about.

Six weeks is on the shorter end of the typical Step 1 dedicated period—but research shows it can work if you approach it right. Here's what the data says about study hours, practice questions, and the mistakes that trip students up in the pass/fail era.

Cardiovascular cases dominate USMLE Step 3—and most students miss the clinical reasoning that actually separates high scorers from average performers. Discover what the exam really tests in cardiology and why your understanding of hemodynamics, drug interactions, and management timing matters more than memorized protocols.

Most medical students don't realize that the same shelf exam score can mean completely different things depending on when they take it. Discover how percentiles actually work and why they matter way more than your raw score for residency programs.

Anki is everywhere in medical school—but most students use it wrong for Step 2, leaving performance on the table. Discover the strategic framework that separates students who maintain knowledge through rotations from those drowning in endless reviews.

You opened your exam results and saw it: a fail. Your stomach dropped. Before you spiral, read what one residency program director actually thinks about Step 1 failures—and the realistic path forward that most students miss.