Free USMLE practice questions and official resources
Start with what is free and official, learn how to use it well, and only then decide what to pay for. This page lists the sources we trust and what each is good for.
Where to find free practice
Official sample questions
USMLE publishes sample questions and an interactive testing experience for each Step. They come from the exam's own makers, so they are the best guide to style and the screen layout.
Step 1 page on usmle.orgNBME practice sets
Many candidates mention the NBME "Free 120", a free set of about 120 questions. NBME also sells self-assessments. Check nbme.org for what is offered today, and time yourself to test your pace.
Free community decks
Free flashcard decks built by students are widely used for spaced repetition. They help recall facts but do not teach exam reasoning.
What to avoid
Be careful with "real exam" claims
Any site selling or sharing questions said to be remembered from the real USMLE is breaking the examinee agreement. Using them can put your eligibility at risk, so stay with official and original material.
Check the date
The exam changed in 2026, with shorter blocks and new software. Prefer free sets and guides that show a recent update date.
How to use free questions well
- Try the official set firstSee what a real question looks like before you choose any bank.
- Time one blockTake 20 questions in 30 minutes and note where you slow down.
- Review every explanationWrite one line on why each wrong option was wrong.
- Pick a full bank for volumeFree sets are small, so a full bank gives the repetition you need.
Past papers and syllabus
USMLE does not release past papers, and remembered exam questions are unlawful to share, so any site offering them should be avoided. The official content outline is your syllabus, and the official samples show the style.
Free practice questions answered
Are free USMLE questions enough?
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Is there a free MedWorld sample?
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