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USMLE® Step 1 Board Review Questions and Practice Tests

Pass the USMLE® Step 1 with BoardVitals. Gain access to more than 3250 USMLE Step 1 board review practice questions specifically written to simulate the complexity and time of the real questions on the exam. The real exam lets you move backwards and forwards from question to question, as well as correct old answers. Our system is modeled after this behavior as well. The USMLE Step 1 question bank follows the exam content outline for the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®) USMLE® Step 1 Exam. Enhance your studies when you add on our NEW Full-Length Step 1 Practice Test that mimics the exam interface and blueprint of the exam you'll see on exam day!

Also check out our USMLE® Step 2 and USMLE® Step 3 Question Banks.

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3250+ Questions

Detailed Explanations and Rationales
Targeted to USMLE® Exam Blueprint
Mobile App to Study On-The-Go
Adaptive Learning Technology
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Prepare

3 Months
$259 Save 49%

3250+ Questions

Detailed Explanations and Rationales
Targeted to USMLE® Exam Blueprint
Mobile App to Study On-The-Go
Adaptive Learning Technology
Vaccine Donated with Every New Purchase
100% Pass Guarantee
Ask a Clinician™
Buy Now, Start Later (up to 6 months)

$20 $15

Cram

1 Month
$169

3250+ Questions

Detailed Explanations and Rationales
Targeted to USMLE® Exam Blueprint
Mobile App to Study On-The-Go
Adaptive Learning Technology
Vaccine Donated with Every New Purchase

$20

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Detailed Explanations and Rationales
Targeted to USMLE® Exam Blueprint
Mobile App to Study On-The-Go
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  • Customize practice tests by subject
  • Track your progress with advanced analytics and reports
  • Timed option to simulate real test conditions
  • Compare your progress against the national average
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“Our medical school curriculum committee met, and student members expressed their like of the product, including that they really liked the video clips and also felt the questions were more like actual USMLE questions than those in UWorld."”

Rachel R. Walden
MLIS, Associate Dean/Associate Professor

gold key Key USMLE Step 1 Board Review Features

images
Challenging USMLE Step 1 Board Review questions with images in similar format/quality to the actual exam
analytics
AI-powered risk assessment performance data provides insight into your most at-risk subjects to optimize study efficiency
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Create quizzes with adaptive testing technology, which presents questions tailored to your current competency level
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Condensed and concise Clinical Pearls highlight key points, essential concepts, and practical tips related to patient care

USMLE Step 1 Board Review Topics Covered:

  • Pharmacology
  • Biology of Tissue Response to Disease
  • Multisystem Processes
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Hematopoietic and Lymphoreticular Systems
  • Nervous System and Special Senses
  • Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue
  • Musculoskeletal System
  • Respiratory System
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Gastrointestinal System
  • Renal/Urinary System
  • Endocrine System
  • Microbiology
  • Pathology
  • Biochemistry
  • Audio Clip Questions
  • Anatomy
  • Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Puerperium
  • Physiology
  • Biostatistics and Epidemiology
  • Male Reproductive System
  • Female Reproductive System and Breast
  • Genetics
  • Immune System
  • Behavioral Health
  • General Principles of Foundational Science
  • Communication/Professionalism
  • Social Sciences

Why BoardVitals USMLE® Step 1 Question Bank?

Our USMLE® Step 1 question bank is designed to help you learn better, gain relevant practice, and feel confident going into test day with features such as in-depth explanations for every answer, better visual aids, more questions, and our "Vital Concepts" section.

Robust In-Depth Explanations

We've updated our USMLE® Step 1 question bank to include more robust and detailed explanations. These new questions have more in-depth explanations and enhanced features designed to help you learn the information better.

Features include:

  • Improved explanation formatting
  • Longer explanations on complicated concepts
  • More high-yield topics
  • Improved distractor answers
  • Mnemonics

    • Vital Concepts

    The BoardVitals USMLE® Step 1 question bank includes our "Vital Concepts" section. Vital Concepts details important information and/or a summary of key teaching points tested in the question. It is designed to help you optimize your understanding of the tested concept within each specific question. When you study this section with the updated explanations found in question banks, you will understand the key points for each concept and knowledge area on the exam.

    Better USMLE® Visual Aids

    The new USMLE® Step 1 question bank includes more questions with visual aids to give you a clearer look at difficult USMLE® concepts. These visual aids include diagrams, flow charts, tables, and more radiological and pathology images.

    Information about the USMLE® Step 1 Exam

    Step 1 is the first board exam you will take during Medical School that is sponsored by both the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners. The test is designed to determine if students can apply the basic sciences to the practice of Medicine. Our question bank is specifically designed to teach you the kind of thinking that you need to know.

    What is covered on the USMLE® Step 1 Exam?

    The following categories are found on the 2023 USMLE® Step 1 Content Outline:

    • General Principles 12–16%
    • Blood & Lymphoreticular/Immune Systems 7-11%
    • Behavioral Health & Nervous Systems/Special Senses 9–13%
    • Musculoskeletal, Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue 6-10%
    • Cardiovascular System 5-9%
    • Respiratory & Renal/Urinary Systems 9-13%
    • Gastrointestinal System 5-9%
    • Reproductive & Endocrine Systems 9-13%
    • Multisystem Processes & Disorders 6-10%
    • Biostatistics & Epidemiology/Population Health 4-6%
    • Social Sciences: Communication and Interpersonal Skills 6-9%

    How long is the USMLE® Step 1 Exam?

    Step 1 is a one-day examination. It is divided into seven 60-minute blocks and administered in one 8-hour testing session The number of questions per block on a given examination form will vary, but will not exceed 40. The total number of items on the overall examination form will not exceed 280.

    Generally, time is not a problem, but we strongly suggest that you practice the timing on the questions. We provide a timer for both the individual questions, as well as your overall practice exam. This should help give you a feel for the pace of the questions.

    USMLE® Step 1 Tips

    USMLE® Scores

    The USMLE® Step 1 is scored as pass/fail. The Step 1 Passing Standard is 196.

    Scores on the MCAT do have a correlation with performance on the Step 1 exam, though the correlation is weak. Most importantly, the USMLE® Step 1 is known to have a significant influence on residency match and is therefore known to be a high-pressure exam as those with the highest scores on this exam are thought to have the most options in terms of residency specialties and locations.

    Pass Rates

    The 2022 Step 1 Pass Rate was reported as 93% amongst first-time test takers.

    Additional resources

    We strongly suggest using First Aid as a study companion. We also suggest Rapid Review Pathology by Goljan.

    Learn more about the USMLE Step 1 Board Exam on the blog


    Looking for more information on how to prep for the USMLE Step 1 Exam? Take a look at some of the posts found in the Medical School category of our blog. You’ll find helpful USMLE Step 1 information, test taking tips, and other ways to study for your exam.