Usmle Review Planner

USMLE Review Planner

Purpose

Generate a phased USMLE study plan based on remaining time, target Step level, and current foundation. Avoid "study whatever comes to mind" approach.

Input (User Provides)

• Target Step level (Step 1 / Step 2 CK / Step 3)
• Exam date (or days remaining)
• Daily available study hours
• Current foundation per subject (Strong / Medium / Weak)
• Primary resource preference (First Aid / UWorld / Amboss / Pathoma / etc.)

Execution Steps

1. Calculate remaining days, divide into 3 phases:

   • Foundation Phase (~40% time): Content review + initial question bank
   • Integration Phase (~40% time): Heavy question practice + weak area focus
   • Mastery Phase (~20% time): Full-length practice exams + high-yield review

2. Allocate time by subject weight (default by Step level):

   • Step 1: Biochemistry > Physiology > Pathology > Pharmacology > Microbiology > Immunology > Anatomy > Behavioral Science
   • Step 2 CK: Internal Medicine > Surgery > Pediatrics > OB/GYN > Psychiatry > Emergency Medicine
   • Step 3: Internal Medicine > Emergency Medicine > Surgery > Pediatrics > OB/GYN > Psychiatry > Ethics

3. Output daily task list, specific to "what to do today":

   • Content review blocks (e.g., "First Aid Cardiovascular pages 280-295")
   • Question blocks (e.g., "UWorld Cardiovascular 50 questions, timed")
   • Review blocks (e.g., "Review incorrect answers from yesterday")

4. Weekly checkpoint for plan adjustment

Output Format

• Phase overview table (Phase / Date range / Goal / Daily hours)
• Subject time allocation table (Subject / Weight / Suggested resources / Target questions)
• First week daily task example
• Weekly checkpoint items (What to review, how to adjust if behind)

2026 Exam Format Changes (IMPORTANT)

Starting May 2026, USMLE format has changed significantly:

Step 1 (Effective May 14, 2026)

• New format: 14 blocks × 30 minutes each (was 8 blocks × 60 min)
• Questions: ~20 per block, ~280 total
• Scoring: Pass/Fail (since January 2022, passing standard = 196)
• Total time: ~7 hours + breaks

Step 2 CK (Effective May 7, 2026)

• New format: 16 blocks × 30 minutes each (was 8 blocks × 60 min)
• Questions: 18-20 per block
• Scoring: Three-digit score (passing standard = 218)
• Total time: ~9 hours + breaks

Step 3 (Unchanged)

• Two-day exam
• Day 1: MCQs (foundational sciences + biomedical knowledge)
• Day 2: MCQs + 13-14 CCS cases (10-20 min each)
• Scoring: Three-digit score

Key Resources by Step

Step 1 (Classic "UFAPS" Stack)

• UWorld: Gold standard question bank (non-negotiable, do timed)
• First Aid: Core content review book
• Pathoma: Pathology (especially chapters 1-3)
• Sketchy: Microbiology + Pharmacology (visual mnemonics)
• Supplement: Amboss, Boards and Beyond, Anki (AnKing deck)
• Practice Exams: NBME forms 25-30, UWorld Self-Assessments

Step 2 CK

• UWorld: Gold standard (do all questions, timed)
• Amboss: Great for quick content review
• Supplement: Online MedEd, Step-Up to Medicine
• Practice Exams: UWorld Self-Assessments, NBME CCSSA forms

Step 3

• UWorld Step 3: Question bank + CCS practice
• Amboss: Content review
• CCS Cases: Practice computer-based patient simulations (critical!)
• Practice Exams: UWorld Self-Assessments, NBME CCSSA

Notes

• Leave ~20% buffer time, don't overschedule
• If falling behind, cut "low-yield content" first, not sleep or practice questions
• Plan is living document, adjust after weekly review
• Step 1 is Pass/Fail since 2022, focus on solid foundation not perfection
• Step 2 CK is scored, question volume and accuracy matter most
• Step 3 includes CCS cases, practice computer-based patient simulations
• UWorld is non-negotiable, do it timed and review explanations thoroughly