USMLE Vault

Old IMGs who passed

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
Dr. Rana's Step 1 score report: PASS
Dr. Rana · Step 1PASS
Dr. KVS's Step 3 score report: 241
Dr. KVS · Step 3241
Dr. Sahil's Step 1 score report: PASS
Dr. Sahil · Step 1PASS

Years out of medical school. All passed

Step 1 · Old graduate · Practised 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."

  1. 2 yearsstudying alone before joining
  2. Daily calls"talking to you pushed me"
  3. PASSOctober 2, 2026

Hear it from her

Step 1 score report: PASS
Step 1 score reportPASS

Step 1 · Old graduate · MPH student · 8 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.

  1. 50% → 75%UWorld, within 2 weeks
  2. 75.5%his first NBME, week 4
  3. 85%his last block
  4. PASSMarch 26, 2026

Hear it from him

Watch the full video

Step 1 score report: PASS
Step 1 score reportPASS

Steps 1 and 3 · Graduated 2023 · Full-time NHS physician · 12 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.

  1. 71%Week 7: NBME 31While working full time
  2. 87%Week 10: NBME 33 at 75%, then the Free 120Exam booked
  3. PASSJune 29, 2026: Step 112 weeks after starting
  4. 241September 14, 2026: Step 3Without 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
Step 1: PASS
Step 1PASS
Step 3: PASS, 241
Step 3: PASS241
NBME 33: 75%, Free 120: 87%
NBME 33: 75%, Free 12087%

Not the only ones: more old graduates, same story

258

Dr. Sabha, a practising neuroradiologist

All 3 Steps in just over 12 months, with a 258 on Step 2 CK.

85%

Dr. Samer, a 55-year-old urologist

Now scoring 85% on UWorld blocks.

75–90%

Dr. Manal, 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

How we rebuild from zero.

  1. 1The foundation, first

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

  2. 2The NBME Series Anki

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

  3. 3Your weakest subjects, fixed directly

    Targeted videos for the subjects pulling your score down.

  4. 4Daily follow-up

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

  5. 5You 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.

Before your call

Bring these, so we can start where you are

  1. 1When you graduated, and when you last studied for a Step
  2. 2Any UWorld, NBME or CBSE scores, however old
  3. 3How many hours a day you can realistically study right now