When preparing for the Step 1 exam, you want to make sure that you are doing everything in your power to ensure that you pass the exam. Passing the exam means your 1 step closer to becoming a doctor. However, with so many question banks out there How do you know which one is actually good for Step 1. One question bank which  is becoming popular is known  as True Learn. True Learn is known for its questions called smart banks which have a variety of novel features which are said to improve student performance on exams. However, is True Learn a good option for Step 1? In this article I will be answering that question and giving a detailed review on the True Learn question Bank.

Are the Questions in theTrueLearn Question Bank good?

Questions Mirror USMLE Step 1 and other Board style Questions

• The questions from True learn mirror the question style seen on the USMLE step exams. The clinical vignettes are long, and often times presents excess information that won’t necessarily help you to answer the question. This is a tactic which the USMLE exam often uses, so using True Learn will ensure you are prepared to encounter these question types.
• Question types which True Learn has that mirror Step 1 questions include questions such as
  • Which of the following would most likely be seen?
  • Which is the most likely cause
  • Questions which ask you to predict physiological responses
  • Question which tests your knowledge on radiological imaging

TrueLearn Question Bank interface mirrors USMLE step 1 interface

• The interface looks like the step 1 interface, so when you are taking practice questions it feels like you are actually taking the real exam. However there is also the option to do the practice questions in the True Learn view which does not look like the step 1 interface. I would say this is a good option for students who are a bit further from taking the step 1 exam, and are not quite yet in the stage of studying of stimulating the actual step 1 exam.

In the video below you can see how well the navigation is as well as other features of the TrueLearn Question Bank

TrueLearn Question Bank Contains Difficult Questions

• True Learn’s questions are harder. There are a lot of 2nd order type questions, and questions that require not just memorization but also using logic and critical thinking based on your knowledge 
• Additionally, True Learn does a great job of including questions that force you to use advanced testing strategies such as process of elimination. For example, there were a number of times when I was taking the True learn practice questions for Step 1, and I read the question but I did not actually know the answer right away. However I got the answer right because the other answers were ery clearly not correct. 
• The True Learn Question banks are purposefully designed this way so that you develop good critical thinking 

What are Other Features of the TrueLearn Question Bank

Detailed Images in explanations

• One area in which many question banks are lacking is including detailed images in the explanations for questions that require you to have a good understanding of microscopic and histologic structures. True Learn question bank explanations do not just use text to explain these kinds of concepts, but also use detailed microscopic images. An example can be seen below

TrueLearn Question Bank Covers all of the Basic Sciences that are tested on Step 1

• The True Learn question banks cover all of the basic sciences and has over 100 questions for each organ system. This is optimal because by completing all of the questions in the Truelearn Step 1 question Bank you are essentially ensuring that you have no weaknesses in any area.

True learn Question Bank can be used in many ways to prepare for step 1

• There are a variety of ways that you can use True learn to prepare for step 1 . One way you could use Truelearn is to begin using the question bank alongside your second year courses, then do it a 2nd time before testing yourself with an NBME exam during your dedicated school period.
• You could use True learn as a guide for identifying your weak points in content leading up to the Step 1 exam
• Another way that you could use the True learn question bank is to treat the questions as flashcards, and review them every 5 weeks or 10 weeks or any other interval that you decide. If you do it this way then I recommend buying an additional question bank
• I personally like using TrueLearn for the purpose of improving my testing skills. If you are someone like me who struggles with tests, then purchasing this question bank as a way to add sort of “train” your test taking instincts is a good idea. You can do something such as using the a question bank such as Boards and beyond as a sort of study guide (because it has videos as well as organized sections of each content) and then using the TrueLearn Question Bank as a kind of final exam which simulates stressful testing conditions.

True Learn Question Bank Tracks user Data and links to other Resources

• True Learn puts a strong emphasis on collecting data from your test attempts. Based on this they are able to make recommendations on which areas you need to improve on. Additionally Truelearn’s explanations are much better than other test companies because they focus on making sure you understand the underlying concept and they also explain all the ways in which a certain question type might be asked. 
• Because of this True Learn is like a hybrid question bank. On  one hand, it can serve as a tool for content review, because the explanations are so in depth and it reinforces a lot of high yield concepts in many of the organ systems. On the other hand it can serve as a tool to develop your critical thinking ability, and ability to identify only the important concepts.
• True learn interlinks to other very useful resources such as Picmonic and First Aid. it tells you the exact page and chapter where a certain piece of information can be found

When is the Best time to purchase TrueLearn for step 1

• The best time to purchase Truelearn for Step 1, would be right before second year in my opinion. Since it has the highest quality questions out of all of the question banks, you do not want to waste these questions too early.  It is best to start out with another  question bank before using True learn because this will be your most valuable resource.

How much does the True Learn Question Bank cost?

• 30 days: $149.00
• 90 days: $199.00
• 180 days: $299.00
• 365 days: $399.00
• 545 days: $419.00

• A better deal is to purchase the bundle which is $999.00 and  includes 365 days access to the USMLE step 1 SmartBank, Step 2 Smartbank, and  8 NBME exams (90 day access per subject).

Does the TrueLearn Question Bank Work?

According to all of the data that the TrueLearn Question Bank collects from its users, Learners showed an increase in 13.5% in their exam performance.

Is there a discount code for the TrueLearn Question Bank?

• Yes. If you use the discount count FITMEDIC, then you get $25.00 off any USMLE and Residency Smart bank subscription that is for 90 days or higher

Should You Buy the TrueLearn Question Bank

Yes. This one is a no brainer. The Question Bank is comprehensive, and contains so many unique research backed tools that can help you , Additionally the question similarity to the actual exam as well as how each question deliberately trains your mind to think a certain way make the True Learn Step 1 question bank an undeniable essential resource.

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