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Study plans
How Many Practice Questions Should You Do for USMLE Step 1, 2 CK and 3?
How many practice questions to do per day for Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 3, with a table that turns bank size and timeline into a daily target.
By MedPrep Institute Editorial Team · Published · 5 min read
"How many questions should I do?" has no fixed answer, but you can work out a sensible number from the size of your bank and the time you have. This guide shows the math and explains why reviewing questions matters more than counting them.
The short answer
Most students aim to complete one full pass of a major question bank, with each explanation read, before the exam. On a dedicated schedule, that usually means somewhere between 40 and 100 questions a day, depending on bank size and how many weeks you have.
Turn your timeline into a daily target
Daily question targets to finish one pass (calendar days, including rest days)
| Bank size | In 4 weeks | In 6 weeks | In 8 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,600 questions (UWorld Step 1) | about 129 a day | about 86 a day | about 64 a day |
| 4,250 questions (UWorld Step 2 CK) | about 152 a day | about 101 a day | about 76 a day |
| 2,100 questions (UWorld Step 3) | about 75 a day | about 50 a day | about 38 a day |
If the number looks unrealistic, you have three levers: lengthen the timeline, do a partial pass focused on weak systems, or start earlier (during clerkships for Step 2 CK). Our Step 2 CK study schedule shows how to spread this out.
Why review matters more than volume
Doing 40 questions and reviewing each one carefully teaches more than doing 120 and skimming. A rough rule: if review takes you less time than answering, you are probably skipping explanations. Track the concepts you miss, because that list, not your question count, tells you what to study next. See how to review missed questions.
How the number changes through your prep
- Early: lower volume, untimed or tutor mode, thorough review.
- Middle: timed, mixed blocks of about 40 a day or more.
- Final two weeks: taper volume, take self-assessments, revisit weak areas.
Signs you are doing too many or too few
- Too many: you are rushing explanations, scores are flat, you are exhausted.
- Too few: you will not finish a pass before the exam, or you rarely see some systems.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions per day should I do for Step 1?
On a dedicated schedule, commonly 40 to 100. To finish a 3,600-question bank in six weeks you would average about 86 a day.
How many questions per day for Step 2 CK?
Often similar, with a larger bank. Finishing 4,250 questions in eight weeks is about 76 a day.
Do I need to finish the whole bank?
Not necessarily. Many students complete one pass or a focused partial pass, then redo missed questions.
Is it better to do fewer questions and review more?
Usually yes. Careful review of fewer questions beats rushing through more.
Should I do timed or tutor mode?
Start with tutor or untimed mode to learn, then move to timed, mixed blocks as the exam approaches.
Sources and disclaimers
This guide is general study information, not a guarantee of any result. MedPrep Institute is our own product. Exam rules are set by the NBME and FSMB and can change, so confirm current details on USMLE.org. MedPrep Institute is not affiliated with or endorsed by NBME, FSMB, USMLE or any other company named here. All trademarks belong to their owners. Bank sizes are those listed on each company's official pages and change.