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The Kaplan Step 1 Live Online class boasts over 270 hours of live classroom time, while the Step 2 course provides 210 hours, and the Step 3 program is right in the neighborhood of 100 hours. Is Kaplan USMLE prep worth it?
The Kaplan USMLE review course costs somewhere between $800 and $4,400, depending on which step you are studying for and which class format you prefer. How many live classroom hours do I get with Kaplan USMLE prep?
Learn more Not many aspiring doctors want to take a lot of risk when it comes to prepping for the USMLE given the high stakes nature of the exam. As such, thousands of med school students turn to Kaplan every year due to the company’s long history of USMLE prep and high pass rates.
The USMLE Step 1 is a one-day computerized examination that assesses whether you comprehend and can apply important concepts of the basic sciences to the practice of medicine. Step 1 is commonly seen as the most challenging exam and is more comprehensive than the exams taken throughout medical school.
With On Demand, you'll get access to over 220 hours of video lecture content, including over 900 videos, over 8,000 updated presentation slides, and over 3,900 quiz questions between lectures.
270 hoursKaplan — Best In-Person Experience The course has 270 hours of instruction and includes one-on-one advising and personalized study plans. There are also weekly workshops, and you'll get access to the on-demand video lectures and question bank to study outside of class.
6-8 hours per dayMost authorities recommend 2-3 months of dedicated study time in order to prepare for USMLE Step 1. Dedicated study time should be treated like a full-time job that generally requires 6-8 hours per day, six days per week. However, the amount of time you spend studying each day depends on your own endurance.
Given its 4.6/5-star rating on TrustPilot based on 4,000+ reviews from med school hopefuls, Kaplan is a proven industry leader in USMLE test prep. It also made it as #1 in our list for the Best USMLE Prep Courses for 2022.
Verdict: UWorld vs Kaplan NCLEX With high-quality video lessons, optional live classes, a prep book, and bonus resources (most of which UWorld does not offer), Kaplan offers the better overall NCLEX prep option. This is especially true considering that their self-paced course with these features is less than $200 more.
It depends on how much time you have in hand and how much you know already, even if you know stuff, i would advice you to skim through kaplan videos at faster pace but not skip them. Again, kaplan videos are not mandatory as you can pass or even score good without kaplan.
Traditionally, students spend roughly three months studying in a dedicated fashion for Step 1. This is why we created this 99-day study schedule for the USMLE Step 1. Simply stated, if you carefully follow this study plan, you will be equipped with everything you need to score high on the exam.
UWorld is unquestionably the best resource for the USMLE. Students have been known to score 270+ on USMLE Step 1 just by using UWorld and First Aid. There are also students, however, who have gone through the question bank 3 or more times, and can't seem to get a passing score on the exam.
8-hourStep 1 is a one-day examination. It is divided into seven 60-minute blocks and administered in one 8-hour testing session. The number of questions per block on a given examination form may vary, but will not exceed 40.
There are a number of approaches.Talk to medical school faculty. Talk to medical school faculty. ... Download materials. Download test materials from NBME website or the USMLE website. ... Study standard topics. Certain topics are standard. ... Don't study the last exam. ... Talk to students and collegues.
If you're struggling with base knowledge there are better resources to use than Kaplan, like boards and beyond, which still covers all the basics of the USMLE in enough detail for IMGs, but is still high yield enough, and is fast paced enough cover the content in a reasonable time.
Best USMLE Prep Courses SummaryBest Overall USMLE Prep Course – PASS Program.Best Value USMLE Prep Course – Achievable.Most USMLE Study Material – Kaplan.Best USMLE Video Lessons – Lecturio.Best USMLE Practice Questions – BoardVitals.Most Personalized Support – SmashUSMLE.
The Kaplan USMLE review course costs somewhere between $800 and $4,400, depending on which step you are studying for and which class format you pre...
The Kaplan Step 1 Live Online class boasts over 270 hours of live classroom time, while the Step 2 course provides 210 hours, and the Step 3 progra...
In our team’s opinion – yes. There is a good reason thousands of students elect to go with Kaplan for their USMLE prep each year. They offer a trie...
These simulated exams are intended to mimic a real test-day experience and place you under exam-like conditions. The exams are generally given as a midterm and final as part of your prep course.
The coursework is generally organized by USMLE topic (such as anatomy, pathology and immunology, among others, for Step 1). Then within each topic, there are several subtopics (such as neuroscience under the primary anatomy subject). You get the idea.
The second highlight of the Kaplan course, at least for me, is the set of prep books you get when you sign up. Step 1 students get a 7-volume set, Step 2 students get a 5-volume set, and Step 3 students get a 2-volume set.
As such, they go quickly because they are simpler. You then review your answers, learn from the explanations, and move onto the next subject. And that is generally how the study plan goes, topic by topic. A sample Kaplan practice question with text explanation.
These courses are more expensive though, and cost approximately $4,400, $4,000 and $1,700 for Steps 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
Unfortunately, Kaplan does not have a pass or money back guarantee like that offered by other courses (see SmashUSMLE ). For students hunting down the best USMLE prep course for their needs, this may be a little disappointing, but not totally uncommon in the USMLE prep space.
USMLE material can be dry, and these instructors managed to make it about as enjoyable as it could be . One of Kaplan’s smart reports that show your performance post-quiz. During your class sessions, the instructors will frequently poll the class on questions, so you can’t be asleep at the wheel.
The test prep process for Kaplan’s USMLE Step 1 courses can be broken down into the following phases:
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Kaplan offers different USMLE Step 1 formats to select from.
Let’s get down to brass tacks: what does Kaplan’s USMLE Step 1 prep course actually cover content-wise?
Taking a hard look at the previous experiences of (unbiased) test preppers can paint a picture of what benefits, and possible drawbacks, you might expect from a course.
The following groups benefit most. If you fit into one of these categories, you should seriously consider the upsides of Kaplan’s USMLE Step 1 course:
Here, we run down some of the biggest competitors to Kaplan in head-to-head matchups.
Yes. As far as test prep resources go, Kaplan is generally well-reviewed and regarded as a premier prep provider.
The mobile app offers the ultimate in convenience for busy medical students. Practice and review USMLE questions for the different exams from your smartphone whenever you have a few extra minutes. The app is compatible with iPhone and Android devices.
Kaplan’s methodological approach provides a good amount of structure for students who choose an online, on-demand option rather than a live course. An intuitive online platform with access to diagnostic assessments, practice questions, videos, and full-length practice exams keeps students focused and on track.
Kaplan offers a suite of courses aimed specifically at international students who have attended medical schools outside of the US. In addition to various options to prepare for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 in a Live, Live Online, and On Demand format, international graduates can take an In-Center course at their own pace, which provides live interaction with peers, Kaplan staff, and top-of-the line computer labs to help students with focused review for their exams.
Kaplan Medical’s comprehensive USMLE prep materials are not cheap. These first-rate courses have the most updated material from medical experts, so you can expect to pay a premium price. There is so much material that you may not get your money’s worth if you don’t budget enough time to study for the USMLE exams.
You can download here the Pricing PDF sheet of USMLE Preparation Courses options:
Planning to study In-Center? First select your In-Center start date and then plan your Live or Live Online lectures.
This exam is designed to test how well the examinee applies basic, integral science concepts to clinical scenarios.
The USMLE Step 1 is an eight-hour, computerized examination that assesses whether you understand and can apply important concepts of the sciences basic to the practice of medicine, with special emphasis on principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease, and modes oftherapy.
A medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a U.S. or Canadian medical school program leading to the MD degree that’s accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
Step 1 is administered by appointment on a year-round basis. While most students take Step 1 of the Boards at the end of their second year, there’s a more important aspect to the timing of the exam: making sure you’re ready for it.
The USMLE Step 1 can be taken at Prometric® test centers worldwide. On test day, you’ll want to remember to bring your scheduling permit on paper or electronically along with required identification, because you won’t be allowed to test without them. Be sure to arrive 30 minutes before your testing appointment.
Step 1 classifies test items along two dimensions, system and process.
Step 1 test prep can take a number of forms, including reading review books, watching videos, using question banks, and doing review programs. As you begin your focused USMLE Step 1 studying, it’s good to keep in mind that you don’t have to know it all—this exam only tests the general principles of the basic medical sciences.
The United States Medical Licensing Examination, or USMLE Step 1, is a day-long examination that is divided into seven 60-minute blocks and administered in one eight-hour testing period. The exam consists of 280 multiple choice questions and is considered to be one of the hardest tests in med school. Additionally, many elite residency programs use ...
Kaplan test prep is one of the most trusted names in the test prep business. Founded in 1938, Kaplan makes no exception for its USMLE Step 1 prep course that has offerings for every type of budget. One thing Kaplan features that no other USMLE test prep does is their “Excellent” Trustpilot score of over 2,500 reviews.
Step 1 lecture notes. One appealing benefit of Kaplan is the ability to speed up the instructional videos in order to get through them faster. The Kaplan videos are very lively, which make the material easier to consume than many other prep courses. Kaplan offers both a live online or in-person instructor led option.
In addition to the classroom training, each student receives one-on-one tutoring once a week to increase confidence and pinpoint accuracy. If you don’t opt for the live training, the one-on-one tutoring is available as an add-on with the Live Online or On Demand choices.