Step 1 · Basic science · Pass/fail

USMLE Step 1 question bank

Step 1 tests the basic science behind medicine and is reported as pass or fail. Learn the exam, then practise it in the same 30-minute blocks.

Start preparing Exam guide

The exam in six facts

Step 1 at a glance

Result

Pass or fail only. There is no three-digit score.

Test day

One day, an 8-hour testing session.

Format

14 blocks of 30 minutes, up to 20 questions each.

Questions

Up to 280 in total.

Who can sit it

Students and graduates of schools listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.

What comes next

Step 2 CK, the scored clinical exam.

Choose a category

Everything about Step 1

Start preparing

Pick a subject, build a timed block and learn from every explanation.

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Exam guide

How the exam day is built: blocks, timing, breaks and fees.

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Eligibility and criteria

Who can sit Step 1 and what you need before you register.

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Scores and statistics

Passing standard, how results work and official pass rates.

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Content outline

What the exam tests, by system and physician task.

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Study plan

6, 10 and 12-week plans you can follow day by day.

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Plans and pricing

Choose a plan in US dollars or PKR for Step 1.

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The USMLE sequence

Where Step 1 fits in

Step 1

Basic science. You are here.

Step 2 CK

Clinical knowledge, with the score residency programmes read.

Step 3

Independent practice, usually taken in residency.

For Step 1

Past papers and syllabus

USMLE releases no past papers, and sharing questions remembered from the real exam is unlawful, so we never accept them. Your syllabus is the official Step 1 content outline, and every question here is written to it. The free official sample questions on usmle.org show the real interface.

FAQ

Step 1 questions answered

Is Step 1 pass/fail?

Yes. Step 1 reports only pass or fail, with no three-digit score. Step 2 CK is the scored exam, so Step 1 is the gate and Step 2 CK is where your score is earned.

How many questions are on Step 1?

Up to 280, in 14 blocks of up to 20 questions. Each block lasts 30 minutes, which is about 90 seconds a question.

Can I go back to a block once I finish it?

No. Once a block is finished you cannot return to it, and an unanswered question counts as wrong, so always choose an answer before time runs out.

Should I take Step 1 before Step 2 CK?

Most candidates do, because Step 1 builds the science that Step 2 CK applies. Check the current rules in the USMLE Bulletin of Information for your situation.

Can I use the Qbank alongside textbooks, videos or flashcards?

Yes. Use the Qbank to find what you do not know, then fix it with your usual notes, videos or flashcards.

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