USMLE-Rx Blog Posts

Proven strategies, expert advice, and resources to help you excel in medical school, the USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and beyond!

From Question Lab to Mastery: How USMLE-Rx Teaches Medical Students to Think Like Physicians

August 11, 2025

A behind-the-scenes look at our interactive Question Lab approach to nephrology Medical education has evolved far beyond passive lectures and rote memorization. At USMLE-Rx, our Question Lab sessions exemplify this shift, transforming how students approach both board preparation and clinical reasoning. In a recent nephrology session led by Dr. Abraham Titus, we witnessed this philosophy…

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Are You Memorizing or Actually Learning? The Science of Effective Study in Med School

July 25, 2025

It’s one of the biggest traps in medical school. You grind through thousands of flashcards, highlight half the textbook, and re-watch lectures at 2x speed. You feel productive, but when it comes time to apply a concept in a complex clinical vignette, your mind goes blank.  You’ve fallen into the memorization trap.  Rote memorization can…

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Get Ready to Fire Up Your Brain: The Path to USMLE Success Webinar

June 24, 2025

⚡ Get Ready to Fire Up Your Brain: The Path to USMLE Success Webinar Is Tomorrow! Like a well-timed sodium-potassium pump, your Wednesday evening is about to get energized. Join Dr. Tao Le—lead editor of the First Aid for the Boards series and Chief Education Officer of ScholarRx—for a high-yield power hour that will boost…

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STEP 1 Question of the Month (March)

March 31, 2025

Conquer STEP 1, One Question at a Time! The answer is explained below.   A 4-year-old male is brought to a clinic because of a 1-week history of fever, cough, and runny nose and a 2-day history of intense coughing spells that last 1 to 2 minutes, occasionally followed by vomiting and dry heaving. His…

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STEP 1 Question of the Month (February)

February 26, 2025

Conquer STEP 1, One Question at a Time! The answer is explained below.   A 36-year-old nulliparous woman comes to her primary care physician because of breast pain for several days. She says she has felt lumps in her breasts previously. These lumps worsen the week before and around the time of her period but…

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Try a FREE USMLE Step 1 Self-Assessment Exam

February 3, 2025

Are you ready to measure your mastery and pinpoint where you stand on the medical knowledge spectrum? From February 3 – 9, 2025, USMLE-Rx is offering a FREE Self-Assessment Exam designed to help you gauge your readiness and crush it on test day. Trust us, this is one opportunity you don’t want to miss! Why…

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Mastering Renal Pathology: Highlights from the Rx Question Lab

January 15, 2025

Mastering Renal Pathology: Highlights from USMLE-Rx Question Lab In this week’s Question Lab session, Dr. Abraham Titus led an engaging review of renal pathology, tackling four challenging cases that tested our understanding of essential kidney concepts for USMLE Step 1. A Strategic Approach to Board Questions The session emphasized USMLE-Rx’s proven approach to tackling board-style…

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VINDICATE Mnemonic – The Universal Mnemonic for Differential Diagnosis

January 12, 2025

The VINDICATE Mnemonic for Differential Diagnosis by Michael Spinner As a third-year medical student on the wards, one of the most important skills to develop is learning how to generate a thorough differential diagnosis for a wide variety of clinical problems. The correct diagnosis is not always clear-cut, and it is thus essential to consider…

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OMM Bricks: A New Era of Osteopathic Learning

December 30, 2024

Elevate Your Learning with OMM Bricks Are you ready to take your osteopathic medical education to the next level? We’re excited to introduce our new OMM Bricks collection, designed to enhance your understanding of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) through interactive and engaging learning experiences. Why Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Bricks? Our Bricks are more than just…

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Should You Retake the USMLE Step 1? Insights and Advice from Real Test-Takers

December 19, 2024

Deciding whether to retake the USMLE Step 1 after a failed attempt is tough. The stakes feel high, and the self-doubt can creep in. But guess what? You’re not alone. Many others have faced this decision; their stories may help you find clarity. Here’s what people who’ve been in your shoes have to say from…

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Overcoming Learning Fatigue: A Guide for Medical Students

June 7, 2024

As a medical student, you’re no stranger to the vast amounts of information and training activities that come your way. However, the sheer volume of learning options and requirements can sometimes lead to learning fatigue. Learning fatigue is when you feel overwhelmed and mentally exhausted due to the constant influx of new knowledge and skills.…

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Conquering Step 1: A Month-by-Month Guide

June 7, 2024

The behemoth of medical school exams, Step 1, looms large. But with a well-structured study plan, you can conquer this milestone! This guide breaks down a potential schedule, highlighting how qbanks can be your secret weapon throughout your Step 1 prep journey. Months 1-3: Build the Foundation As a newcomer to the world of medical…

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Take Charge of Your Medical Education with the Brick Builder Grant

June 3, 2024

Medical students, do you dream of shaping your own learning experience and contributing to the medical education landscape? The USMLE-Rx team is thrilled to announce the ScholarRx Brick Builder Grant program! Become a Curriculum Co-Creator This grant program empowers medical students (with faculty advisor oversight) to develop innovative health science curricula using the Rx Bricks…

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Recognizing and Combating Burnout in Medical School: Your Guide to Academic and Personal Well-Being

May 31, 2024

The relentless pursuit of medical knowledge and skills is admirable but can take a toll. Medical school is a demanding journey, and burnout is a real threat. This guide equips you with the tools to recognize the signs of burnout and develop strategies to combat it, fostering a sustainable and prosperous medical school experience. Understanding…

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Beyond the Textbooks: Maintaining Health Hobbies and Interests Outside of Medicine

May 31, 2024

Medical school is a demanding journey, but not paying attention to your passions outside of medicine can lead to burnout and decreased motivation. Maintaining healthy hobbies and interests is crucial for well-being, fostering creativity, and boosting academic performance! Let’s explore why hobbies are essential and how to integrate them into your busy medical school schedule…

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10 Effective Strategies to Conquer the USMLE Step 1

May 31, 2024

While the USMLE Step 1 transitioned to pass/fail scoring, doing well on this exam remains crucial for medical students. A strong foundation sets you up for success in later stages and residency applications. Here are ten actionable strategies to effectively approach your Step 1 prep: Number 1: Master Active Learning Focus on understanding, not memorization:…

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Mastering the Medical School Balancing Act: Academics, Social Life, and Personal Connections

May 31, 2024

Medical school is an incredible journey with intellectual challenges, rewarding experiences, and personal growth. But let’s face it, balancing academics, social life, and personal connections can feel like a constant tightrope walk. This guide equips you with practical strategies to navigate this balancing act and thrive in all aspects of your medical school experience. Prioritizing…

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ScholarRx Launches Innovative Grant for Medical Education

May 17, 2023

In 2022, ScholarRx expanded its mission to create a healthier world through accessible and sustainable medical education by launching the Brick Builder Grant. This grant aimed to empower educators and students worldwide to develop free and open digital learning modules, called Bricks, around underrepresented medical topics.   Recipients of the grant came from across the…

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Introducing Bricks Create for Students

May 3, 2023

Take Your Medical Education into Your Own Hands with Bricks Create With Bricks Create for Students, you now have the power to build and share epic learning experiences. Being a medical student is challenging, as you work to soak up everything that you can about medical education from morning to night. . It’s crucial to…

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