12 Best USMLE Step 1 Study Materials for 2025

Choosing the right USMLE Step 1 study materials can feel overwhelming. With countless Qbanks, video lectures, and flashcard decks available, it's hard to know where to invest your valuable time and money. This guide cuts through the noise, providing a detailed breakdown of the top platforms and resources you need to know for your exam preparation. We move beyond simple feature lists to give you practical, experience-based insights on how to build a personalized study stack that targets your weak areas and aligns with your learning style.

This comprehensive list analyzes the most effective step 1 study materials, from question banks like UWorld and AMBOSS to visual learning tools like Sketchy and Picmonic. You'll learn the ideal use case for each resource, its specific strengths, and its potential limitations. We'll show you how to integrate these tools for maximum score improvement, transforming your preparation from a scattered effort into a strategic, high-yield plan.

Given the significant financial investment required, it's wise to look for the best student software deals to maximize your budget without compromising on quality. Each resource reviewed here includes screenshots and direct links, helping you make an informed decision and build the perfect toolkit for your dedicated study period.

1. Ace Med Boards

Ace Med Boards offers a highly specialized, one-on-one tutoring service that functions as a powerful supplement to traditional step 1 study materials. Rather than providing static content like a Qbank or textbook, this platform delivers personalized, expert-led guidance tailored to a student's specific weaknesses, goals, and timeline. It stands out by focusing on the strategic application of knowledge, a critical skill often underdeveloped through self-study alone.

The core service pairs students with experienced tutors who design custom study plans. Sessions emphasize high-yield topic mastery, case-based learning, and sophisticated test-taking strategies. This approach is particularly effective for students who feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of resources, are struggling to improve practice scores, or need targeted support for challenging concepts. The documented score increases, with some students reporting gains of over 25 points in a month, provide strong evidence of its efficacy.

Key Strengths & Use Cases

This service is not just another resource; it's a strategic intervention. The primary advantage is its fully customized nature, which adapts directly to your learning needs.

• For the Plateaued Student: If your practice scores have stalled despite consistent effort, an Ace Med Boards tutor can diagnose the root cause, whether it's content gaps, poor question analysis, or timing issues, and implement a plan to break through the plateau.
• For the Overwhelmed Learner: For those unsure how to integrate First Aid, UWorld, and Pathoma effectively, a tutor acts as a coach, creating a structured schedule and teaching you how to use your study materials for maximum impact.
• Comprehensive Support: Unlike single-focus platforms, Ace Med Boards provides a continuum of support that extends from MCAT preparation to residency match strategy, making it a long-term partner in a student’s medical career.

Practical Considerations

• Pricing: Costs are not listed publicly. You must schedule a free consultation to receive a customized quote based on your needs and goals.
• Tutor Vetting: While testimonials are strong, the website doesn't display detailed tutor credentials. It's essential to use the initial consultation to inquire about your prospective tutor's background, experience, and teaching philosophy.
• Scheduling: The fully online model offers significant flexibility, allowing you to schedule sessions around demanding clinical rotations or personal commitments.

Website: https://acemedboards.com

2. UWorld – USMLE Step 1 QBank and Self‑Assessments

UWorld is widely considered the gold standard among step 1 study materials, primarily for its extensive question bank (QBank) that mirrors the real exam's difficulty and interface. Its core strength lies in providing a highly realistic testing experience, training you not just on content but also on the pacing and mental stamina required for exam day. The platform's explanations are its most valuable asset; they are incredibly detailed, often including high-yield images, charts, and diagrams that clarify complex concepts far better than text alone.

The platform offers subscription packages ranging from 30 days to two years, with pricing reflecting the duration and inclusion of self-assessment exams. These self-assessments are crucial for predicting your score and identifying weak areas under timed conditions. To use UWorld effectively, most students complete a first pass of the QBank in tutor mode to learn from the detailed explanations and a second pass of incorrect questions in timed mode to simulate exam pressure. While it is one of the more expensive QBanks and lacks a comprehensive video library, its unmatched question quality makes it an indispensable tool. You can find out more by exploring the best USMLE Step 1 practice questions and question banks on acemedboards.com.

3. NBME – Official Self‑Assessments (CBSSA) and Content

The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) provides the most authentic practice exams, making their self-assessments essential step 1 study materials. These Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessments (CBSSAs) are composed of retired USMLE questions, offering the closest experience you can get to the actual exam's question style, length, and feel. Their primary purpose is predictive; taking these under timed conditions provides a highly accurate gauge of your readiness and an estimated three-digit score.

Students typically purchase CBSSAs individually from the NBME website, with each exam offering a one-year completion window. The detailed score reports break down your performance by subject, helping you pinpoint specific weaknesses to address in your final weeks of study. While the explanations for answers are not as robust as those in commercial QBanks, their predictive power is unmatched. Strategically using these assessments as milestones throughout your dedicated study period is a proven method for tracking progress and building confidence for test day. For more information, visit the official NBME website.

4. AMBOSS – QBank + Medical Library

AMBOSS stands out among step 1 study materials by brilliantly integrating a high-quality question bank with a comprehensive, searchable medical library. This unique two-in-one platform allows you to immediately look up unfamiliar concepts while reviewing questions, streamlining your study process. The platform is renowned for its "Attending Tip" and "High-Yield" features, which highlight critical information you must know, and its interactive image overlays that help solidify anatomical and pathological knowledge.

Subscription plans are available monthly or annually, with options for QBank access, library access, or both combined. The key to using AMBOSS effectively is leveraging its Anki add-on, which allows you to see pop-up explanations from the AMBOSS library directly within your Anki cards. While its question difficulty can sometimes feel slightly easier than UWorld, its powerful integration of a QBank and an extensive knowledge base makes it an exceptionally efficient and powerful tool for building a solid foundation. You can learn more and sign up at the official AMBOSS website.

5. Sketchy – Visual Mnemonics + QBank

Sketchy transforms memorization-heavy subjects like microbiology and pharmacology into engaging visual stories, making it one of the most unique step 1 study materials. Its core strength is its use of mnemonic videos that associate medical facts with memorable characters and symbols within a larger "sketch." This method dramatically improves long-term retention of complex pathways and drug side effects, which are often difficult to learn through rote memorization alone. The platform’s short, digestible lessons are ideal for fitting into a packed study schedule.

Sketchy offers various subscription plans, often with group discounts available, and includes a 7-day free trial. To use it effectively, students often watch the videos alongside their coursework or during their dedicated Step 1 prep, then use the associated end-of-lesson quizzes to solidify their recall. While its QBank is expanding, Sketchy is best used as a powerful supplement to a primary question bank like UWorld, as its primary value lies in memory consolidation rather than clinical reasoning practice. You can explore its offerings at sketchy.com.

6. Boards & Beyond (McGraw Hill) – Video Curriculum + QBank

Boards & Beyond, taught by Dr. Jason Ryan, is a foundational resource among step 1 study materials, prized for its clear, concise video curriculum that builds conceptual understanding from the ground up. Its primary strength is organizing complex preclinical topics into digestible video lectures that directly align with the structure of First Aid, making it an ideal companion for a first pass of the material. The platform helps solidify the "why" behind the facts, which is crucial before diving into high-volume question banks. Each video is accompanied by downloadable PDF slides for easy note-taking and review.

The platform includes over 2,300 USMLE-style questions that integrate directly with the video content, allowing you to test your knowledge immediately after learning a topic. While its QBank is not as extensive as dedicated services like UWorld, it is highly effective for reinforcing concepts. Subscriptions are available for various durations, and some medical schools offer institutional access. For best results, integrate these videos early into your preclinical years or dedicated study period to build a strong foundation. You can see how this resource fits into a comprehensive schedule by reviewing a USMLE Step 1 study plan on acemedboards.com.

7. USMLE‑Rx (ScholarRx) – First Aid‑Aligned Platform (Rx360+)

USMLE-Rx is one of the most unique step 1 study materials because it was created by the same authors as First Aid for the USMLE Step 1. This integration is its greatest strength; every question in its Qmax QBank and every flashcard in Flash Facts cross-references the exact page in First Aid where the concept is explained. This makes it an exceptional tool for students who use First Aid as their primary study resource, allowing for a seamless transition from concept review to active recall and question practice. The platform's Rx360+ bundle combines the QBank, Express Videos, Flash Facts, and Rx Bricks into a comprehensive learning system.

Students often use USMLE-Rx as their first QBank to build a solid foundation before moving on to more challenging resources like UWorld. Its variety of learning formats, from videos to flashcards, caters to different learning styles. While its question difficulty and interface are sometimes considered less realistic than UWorld’s, its direct alignment with First Aid provides a structured and efficient study workflow that is hard to beat. Subscription options are available for individual components or the full Rx360+ suite, with a 5-day free trial to sample the content. You can learn more at the official USMLE-Rx website.

8. Lecturio – Video Library + QBank + Spaced Repetition

Lecturio positions itself as an all-in-one learning science platform, combining a comprehensive video library with an integrated QBank and spaced-repetition quizzes. This makes it one of the more versatile step 1 study materials for students who prefer a structured, guided approach that blends didactic learning with active recall. Its key differentiator is the direct linkage between video lectures and practice questions, allowing you to immediately test your understanding of a topic you just reviewed. The platform also offers learning paths and a study scheduler to help organize your preparation.

Subscription plans are available in 3-month, 1-year, and 2-year packages, with pricing becoming more economical for longer commitments. To use Lecturio effectively, integrate its videos for foundational learning or to clarify difficult concepts, then immediately follow up with the associated QBank questions to solidify the information. While its QBank is extensive, some students find the question style less representative of the actual exam compared to UWorld and supplement accordingly. However, its combination of video, questions, and learning science tools provides a strong, well-rounded foundation. You can learn more at Lecturio's website.

9. Picmonic – Visual Mnemonics + Quizzing for Medicine

Picmonic excels as a supplemental resource among step 1 study materials, specifically for its unique approach to memorization. The platform uses memorable, cartoon-like visual mnemonics to help students encode and recall high-yield facts, particularly for detail-heavy subjects like microbiology and pharmacology. Each "Picmonic" is a short video that links a character or story to key information, making abstract concepts more concrete and easier to remember long-term.

Picmonic offers monthly, semi-annual, and annual subscriptions, with access to over 2,000 mnemonic videos and an integrated spaced-repetition quiz system. To use it effectively, students often watch a Picmonic after covering a topic in a primary resource like First Aid or Pathoma to solidify the details. While it is not a standalone curriculum or a substitute for a robust QBank, its clever visual system is highly effective for reinforcing easily forgotten facts. The platform's ability to make learning fun and efficient makes it an invaluable addition to a comprehensive study plan. You can explore its offerings and pricing directly on the Picmonic website.

10. Osmosis (Elsevier) – Basic Sciences/Step 1 Videos + Questions

Osmosis excels at building a strong conceptual foundation, making it one of the most popular video-based step 1 study materials for the preclinical years. The platform is known for its concise, visually engaging videos that simplify complex physiological and pathological processes. Its strength lies in its integrated learning system, which combines these videos with printable high-yield notes, thousands of flashcards using spaced repetition, and practice questions to reinforce the material immediately. This structured approach helps solidify knowledge long before dedicated Step 1 prep begins.

Osmosis offers a 7-day free trial, with subscription plans like "Basic Sciences" tailored for Step 1 preparation. While its clean interface and structured learning pathways are excellent for early medical school, its question bank is smaller and less challenging than dedicated QBanks like UWorld or AMBOSS. For this reason, Osmosis is best utilized as a primary learning tool during MS1 and MS2 or as a supplementary resource during dedicated study to review difficult concepts. To get the most out of it, integrate its flashcards into your daily study routine and use the videos to clarify topics you find challenging in other resources. You can explore their plans at https://www.osmosis.org/plans/MD.

11. First Aid (McGraw Hill) – Core Step 1 Book + First Aid Forward (Digital)

First Aid is the quintessential high-yield review book and is often considered the central framework for organizing step 1 study materials. Its primary function is as a comprehensive outline of testable facts, mnemonics, and diagrams, making it the most frequently annotated resource by medical students. The book's strength is its concise, well-organized presentation of nearly every topic on the exam, serving as a checklist to ensure you have covered all necessary content. Most students use it as a core reference, annotating it with notes from other resources like UWorld and Pathoma.

McGraw Hill also offers First Aid Forward, a digital version that provides continuous updates between print editions, interactive topic quizzes, and integrated cases. A key advantage of the digital platform is its ability to link directly to related content in other resources, such as Boards & Beyond videos. However, the book itself is an outline, not a primary learning tool; it requires supplementation with more detailed resources to build a conceptual understanding. The print book and digital access are typically separate purchases available from major retailers. For a deeper look into maximizing this resource, you can explore how to use First Aid effectively on acemedboards.com.

12. Amazon – Marketplace for Step 1 Books and Study Aids

While not a dedicated medical education platform, Amazon serves as an essential one-stop shop for purchasing the physical step 1 study materials that form the foundation of any study plan. It provides access to a vast marketplace for core resources like the latest edition of First Aid for the USMLE Step 1, Pathoma, and various anatomy atlases. The platform's major advantages are competitive pricing, the availability of new and used options, and the convenience of fast Prime shipping.

Customer reviews provide valuable insight into specific book editions and seller reliability, helping you avoid common pitfalls. However, students must be vigilant when purchasing to ensure they are buying the correct US edition and not an international version or a counterfeit copy, which can sometimes appear from third-party sellers. Always double-check the ISBN, publication date, and seller ratings before checkout. For those who prefer physical books and study aids, the convenience and pricing on Amazon are hard to beat, making it a crucial resource for building your study library.

Step 1 Study Materials: 12-Resource Comparison

Building Your Personalized Step 1 Study Plan

Navigating the vast landscape of USMLE Step 1 study materials can feel overwhelming, but the journey to a successful score begins with strategic selection and integration. As we've explored, the most effective approach is not about finding a single magic bullet. Instead, it's about building a personalized toolkit that addresses your specific learning style, strengths, and weaknesses. The core principle is simple: combine a high-quality question bank with resources that solidify your foundational knowledge and tools that target your memory recall.

The consensus among successful test-takers is clear: a robust QBank like UWorld or AMBOSS should serve as the central pillar of your preparation. These tools are indispensable for mastering the question formats, developing clinical reasoning, and identifying knowledge gaps. From there, you layer supplementary resources. If you're a visual learner struggling with pharmacology or microbiology, Sketchy or Picmonic offer an unparalleled method for memorization. For those who need to rebuild their understanding of core concepts from the ground up, video platforms like Boards & Beyond and Osmosis provide the necessary depth and clarity.

Crafting Your Custom Study Arsenal

The key takeaway is that your choice of step 1 study materials must be intentional. Don't simply accumulate resources; integrate them purposefully.

• Foundation: Start with a primary QBank (UWorld is often the gold standard) and a comprehensive text like First Aid. This duo forms the backbone of your content review and active recall practice.
• Reinforcement: Select a video resource that matches your learning preference. Use Boards & Beyond for in-depth conceptual understanding or Sketchy for high-yield visual mnemonics.
• Assessment: Regularly use NBME self-assessments to benchmark your progress. These are the most accurate predictors of your real exam performance and are crucial for identifying weak areas under timed conditions.
• Organization: The sheer volume of information requires meticulous organization. To effectively manage your study schedule and track progress within your personalized plan, consider utilizing a dedicated best daily planner app. A well-structured schedule ensures you cover all necessary topics without burning out.

Ultimately, the best study plan is an adaptive one. Be prepared to adjust your strategy based on your practice test performance and how you feel. If a particular resource isn't yielding results, don't be afraid to switch to an alternative that better suits your needs. Your final combination of step 1 study materials should feel cohesive, comprehensive, and, most importantly, effective for you. Embrace this process of customization, trust in your dedicated effort, and you will be well-equipped to conquer Step 1.

Feeling overwhelmed or stuck with your current study plan? The team at Ace Med Boards offers expert 1-on-1 tutoring to help you optimize your use of these resources, overcome score plateaus, and build a winning strategy. Visit Ace Med Boards to learn how personalized guidance can make all the difference on exam day.