Best Resources for USMLE Step 1: The Complete 2025 Guide

Since USMLE Step 1 became pass/fail in 2022, the focus has shifted from score optimization to building a solid foundation for Step 2 and clinical practice. The most successful medicine students now use integrated study strategies that combine active learning through questions, spaced repetition for retention, and comprehensive review materials. This approach requires fewer resources but demands more strategic usage to maximize efficiency during the critical 2–6-month preparation period.

These five resources represent the current consensus among medical educators, successful students, and preparation experts. Each serves a distinct purpose in comprehensive USMLE Step 1 prep courses and study planning, from foundational learning to final assessment readiness.

1. UWorld Question Bank: The undisputed champion of Step 1 preparation

UWorld's USMLE Step 1 Question Bank stands as the most universally recommended material, used by over 90% of medical students and highly regarded as one of the best resources for USMLE Step 1. This comprehensive platform offers 3,600+ high-quality questions designed at or above actual exam difficulty, making it the cornerstone of effective USMLE Step 1 study materials.

What makes UWorld exceptional is its award-winning explanations that transform wrong answers into learning opportunities. Each question includes detailed rationales with vivid illustrations, charts, and clinical pearls that help students understand not just what the correct answer is, but why other options are incorrect. The platform's performance analytics track progress across subjects, identifying weak areas and providing personalized study recommendations.

Current pricing offers flexible time-based access periods starting with a basic 30-day subscription (no self-assessments included) at $319, followed by 90-day subscriptions at $439, 180-day access for $479, 360-day access at $559, and extended 730-day access for $719. Subscriptions of 90 days and longer include self-assessments (UWSAs), with higher-tier plans featuring ReadyDecks flashcards and an integrated Medical Library with 800+ peer-reviewed articles.

Strategic usage involves a two-pass approach: first during M1/M2 coursework in tutor mode by subject, then during dedicated study in timed, random blocks of 40 questions. Most successful students complete 60-120 questions daily during their dedicated period, spending equal time reviewing First Aid and NBME self-assessments.

2. First Aid 2025 for the USMLE Step 1: The essential resources every student needs

The 2025 edition of First Aid remains the "Bible of Step 1," serving as the central hub where students consolidate knowledge from all other resources. This 864-page comprehensive review organizes high-yield facts by organ systems, featuring over 1,000 clinical images and 1,300+ essential facts and mnemonics.

The First Aid 2025 edition introduces significant updates, including enhanced diversity in clinical imagery, updated exam preparation advice reflecting the pass/fail format, and improved integration with digital platforms. The book now includes expanded coverage of communication skills and social determinants of health, reflecting current Step 1 content priorities.

Pricing remains accessible at approximately $65 for the physical edition, available through Amazon, Kindle, McGraw-Hill Education, and medical bookstores. The digital companion platform, First Aid Forward, offers searchable content and integration with other resources for an additional $98.

An effective usage strategy focuses on annotation rather than passive reading. Students should add UWorld explanations, Pathoma insights, and NBME question takeaways directly into the margins, creating a personalized reference guide. The book works best during dedicated study periods rather than as a primary learning tool during initial coursework.

3. Pathoma: Dr. Sattar's masterclass in pathology understanding

Pathoma transformed pathology education through Dr. Husain Sattar's mechanistic approach, making complex disease processes understandable through basic principles. This resource combines 35 hours of video content with a concise 218-page textbook, focusing on the "how" and "why" of pathology rather than rote memorization.

Dr. Sattar's teaching philosophy emphasizes integrating embryology, anatomy, and pathophysiology with pathology, helping students develop "true understanding which is never forgotten."

The subscription costs $100 annually and includes both video access and the physical textbook. This pricing makes Pathoma significantly more affordable than other comprehensive USMLE Step 1 prep courses while delivering comparable educational value for pathology topics.

Chapters 1-3 are universally considered essential, covering Growth Adaptations/Cell Death, Inflammation, and Neoplasia. These foundational chapters require review during the final week before the exam, as they underpin pathology questions across all organ systems. Students should watch videos at 1.5-2x speed during review periods and take detailed notes directly into their First Aid textbook.

Strategic integration involves using Pathoma early in preparation to build conceptual foundations, then returning to specific chapters when reviewing organ systems with UWorld. The resource particularly excels for pathway-heavy topics like cardiology, hematology, and nephrology, where mechanistic understanding is crucial for answering complex Step 1 questions.

4. NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessments: Essential practice exams for Step 1 preparation

NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessments serve as valuable practice exams created by the same organization that writes the actual Step 1 exam. These 200-question practice tests help students familiarize themselves with the exam format, identify knowledge gaps, and gain experience with NBME-style questions, though they should be used as just one component of preparation rather than definitive readiness predictors.

Current forms 26-31 are available at $62 each, with Forms 27, 30, and 31 considered most representative of current exam content. The newest forms include answer explanations and enhanced analytics through the INSIGHTS dashboard, addressing long-standing student requests for better learning tools from practice exams.

While NBME practice exams provide useful practice, students should understand their limitations and avoid over-relying on scores for readiness decisions. These assessments work best when used to identify weak areas for focused review and to practice the testing format, rather than as precise predictors of Step 1 performance. The pass/fail format of Step 1 has made score prediction less relevant than building a comprehensive understanding across all tested domains.

Optimal scheduling involves taking practice exams every 1-2 weeks during dedicated study, starting with baseline assessment and progressing through newer forms. The recommended sequence includes NBME 28 for mid-preparation assessment (considered most predictive), followed by NBME 31 for final readiness confirmation.

5. AnKing Anki Deck: Spaced repetition mastery for long-term retention

The AnKing deck represents the gold standard in medical education flashcards, featuring over 30,000 cards that integrate content from First Aid, UWorld, Pathoma, and other major resources. Through the AnkiHub platform, this deck receives real-time updates from a community of medical students and educators.

AnkiHub subscription tiers include Core ($6/month) for basic deck access, Premium ($10/month) with AI features and publisher integrations, and a Lifetime option ($450). Students who cannot afford subscriptions can apply for AnkiHub scholarship access. The platform represents exceptional value compared to traditional USMLE Step 1 prep courses.

The deck's sophisticated organization includes hierarchical tagging by resources, subjects, and difficulty levels. Cards are tagged with UWorld question IDs, enabling targeted review after practice sessions. Integration with AMBOSS provides pop-up explanations, while partnerships with First Aid Forward and Boards & Beyond offer seamless content linking.

Implementation strategy requires starting early (ideally from M1) and maintaining daily consistency without exception. Students typically review 100-200 cards daily once the deck matures, investing 1-3 hours in spaced repetition. The key to success lies in strategically unsuspending cards based on UWorld performance and lecture schedules, rather than attempting all cards simultaneously.

Building your integrated Step 1 strategy

The most successful USMLE Step 1 study materials approach combines these resources strategically rather than using them in isolation. Research shows that students who use 3-5 core resources outperform those who attempt to use everything available. The optimal USMLE Step 1 strategy involves UWorld and First Aid as the central learning axis, supported by Pathoma for conceptual understanding, NBME exams for progress assessment, and AnKing cards for retention.

Timing matters crucially in implementation. Students should begin with foundational resources like Pathoma and AnKing during M1/M2 coursework, then intensify with UWorld during dedicated study while using First Aid as the central annotation hub. NBME exams provide essential feedback loops every 1-2 weeks during dedicated preparation.

The pass/fail format emphasizes mastery over optimization, encouraging students to focus on building a comprehensive understanding rather than chasing specific score targets. This shift makes integrated resource usage even more important, as students must develop clinical reasoning skills alongside factual knowledge for success in Step 2 and clinical practice.

These five resources represent the current consensus on the best resources for USMLE Step 1 preparation, backed by thousands of successful student experiences and continuous adaptation to evolving exam requirements. Success comes not from using every available resource, but from using these proven tools consistently and strategically over your preparation period.

Still stuck in analysis paralysis? We can guide you!

Having access to excellent study materials is only half the battle—knowing how to integrate them effectively based on your unique learning style, timeline, and knowledge gaps makes the critical difference. Many students find themselves overwhelmed by the volume of information and struggle to create a personalized, strategic approach.

MedBoardTutors specializes in one-on-one USMLE Step 1 online tutoring that goes beyond generic study advice. Our expert tutors work directly with students to develop customized study plans, assess baseline knowledge, identify specific weaknesses, and create targeted strategies using resources like UWorld, First Aid, Pathoma, and Anki. We provide personalized guidance, study schedules, accountability, and test-taking strategies that transform your preparation from overwhelming to organized and effective.

Schedule a free consultation now to discover how we can help you achieve Step 1 success!