Step 1 for Radiologists

Reading scans full time? 3 radiologists just passed Step 1 without leaving their job

Your call with Dr. Marish is booked. Before you speak, here's how 3 full-time radiologists fit the USMLE around their reading shifts.

12 weeksDr. Sahil, from scratch to a Step 1 pass

3 StepsDr. Sabha, Step 1, 2 and 3 in just over 12 months

258Dr. Sabha's Step 2 CK, while working full time

See student examples ↓

Student examples

3 radiologists. Still working. All passed.

Step 1Full-time radiologistFrom scratch12 weeks

Dr. Sahil: from scratch to a pass in 12 weeks

A full-time radiologist who started Step 1 from zero. Every update was posted publicly as it happened, before anyone knew how it would end.

Week 2: 5 systems doneRenal, pulmo, GI, immuno and micro, with UWorld and First Aid

Week 6: first NBME, 75%NBME 26, 150/200

NBME 31: 82% → NBME 32: 85% → NBME 33: 87.5%"Let's book the exam date"

September 24, 2026: PASS12 weeks after starting, still working full time

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

Steps 1, 2 and 3Full-time neuroradiologistStep 2 CK: 258Step 3: 222

Dr. Sabha: all 3 Steps in just over 12 months, without leaving her job

A full-time neuroradiologist. She joined with most of UWorld already done, but no plan to finish. Then she went straight through all 3 Steps.

February 28, 2025: joinedNBME 27: 64% → NBME 29: 74% → NBME 30 + Free 120: 80%

March 31, 2025: Step 1 PASSAbout 4 weeks after joining

December 12, 2025: Step 2 CK, 258While working full time, at roughly 3 hours a day

April 23, 2026: Step 3 PASS, 222In about 1 month, on a 25-day plan at 4 hours a day

Step 1Full-time radiologist24 weeks

Dr. Radhika: stuck for months, then a pass

She had been struggling with Step 1 for months before she joined. We rebuilt her foundation first, went system by system, and held the plan steady when her NBMEs opened at 60%. 3 weeks later she was at 68–69%, and we booked the date.

Week 1foundation only: micro and pharm

60% → 69%NBMEs, in 3 weeks

PASSMarch 25, 2026

Dr. Marish Asudani on X

Just had a radiologist, who was working a full-time job, pass her Step 1 in ~24 weeks.

April 8, 2026

You already think like the exam. The gaps are elsewhere

Already strong

Anatomy and imaging

You read cases for a living. Pattern recognition is half of Step 1.

Where points leak

Pharm, micro, biochem

The subjects most radiologists haven't touched since med school. That's where your hours go.

Your real limit

Time

So the plan fits your reading schedule, not an ideal 10-hour study day.

The plan, step by step

Foundation first

No questions, no timed blocks in week 1. Just the core, especially micro and pharm.

System by system

The Vault First Aid Guide page by page, then Mehlman for that system, then UWorld locked to that system. Then move on.

Daily follow-up

What did you do today, and what's next. Every day, around your shifts.

Hold the plan at the NBME wall

When NBMEs open lower than you hoped, we tighten execution instead of changing everything.

Book when the scores say so, then an orientation call

Your exam date follows your NBMEs. 24 hours before the exam, a call so nothing on the day surprises you.

What radiologists ask first

Can I keep my job?

Yes. All 3 of these radiologists were working full time when they passed.

How many hours a day do I need?

We set it with you on the call. For context, Dr. Sabha scored 258 on Step 2 CK at roughly 3 hours a day.

I haven't touched basic sciences in years. Where do I start?

With the foundation, not with questions. Week 1 is foundation only, before a single UWorld block.

My NBMEs are around 60%. Am I behind?

Not necessarily. Dr. Radhika's NBMEs opened at 60%. We held the plan, tightened execution, and 3 weeks later she was at 68–69%.

What happens after Step 1?

Step 2 CK and Step 3. Dr. Sabha passed all 3 in just over 12 months, with a 258 on Step 2 CK and a 222 on Step 3, and we plan the whole path with you.