INTRODUCTION TO USMLE STEP 1 SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
The following pages include 119 sample test questions. Most of these questions are the same as those you can
install on your computer from the USMLE website. Please note that reviewing the sample questions as they
appear on pages 8–47 is not a substitute for practicing with the test software. You should download and run
the Step 1 tutorial and practice test items that are provided on the USMLE website well before your test date.
The sample materials available on the USMLE website include an additional item with associated audio
findings that does not appear in this booklet. You should become familiar with this item format that will be
used in the actual examination.
Although the sample questions exemplify content on the Step 1 examination overall, they may not reflect the
content coverage on individual examinations. In the actual examination, questions will be presented in
random order; they will not be grouped according to specific content. The questions will be presented one at
a time in a format designed for easy on-screen reading, including use of the USMLE Laboratory Values table
(included here on pages 5–7) and some pictorials. Photographs, charts, and x-rays in this booklet are not of
the same quality as the pictorials used in the actual examination. In addition, you will be able to adjust the
brightness and contrast of pictorials on the computer screen.
To take the following sample test questions as they would be timed in the actual examination, you should
allow a maximum of 1 hour for each 40-item block, and a maximum of 58 minutes, 30 seconds, for the 39-item
block, for a total of 2 hours, 58 minutes, 30 seconds. Please note that the third block has 39 items instead of
40 because the multimedia item has been removed, and the recommended time to complete the block has
been adjusted accordingly. Please be aware that most examinees perceive the time pressure to be greater
during an actual examination. All examinees are strongly encouraged to practice with the downloadable
version to become familiar with all item formats and exam timing. An answer form for recording answers is
provided on page 48. An answer key is provided on page 49. In the actual examination, answers will be
selected on the screen; no answer form will be provided.