This book is a guide for medical students who are preparing for the USMLE Step 1, 2 CK, 3 and COMLEX Level 1, 2 CE, and 3 board exams. Our goal was to give you a step-wise approach to preparing for these two exams. USMLE and COMLEX (for osteopathic students) are two different examinations, and preparations for these exams are different. If you are an allopathic or international medical graduate, you need only to focus on the USMLE section. Osteopathic students need to also understand how to study for the COMLEX, so a chapter is dedicated to that exam. We first describe what the USMLE and COMLEX examinations are and what score ranges students can achieve on these two tests.

The book includes a chapter on first aid for the USMLE Step 1, which should be one of the primary sources for your board preparation. We then discuss the importance of using questions; we highly recommend two of the best question banks on the market: SmashUSMLE and UWorld. Chapter six and seven, the integration and how to dissect USMLE questions chapter, are key to using this book. These chapters demonstrate how students should recognize common patterns with USMLE questions, and how to use a proven technique to approach answering USMLE and COMLEX questions. You should listen to these chapters to fully understand this process; refer back to it as you proceed with your board preparation.

We provided a sample board schedule to serve as a guide during your preparation; use it if it works for you. We offer a system-based learning method to cover the major topics tested on the boards, according to first aid for the USMLE Step 1 and Yale G First Aid, Crush USMLE Step 2 CK and 3 books. The book also offers a chapter for osteopathic students who are considering whether or not to take the USMLE Step 1 exam. For international medical graduates, please refer to the ultimate survival guide for IMGs chapter. This chapter was originally written by Dr. Juan Chango, an IMG from Ecuador who went through the rigors of navigating through the ECFMG certification process, passed the USMLE with high scores and matched into internal medicine. The book ends with a chapter focused primarily on how to stand out amidst the competition and how to be a better clinician.

We have been through the same situation you are in right now, and we are aware of your confusion and anxiety. We have created this book to improve your preparation. We hope this book sheds some light on how to survive the last few months of your board preparation and helps you achieve the board score you so wish for.