One Tool for the Entire USMLE® Journey: How Dr. Jose Exclusively Used AMBOSS to Pass Step 1 and Score 260 on Step 2
Many international medical graduates (IMGs) worry that relying on a single platform might leave gaps in their preparation. In search of reassurance, they often turn to online forums or casual conversations with students who are further along on the USMLE journey. Under intense pressure to perform and exposed to a wide variety of often conflicting recommendations, many IMGs overcorrect—attempting to use every suggested resource. This inefficient approach costs valuable time due to redundant studying.
Dr. Jose Manuel Estrada Grossmann, an IMG, faced these obstacles while working over 150 hours each month during his mandatory rural service in Peru. With limited time, Jose needed every hour of study to count. After trying AMBOSS, he realized that he’d found a system to fit his needs.
Ultimately, he chose to rely exclusively on AMBOSS, and his Step 1 and 2 results proved him right.
Dr. Jose Manuel Estrada Grossmann
Physician
IMG from Peru
Can I pass the USMLE using AMBOSS as my only study resource?
The most common fear among IMGs is that relying on a single platform will leave gaps in their knowledge. Jose proved the opposite and showed that using AMBOSS alone is sufficient for passing the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 with confidence. From the moment he began his Step 1 prep, he never felt the need to look elsewhere.
“I only used AMBOSS. I didn’t really know if I should use AMBOSS or UWorld… but I saw AMBOSS and the Qbank, the library, and the little tips that show up when you answer a question. All of that together convinced me to go with AMBOSS instead of another platform.”
He discovered that the platform functioned as a textbook, a clinical reference tool, and a question bank, all in one. By staying with AMBOSS, Jose avoided the distractions caused by using multiple resources and completed the entire Step 1 Qbank and study plan in under six months.
How to study for the USMLE Step 2 during mandatory social service
Like many IMGs in countries with mandatory service, Jose had to navigate a demanding schedule in Peru that left no room for the dedicated eight to ten-week study period that is traditional in many US medical schools.
“I only studied in my free time because I used to work more than 150 hours per month.”
Without dedicated learning time or a local study group to keep him motivated, Jose needed a resource that was portable, comprehensive, and useful both for his clinical work and studying for the Step exams. He discovered that having the AMBOSS Library on his phone and iPad allowed him to turn short breaks during his workday into productive study blocks.
Whenever he encountered a challenging topic during a Qbank session, the one-click access to AMBOSS articles enabled Jose to instantly bridge gaps in his knowledge, learn from his mistakes, and incorrect answers.
Can I study for the Step 2 CK while working as a full-time clinician?
Jose found that his clinical work in rural Peru wasn't a distraction from his studies but rather a real-world application of the Step 2 curriculum. By switching to Clinician Mode in AMBOSS, he was able to search for evidence-based management guidelines in real time. Following that, he reviewed the same topics with the High-yield mode and AMBOSS questions, effectively combining patient care with exam preparation. For him, the most useful features included:
- Drug safety information: Jose frequently used the drug database to verify medication safety and indications for pregnant patients, a high-stakes clinical task that also reinforced his pharmacology training for Step 2.
- Acute management in accessible flowcharts: When facing complex cases in his service, such as encountering a patient in a hyperosmolar state, Jose used clinical flowcharts to guide his decisions. Using these clinical flowcharts also prepared him for answering high-yield management questions on the Step 2 exam.
- Multimedia for enhanced visual learning: Rather than reading dense blocks of text, Jose used illustrations and images in patient care that helped him memorize diagnostic criteria and clinical features that were likely to be tested on Step 2.
Visualize Success with AMBOSS Clinical Charts and Images
Don't get lost in lengthy journal articles. AMBOSS distills complex medical information into easy-to-digest flowcharts and accessible images, helping you to master diagnosis and management in minutes.
Is it possible to prepare for the USMLE on your own?
For Jose, one of the hardest parts of preparing for the USMLE while doing mandatory service was the lack of structure. To combat this, he used the Custom Study Plan to create a weekly roadmap to reach his six-month goal.
Between his Custom Study Plan and personalized analytics from AMBOSS, Jose was able to identify areas for improvement. AMBOSS provided immediate feedback on questions he answered incorrectly and directed him to relevant articles to bridge his knowledge gaps.
“AMBOSS simplifies that process... because [it identifies] your weak points, your weakness, and you can improve it in a really fast way.”
By the end of his rural service, Jose hadn't simply survived his clinical rotations. He’d also mastered the Step 2 curriculum.
The only study resource you need for the USMLE is here. Try AMBOSS today!
