Top Question Banks and Study Aids for USMLE Step 2 CK

Top Question Banks and Study Aids for USMLE Step 2 CK

By Picmonic!!

Question Banks, Mock Exams, Lecture Notes, and more! Read this blog to learn about our top 3 question banks and study aids that you can utilize for the USMLE! From TrueLearn to Picmonic, there are so many helpful resources out there for you to use on your journey!

Question Bank Tools:

Start your USMLE Step 2 CK prep on the right foot. The goal of doing USMLE Step 2 CK practice questions is to identify your weak areas to create your study plan and familiarize yourself with the mindset of question creators. You probably already know this from your Step 1 experience.

Question banks are also fantastic for studying on the go. Have a lengthy commute to a friend’s place? Work through a set of questions on the train. Have some downtime between lectures? Solve a few practice questions. Can’t locate your resident and don’t want to return to the floor? More practice questions. Practice questions? More practice questions! Here are the ones we recommend.

A common query is, “Which question bank is better, UWorld, Kaplan Step 2 CK, TrueLearn, etc?”

UWorld

Uworld remains the standard for practice questions and is a primary resource for medical students preparing for Step 2 CK. There’s no way around it. Peruse the forums on Student Doctor Network, and they all echo my experience; UWorld Step 2 CK materials are indispensable for Step 2 CK prep. Many students argue that UWorld, coupled with a review book, are the only study aids you need for optimal Step 2 CK preparation, and that’s largely true.

Kaplan

The Kaplan Step 2 CK question bank is another significant question bank, often considered one of the top USMLE Step 2 resources. Kaplan offers comprehensive resources for USMLE Step 2 preparation, including question banks, study materials, and live courses. Kaplan’s USMLE Step 2 CK Qbank is a question bank designed to help students assess their knowledge and test-taking skills. The Qbank includes a large number of practice questions that cover a wide range of medical topics relevant to Step 2 CK.

UWorld – Self Assessment

The only reason UWorld USMLE Step 2 CK Practice Questions isn’t above the NBME practice exams is that there is only one USMLE World Self-Assessment (UWSA). Both the NBME and the UWSA are half as long as the real exam, but the UWSA’s advantage is that they resemble UWorld Step 2 CK question sets. They provide detailed UWorld-style explanations for each question, correct or incorrect.

TrueLearn

TrueLearn’s SmartBank for the USMLE Step 2 provides numerous practice questions, custom quizzes in USMLE format, and even shows your performance metrics to predict your exam performance. TrueLearn is known for its extensive question banks designed to help students prepare for standardized exams. There are over 4,000 practice questions, crafted in the style of the USMLE, that have been meticulously authored by accomplished physicians. These questions undergo thorough review by faculty members possessing specific expertise to guarantee alignment with the format outlined in the USMLE content guidelines. The USMLE Step 2 question bank includes a large number of practice questions covering various clinical scenarios and topics relevant to Step 2 CK.

TrueLearn also offers comprehensive answer explanations enriched with tables, illustrations, clinical images, and valuable test-taking tips that substantially enhance your comprehension. Their user-friendly approach allows you to identify missed points, grasp the reasons behind incorrect answers, and understand why the correct answer stands out as the optimal choice.

You will also get access to custom quizzes and a performance dashboard! Experience questions in a simulated computer environment focusing on areas where you tend to score lower. These questions are crafted in the same style as those you will encounter on the actual test day. After you quiz, check out the performance dashboard where you’ll get real-time insights into strengths and weaknesses, presenting detailed metrics on category performance and benchmarking.

Miscellaneous Step 2 Study Resources:

Picmonic

If you used Picmonic for Step 1, continue using it for Step 2 CK. Picmonic remains one of the best Step 2 CK resources (and for Step 1). Picmonic is a valuable resource for USMLE Step 2 preparation, offering several benefits:

• Visual Learning: Picmonic uses mnemonic images and visual aids to help reinforce medical concepts. This is particularly helpful for visual learners who find it easier to remember information through images.
•  Active Recall: The flashcards and quizzes provided by Picmonic facilitate active recall, a powerful learning technique where you actively retrieve information from memory. This is crucial for reinforcing knowledge and preparing for the exam.
• High-Yield Content: Picmonic focuses on high-yield content relevant to USMLE Step 2, helping students prioritize and concentrate on the most critical information needed for success.
• Engaging Content: The engaging and often humorous nature of Picmonic content can make studying more enjoyable and less monotonous. This can be especially beneficial during long study sessions.
• Integration with Step 1 Knowledge: For those who used Picmonic for Step 1, continuing to use it for Step 2 allows for seamless integration of knowledge. This consistency in study tools can enhance the learning experience.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Picmonic covers a wide range of topics, including various medical conditions, drugs, and clinical scenarios. This comprehensive coverage aligns with the diverse content encountered in the Step 2 CK exam.
• Efficient Review: The flashcards and visual mnemonic aids provided by Picmonic can aid in efficient review sessions, helping students consolidate information effectively and remember key concepts.

Blueprints

Blueprints, similar to PreTest, is useful for shelf exams but not as much for dedicated Step 2 CK studying. Some students are not a fan of Blueprints due to its length, but others liked it for that reason. Each chapter provides a few bolded keywords, tables, and figures and delves into the topic in great detail. The book ends with 100 NBME-style questions with lengthy explanations.

Tablet > Smartphone

If you don’t have a tablet, we highly recommend getting one. If you’re on a tight budget, you don’t need an iPad. There are excellent tablets for med school available for under $100. They may not be as sleek, but they’re more than sufficient for accessing your study resources. Yes, you can use your smartphone instead of purchasing another device, but be cautious. Using a smartphone in class might come across as texting.

YouTube

If you need a motivational boost or want to see how others successfully prepared for the USMLE Step 2, check out YouTube. Watching others on a similar journey can be inspiring, and you might discover some valuable tips for the USMLE Step 2 CK.

There are lecture channels and review specific channels, as well as channels where you can just sit and study as someone studies live. Some amazing medical-related YouTube channels you can check out are:

• Medicosis Perfectionalis: Offers an extensive collection of more than 800 educational videos covering a variety of medical topics. These videos, ranging from 8 minutes to over 25 minutes, consistently follow a cohesive drawing format accompanied by excellent descriptions, enhancing the comprehension of complex subjects. The remarkable skill of Medicosis Perfectionalis in simplifying intricate medical topics is truly exceptional.
• Medspiration: Explore the Medspiration YouTube channel or podcast for engaging interviews and discussions with prominent figures in the field of medicine.
• Kenji Tomita: Kenji Tomita’s channel is dedicated to providing valuable insights into medical school, featuring content such as study-with-me videos, study tips (including the use of Anki), and advice on maintaining motivation throughout medical school.
• Dr. Cellini: Dr. Cellini, a Diagnostic Radiologist & Interventional Radiology Fellow (PGY-6), has amassed a wealth of knowledge over two years of creating YouTube content. Explore the channel for valuable insights and learning opportunities.
• TheMDJourney: No matter where you find yourself on your medical journey, TheMDJourney offers valuable tips. Centered on “Medical School Success with Less Stress,” the channel addresses shared goals in the medical community. Explore videos covering recommended books for premed students, USMLE Step 1 preparation, maintaining exercise routines during med school, and insights into a typical day of clinicals.

Ultimately, there are numerous resources available for the USMLE Step 2 CK, but the ones listed in this blog are an excellent starting point! With a packed schedule, you’ll learn which resources aid your study process and which ones don’t.