Starting a career in medicine is no easy feat. Whether you’re interested in becoming a doctor, a nurse, or any other medical professional, the educational requirements are steep and will often incorporate a combination of university education, postgraduate education, and additional certifications. One of these certifications is the USMLE, a notoriously difficult licensing exam that comes in multiple parts.
Looking to pass the USMLE? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back:
One of the best ways to prepare for taking this exam, or any similar exam for that matter, is to answer practice questions. High-quality practice questions can provide simulations of the real exam-taking experience by imitating the structure and content of the real thing. Answering a large quantity of practice questions correctly can help to reduce your anxiety when taking the USMLE, greatly increasing your chance of passing as a result.
Interested? Here’s what you need to know:
Question banks can come in a few different formats. Many are included in USMLE review courses as part of their learning curriculum. Many more are sold in standalone books or eBooks, with even some of the aforementioned prep course providers selling theirs in this way. Often times, USMLE question banks will be separated by each level, or Step, of the exam.
Finding the right question bank can be a difficult and time-consuming process. Therefore, we’ve created this list of the best USMLE Step 1 Question banks in order to help you skip this entire process and get down to what matters most: studying so you can CRUSH the USMLE!
Best USMLE Step 1 Question Banks 2024
- Kaplan USMLE Step 1 Qbank
- BoardVitals USMLE Step 1 Qbank
- USMLE Step 1 Pass Program Question Back
- UWorld USMLE Step 1 Qbank
- CramFighter Companion USMLE Study Planner
Looking for more than just a Qbank? Compare the Best USMLE Step 1 Prep Courses here. Or consider or top live course provider below.
What is the best USMLE Step 1 Question Bank?
1. Kaplan USMLE Step 1 Qbank
Kaplan USMLE Qbank Updates: Learn up close and personal with 3D biodigital images, new strategies, a test-like interface, and even more features in Kaplan’s updated USMLE® Step 1 Qbank. Their flexible pricing and streamlined interface offer many positive additional benefits as well making it our #1 Qbank of 2020!
Pro: Pricing
In a move that may seem out of the ordinary for a high-end prep course provider, Kaplan offers access to their Step 1 practice questions at a few reasonable tiered prices. If students choose to purchase 12 months or 18 months of access, the cost per month is less than $20! You can also get a 7 day unlimited free trial if you signup below for a limited time only.
Pro: Dashboard
Kaplan’s QBank is delivered through an interface that is streamlined to the point where it is very easy to access all important information such as progress reports and test simulations. This is an important design factor for relieving stress and saving time during the study process and makes it stand out amongst the competition.
Pro: Exam Interface
The best way to tackle Step 1? With an exact replica of the USMLE Step 1 interface. The Kaplan Qbank looks just like the actual exam—format, questions, and all so there’s no surprises.
Kaplan USMLE Qbank Features:
- Over 2,800+ exam-like questions
- Step-by-step strategies
- Interface that replicates the actual Step 1
- Succinct answer explanations
- 3D BioDigital images and animations
- Instructive videos by Dr. Armando
- 2 full-length simulated exams
- Detailed progress reports
- Access via Kaplan app
Best Kaplan USMLE Coupon Codes
Black Friday $1,200 on Kaplan USMLE Live Online Course
2. BoardVitals USMLE Step 1 Qbank
With a smaller pool of questions than the two best question banks on this list, BoardVitals makes up for this shortcoming by providing study content crafted by highly qualified medical professionals and excellent customer support.
Pro: Professional Expertise
As was previously mentioned, BoardVitals employs a team of doctors and experts to create all of their practice material. Thanks to this highly qualified group of instructors with skin in the game, customers can take comfort in the knowledge that they are learning from the best.
Pro: Customer Support
Although issues with their service are rare, BoardVitals still places considerable emphasis on providing an excellent support system for students experiencing any problems. Students can reach out to their support team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, either through phone or email.
Best BoardVitals USMLE Coupon Codes
Save 10% on Board Vitals Prep Course
3. Pass Program USMLE Step 1 Course
OVERALL RATING:
- u003cstrongu003eExtra Help When You Need It: u003c/strongu003eThere is a fantastic team of instructors that are ready and willing to help with any question you have. Of course they will not tutor you, but if you’ve missed a key concept, you may reach out and get detailed answers in 10-20 minutes.
- u003cstrongu003eAccess:u003c/strongu003e The u003ca href=u0022https://crushtheusmleexam.com/pass-program-usmle-review/u0022u003eUSMLE Pass Programu003c/au003e includes 12 month of access. This is something that other providers have cut back on so keep an eye out when you’re comparing with other courses. It is very important to ensure you have all the time you need and so you don’t have to buy another course after yours expires.
- u003cstrongu003eEntertaining Lectures: u003c/strongu003eFrancis is a professor that knows how to motivate students. His classes will actually keep you engaged and even excited at times
- u003cstrongu003eNot Too Long Or Too Short: u003c/strongu003eLessons pacing is ideal, not too little, not too long. This ensures you get just enough information but overwhelmed.
The Bottom Line: This is a great alternative to a Qbank for students who may need the extra help to pass. The USMLE prep course created by Pass Program is both engaging and informative. Lessons aren’t too long or too short, and the instructors are helpful and entertaining. Highly recommended!
Best Pass Program USMLE Coupon Codes
Pass Program USMLE Course- Save 10% Sitewide
4. UWorld USMLE Step 1 Qbank
UWorld has a substantial USMLE Step 1 QBank that does a fantastic job imitating the real thing.
Pro: Volume
Out of all the educational resources on this list, UWorld has the one QBank with the highest number of questions. Over 2,400 multiple choice questions are included in their product, meaning that students who use their QBank won’t run out of learning material for quite some time.
Pro: Device Compatibility
It can be difficult for students juggling multiple responsibilities to find time for studying. To help mitigate this concern, UWorld’s QBank is compatible on mobile devices such as a tablet or smartphone. With the option to access these practice questions from other devices, students can more easily squeeze in a quick study session while on break or during a commute.
Pro: Simulation
According to many students and reviewers, including those from competing USMLE prep course providers, UWorld’s question bank offers an experience most similar to actually taking Step 1 of the exam. This means that it is far and away the best method for students to acclimate to the time constraints and pressures of the real exam in a controlled environment.
Con: Time-Consuming
It is no doubt that having a large volume of questions to pull from can be a major benefit for a student looking to pass the USMLE. It’s also very helpful that these questions can be accessed on mobile devices. However, the fact remains that answering all of these questions will take a great deal of time, making UWorld one of the most time-consuming QBank resources.
Best USMLE Study Planner – Cram Fighter by Blueprint
One of the biggest challenges of studying for the USMLE (and COMLEX and other Shelf examinations) is planning. Researching, organizationg and gathering all the resources you need to pass can be a headache. Blueprint’s Cram Fighter will help.
What’s to like about using Cram Fighter as your USMLE study planner?
First, it makes arranging your prep across several months more easier. Without Cram Fighter, your options are limited. You may lay out your studies on a spreadsheet or pay for an all-inclusive USMLE prep course like Kaplan or PASS Program, which will tell you what to study and when.
The first option can be terribly messy, especially if you have to rearrange your studies (which will be inevitable). Full-scale USMLE prep courses can be expensive. If you wallet is limited but you still need a helpful way to manage your studies that’s where Cram Fighter comes in.
The simplicity and color labeling also make Cram Fighter great. Cram Fighter organizes my studies really well. Everything is color-coded and identified with icons. As you accomplish tasks, they turn blue (i.e. done).
This makes keeping track of stuff easy.
It’s also pretty. If it matters, it has a nice UI.
The list of materials is the final reason I enjoy Cram Fighter. Their curriculum integrates every learning tool imaginable.
Cram Fighter is a monthly subscription or one-time purchase. The monthly membership is $30, while the one-time purchase package costs $120 or $150 for 6 months or 1 year.
Should you buy Cram Fighter?
After trying Cram Fighter, we think it’s worth it. We enjoy the color-coded UI, schedule rebalancing tool, and flexibility to combine several resources into one schedule.
WHAT ARE THE BEST USMLE STEP 1 QBANKS?
BEST USMLE STEP 1 QUESTION BANKS 2024 – COMPARED
| Best USMLE Step 1 Prep Courses | Best Feature |
| Kaplan USMLE | Most comprehensive |
| Board Vitals | Best Value |
| Graduate X | Community Forums |
| UWorld | USMLE Exam Simulation |
