Old IMGs Who Passed | USMLE Vault

Graduated years ago? So did they.

Practising physicians and an MPH student. Years away from the books, and every one of them passed. Here they are, in their own words.

2 yearsDr. Rana spent stuck alone, before she passed

8 weeksDr. Sahil, from starting to a Step 1 pass

241Dr. KVS on Step 3, 3 years after his MBBS

See their stories ↓

Student examples

Years out of medical school. All passed.

Step 1Old graduatePractised in Iraq

Dr. Rana: 2 years stuck alone, then a pass

She had practised as a physician in Iraq, then spent 2 years trying to get through Step 1 on her own. She joined in March 2026 and passed on her exam date, October 2. Her words after the exam: "I can't believe I wasted 2 years on this. It was much easier than I thought."

2 yearsstudying alone before joining

Daily calls"talking to you pushed me"

PASSOctober 2, 2026

Hear it from her

Step 1Old graduateMPH student8 weeks

Dr. Sahil: years after medical school, a pass in 8 weeks

Years after medical school, he was doing his MPH in the US, with a green card interview right in the middle of his preparation. He almost didn't do the USMLE at all.

50% → 75%UWorld, within 2 weeks

75.5%his first NBME, week 4

85%his last block

PASSMarch 26, 2026

Hear it from him

Watch the full video

Steps 1 and 3Graduated 2023Full-time NHS physician12 weeks

Dr. KVS: years after MBBS, Step 1 in 12 weeks, then a 241 on Step 3

He finished his MBBS in India in 2023 and was working full time as a physician in the UK's NHS. In April 2026 he had no Step 1, no Step 3, and wasn't sure he could make this year's Match.

Week 7: NBME 31, 71%While working full time

Week 10: NBME 33, 75% · Free 120, 87%Exam booked

June 29, 2026: Step 1 PASS12 weeks after starting

September 14, 2026: Step 3, 241Without a single UWorld block: a Step 3 Anki deck and a CCS method

Hear it from Dr. Marish

Dr. KVS's story, told by Dr. Marish

Not the only ones

More old graduates, same story

Dr. Sabha, a practising neuroradiologist: all 3 Steps in just over 12 months, with a 258 on Step 2 CK
Dr. Samer, a 55-year-old urologist: now scoring 85% on UWorld blocks
Dr. Manal Basra: years out of medical school, joined less than a month ago, and already through 6 systems (psych, neuro, MSK and more), scoring 75% to 90% on her blocks

Your graduation year isn't the problem. Your system is

The foundation, first

FA Foundation Anki side by side with the First Aid Guide: 1 full cycle through every system, explained in plain language.

The NBME Series Anki

Every high-yield concept from the NBMEs, system by system, as 1-line cards.

Your weakest subjects, fixed directly

Targeted videos for the subjects pulling your score down.

Daily follow-up

An accountability partner and Dr. Marish in your chat, every day, around your job and your life.

You book the exam when your scores say so

Not before.

What old graduates ask first

Am I too old for this?

There's no age limit on the USMLE. Dr. Samer is 55, and scoring 85% on UWorld blocks.

I've forgotten almost everything. Where do I start?

With the foundation, not with questions: FA Foundation Anki alongside the First Aid Guide, 1 system at a time, before any timed blocks.

I've already spent years on this alone.

So had Dr. Rana: 2 years on her own. With a plan and a daily check-in, she passed, and said the exam was much easier than she thought.

Can I do this while working?

Yes. Dr. KVS passed Step 1 in 12 weeks while working full time as an NHS physician. Your plan is built around your real hours.

Will my year of graduation matter for the Match?

Some residency programs do look at how long ago you graduated. Strong Step performance and recent US clinical experience help most, and we'll talk through your path on the call.