Frequently Asked Questions

How much do you charge? Are there discounts?

Our standard hourly rate is $250 per hour, with discounts of up to 20% off for packages of multiple hours. Our detailed rate information is available on the "Pricing" page. Students who receive need-based financial aid from their medical school may also be eligible for additional discounts through our need-based pricing program, which students can apply for through our "Pricing" page as well.



How can I pay for my lessons?

We accept all major credit cards and PayPal. If you would like to pay for your package over time, you can opt to use PayPal Credit to pay over 6 months with no added fees (subject to approval by PayPal). Most students choose to purchase a package of multiple lessons in order to establish a longitudinal relationship by working with the same tutor and to be able to strategically plan out the use of their sessions based on their goals.



How can I learn more?

Explore the "About" page of our site to learn about the exams we specialize in and how we help students succeed. Get to know our Pros on the "Pros" page and explore our tutoring package options on the "Pricing" page. If you still have questions after exploring our site, you can contact us by email at info@usmlepro.com, or click on any of the "Free Consult" buttons to schedule a free 15-minute phone consult with one of our experts.



Do you ever do in-person lessons?

We only offer online lessons, as both our students and pros find this to be much more and convenient and effecient (given that almost all study resources students use are digital or can be used as a PDF). Additionally, because the exams we help students prepare for are computerized, online lessons better take advantage of the fact that context can improve recall. For online lessons, we use a video conferencing application that allows us to share and annotate our screen, greatly enhancing your learning experience.



What the benefits of working with USMLE Pro?

There are many benefits of our lessons and adivising, and some of them depend on the needs and goals of the individual student. Whe have one of the highest (if not the highest) average score improvements, helping students score 40+ points higher on the USMLE. In general, some of the common benefits of our test-prep lessons, from what our students have told us, are: 1. In depth explanations for any NBME self assessment question, for practice exams you have taken. In our opinion, the practice tests offered by the NBME are the most important resource to prepare for Step 1, but unfortunately they do not come with explanations or show you the questions you’ve answered correctly. Students often spend countless hours trying to find explanations scattered across forums, and cannot be sure if this information is accurate. We have lots of experience with the NBMEs and are able to explain the questions to any student, saving you countless hours and providing you with extremely valuable (and accurate) information to prepare you for Step 1. 2. Unique techniques for content retention and NBME-specific multiple choice question strategy, which helped our founder score a 281 on Step 2 CK and a 262 on Step 1. We use a unique flashcard creation strategy (and analyze cards made by students to teach them how to make the most useful cards possible) that allows for rapid memorization and long term retention of the large amounts of content. As experienced test prep tutors with thousands of hours of experience, we know how the NBME “likes” to ask about certain subjects, and can teach students how to strategically answer questions based on test taking psychology principles and NBME-specific tendencies. 3. A personalized schedule that your tutor monitors for your progress and adjusts appropriately. We provide each student with a detailed and truly custom schedule, so that you know you are using each day efficiently and staying on track for test day. Our schedules are adaptive and personalized, not the cookie-cutter schedules used by other companies. We specialize in efficient studying, and help students achieve their goals without overworking themselves, by building in strategic breaks and rest days.



Do you offer free trial lessons?

Due to high demand, we are unable to offer free trial tutoring sessions. We do offer free 15 minute phone consultations, during which time one of our experts will provide personalized advice on your study plan and help determine if tutoring is right for you. We will also advise you on the most appropriate tutoring package for your goals, test-taking history, timeline, and learning style. You can click the "Schedule Consult" option in our menu to schedule your free phone consult. You can opt to purchase a single session at the hourly rate prior to purchasing the tutoring package that best meets your needs.



How many lessons will I need?

Most students meet with their tutors once or twice a week for one or two hours, with once weekly sessions during the pre-dedicated period and twice weekly sessions during the dedicated study period being the most common option for USMLE students. Our 40-Hour Tutoring Package is our most popular option, but students looking to make very large score improvements, those with prior failures, or those looking for longitudinal tutoring for multiple exams are more likely to choose our 80-Hour Package. Overall, we have a very flexible attitude towards tutoring schedules, and continuously evaluate our students' progress towards their goals. The discrepancy between a student's baseline score and goal score is the largest factor that determines which package is most appropriate to start with. We keep an open dialogue with students to communicate how many sessions we think will be in their best interest, in terms of helping them achive their test-taking goals. To learn which option would be most appropriate for your individual situation, please schedule a free consult call with one of our experts.



Are you accepting applications for new tutors?

Yes! We are one of the fastest-growing medical education companies and we are currently looking to add more highly-qualified tutors to our team of independent contractors. Applicants should have USMLE scores of 250 or higher, and significant prior teaching experience, and a passion for education and helping students succeed. To apply, please fill out the form at: www.usmlepro.com/apply



How do online lessons work?

We use a video conferencing program that allows for annotation of shared screens and whiteboard capabilities. Our online lessons are very similar to in-person private tutoring, but allow for greater scheduling flexibility and convenience for both the student and pro. As shelf exams and the USMLE are computerized exams, we believe online private lessons are superior to in-person tutoring for these exams, given what is known about the effects of context on recall. Our test prep services are highly personalized and include custom study schedule creation and help with content mastery, test-taking skills, proper resource selection, development of effective studying techniques, and much more. You can learn more details about our process of helping our students reach their goals by visiting the "About" page.



How are students paired with pros?

During your free phone consult or after you book a package online, one of our experts (our founder or Chief Medical Tutor) will recommend the pro who best matches your individual learning style, test-taking history, exam goals, and timeline. While purchasing a package does not commit you to working with a particular pro, almost all students stay with the pro initially recommended to them by one of our experts. Many of our students have developed longitudinal relationships with their pro, and appreciate having a consistent source of support through Step 1, shelf exams, and Step 2 CK. Alternateively, you are welcome to browse our list of pros on the "Pro" page and let us know your preferred pro. If he or she is currently accepting new students, we can pair you with that pro, and if not, we can recommend a similar pro or place you on that pro's waitlist.