There is no single best USMLE resource; most students combine a few: something to learn from, a way to practice, and a way to review. This page compares the main tools by what they are, using only what each publisher states about itself.
| Resource | What it is | Main use |
|---|---|---|
| UWorld | Question bank with self-assessments, reports and flashcards | Practice and feedback |
| AMBOSS | Question bank plus a medical library | Practice and reference |
| First Aid | Review book from McGraw Hill | Fact outline and annotations |
| Boards and Beyond | Video lectures with practice questions | Learning and review |
| Pathoma | Pathology videos and text | Pathology learning |
| Sketchy | Visual lessons, mainly micro and pharm | Memorizing fact lists |
| Anki and AnKing | Spaced-repetition flashcards | Long-term recall |
| NBME self-assessments | Practice exams from the exam developer | Readiness checks |
How to choose
- Pick one source to learn from (videos, a book or a library) rather than several overlapping ones.
- Make a QBank the center of practice, and use it in timed, mixed blocks shaped like the current 30-minute blocks.
- Add spaced repetition only if you will review it daily.
- Check readiness with an NBME self-assessment before you schedule.
- Follow the official outline. See how to use the content outline.
Prices and features change often, so confirm them with each publisher. See also our study books page, the USMLE Step 1 guide, USMLE Step 2 CK guide and USMLE Step 3 guide. None of these companies is affiliated with USMLE WEB, and we do not rank them by score effect because no source we checked supports one.