USMLE & Board Review: Resources
About USMLE
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. The USMLE assesses the ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, as well as demonstrate fundamental, patient-centered skills. The Office of Student Affairs at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai provides additional USMLE Learning and Preparation Resources.
Read more about the USMLE here:
Interactive Question Banks
- Board Vitals This link opens in a new window
Board Vitals is board exam review tool for students, residents & fellows, nurses and nursing students, physician assistants and practicing physicians. Contains question banks and practice exams for specialty boards and maintenance of certification for many physician and advanced practice provider specialties.
NOTE: Access to the BoardVitals Nursing Specialties module ended on January 25th, 2025.
Other library-provided exam preparation resources are linked on the USMLE and Board Review Guide. Medical students have additional resources provided by the Department of Medical Education.
- Draw It to Know It This link opens in a new window
Master the medical sciences through this active learning approach to anatomy, biochemistry, biology, neuroanatomy, neuroscience, and physiology. Offers tutorials and rapid-fire quiz questions for any basic science or pre-clinical medicine education. Includes High Yield Tutorials for USMLE Step 1, 2 and 3.
Registration instructions:
- Visit Draw It to Know It
- In the top right corner, click on “institutional registration"
- Create your account on the registration page using your school email and selecting "Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai" as your institution.
- Your username will be the email address you register. You will receive an email verification at that address that you must click to link your account to the Mount Sinai institutional subscription.
- Use this username/password to obtain full access to the Draw It to Know It website via an off-site laptop or desktop computer.
- Access Medicine This link opens in a new window
Access Medicine is a collection of full text, searchable textbooks covering internal medicine, cardiology, genetics, emergency medicine, ob/gyn, surgery, and more. Textbook titles include Harrison's Online, Fuster and Hurst's the Heart, and Metabolic and Molecular Basis of Inherited Disease. Images from the textbooks may be saved, printed or downloaded for personal and educational use. AccessMedicine's mobile app content includes: Diagnosaurus DDX tool, Quick Medical DX and RX, Fitpatrick's Color Atlas of Dermatology, and Pocket Guide to Diagnostic Tests and more!
Access Mobile App activation instructions:
1. On a desktop or mobile browser, navigate to AccessMedicine homepage while on the Mount Sinai network.
2. Select the ISMMS button in the upper right corner of the page and choose 'Sign in or Create a Free Access Profile from the drop down.
3. Either sign in or Create a free MyAccess Profile. Use your Mount Sinai institutional email address to ensure your account can be verified.
4. Once you create an account, download and install the app on your mobile device. *The app is not yet optimized for viewing on iPad or tablet*
5. After installing, you will be prompted to sign in with your Access profile credentials.
6. If you downloaded the app first, you will automatically be validated once you are on-site or connected via VPN.
NOTE:
You will need to re-authenticate to your Mount Sinai subscription every 90 days. To do this, you will visit the library website while on-site or using VPN. You will receive an in-app reminder when you need to reconnect to the subscription.
Clinical Cases
- Case Files® Collection This link opens in a new window
Access the complete collection of 23 AccessMedicine’s Case Files® books with basic science, clinical medicine, and post-graduate level cases in an interactive format.
- LWW Health Library Clerkship/Clinical Rotations This link opens in a new window
A collection of books and multimedia covering 6 clerkship rotations- Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery. Self-Assessment Question Banks available with free registration using your Mount Sinai email address.
- BMJ Case Reports This link opens in a new window
BMJ Case Reports contains thousands of peer-reviewed cases in many disciplines. It is the largest single collection of case reports online with more than 15,000 articles from over 70 countries.
Mount Sinai Authors can publish their work in BMJ Case Reports at no charge in the traditional subscriber-only access model; to publish Open Access, Mount Authors get a discount of 25% For the Mount Sinai author discount institutional code login to the Library Resources Special Directions page.
USMLE Step 1: Print and E-Books
The Levy Library provides access to electronic and print materials that help learners prepare for USMLE Step Exams. Learners have access to cases, illustrations, and questions that are commonly related to the exams. Below are select titles to assist in preparation for USMLE Step 1 exams. Visit the library catalog for more USMLE resources.
USMLE Step 1
First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2018, 28th Edition by Tao Le; Vikas Bhushan; Matthew Sochat; Yash Chavda; Andrew Zureick
ISBN: 9781260116120Publication Date: 2017-12-21Publisher's Note: Products purchased from Third Party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product. SCORE YOUR HIGHEST ON THE USMLE® STEP 1 WITH HELP FROM THE WORLD'S MOST POPULAR MEDICAL REVIEW BOOK An unmatched collection of more than 1,300 must-know facts and mnemonics provide a complete framework for your USMLE® preparation and coursework! This annually updated review delivers a comprehensive collection of high-yield facts and mnemonics that pinpoint exactly what you need to know to pass the exam. Co-authored by medical students who recently took the boards, it provides a complete framework to help you prepare for the most stressful exam of your career. Here's why this is the ultimate USMLE Step 1 review: *A complete framework for USMLE® Step 1 preparation, annually updated with crowdsourced contributions from thousands of students *Written by students who excelled on their Step 1 exam and reviewed by top faculty for accuracy *1,300 must-know topics with mnemonics to focus your study *1,000+ color photos and illustrations - 100 new or revised -- help you visualize processes, disorders, and clinical findings *Student-proven study and exam prep tips backed by learning science *Reorganized Rapid Review section for efficient, last-minute preparation *Revised and expanded recommendations for high-yield print and digital study resources s *Bonus material and real-time updates exclusively at FirstAidTeam.comBrenner and Stevens' Pharmacology by Craig W. Stevens
ISBN: 9780323758987Publication Date: 2022-08-17More detailed than an outlined review but less overwhelming than an encyclopedic reference, Brenner and Stevens' Pharmacology, 6th Edition, focuses on the essential principles you need to know in a concise, easy-to-understand manner. Authored by Craig W. Stevens, PhD, this highly illustrated introductory text helps you learn and retain key information in pharmacology-taking you from course exams and the USMLE Step 1 right through to clinical practice. New and extensively revised content keeps you up to date with the latest pharmacologic mechanisms and applications. Teaches the fundamental aspects of pharmacology using full-color illustrations, detailed explanations, and a consistent format to present classification of drugs for each system/disease. Helps you understand both the basic science foundations and clinical applications of pharmacology, with useful tables, drug classifications boxes, case studies, and self-assessments in each chapter to help you review and prepare for course exams and Step 1. Includes the latest drugs and therapeutic indications (more than 100 are new to this edition), along with an entirely new chapter on recent developments of immunopharmacology drugs, including antivirals and vaccinations. Addresses key topics such as antiviral and monoclonal drugs to treat COVID-19, the opioid epidemic, and gene therapy. Features more than 700 new and updated images, with many revised figures focused on clearing presenting the mechanism of action of drugs. Includes access to bonus eBook content such as animations, an additional glossary, chapter-by-chapter summaries and case studies, a full list of featured drugs, 150 USMLE-style self-assessment questions, and more. Enhanced eBook version included with purchase. Your enhanced eBook allows you to access all of the text, figures, and references from the book on a variety of devices.High-Yield Q&a Review for USMLE Step 1: Biochemistry and Genetics by Michael W. King
ISBN: 9781260474046Publication Date: 2022-10-24Essential for USMLE Step 1 review! A rigorous full-color review for any biochemistry or medical biochemistry examination This full-color review offers a fast and effective way for you to prepare for regular course examinations in biochemistry and medical biochemistry, as well as medical board exams and the USMLE Step 1. A unique feature of this review is the integration of medical biochemistry with physiology, pathophysiology, pathology, and anatomy, making it perfect for today's rapidly changing medical school curriculum. Important related topics such as carbohydrate, lipid, protein metabolism, and associated disease/pathologies are incorporated into a concise, focused review of biochemistry. High-Yield Q & A Review for USMLE Step 1 is packed with learning aids: 1,100 multiple-choice questions and thorough explanations for each answer 350 full-color illustrations Detailed clinical boxes with high-yield information concerning diseases and disorders related to defects in the pathways being discussed Every chapter includes: - An outline listing the major topics covered - A list of high-yield terms related to the content - Numerous explanatory figures and tables designed to increase your understanding of must know material - A checklist that recaps important and high-yield conceptsHigh-Yield(tm) Gross Anatomy by Ronald W. Dudek; Thomas M. Louis
ISBN: 9781451190236Publication Date: 2014-02-19High-Yield Gross Anatomy, Fifth Edition provides a concise review of gross anatomy material tested on course and board exams. The streamlined outline format includes tables, diagrams, clinical photos, and radiographs for a concentrated, efficient review. In response to student feedback, the Fifth Edition features: * A new and updated design -- now in full color! * New clinical considerations, clinical photos, and radiographs * Concise illustrations and diagrams to clarify important material * Eye-catching case studies to test your knowledge before course and board exams
USMLE Step 2: Print and E-Books
The Levy Library provides access to electronic and print materials that help learners prepare for USMLE Step Exams. Learners have access to cases, illustrations, and questions that are commonly related to the exams. Below are selected titles to assist in preparation for USMLE Step 2 exams. Visit the library catalog for more USMLE resources.
USMLE Step 2
Step-Up to Medicine by Steven Agabegi; Elizabeth D. Agabegi
ISBN: 9781975192716Publication Date: 2023-05-18Make the most of your study time and confidently take the next step in your medical career with this bestselling review.! Step-Up to Medicine, 6th Edition, makes it easy to find information fast and take a confident next step toward a successful medical career. Ideal for preparing for clerkships or clinical rotations, shelf exams, and the USMLE Step 2, this bestselling volume in the popular Step-Up series provides a high-yield review of medicine in a concise, comprehensive approach. This 6th Edition is thoroughly updated and enhanced throughout. Clinical pearls, full-color illustrations, and "Quick Hits" provide essential information in an efficient, easy-to-remember manner to ensure excellence on exams and confidence in clinical settings, and a 100-question practice exam reinforces exam readiness and boosts test-taking confidence. NEW! More than 50 additional NBME-style review questions with answers and explanations reinforce key content in context with how students will encounter it on their exams. UPDATED! New and enhanced images throughout--including expanded coverage of dermatology--clarify essential concepts in vibrant detail. UPDATED! Concise tables and figures summarize treatment protocols, drug details, and other essential information for fast, efficient review. NEW! Additional online review questions test students' retention and alert them to areas requiring further study. "Quick Hits" help students save time and stay focused on core content.Test-Taking Strategies for the USMLE STEP 2 Exam: Proven Methods to Succeed by Julia I. Reading
ISBN: 9781264258758Publication Date: 2023-01-12Build the test-taking skills you need to ace your coursework and USMLE exams The very first resource of its kind, this innovative resource helps you build the skills specifically required to pass the first two years of coursework and the USMLE exams. Test-Taking Strategies for the USMLE Step 2 walks you through the process of how to generally approach questions, how to approach specific types of questions (i.e., those with labs or images), and how to review questions and their answers. Each chapter includes an explanation and/or exam-taking advice and sample questions, which are followed by a breakdown of the question/answer process. Build the skills you need perform at the top of your game on test day, with: Pro Tips provide suggestions on what you should ask yourself about certain exam questions, such as, "Did the test writer include this as useful information, unnecessary information, or a trap to lead me to the wrong answer?" Randomized practice questions help you synthesize the concepts and strategies taught throughout this text. Insightful content helps you determine your personal test-taking strengths and weaknesses, so you can focus on skills you need to build most.Step-Up to USMLE Step 2 CK by Latha Ganti
ISBN: 9781975106263Publication Date: 2019-08-08Now includes Step 2 practice Questions and Answers, with explanations, for each chapter! Current, concise, and easy to use, the updated fifth edition of Step-Up to USMLE Step 2 CK makes essential information engaging and retainable, delivering the perfect exam prep for today's busy medical student. Access just what you need to ace the USMLE Step 2 CK and make a confident transition to clinical practice with this high-yield, system-based review. This updated fifth edition of Step-Up to USMLE Step 2 CK helps you quickly memorize essential information and gives you the realistic test-taking practice to succeed. Full-color illustrations, "Quick Hits," and mnemonics clarify must-know information on causes, risk factors, history and physical exam, lab studies and radiology, treatment, and complications for the most common diseases and disorders. USMLE-style study questions for each chapter mimic those found on the Step 2 exams, accompanied by complete explanations for maximum comprehension and test preparation. Revised and updated content reflects the current USMLE exam. Succinct, Step-Up outline approach focuses on the core content students need to know for quick, efficient study. New USMLE-style questions at the end of each chapter give students unparalleled test-taking practice. "Quick Hits" in the margins highlight commonly encountered exam topics. Easy-to-remember mnemonics help students ensure quick, efficient recall of essential clinical information on their exams. "Next Steps" margin notes guide students through the workup of a patient with practical tips for success. Easy-to-follow algorithms clearly demonstrate effective clinical reasoning, particularly for similar complaints. eBook available. Fast, smart, and convenient, today's eBooks can transform learning. These interactive, fully searchable tools offer 24/7 access on multiple devices, the ability to highlight and share notes, and much more.Boards and Wards for USMLE Step 2 by Carlos Ayala; Brad Spellberg
ISBN: 9781496349897Publication Date: 2017-05-13Master the answers for your boards and wards! Medical students have no time to waste. Boards and Wards for USMLE Step 2 is the solution! Updated to reflect the current USMLE Step 2 test blueprint, and organized to parallel the clerkships that all 3rd and 4th year medical students are required to take, this bestselling resource makes it easy for you to study only what you truly need to know for the USMLE as well as end-of-rotation exams. Study on the go thanks to a portable format that's ideal for clinical rotations. Efficiently master the essentials through focused coverage of frequently tested topics, presented in a succinct, organized manner. Test your knowledge with 100 USMLE-style questions inside the book - with answers and rationales. Boost your test-taking skills with a new feature on USMLE "Pearls." Grasp facts quickly through at-a-glance color graphs, tables, charts, and algorithms. Easily look up rare diseases in a "Zebras and Syndromes" appendix.Master the Boards USMLE Step 2 CK by Conrad Fischer
ISBN: 9781506208534Publication Date: 2017-07-04Always study with the most up-to-date prep! Look for Master the Boards USMLE Step 2 CK, fifth edition, ISBN 9781506235943, on sale February 5, 2019. Publisher's Note: Products purchased from third-party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entities included with the product.USMLE Step 2 CK Lecture Notes 2018: Pediatrics by Kaplan Medical Staff
ISBN: 9781506220840Publication Date: 2017-09-05Publisher's Note: Products purchased from 3rd party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entities included with the product. Kaplan Medical's USMLE Step 2 CK Lecture Notes 2018: Pediatrics offers in-depth review with a focus on high-yield topics - a comprehensive approach that will help you deepen your understanding while focusing your efforts where they'll count the most. Used by thousands of medical students each year to succeed on USMLE Step 2, Kaplan's official lecture notes are packed with full-color images and clear review. The Best Review Organized in outline format with high-yield summary boxes for efficient study Bridges between specialties and basic science highlighted throughout Updated annually by Kaplan's all-star expert faculty Looking for more prep? Our USMLE Step 2 CK Lecture Notes 2018: 5-Book Set has this book, plus the rest of the 5-book series.Family Medicine PreTest Self-Assessment and Review, Fourth Edition by Doug Knutson
ISBN: 9781260143584Publication Date: 2018-12-12Publisher's Note: Products purchased from Third Party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product. The closest you can get to the Family Medicine clerkship shelf exam without actually taking it Family Medicine: PreTest Self-Assessment & Review, Fourth Edition is the perfect way to assess your knowledge of Family Medicine for the USMLE Step 2 CK and clerkship shelf exam. You'll find approximately 500 USMLE-style questions and answers that target the clerkship's core competencies, along with detailed explanations of both correct and incorrect answers. All questions have been reviewed by students who recently passed the boards and completed their clerkship to ensure they match the style and difficulty level of the exam - so you know you are studying the most relevant, high-yield material possible. *Approximately 500 USMLE-style questions - just like you will see on the exam *Detailed explanations for right and wrong answers, that zero-in on must-know information *Targets what you really need to know for exam success *Thoroughly reviewed by students who aced their clerkshipPediatrics PreTest Self-Assessment and Review, Fifteenth Edition by Robert J. Yetman; Mark D. Hormann
ISBN: 9781260440331Publication Date: 2019-11-08Publisher's Note: Products purchased from Third Party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product. Ace your shelf exam--and take the next step to a career in medicine! Pediatrics: PreTest® Self-Assessment & Review provides the knowledge and confidence you need succeed on your shelf exam and during your clinical interactions. Filled with prep questions addressing the clerkship's core competencies, it explains both correct and incorrect answers--so you can focus your attention on areas of difficulty and make the very most of your study time. This unbeatable study resource includes updates on the latest treatments and therapies for infants, children, and adolescents, making it an ideal review tool for the pediatric shelf exam and the USMLE Step 2. Reviewed by top-tier students who passed the boards and completed their clerkship, the style and difficulty level of every question match those you'll see on exam day. *500 USMLE-style questions and answers *Detailed explanations for every answer--right and wrong *Targets what you really need to know for exam success *Thoroughly reviewed by students who aced their clerkship
USMLE Step 3: Print and E-Books
The Levy Library provides access to electronic and print materials that help learners prepare for USMLE Step Exams. Learners have access to cases, illustrations, and questions that are commonly related to the exams. Below are selected titles to assist in preparation for USMLE Step 3 exams. Visit the library catalog for more USMLE resources.
USMLE Step 3
International Medical Graduates in the United States by Hassaan Tohid (Editor); Howard Maibach (Editor)
ISBN: 3030622487Publication Date: 2021-01-05Thousands of international medical graduates come to the United States to start their career as physicians. Many of them, however, are not aware of the challenges and problems that they may encounter along the way. These difficulties can range from the language and cultural barriers to a lack of confidence and self-esteem. Many students are also unaware of the other career options besides getting into a clinical residency program. As a result of these issues, a great number of foreign medical students remain unmatched into the National Resident Matching Program. Not matching can be devastating for these graduates, both financially and medically. Students often suffer from psychological effects like major depression and generalized anxiety disorder. This book outlines the potential problems faced by these graduates and their possible solutions. Each chapter collects research evidence, interviews and surveys to gather information to work on each possible problem one by one and describes a solution in great detail. Comprised of thirty chapters, each chapter is broken down into smaller sub-sections to investigate the main theme in depth. Issues addressed include the different types of international medical graduates and their lives in the United States, differences in the education system and healthcare system, the triangle of residency, language and cultural barriers, lack of professional contacts, confidence, self-image and self-esteem issues, and restriction to specific fields and career paths. Written by experts in the field, International Medical Graduates in the United States is a first of its kind text that addresses the biggest issues faced by foreign medical graduates in today's world.