Expert Recommendations for 2024
Choosing the best USMLE prep course can be a daunting task, as there are numerous options available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we will provide an overview of some of the top-rated USMLE prep courses and study materials, helping you make an informed decision based on factors such as price, video instruction, live class hours, practice questions, practice tests, content access period, and money-back guarantee.
These courses and study materials offer various features to cater to the unique needs and preferences of medical students, with some providing access to an extensive collection of video lectures, while others prioritize providing a large number of practice questions to enhance understanding. As you proceed through this article, we hope to simplify the process of selecting the right USMLE prep course that suits your requirements and learning style.
Key Takeaways
- Diverse USMLE prep options focus on factors such as video instruction, live class hours, and practice questions.
- Kaplan stands out as a top choice, offering an extensive range of resources and a money-back guarantee.
- Each USMLE prep course caters to different learning styles and pricing preferences.
Summary: Top USMLE Prep Courses in 2024
In my analysis, I found that Kaplan offers the best overall USMLE prep course. Board VItals provides the best value, while PASS Program excels in live classes. Achievable is great for efficient studying, Lecturio has impressive video lessons, and Med School Bootcamp stands out for their practice questions.
Top-Rated USMLE Courses & Study Materials
Kaplan: 9.5
In the Kaplan USMLE course, I found some noteworthy features:
- Both On Demand or Live Classes are available.
- They offer a Money Back Guarantee.
- Their comprehensive USMLE prep books cover Steps 1, 2, and 3.
- Thousands of realistic practice problems come with helpful explanations.
- The curriculum has a natural and well-organized flow.
- Instructor support is readily available and very helpful.
However, there are a couple of drawbacks:
- The video lessons’ format and production quality could be improved.
- There is an overwhelming amount of study material to cover before the exam.
Why Kaplan Is the Top Choice for USMLE Preparation
Top-Notch Live Classes
One of the things that sets Kaplan apart in the USMLE preparation field is their exceptional live classes. They employ a team of subject-matter experts, leading to more specialized instruction than in other courses. The professionals on their faculty do an excellent job of communicating the material in their respective fields.
Kaplan’s virtual classroom sessions take place frequently over several weeks. They’re filled with a wealth of content review and expert test-taking advice. Instructors constantly engage students by asking questions and taking polls during the sessions. It’s clear they aim to make these classes interactive and maintain a group atmosphere, ensuring students stay actively involved.
Moreover, Kaplan offers an impressive number of live class hours. For Step 1, they provide over 270 hours of instruction, while Step 2 and Step 3 students receive 210 and 100 hours, respectively. This extensive scheduling benefits students who need consistent, structured learning experiences.
High-Quality USMLE Prep Books
Another standout feature of Kaplan’s USMLE prep course is their exceptional collection of study books. Depending on the USMLE step students need to prepare for, they receive various volume sets. Step 1 has a 7-volume set, Step 2 offers 5 volumes, and Step 3 provides 2 volumes. Furthermore, Step 2 learners receive an additional review book that condenses the material for easy memorization.
These prep books are professionally structured with straightforward writing and an outline-style layout. Kaplan has ensured their guidebooks are geared towards visual and text-oriented learners, incorporating a great deal of color images, diagrams, tables, and illustrations. High-yield summary boxes throughout the books highlight the most crucial points for easy reference.
Kaplan Features
Kaplan’s USMLE courses include several options and features to accommodate different learners. They offer multiple subscription options and a money-back guarantee, giving students peace of mind when investing in their test prep process.
The modules emphasize high-yield concepts through high-quality video lessons, realistic board-style questions, and in-depth explanations. Furthermore, Kaplan incorporates bite-sized review quizzes after every lecture, reinforcing learned material without overwhelming learners.
However, as with any course, there are some minor drawbacks. For instance, it would be beneficial to have supplementary written study materials and live classes for more personalized learning experiences.
PASS Program: 9.3
Pros:
- Exceptional live instruction in USMLE prep
- Immersive and hands-on experience with hundreds of hours of targeted prep work
- Highly effective bootcamp-style approach to learning
- Enthusiastic lead instructor, Dr. Francis
Cons:
- No mobile app or money-back guarantee
- Expensive, although the course is highly effective
PASS Program for Intensive USMLE Preparation Classes
Exceptional Teaching
The PASS Program is a fantastic choice for students who plan to completely immerse themselves in USMLE preparation for a few weeks, dedicating long days to study, and subsequently conquering the exam. Established almost a quarter-century ago, the PASS Program initially provided a live on-site, all-encompassing prep course designed as a boot camp. The goal of the program was to help students efficiently study for a few weeks, ace the exam, and continue with their medical studies and careers.
While the core principles and approach remain the same, the courses are now available both virtually and in-person. The PASS Program’s strength lies in its highly engaging class experience, offering the most immersive and hands-on approach to USMLE preparation. Over 6 to 12 weeks (depending on your chosen course), you’ll attend daily classes for 8 hours from Monday to Friday, participating in lectures, content reviews, practice problem sessions, and more. The intensive schedule makes it feel like an accelerated version of medical school.
Dr. Francis Ihejirika, the founder of the program, leads nearly all class sessions. With over 25 years of teaching experience, he is incredibly skilled and passionate about helping students prepare for the USMLE exams and navigating each step. The highly engaging and interactive lectures delivered by Dr. Francis and well-designed lesson plans make this program one of the most effective for comprehension and retention. In summary, the highly engaging, in-person classroom experience is what sets the PASS Program apart from other courses.
Achievable: 9.2
Pros:
- Short, 15-minute lessons are perfect for busy schedules
- Personal study plans optimized through learning science and algorithms
- Easy-to-use digital platform with eye-catching illustrations
- Realistic practice work, complete with detailed explanations and solutions
Cons:
- No live classes or video lessons
- Less immersive or hands-on compared to other courses, like Kaplan
Achievable: The Top Choice for Efficient Studying
Outstanding Technology and User Interface
Achievable is a fantastic option for those who appreciate intelligent technology and user-friendly interfaces. As you go through the digital text and complete quizzes after each module, Achievable’s algorithm identifies your strengths and areas needing improvement. The platform focuses on spaced reviews, ensuring you see the same topic multiple times at strategic intervals, maximizing information retention. This unique adaptive learning technology, paired with the visually appealing and easy-to-use platform, makes Achievable the smartest choice for USMLE prep.
Bite-Sized Lessons: A Major Highlight
Achievable’s USMLE prep stands out for its use of short, engaging lessons that cater to busy medical students. The lessons are divided into narrow subtopics, each featuring a reading from the digital text, which includes beautiful illustrations for visual learners, and a short review quiz. The readings typically take 5 to 15 minutes, and the quizzes are usually less than 10 questions long. This format allows you to complete a lesson in under 30 minutes, providing a manageable approach to studying amidst a hectic med school schedule.
Lecturio: 8.1
| On Demand | Monthly Subscription | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | – Excellent on-demand video lessons for visual learners – A team of medical experts delivers over 515 hours of video lectures – Thousands of practice questions with answer solutions | |
| Cons | – Dominantly focused on video content, leaving written prep materials scarce – Video lectures, while high quality, are not tailored directly to the exam – Limited content covering test-taking strategies and insights |
While Achievable focuses on maximizing study efficiency, Lecturio is another USMLE prep option but with a different approach. Lecturio specializes in high-quality on-demand video lectures provided by a team of medical experts, offering visual learners an excellent resource. However, the program falls short in providing comprehensive written materials, highly targeted video content, and in-depth test-taking strategies.
Why Lecturio Ranks on the Best USMLE Prep List
High-Quality Content at an Unbeatable Price
For those on a tight budget and prefer visual learning, Lecturio might be just the perfect choice. This platform made it onto the best USMLE prep list due to its high-quality content offered at a great value. Lecturio’s premium subscription includes over 3,400 USMLE practice questions, hundreds of hours of on-demand videos, three complete practice exams, and useful e-books. Their 3-Month Premium Plan costs around $100, with incremental pricing for longer plans, making it a budget-friendly option compared to other USMLE prep courses.
Engaging and Informative Video Lessons
Despite the affordable price, Lecturio doesn’t skimp on the quality of its on-demand video lectures. Taught by experienced professors, doctors, and medical researchers, these lessons provide valuable insights from experts in various scientific and medical areas. The video structure is designed for maximum understanding and retention, with quick-paced lectures, bullet points, graphics, and digital whiteboard demonstrations. The production value of these video lessons is exceptional and adds to the overall learning experience.
BoardVitals: 8.1
BoardVitals is another noteworthy platform for students who want realistic practice problems at a low cost. While it’s great for practice work, it may not provide the same depth of content review compared to Lecturio. The pros and cons include:
Pros:
- Excellent for students focused on practicing
- Realistic practice problems with solid solutions
- Handy mobile app for studying on-the-go
Cons:
- Lacks extensive content review
- The digital platform may not be as sleek or responsive as others
- Limited guidance and support, requiring a self-driven approach
With a 10% discount using the code TPI10, BoardVitals offers another alternative for cost-conscious students seeking solid practice work during their USMLE preparation.
BoardVitals for USMLE Practice Questions
Outstanding Explanation of Questions
As someone who learns best through hands-on experience, I appreciate the extensive question banks offered by BoardVitals for USMLE preparation. Catering to students who prefer to learn through practice rather than lectures or reading assignments, BoardVitals focuses on providing high-quality, exam-like practice questions that closely resemble the real USMLE exam.
With over 3,200 practice questions for Step 1, 1,200+ questions for Step 2, and around 1,300 questions for Step 3, there’s no shortage of practice opportunities. Moreover, BoardVitals offers all of this for a reasonable price, ranging from $100 to $200, depending on the step and access duration you choose.
One unique feature provided by BoardVitals is the “Ask a Clinician” tool. If you’re stuck on a question or don’t quite understand the given explanation, this feature allows you to reach out to their team of in-house USMLE experts. I found that the response times are usually within the same day.
To add to their appeal, BoardVitals offers a 100% pass guarantee, meaning that if you fail your exam, you can repeat the course free of charge—an incredible insurance policy not offered by many other prep providers.
The text-based explanations accompanying each question are impressively detailed and thorough. They cover the content being tested, explain the rationale behind the correct answer, and discuss why the incorrect choices were not right. BoardVitals excels at explaining everything you need to know about each question.
Within each explanation, the “Vital Concepts” section summarizes the key facts being tested through the question. Reviewing these text explanations, whether you got the question right or wrong, helps you cover a lot of essential content. I found that these explanations are more comprehensive than those offered by other courses. Many even include helpful illustrations and graphics to showcase a key process or system visually.
In conclusion, as a student who values practical learning, I highly recommend BoardVitals for USMLE practice questions. Their extensive question banks, unique features, and detailed question explanations make it an excellent choice for students seeking a comprehensive and effective approach to USMLE preparation.
Med School Bootcamp Offers the Best Value in USMLE Prep
When comparing different types of USMLE prep courses, there are two categories: comprehensive, more expensive courses and cost-effective, streamlined options. Considering the value-driven USMLE prep courses, Med School Bootcamp stands out as the best option. The course offers three core study materials: video lessons, review quizzes, and board-style questions.
High-Quality Video Lessons
Med School Bootcamp’s on-demand video lessons thoroughly explain high-yield concepts. With top-notch production value and a fantastic team of instructors, the lessons are engaging and informative. Each lesson comes with a PDF handout that corresponds with the lecture slides, which is extremely helpful. The lessons typically last between 8 and 15 minutes, allowing for focused and efficient learning.
Compact Review Quizzes
Following each video lesson, you’ll find a review quiz. These quizzes are not board-style problems, but rather compact questions designed to reinforce the concepts presented in the lesson. With about a dozen questions per quiz, these bite-sized quizzes effectively help to solidify high-yield content and test-taking strategies.
Excellent Board-Style Questions
The third element of Med School Bootcamp’s program is their board-style questions. The Qbank offers numerous questions with detailed explanations, simulating the difficulty, length, and style of actual board exam problems. Many explanations also include helpful visuals, enhancing the learning experience.
While the course materials are excellent, the greatest advantage of Med School Bootcamp is its affordability. Unlike comprehensive courses such as Kaplan and PASS Program, which often cost around $2,000, Med School Bootcamp offers their extensive resources for just $200. This price point is exceptional given the quality of the materials and the user experience it provides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a USMLE prep course necessary?
Yes, just as I needed a prep course for the MCAT, I also need one for each step of the USMLE. There are various options available, covering a wide range of prices and features.
What is the cost of a USMLE prep course?
The cost of USMLE review courses can range from just over $100 to as high as $6,000. These courses differ in their features, study materials, practice work levels, and more.
Can a USMLE prep course help me succeed?
Definitely. Each year, thousands of medical students mistakenly rely only on their coursework or clinical experience to prepare for the USMLE. My best option is to use a commercial prep course that offers materials specifically tailored to my exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top resources for successfully passing the USMLE Step 1?
There are a variety of resources available for USMLE Step 1 preparation. Some of the most recommended courses include SmashUSMLE, BoardVitals, Kaplan, and PASS Program. These courses provide well-structured study materials, practice questions, and guidance from experienced instructors.
How long is the average preparation time for the USMLE Step 1 exam?
Typically, students spend about 4-6 months preparing for the USMLE Step 1 exam. However, this can vary depending on the individual’s study habits, background knowledge, and the specific prep course used.
Are there any high-quality free USMLE Step 1 prep courses available?
Yes, there are some high-quality free resources available for USMLE Step 1 preparation. BoardVitals offers a free trial to access their course materials and practice questions.
What are the benefits of attending an in-person USMLE Step 1 prep course?
In-person USMLE Step 1 prep courses, like the ones offered by Kaplan, provide several advantages like direct interaction with instructors, collaboration with fellow students, and the opportunity to have questions answered immediately. Moreover, attending an in-person course can help create a structured study environment and enhance motivation.
Which online USMLE Step 1 prep course offers the best value?
Achievable USMLE is considered one of the best online USMLE Step 1 prep courses. It offers a good balance between affordability and quality, providing comprehensive study materials and learning tools at a reasonable price.
How does Kaplan’s USMLE Step 1 course compare to other preparation options?
Kaplan’s USMLE Step 1 course is highly recommended and versatile, with options for Qbank, On-Demand, and Instructor-Led courses. The course also has an “Excellent” Trustpilot score with over 2,500 reviews. However, it may be more expensive compared to other Step 1 prep course offerings.
