Free USMLE practice questions, clearly explained by Dr. Ray Makar
Every year, thousands of students sit for the USMLE, and every year the exam tests many of the same core ideas. The questions are never copied word for word, but the concepts behind them come back again and again. Students who learn to recognize these patterns have a real advantage. Why Does the USMLE Repeat … Read more
Neurology emergencies on USMLE Step 2 CK test time-sensitive decisions: when to give thrombolytics, which test to order after a normal CT, and when to treat before the diagnosis is confirmed. Try these three questions. Question 1: Sudden weakness and trouble speaking A 67-year-old man is brought to the emergency department 2 hours after the … Read more
Psychiatric medication emergencies are high-yield on USMLE Step 2 CK. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and serotonin syndrome look similar, so the exam tests the features that separate them, plus drug interactions that cause lithium toxicity. Try these three questions. Question 1: Fever and “lead-pipe” rigidity after starting an antipsychotic A 28-year-old man with schizophrenia was started … Read more
Vomiting in an infant is a common USMLE Step 2 CK scenario. The age, whether the vomit is bilious, and the stool findings point to the diagnosis, and the exam asks for the next best step. Try these three questions. Question 1: A 4-week-old with forceful vomiting after every feed A 4-week-old firstborn boy has … Read more
Pulmonary emergencies on USMLE Step 2 CK test whether you choose the right diagnostic test and recognize when a patient needs immediate intervention. Try these three questions, then open each explanation. Question 1: Sudden shortness of breath after hip surgery A 54-year-old woman develops sudden shortness of breath and right-sided pleuritic chest pain 5 days … Read more
Now that Step 1 is pass/fail, Step 2 CK carries much more weight in residency applications. Your three-digit score matters. The good news is that Step 2 CK rewards clinical reasoning, and a focused six-week dedicated study period is enough for most students who have finished their core clerkships. Here is a practical week-by-week plan … Read more
Third-trimester emergencies are high-yield on USMLE Step 2 CK. You need to know what to do first, what not to do, and how to recognize medication toxicity. Try these three questions, then open the explanations. Question 1: Painless bright red bleeding at 34 weeks A 32-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2, at 34 weeks’ gestation … Read more
Endocrine emergencies are classic USMLE Step 2 CK material because the order of treatment matters. Giving the right drug in the wrong order can harm the patient, and the exam tests exactly that. Try these three questions, then check the explanations. Question 1: A young man with type 1 diabetes, vomiting and deep breathing A … Read more
Severe drug reactions are emergencies, and USMLE Step 2 CK expects you to recognize them and act fast. These three dermatology practice questions cover Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and DRESS syndrome, plus how to prevent them. Pick your answer first, then open the explanation. Question 1: Skin peeling and mouth sores after … Read more
Acute myocardial infarction is one of the most heavily tested topics on USMLE Step 2 CK. The exam wants you to know the next best step, which drugs to avoid, and how to recognize post-MI complications. Try these three questions, then open each explanation. Question 1: Inferior STEMI with low blood pressure and clear lungs … Read more