AMBOSS
Step 1 Self-Assessment Week
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Take the Step 1 Self-Assessment
Warm up for exam day with a faithful replica of the actual NBME® exam.
Gauge your knowledge
Get a pass/fail result and performance breakdown — plus a bonus three-digit score.
Adapt your study plan
Course-correct with study recommendations based on your performance.
Just like the real thing
Get a feel for the actual USMLE® Step 1 with a self-assessment that mimics its difficulty and structure. You’ll go through 4 blocks of 40 questions each in a simulation of the NBME®’s interface and timed format.
You’ll get a report with your passing probability and a 3-digit score, so you can benchmark your performance. Get ready to test your knowledge, build your exam stamina, and pass the Step 1 exam with flying colors.
Make this the event of the year
Join me for the AMBOSS Step 1 Self-Assessment Week and take a FREE Step 1 self-assessment: go.amboss.com/Step1-SA2023-msg
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Medical students across the nation attest to its rigor and exam-day accuracy
“AMBOSS’ self- assessment was a great transition from passive step studying through classes to focused dedicated study period. This exam gives you a taste of test day and a baseline of where you are going into dedicated...It's really hard to find good questions with good answer explanations, but this self-assessment has them!”
Aaishwariya G., class of 2023
University of Central Florida College of Medicine
“…[W]hen it came to Step 1 prep, the self-assessment was the perfect first step in getting ready for dedicated studying; not only were questions well made and the test at the perfect time to give me a "baseline" of where I was at knowledge-wise, but also, the in-depth explanations (linked to the AMBOSS library) provided an unparalleled review depth and integration after receiving the score report.”
Samuel C.,
MD-PhD Graduate Trainee (GS-1)
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine
“AMBOSS was really a one-stop shop for my [Step 1] study...I took the Self-Assessment in Feb (that AMBOSS provides to everyone for free!), and had a good idea of where I stood preparation-wise months before the actual exam. It was so helpful to know what I needed to work more on that much in advance, so that I could really pinpoint where I wanted to spend my time and tailor my schedule.”
Sandy S., class of 2023
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston School of Medicine
Go beyond a self-assessment
Understand the why and how
Read up on the explanations behind each question you encountered in your completed blocks.
The next step in your prep
Break down your Step 1 strengths and weaknesses with a detailed self-assessment performance analysis.
Ready to conquer on exam day
Manage your remaining prep with detailed study recommendations based on your personal needs.
The Step 1 Self-Assessment Week timeline
February 8
Reserve your spot by February 8 and get your classmates to join the big event!
February 9
It begins! You've got 10 days to take the self-assessment and complete all 4 blocks.
February 19
Complete the self-assessment and use your free access to explore AMBOSS.
February 23
Receive your pass/fail result, study recommendations, and 3-digit score.
FAQ
AMBOSS Step 1 Self-Assessment Week Access & Dates
The AMBOSS Step 1 Self-Assessment is a simulation of the USMLE® Step 1 exam. It consists of four question blocks of 40 questions each and is presented in the NBME®’s official timed format.You can take the self-assessment exam from February 9 - February 19, 2023. You’ll have unlimited free access to AMBOSS during this week, as well as for a few days after it so you can review your score report.
You can sign up for AMBOSS Step 1 Self-Assessment week on this page. Then, you will receive an email from us once the self-assessment is live.
The AMBOSS Step 1 Self-Assessment week will begin on February 9 at 00:01 am PST (check your time zone here). You will receive an email on that day that will prompt you to begin the exam. We’ll also make it available in your AMBOSS account, making sure you don’t miss out! Learn more...
Our self-assessment is free to take and only available from February 9 - February 19, 2023. When you sign up, you’ll have unlimited free access to AMBOSS throughout that week and for an additional few days after so that you can review your score report.
Our self-assessment is not available to purchase. However, you’re welcome to sign up for it at this link and take it during the stated week. Learn more...
Yes, you’ll need an AMBOSS account to access the self-assessment. If you don’t have an AMBOSS account yet, create yours for free here. It only takes a few minutes to verify your email address and complete your profile.
Taking the AMBOSS Step 1 Self-Assessment
You will receive an email from us on February 9 with a link to access and begin the self-assessment. It will also be available in your AMBOSS account. Please just make sure you sign up before then on this page!
Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to take the self-assessment before February 9 or after February 19. The AMBOSS self-assessment is designed as a community-based event that is available for a limited time only. Learn more...
Yes, our self-assessment reflects the relative distribution of topics on the actual USMLE® exam. Following the NBME® announcement that communication and interpersonal skills questions would now feature more prominently on the exam, the Step 1 Self-Assessment will reflect that.
You will have 60 minutes to complete each question block, so make sure to give yourself enough time to complete one before you sit down to take it. If you need to pause the exam for some reason, you are welcome to do so. That said, we recommend you complete the entire block in one sitting so that you are able to most effectively simulate the actual Step 1 exam! Learn more...
You can, but you don’t have to. You can split the self-assessment up into chunks and take each block at any point throughout the week. That said, we recommend that you complete the exam in one sitting, since this is the best way to simulate the actual exam and build your stamina.
The self-assessment exam is made up of four blocks, each including 40 questions. After answering all 40 questions in a block, you will have the option to review the completed block’s correct answers and explanations or to continue with the rest of the exam. Learn more...
Yes, you’ll be able to access and review your completed self-assessment question blocks for some time after the event is over, as long as you have access to AMBOSS. You won’t be able to change any of your answers, but you can review your recommended Articles, and start a Qbank session based on those or your relative strengths & weaknesses. Learn more...
The self-assessment is not available on the mobile apps. Although it is possible to take it on the web browser of your mobile device, we strongly recommend taking it on your desktop device. Learn more...
The questions were previously in our Qbank as dedicated Step 1 questions, however, we removed them from the Qbank over a year ago to ensure that students who take our self-assessment will be able to test themselves with fresh questions. Learn more...
Most of the questions are the same as the 2022 self-assessment. This is to make sure that you are getting the most accurate prediction possible and because we are confident that these are the most representative questions of what you will see in the actual exam. Learn more...
Yes, there will be future self-assessments! You can sign up to receive communication about future assessments at this link.
You must complete all four blocks of the self-assessment by February 19 at 11:59 PM PST to receive your score report. The report will be delivered via email no later than February 23, 2023, and will also be accessible from within the AMBOSS platform.
The self-assessment is based on the new pass/fail format and will help you feel confident in facing (and conquering) the new pass/fail Step 1. The topic distribution mimics the latest Step 1 content and exam regulations. Learn more...
Yes! Check out what students had to say about last year’s AMBOSS Step 1 Self-Assessment here. Last year, over 75% of the cohort took part in the self-assessment - and over 97% of US medical schools were represented. Learn more...
Score Report and Analysis
Yes! The results of this year’s self-assessment will be in the same format as the NBME®’s pass/fail report, so you’ll find out exactly what you need to do to pass Step 1 with flying colors. Learn more...
The AMBOSS Step 1 Self-Assessment scores are calculated using the performance of self-assessment-takers that are within weeks of their actual USMLE Step 1 exam date as a calibration reference. The calibration is performed using the official USMLE Step 1 score distribution, and our questions are tested and have been scrutinized by students in prior years. Learn more...
Even though Step 1 is now pass/fail, over 95% of students surveyed said they’d still like to receive a 3-digit score! The score is a jumping-off point so you can gauge your progress and see what you need to do to comfortably pass Step 1 (and go on to score high on Step 2!).
The completed self-assessment and score report will be available for you to review for one month after the self-assessment week has finished.
Still have questions?
Find more information in our Help Center