The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE®) is a professional exam that many students study for by utilizing USMLE® courses. Both medical school students and doctors completing their first year of residency must pass the USMLE® test in order to practice medicine in the US. Prep classes can range greatly in format, cost, and time commitment. It’s generally best to find the USMLE® courses that balance personal budget with convenience and effective preparation.
Finding the most comfortable format and structure of USMLE® courses can often be essential to maximizing learning. Students who do well in more structured, lecture-based courses might want to pursue professionally-taught courses in learning centers, while those who are more independent might elect for self-guided online programs, books, or digital versatile disks (DVDs). Some students might prefer to receive private tutoring or small-group workshops, while others prefer a larger classroom setting with many other students. Understanding one’s own learning style can be helpful in figuring out which format will ultimately offer the biggest advantages.
Many medical students and first-year residents are on a tight budget due to the increasing costs of student loans. As a result, cost can sometimes be the determining factor in finding the best professionally taught USMLE® courses. Courses generally range in price from under $100 US Dollars (USD) for study books and self-study guides to upwards of $6,000 USD for professionally taught courses that span over nine months. Planning out a budget well in advance can often give test takers a better idea of which study options are available to them.
Similar to cost, the required time commitment of various USMLE® courses can also be an important factor in planning a study method. Not only do students and residents generally have little free time, they must also work in studying for their education around studying for the USMLE® test. Many students also feel that working hard in their classes can double as helpful test preparation, and they might elect to take shorter USMLE® courses that do not interfere as much with their academic schedules. Other students want to avoid cramming for the exam, so they might choose to take prep classes that are spread out over a longer period of time.
The per-week time commitment is also an important consideration, especially for students or doctors with busy daily schedules. Many medical schools offer second-year students a break in the late spring to give them extra time to study for the exam. Making use of this break, during which no classes will be held, can often give students extra time each day to study, as opposed to the few hours per week they have when school is fully in session.