Student Resources

Canvas

The School of Medicine uses the learning management system Canvas.  This system was chosen to meet the unique needs of the Duke curriculum.  It contains the student daily calendar and all materials needed for each day’s events. 

 

Duke Medical Student Study Preparation

Subscription Plan

AY26-27

Purpose 

The Office of Medical and Health Professions Education is committed to supporting medical students in their study preparation for the required Step and SHELF exams. In collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs, resources will be provided to all eligible students as defined below. Beginning in AY26-27, we will move to a “life of student” UWorld subscription process for all incoming MS1 students.  All current MS2, MS3/MS3+ and MS4 students will receive Step 1 and/or Step 2 study preparation subscriptions as outlined below. 

Resources

  • All active medical students will receive the following study preparation materials from UWorld and NBME at no additional cost:

    • MS1 students will receive a three (3) year “life of student” UWorld subscription, which will include access to a 540day Step 1 QBank, and a 540-day Step 2CK QBank. Complete instructions on how and when to activate the subscription(s) will be sent directly to students in January of their MS1 year. Students should work with their Advisory Dean to determine the best timeframe to prepare for and take the Step 1 exam.

       

    • MS2 students will receive access to a 730-day Step 2CK QBank. These materials will be provided in August of the MS2 year. ▪ In addition, MS2 students will receive one (1) NBME voucher for the self-assessment for each clerkship with an NBME exam. These materials will be provided in August of the MS2 year.

       

    • MS3 students will receive a 180-day Step 1 QBank subscription. These materials will be provided in August of the MS3 year. o MS3+ students who have not received prior UWorld subscription(s) or a prior reimbursement for study prep materials should contact USMLEstudentprocessing@duke.edu 

Reimbursements 

The Office of Medical and Health Professions Education (OMHPE) will not provide a reimbursement to students for any costs associated with study preparation. If a student has a unique circumstance that results in the loss of access to a subscription, such as an approved leave of absence (LOA) they may send a written request to  USMLEstudentprocessing@duke.edu for further consideration.  

Eligibility for Additional Resources

  • Any active medical student who requires additional academic support as a result of a failure to pass one or more Step and/or Shelf exams may be eligible for additional study preparation materials, at no cost, if they meet ALL of the following eligibility requirements:
    • Student has already used their currently available vouchers and study materials as provided by the school prior to the re-take and,
    • Student has met with the learning support specialist and their Advisory Dean, and is meeting expectations for active engagement in an agreed upon learning plan as per the Student Progress Committee and,
    • The learning specialist/Advisory Dean recommends the additional study preparation materials as part of the learning plan.
    • Student can demonstrate financial need and,

    • Student has no unresolved professionalism concerns

      If the above eligibility requirements are met, the request for purchase for additional study preparation materials will be sent to the Vice Dean for Medical and Health Professions Education, and will be restricted to:

  • No more than one (1) additional NBME self-assessment voucher per clerkship with an NBME exam
  • No more than one (1) additional 180-day UWorld Step 1 QBank subscription

  • No more than one (1) additional 180-day UWorld Step 2CK QBank subscription 

    Note that if students do not adhere to the agreed upon learning plan as per the learning specialist/Advisory Dean after the request for additional study materials was approved, the access to additional study materials may be revoked. 

study prep policy chart

 

 

What additional study aid materials are available at no additional cost?

Study Materials:

FAQ

Between 75-80% of our surveyed students use UWorld tools for their study preparation. Based on this, we believe the institutional purchase from UWorld, resulting in more resources with less burden on the reimbursement process, is most advantageous to the largest number of students.

All MS1s will receive access to a three (3) year UWorld study preparation subscription plan.  This subscription will include a 540-day Step 1 QBank subscription and a 540-day Step 2CK QBank subscription. Instructions on how to access the Step 1 QBank subscription will be sent in January of the MS1 year. Students will be able to determine, on an individual basis, when to activate their subscription and begin the 540-day access for each QBank. The full cost of these subscriptions will be paid by medical education administration.  Management and dissemination of these subscriptions will be done via the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) student reimbursement team.  Students should work with their Advisory Dean to determine the best timeframe to prepare for and take the Step 1 exam. 

All rising MS2s will receive access to a 730-day subscription to UWorld QBank questions bank for the Step 2CK exam preparations.  In addition, MS2s will receive one (1) NBME voucher for a self-assessment for each clerkship with an NBME exam.  These vouchers are valid for one (1) year.  If not used within one year, a credit will be issued back to Duke, and a new voucher will be provided.  Management and dissemination of these subscriptions and vouchers will be done via the OSA student reimbursement team in August of the MS2 year. 

 

I am a rising MS3 student (who matriculated in 2024), what is the process for me? All rising MS3s will receive access to a 180-day subscription to UWorld Step 1 QBank for Step 1 prep exam preparations, unless their Step 1 Qbank subscription was provided and activated during their MS1 year. The full cost of these subscriptions will be paid by medical education administration. Students who have taken the Step 1 exam and/or have already been included in the group subscription for Step 1 study prep materials will NOT be eligible for this group subscription.  As a rising MS3, you should have received access to a 730-day subscription to UWorld QBank Step 2CK exam preparations at the start of your MS2 year. Management and dissemination of these subscriptions will be done via the OSA student reimbursement team in August of the MS3 year.  

 

Requests will be assessed on individual basis based on prior subscriptions and/or reimbursements