USMLE Articles & Guides
Explore USMLE study guides, strategies, and informational resources curated by TestPrepPal.
USMLE Step 1 Pass Rate in 2026: The Latest Official Data by Group
Official 2025 USMLE Step 1 pass rates: 93% U.S. MD, 89% U.S. DO, 75% non-U.S. first-time takers, plus repeaters, counts, and the 196 passing standard.
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USMLE Step 1 Study Plan: A Week-by-Week Schedule (2026)
A USMLE Step 1 study plan with a 5 to 8 week dedicated period, plus schedules for studying alongside full-time classes and for international graduates.
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What Is USMLE Step 1? 280 Questions, 8 Hours, Pass/Fail
USMLE Step 1 is a one-day pass/fail exam: up to 280 questions in fourteen 30-minute blocks across an 8-hour day. Format, scoring, cost, and 2025 pass rates.
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How to Use First Aid for USMLE Step 1 (the Right Way)
First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 is a reference, not a textbook. Learn how to annotate it from UWorld, Pathoma, and Anki so it becomes your master review.
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What Is the Passing Score for USMLE Step 1? (2026)
The USMLE Step 1 passing score is a 196 minimum standard, but the exam is pass/fail only, so you never see it. Here is how the bar actually works.
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When to Take USMLE Step 1: Timing and Eligibility (2026)
Most US MD and DO students take USMLE Step 1 at the end of preclinical years. Here is when to sit Step 1, who is eligible, and how to know you are ready.
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