Best USMLE Question Banks (2026): Prices Compared by Step

Choosing a question bank is one of the biggest study decisions you will make for the USMLE, and the prices vary a lot. This guide compares eight options for Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 3 using the prices and question counts published on each company’s own site, then tells you which one to pick for your situation.

Step 1 question banks compared

Step 1 has been pass/fail since 2022, so there is no score to chase. You still have to pass, and a question bank is the most direct way to rehearse the exam’s format and find gaps. If you want to see how our own Step 1 practice works, read about the MedPrep Step 1 question bank. For a full strengths, drawbacks and which-plan-to-buy breakdown of every bank below, see our Step 1-only question bank guide.

USMLE Step 1 question banks: questions, plans and prices

Question bank	Step 1 questions	Plans and prices	Trial or guarantee	Best for
MedPrep Institute	7,500+ question topics	$40 per month $110 per 3 months ($36.67 per month) $400 per year ($33.33 per month)	7-day free trial, cancel anytime	Students who keep missing the same concepts and want spaced repetition built in
UWorld	3,600+	30 days: $349 90 days: $459 180 days: $519 360 days: $579 730 days: $749	Not confirmed on the official page	Exam-style volume and official self-assessments during dedicated study
AMBOSS	5,800+ Step questions across the Qbank	6 months: $378 12 months: $448 Student Life: $1,199 (through the end of PGY-1)	5-day free trial. 30-day money-back guarantee on direct purchases	Question bank, library, study plans and score predictor in one plan
TrueLearn	3,000+	30 days: $149 90 days: $199 180 days: $299 365 days: $399 545 days: $419	5-day trial with 120 questions. Pass guarantee on plans of 90 days or longer	Performance analytics with national benchmarking
BoardVitals	3,300+	Cram, 1 month: $169 Prepare, 3 months: $259 Master, 6 months: $449	100% pass guarantee on the Prepare and Master plans	A pass guarantee without committing to a full year
Lecturio	2,200+	3-month, 12-month and 24-month plans available Prices not listed on the page we checked	7-day free trial. Free tier with 1,000+ questions	Students who want video lectures alongside questions
USMLE-Rx	5,000+ (Qmax, shared with Step 2 CK)	12 months: $299 (Qmax, covers Step 1 and Step 2 CK)	5-day free trial, no card required	Students using First Aid as their primary review book
Kaplan Qbank	Not confirmed on the official page	Not confirmed on the official page	Free sample questions	Physiology and behavioral science content

MedPrep counts question topics; each topic produces a full clinical vignette when you reach it, so its figure is not directly comparable to a fixed, pre-written bank. UWorld self-assessments: none on the 30-day plan, 1 on 90 days, 2 on 180 days and 3 on 360 and 730 days. UWorld QBank Plus, which adds medical videos, costs $99 more on every plan. Kaplan’s pricing page returned an access error every time we checked it, so we are not repeating a number we could not verify directly. “Not confirmed” means we could not verify it on the official page.

Step 2 CK question banks compared

Step 2 CK still returns a three-digit score, so self-assessments and score prediction matter more here than they do for Step 1. MedPrep also offers a dedicated Step 2 CK question bank. For a full strengths, drawbacks and which-plan-to-buy breakdown of every bank below, see our Step 2 CK-only question bank guide.

USMLE Step 2 CK question banks: questions, plans and prices

Question bank	Step 2 CK questions	Plans and prices	Trial or guarantee	Best for
MedPrep Institute	5,300+ question topics	$40 per month $110 per 3 months ($36.67 per month) $400 per year ($33.33 per month)	7-day free trial, cancel anytime	Clinical vignette practice that resurfaces your weak areas on a schedule
UWorld	4,250+	30 days: $349 90 days: $459 180 days: $519 360 days: $579 730 days: $749	Not confirmed on the official page	Exam-style questions with up to three official self-assessments
AMBOSS	5,800+ Step questions across the Qbank	6 months: $378 12 months: $448 Student Life: $1,199 (through the end of PGY-1)	5-day free trial. 30-day money-back guarantee on direct purchases	Question bank, library and score predictor in one plan
TrueLearn	4,100+ Step 2 CK and shelf questions	Step 2 CK plan prices are not listed on the page we checked Step 1 + Step 2 CK Mastery Bundle (365 days each): $999	First-time pass guarantee listed. Trial not confirmed for Step 2 CK	Shelf exam practice in the same bank as Step 2 CK
BoardVitals	Not confirmed on the official page	Not confirmed on the official page	Not confirmed on the official page	We could not load a Step 2 CK page on BoardVitals’ site to confirm details
Lecturio	Not confirmed on the official page	Not listed on the official page	7-day free trial	Not confirmed as a dedicated Step 2 CK bank on the page we checked
USMLE-Rx	5,000+ (Qmax, shared with Step 1)	12 months: $299 (Qmax, covers Step 1 and Step 2 CK)	5-day free trial, no card required	One subscription that covers Step 1 and Step 2 CK together
Kaplan Qbank	Not confirmed on the official page	Not confirmed on the official page	Free sample questions	UpToDate-style clinical content, per Kaplan’s marketing

MedPrep counts question topics; each topic produces a full clinical vignette when you reach it, so its figure is not directly comparable to a fixed, pre-written bank. UWorld Step 2 CK plans and self-assessments match the Step 1 plans listed above.

Step 3 question banks compared

Step 3 also returns a three-digit score, and it includes Computer-based Case Simulations (CCS), where you manage a virtual patient by ordering tests and treatments. Among the banks we checked, only UWorld lists CCS cases on its official page. For a full strengths, drawbacks and which-plan-to-buy breakdown of every bank below, see our Step 3-only question bank guide.

USMLE Step 3 question banks: questions, CCS cases, plans and prices

Question bank	Step 3 content	Plans and prices	Trial or guarantee	Best for
MedPrep Institute	10,400+ question topics	$40 per month $110 per 3 months ($36.67 per month) $400 per year ($33.33 per month)	7-day free trial, cancel anytime	Extra multiple-choice practice with adaptive review
UWorld	2,100+ questions and 90+ CCS cases	90 days: $449 180 days: $499 360 days: $599	2 self-assessments on every plan. Free trial: not confirmed on the official page	The only bank we checked that lists CCS cases
AMBOSS	Step 3 is covered by the USMLE plans (5,800+ Step questions across the Qbank)	6 months: $378 12 months: $448 Student Life: $1,199 (through the end of PGY-1)	5-day free trial. 30-day money-back guarantee on direct purchases	Supplementary practice alongside a primary bank
BoardVitals	1,500+	Cram, 1 month: $109 Prepare, 3 months: $169 Master, 6 months: $249	No CCS practice; pass guarantee on the Prepare and Master plans	Budget multiple-choice practice for Step 3
TrueLearn	Not listed on the official page	Not applicable	Not applicable	Use another bank for Step 3
Lecturio	Not listed on the official page	Not applicable	Not applicable	Use another bank for Step 3
USMLE-Rx	Not listed on the official page	Not applicable	Not applicable	Use another bank for Step 3
Kaplan Qbank	Not confirmed on the official page	Not confirmed on the official page	Free sample questions	Budget option, per third-party reviews. We could not confirm details directly

MedPrep counts question topics; each topic produces a full clinical vignette when you reach it, so its figure is not directly comparable to a fixed, pre-written bank. UWorld Step 3 QBank Plus, which adds medical videos, costs $99 more on every plan.

UWorld: strengths, drawbacks and which plan to buy

UWorld is the question bank most students name first, and its official pages back up the scale: 3,600+ Step 1 questions, 4,250+ Step 2 CK questions, and for Step 3, 2,100+ questions plus 90+ CCS cases.

Strengths

Large pre-written banks: 3,600+ questions for Step 1 and 4,250+ for Step 2 CK.
Official self-assessments on longer plans, up to three for Step 1 and Step 2 CK.
CCS case simulations for Step 3, which no other bank in this guide lists.
An optional QBank Plus tier that adds medical videos.

Drawbacks

The highest prices of the banks we compared with published pricing: the 90-day plan is $459, against $199 for TrueLearn’s 90-day Step 1 plan and $378 for AMBOSS’s six-month plan.
The 30-day plan includes no self-assessments.
Videos are not included unless you pay $99 more for QBank Plus.
We could not confirm a free trial on the official pages we checked.

Which plan to buy

UWorld sells extra self-assessment forms for $50 each, with two weeks of access. If your dedicated period is short, a 30-day plan ($349) plus one form ($50) comes to $399. That is $60 less than the 90-day plan ($459), but it gives you 60 fewer days of question access. If you need more than a month of practice, the 90-day plan is usually the better value.

UWorld vs AMBOSS

This is the comparison students ask about most. The short version: UWorld is the reference point for exam-style volume and official self-assessments, and AMBOSS bundles a library and score predictor at a lower price.

UWorld vs AMBOSS for USMLE preparation

Feature	UWorld	AMBOSS
Questions	3,600+ (Step 1), 4,250+ (Step 2 CK), 2,100+ plus 90+ CCS cases (Step 3)	5,800+ Step questions across the Qbank
Price range	$349 (30 days) to $749 (730 days)	$378 (6 months), $448 (12 months), $1,199 (Student Life)
Extras	Medical videos with QBank Plus (+$99)	Library, study plans, Anki integration, score predictor and clinical tools on every plan
Self-assessments	Up to 3 for Step 1 and Step 2 CK, 2 for Step 3, depending on plan	Score predictor included. Self-assessment forms not confirmed on the page we checked
Trial and refunds	Not confirmed on the official page	5-day free trial. 30-day money-back guarantee on direct purchases

If you want to learn while you practice and your budget is limited, AMBOSS is the more natural fit. If you want a widely used standard for exam-style volume and official self-assessments, UWorld is the safer primary bank. Many students use one as their primary bank and the other to see different question styles, but you do not need both.

TrueLearn, Kaplan, BoardVitals, Lecturio and USMLE-Rx

TrueLearn

TrueLearn lists 3,000+ Step 1 questions and 4,100+ Step 2 CK and shelf questions. It has the lowest entry prices of the banks with published pricing ($149 for 30 days of Step 1, $199 for 90 days), a first-time pass guarantee on plans of 90 days or longer, and performance analytics with national benchmarking. Its USMLE page does not list a Step 3 bank, and its Step 1 bank is smaller than UWorld’s.

BoardVitals

BoardVitals sells three plan tiers for both Step 1 and Step 3: Cram (1 month), Prepare (3 months) and Master (6 months). Step 1 runs from $169 to $449 with 3,300+ questions, and Step 3 runs from $109 to $249 with 1,500+ questions. The Prepare and Master plans on both carry a 100% pass guarantee. We could not load a Step 2 CK product page on their site to confirm whether the same structure applies there.

Lecturio

Lecturio pairs its Qbank with a full video library. The Step 1 Qbank page lists 2,200+ questions and a 7-day free trial, plus a free tier of 1,000+ questions with no card required. Its pricing page lists 3-month, 12-month and 24-month billing options for the Qbank-inclusive “Premium” tier, but the dollar amounts did not load on the page we checked, so we are not listing a price.

USMLE-Rx

USMLE-Rx’s main product, Qmax, is a single 12-month plan at $299 that covers both Step 1 and Step 2 CK together, with 5,000+ questions and three self-assessments. It is built around First Aid, referencing specific page numbers in its explanations, and offers a 5-day free trial with no card required. Its official pages do not list a Step 3 product.

Kaplan Qbank

Kaplan sells a Qbank for Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 3, with free sample questions available. Its pricing pages returned an access error every time we tried to load them directly, so rather than repeat a number from a source we could not verify ourselves, we are not listing a price or question count here. Check kaptest.com directly if you are considering it.

MedPrep Institute: adaptive practice (our product)

MedPrep Institute is the question bank we build. It works differently from a fixed-order bank: when you miss a question, the adaptive engine flags the underlying concept and brings you variations on it through spaced repetition over the following days, instead of just moving on.

What you get

NBME-style vignettes with clinical images, by topic or mixed across systems.
An adaptive engine that targets your weak spots.
Built-in spaced repetition, so missed concepts come back on a schedule.
Physician-reviewed explanations.
Practice for Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 3 and the ABIM exam.
A large bank of question topics: 7,500+ for Step 1, 5,300+ for Step 2 CK, 10,400+ for Step 3 and 5,500+ for the ABIM exam. Each topic produces a full clinical vignette when you reach it.

MedPrep Institute plans and pricing

Plan	Price	Effective monthly cost	Notes
Monthly	$40 per month	$40	7-day free trial
3 months	$110 every 3 months	$36.67	Save 10%
Yearly	$400 per year	$33.33	Save 20%, best value

Every plan starts with a 7-day free trial. Cancel anytime before day 7 and pay nothing.

Who it suits, and where to add something

MedPrep suits students who keep missing the same concepts and want reviews scheduled for them instead of planning them by hand. It does not include CCS case simulations, official-style self-assessment exams or a score predictor. For those, pair it with UWorld’s self-assessments or the official NBME assessments.

How to choose the right question bank

You are in coursework and want to learn as you practice: AMBOSS, for the library and study plans, or MedPrep for a light daily habit with spaced repetition.
You are in dedicated study and want exam-style volume plus self-assessments: UWorld.
Your budget or timeline is tight: TrueLearn ($149 for 30 days, $199 for 90 days), or a UWorld 30-day plan plus one self-assessment form ($399).
You want a pass guarantee without committing to a full year: BoardVitals’ Prepare or Master plan.
You are studying Step 1 and Step 2 CK together off First Aid: USMLE-Rx’s Qmax.
You keep missing the same concepts: add MedPrep’s adaptive review alongside your primary bank.
You are preparing for Step 3: UWorld for the CCS cases, plus another bank for extra multiple-choice practice.

How many questions should you do per day?

There is no single right number. During coursework, a small daily set tied to what you are studying works well. During dedicated study, many students move to two or three full 40-question blocks a day, since Step 1 and Step 2 CK blocks hold up to 40 questions. Review time matters more than volume: reading every explanation, including for questions you got right, is where most of the learning happens.

When should you start a question bank?

Many students use a bank alongside coursework in untimed, topic-based mode to build the habit, then do a fresh, timed pass during dedicated study. If you plan to use self-assessments to judge readiness, save them for close to your exam date. Because plans are time-limited (UWorld sells 30 to 730 days), buy the plan length that matches when you will actually use it.

Free ways to practice

TrueLearn: a 5-day free trial with 120 Step 1 questions.
AMBOSS: a 5-day free trial.
Lecturio: a 7-day free trial, plus a free tier of 1,000+ questions.
USMLE-Rx: a 5-day free trial, no card required.
MedPrep Institute: a 7-day free trial, cancel anytime.
The official USMLE website: content outlines, question format guidance and the interactive testing experience for each Step.
Your school: ask the library or student affairs office about institutional access.

How to get the most out of a question bank

Read every explanation, including for questions you answered correctly by guessing.
Track misses by concept, not by question, so you can see patterns.
Return to missed concepts on a schedule instead of once. Spaced repetition does this for you.
Move to timed, mixed blocks as your exam gets closer.
Use self-assessments to check readiness, not as daily practice.
Do not chase raw question counts. Depth of review beats volume.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best question bank for USMLE Step 1?

UWorld is the most widely used Step 1 bank, with 3,600+ pre-written questions and up to three official self-assessments. AMBOSS is the main alternative if you want a library and score predictor in one plan, TrueLearn and BoardVitals have lower entry prices, and MedPrep Institute adds adaptive weak-area review.

Is UWorld worth it for Step 1?

For most students it works well as a primary bank during dedicated study, with the 90-day plan at $459 as the usual starting point. If money is tight, AMBOSS at $378 for six months or TrueLearn at $199 for 90 days covers similar ground with different tradeoffs.

Do I need a question bank now that Step 1 is pass/fail?

Step 1 has been pass/fail since 2022, but it is still an exam you must pass. Practice questions are the most direct way to rehearse the format and find gaps, so a question bank matters less for chasing a score and more for confidence that you will clear the standard.

What is the best question bank for Step 2 CK?

UWorld’s 4,250+ question bank is the default choice, and TrueLearn’s 4,100+ question Step 2 CK and shelf bank is the main alternative, especially if you want shelf practice in the same subscription. USMLE-Rx’s Qmax is worth a look if you also want your Step 1 review in the same plan. Step 2 CK is scored, so self-assessments matter more.

What is the best question bank for Step 3?

UWorld, because its Step 3 page lists 90+ CCS case simulations alongside 2,100+ questions, and none of the other banks we checked list CCS cases. BoardVitals is a budget multiple-choice option if you already have CCS practice elsewhere.

Are there free USMLE question banks?

Yes. TrueLearn and AMBOSS each offer a 5-day free trial, Lecturio and MedPrep Institute each offer a 7-day free trial, USMLE-Rx offers a 5-day free trial, and USMLE.org publishes official content outlines and an interactive testing experience. Also ask your school about institutional access before paying.

Can I use more than one question bank?

Yes, and many students do: a primary bank for volume, plus a second for different question styles or adaptive weak-area review. Use the second bank to find topics to revisit rather than only to raise your question count.

Sources and disclaimers

Prices, question counts and trial terms were checked on the official pages below on September 24, 2026.

UWorld Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 3
AMBOSS USMLE preparation
TrueLearn USMLE and Step 1 SmartBank
BoardVitals Step 1 and Step 3
Lecturio Step 1 Qbank and pricing
USMLE-Rx pricing
USMLE.org for Step scoring and official materials

MedPrep Institute is not affiliated with or endorsed by NBME, FSMB, USMLE, UWorld, AMBOSS, TrueLearn, BoardVitals, Lecturio, USMLE-Rx, Kaplan or any other company named here. All trademarks belong to their owners and are used descriptively. This guide is for general information and is not a guarantee of any exam result.