Prepare for USMLE Step 1 on a Budget ❤ | Updated 2026
Updated: Oct 23
Updated October 2, 2026 ❤ Step 1 is pass/fail. Since May 14, 2026, it uses fourteen 30-minute blocks in an eight-hour session, with no more than 20 questions per block. Practise with the current official interface and use your progress to guide preparation.
📚 Two more resources I recommend for your Step 1 journey ❤
I also recommend checking out XmedPro, especially if you are watching your budget ❤ To me, it combines the feel of NBME-style practice with UWorld-style learning at an attractive price.
Try the questions and explanations to see how they fit YOUR preparation.
I am a co-founder of XmedPro and the founder of Project IMG.
⚡ How to read this guide red = mistakes & warnings · blue = dates, deadlines & timing · purple = numbers & costs · yellow = key terms · blue links = official sources (open in a new tab).
For Spanish-speaking IMGs who want structure and support, I recommend PIMG Academy ❤ Its six-month Step 1 preparation includes two-hour sessions Monday through Friday, tutoring and mentorship as you work through the Step 1 content. You do not have to walk this journey alone!
Before enrolling, ask about the next Spanish-language cohort, its timetable, price and tutoring. Choose a schedule you can sustain, and leave time for independent question practice too ❤
Guys, studying for Step 1 can be expensive, but you can start with useful free resources ❤ Step 1 is pass/fail.
Your goal is a strong foundation and readiness to pass, not an old three-digit score.
Build a plan around current official materials, focused learning, and honest assessment.
USMLE practice materials:
In the official website for USMLE, you find files containing content descriptions and general information for the exam. Before starting preparation for Step 1, go through this booklet so you can know what are the requirements of this exam and how you should do your preparation. There are also some practice questions available, you can solve them to have an idea how exactly the exam is.
In addition to the questions, there is a tutorial available, watch it so that on exam day you can save the time allocated for the tutorial.
These materials are available not only for Step 1 but for Step 2 and 3 as well.
YouTube:
YouTube can help clarify a difficult concept. Choose reputable educators, check when material was updated, and compare explanations with current references. Use a focused video to answer a specific question rather than collecting endless channels.
Anki:
Anki supports spaced repetition and your own flashcards. Check the official Anki website for platform options and current pricing; app costs and deck access differ. A shared deck can help, but you still need to understand and review its content.
Anki is a good resource to review a certain topic after you have studied it in depth. Doing spaced repetition makes the information stay for a longer period of time in your brain.
But you have to be cautious with its use. There is a high possibility that you may fall into the trap of memorizing things without mastering them.
Don’t make anki your primary resource for studying.
OnlineMedEd:
OnlineMedEd offers medical education resources. Explore its curriculum and check which lessons are included in its free access, trials and paid plans before signing up.
If you are in the initial phases of preparation and you struggle to master concepts, these videos might help you.
AnatomyZone:
AnatomyZone offers anatomy learning videos. Use the provider’s current website or official channel to check which content is accessible and relevant to the Step 1 outline.
The Rx Study Planner:
A simple planner can be free: choose topics, set realistic study blocks, and schedule question review and rest. If you use a commercial planner, verify current access terms before registering.
This is a daily as well as a monthly planner
USMLE-Rx offers study products, including Bricks. Check which content you can access for free or through a trial, and compare the paid plans with your budget.
Divine Intervention podcast:
This is a fairly well known podcast for step 2 CK.
But it also has a number of episodes for Step 1.
In this podcast, all the high yield topics are explained in a very easy way.
A great way to make the most out of your commutes, and review the knowledge.
HyGuru:
HyGuru offers Step 1 teaching resources. Check its current official site for which videos, webinars, or courses are free and which require payment.
For any webinar, confirm the date, access conditions, and instructor before planning around it.
Medbullets:
Medbullets offers medical learning materials. Check its current access rules and curriculum rather than relying on an old question-count promise.
A concise explanation can complement your learning, but no website automatically replaces every textbook or a complete exam preparation plan.
If you hate reading books and prefer visual learning, this can help you.
PassMedicine:
It's not a well known resource and very few people actually know about this.
Explore PassMedicine’s available study materials and trials. Check the trial length, included questions and access terms before choosing it for your study plan.
Check what is actually included, how long access lasts, and whether the content fits your needs before relying on a promotion.
There is no surety about the effectiveness of PassMedicine, but you can use this when you are in the initial stages of preparation to learn concepts and interconnect them.
Social Media Apps:
The common belief is that social media is just for time killing. But using it wisely can help you with USMLE preparation. There are a lot of accounts on Instagram posting useful tips and tricks for Step exams.
You can use apps like reddit, discord and WhatsApp to connect with other people like yourself.
Study groups can help you stay connected and discuss concepts. Use materials shared lawfully by their creators; avoid recalled exam questions and unauthorized copies.
A practical next step 🙌
Choose one topic, learn it actively, practise questions, and review your reasoning.
Track recurring mistakes.
Plan rest and revision.
Before choosing a test date, use appropriate current assessments and get help if you are unsure about your readiness.
A repeated question-bank percentage alone is not enough.
helpful for beginner and thanks for sharing.
Thnx alot for sharing very helpful🙌🏻
Nice post 🙌🏽. Thanks for sharing these helpful resources.