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• Personalized Study Plans

Your Study Plan Should Not Be a Guess —It Should Be a Strategy

Generic schedules assume every student needs the same hours on the same topics. A MedSmarter study plan starts with a diagnostic of your actual gaps, maps every week around your exam date and real-life schedule, and adjusts as you go — built and maintained by a physician tutor, not a spreadsheet.

20+   Years of proven results

4.8★   Average Google rating

500+   Physicians licensed with our help

target

Diagnostic-Based

Built from your practice data, not assumptions about what you should know

calendar

Fully Custom

Mapped week-by-week around your exam date and real schedule

notepad

Every Exam

Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 3, COMLEX, and MCAT

books

Continuously Adjusted

Reviewed and updated with your tutor every week, not fixed on day one

The Problem With Off-the-Shelf Schedules

Why a Generic Study Schedule Almost Never Works

Free calendar templates and forum-shared schedules are built for an average student who does not exist. They
ignore your actual knowledge gaps, your real availability, and what happens when life gets in the
way. A study plan should adapt to you — not the other way around.

📊


Templates Ignore Your Actual Gaps

A one-size-fits-all schedule gives every subject equal time regardless of whether you already know it cold or are starting from zero. Without a diagnostic first, you waste hours reviewing strengths while your real weak spots go untouched.

⏰


Fixed Timelines Break Under Real Life

Clinical rotations, night shifts, coursework, and family responsibilities do not follow a printed calendar. A rigid plan falls apart the first time your schedule shifts — and most students never rebuild it correctly on their own.

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Static Plans Go Stale Fast

A plan built on day one and never revisited cannot reflect what you actually learned in week three. Without regular review and adjustment, students keep following a schedule that no longer matches where they really stand.

How We Build It

Your Study Plan — Fast Facts

72 Hrs

Typical turnaround from your free consultation to your first draft plan

100%

Custom-built for you — no two MedSmarter study plans are the same

Weekly

Cadence at which your tutor reviews progress and adjusts your plan

5 Exams

Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 3, COMLEX Level 1 and 2, and MCAT

Plan Structure

Two Phases, One Plan That Keeps Working

Every MedSmarter study plan runs on two connected phases — a diagnostic phase that defines the plan, and an active
coaching phase that keeps it accurate as you learn.

Phase 1

Diagnostic and Goal-Setting

Typically completed within the first week

1

Diagnostic Session

72 Hrs

To First Draft

100%

Personalized

Baseline assessment of current knowledge and practice performance

Review of your exam date, schedule, and available weekly study hours

Identification of high-yield weak areas across every tested subject

Draft week-by-week roadmap mapped to your exam date

Walkthrough of your plan with a physician tutor before you begin

Phase 2

Active Coaching and Adjustment

Continues every week through your exam date

Weekly

Plan Reviews

Live

1:1 Sessions

Ongoing

Data Tracking

Weekly review of practice exam and question-bank performance data

Plan re-weighted toward whatever is still holding your score back

Timeline rebuilt automatically if your exam date or schedule changes

Practice exam calendar and full exam-day simulation built in

Direct access to your tutor between sessions for quick questions

The Part Most Prep Companies Skip

How We Actually Build Your Study Plan

Most "study plans" are a spreadsheet template with subject names dropped into a calendar. Ours starts with data about you — where you stand today, how much time you realistically have, and what your exam actually tests — and gets rebuilt as you learn.

Your physician tutor treats the plan as a working document, not a one-time deliverable. Every session feeds new information back into it, so the schedule you are following in week six looks nothing like a generic template and everything like a plan built for your exact gaps.

USMLE Step 1

USMLE Step 2 CK

USMLE Step 3

COMLEX Level 1 and 2

MCAT

01

Diagnostic Assessment

We review your practice exam scores, question-bank data, and self-reported confidence across every subject to build an accurate baseline.

02

Goal and Timeline Mapping

Your exam date, target score, and available weekly hours are used to reverse-engineer a realistic week-by-week timeline.

03

Weekly Study Blocks Built by Priority

Time is allocated to your weakest, highest-yield areas first — not distributed evenly across subjects you already know well.

04

Resource Curation

Your tutor selects the specific question banks, notes, and review materials that match your plan — no wasted time hunting for resources.

05

Weekly Review and Adjustment

Every week, your tutor checks your progress against the plan and re-weights upcoming weeks based on what the data actually shows.

Inside Every Plan

What's Actually Inside Your Study Plan

Your plan is more than a list of subjects and dates. It is a structured system covering content review, practice, rest, and exam simulation — built to fit around your life, not compete with it.

Diagnostic Assessment
Content Review Schedule
Practice Question Blocks
Clinical Skills Practice
Practice Exam Calendar
Weekly Review Sessions
Built-In Rest Days
Full Exam-Day Simulation

👤

Who Builds Your Plan

A vetted physician tutor builds and maintains your plan personally — it is never auto-generated or reused from another student's schedule.

🔄

How Often It's Updated

Your plan is reviewed weekly during your live sessions and adjusted based on your practice performance, so it never goes stale.

📅

If Your Exam Date Changes

Reschedule your test date and your tutor rebuilds the timeline around the new date at no additional cost — nothing to redo yourself.

👀

Seeing It Before You Commit

Your diagnostic session shows you exactly how your plan will be structured, so you know what you are getting before enrolling in a package.

What We See Constantly

Why Students Come to Us After Their Plan Stopped Working

Most students who reach out to us have already tried to study without a real plan. These are the patterns we see most often — and exactly how a MedSmarter plan is built to fix each one

COMMON

Following a Generic Online Schedule

Downloaded templates and forum-shared schedules assume every student starts from the same place. Yours never will — a copy-paste calendar cannot know what you actually need to review.

RISK

No Way to Track or Adjust Progress

Without regular check-ins, students keep following a plan that no longer reflects where they stand — often not realizing a subject needs more time until it is too close to the exam.

FIX

MedSmarter Builds a Plan Around You

Your plan starts with a diagnostic of your actual knowledge and is mapped to your real exam date and schedule — not a generic average student.

FIX

Your Plan Adjusts Every Week With Your Tutor

Weekly live sessions mean your plan is reviewed and rebalanced continuously, so it always reflects what you actually know right now.

Get Started

Every Package Begins With Your Custom Study Plan

Your study plan is included with every tutoring package — live, 1-on-1, and scheduled around your exam date. Choose the level of support that matches your timeline and goals.

$250

Personalized Study (4 weeks)

An individualized 4 weeks study plan designed around your specific needs.

$500

Personalized Study Plan w/ Testing (4 weeks)

An individualized 4 weeks study plan with scheduled testing around your specific needs.

Not sure which package fits? Book a free 15-min call and we'll recommend the right one for you.

Every Package Includes

Everything You Need to Follow Your Plan All the Way to Exam Day

A complete, integrated system built around the reality of studying while working,
training, or taking coursework.

🔍

Diagnostic Assessment

A baseline review of your knowledge and skills used to build the first draft of your plan and prioritize your weakest areas.
 

📚

Curated Resource List

Your tutor selects the specific question banks, review books, and materials that match your plan so you never waste time guessing what to use.

🧘

Anxiety and Stamina Management

Techniques for managing a demanding exam prep timeline alongside work, training, or school — mental conditioning built into every plan.

🗺️

Custom Weekly Roadmap

A week-by-week schedule built around your exam date, current knowledge level, and specific weak areas — not a generic calendar.
 

📈

Continuous Progress Tracking

Real-time monitoring of your performance across every content area, with plan adjustments made based on data, not guesswork.

👥

MedLOGs Group Study (Optional)

Live online group sessions to reinforce concepts with peers and stay accountable while following your plan.
 

📄

MedSmarter High-Yield PDF Notes

Concise, clinically focused notes covering the highest-tested content — developed over 20+ years of board prep teaching.

🎯

Practice Exam Calendar

Full-length practice exams scheduled at the right intervals throughout your plan, with structured review sessions built in after each one.
 

🖥️

Productivity Platform Access

Your study planner, session notes, custom schedule, and high-yield resources all in one place, accessible whenever you need them.
 

Getting Started

From Sign-Up to a Plan You Actually Follow, in 4 Steps

Simple onboarding designed for busy students and residents — you will have a working plan within days of your free consultation.

01

Free Consultation

A Senior Advisor reviews your exam date, current preparation level, and schedule to recommend the right starting point.

02

Diagnostic Assessment

A physician tutor evaluates your current knowledge and practice performance to identify your highest-priority gaps.

03

Receive Your Plan

Within 72 hours, you get a week-by-week study plan mapped to your exam date, walked through live with your tutor.

04

Study With Weekly Check-Ins

Follow your plan, attend live sessions, and let your tutor adjust the schedule every week as your progress data comes in.

01
02
03
04

Free Consultation

A Senior Advisor reviews your exam date, current preparation level, and schedule to recommend the right starting point.

Diagnostic Assessment

A physician tutor evaluates your current knowledge and practice performance to identify your highest-priority gaps.

Receive Your Plan

Within 72 hours, you get a week-by-week study plan mapped to your exam date, walked through live with your tutor.

Study With Weekly Check-Ins

Follow your plan, attend live sessions, and let your tutor adjust the schedule every week as your progress data comes in.

Who We Serve

A Study Plan for Every Stage of Your Journey

Whether you are prepping for your first board exam or rebuilding your approach after a retake, MedSmarter builds a plan matched to where you actually are.

🩺


Step 1, Step 2 CK & Step 3 Candidates

From dedicated study period through residency, we build plans that fit around coursework, rotations, and on-call schedules while targeting the exact content each exam tests.

Med Students

Full USMLE Sequence

Residents

🌍


MCAT & COMLEX Candidates

Pre-med students and DO candidates get the same diagnostic-first approach, with plans built around the specific content and pacing demands of the MCAT or COMLEX Level 1 and 2.

Pre-Med

DO Students

MCAT & COMLEX

🔄


Retakers and Score Improvers

If a previous attempt did not go as planned, your tutor builds a new plan around what the data shows actually went wrong — not a repeat of the same generic approach.

Retake Strategy

Gap Analysis

Score Improvement

Want to See What a Real Plan Looks Like?

Book a free consultation and walk through a sample week-by-week study plan built for your exam and timeline — no obligation.

Hema Gujarathi Headshot 2026

Hemalata Gujarathi
M.D. INSTRUCTOR

Expert Educators

Tutors Who Build Your Plan — Not Just Follow One

Every MedSmarter tutor is a vetted physician educator trained in our proprietary diagnostic methodology. Instead of handing you a generic calendar, they build your study plan from your actual data and rework it every week based on how you are progressing. The plan changes because you do.

9

Practicing physicians with deep clinical expertise across every tested exam

9

Trained specifically in diagnostic-based study plan design, not template scheduling

9

Experienced with medical students, residents, and International Medical Graduates

9

Skilled at rebuilding timelines quickly when exam dates or schedules change

9

Weekly check-ins built into every package to keep your plan accurate

9

Trained in stamina and anxiety management for long study timelines

Real Results

Students Who Followed Their Plan Are Talking

From first-time takers to students who restarted their prep with a real plan, our tutors have guided physicians across the finish line.

  • Just finished my CK course with Medsmarter. Blessed to have met Dr.Untara Shaikh who guided me through out the course. The course here is completely focused on students. Tutor works... read more

    farhan anwar Avatar farhan anwar
    April 2, 2021

    Dr. Untara has helped me pass my Step 1 after my second year and my Step 2 at the end of my third year of medical school . The testing... read more

    Perla Jimenez Avatar Perla Jimenez
    September 2, 2023

    I did the Step 1 review program with MedSmarter Test Prep. That was the best decision I took. It was very thorough and well rounded. At the end of it... read more

    SANKEY MUSIC Avatar SANKEY MUSIC
    April 2, 2020

    I highly enjoyed my experience at Medmsarter. They had fast-paced reviews, and they made sure to only emphasize the high-yield material. I also really appreciated the personalized attention and camaraderie... read more

    Luvika Gupta Avatar Luvika Gupta
    April 2, 2021

    I want to thank dr. Untara and dr Hema for the incredible support and guidance throughout my USMLE journey ; the program was very thorough and they are VERY committed... read more

    Ruxandra Rosca Avatar Ruxandra Rosca
    September 2, 2023

    MedSmarter is the best for preparing the USMLE Steps. It provides with live classes and personalized coaching, thus bringing in perfection in each and every student. I am deeply grateful... read more

    Debasmita De Avatar Debasmita De
    April 2, 2022

    Medsmarter was a phenomenal experience. Before starting the program, I was trying to juggle several different resources and unsure how to approach studying for Step 1. Once the program started... read more

    Jay Avatar Jay
    April 2, 2021

    The owner of Medsmarter brought it to my attention that someone had posted a disparaging review using my name. I used Medsmarter to prepare for USMLE Step 2 and... read more

    Dr. A. Scott Parker IV Avatar Dr. A. Scott Parker IV
    April 2, 2017

    Too keep this short, I would not reccomend this as a place to prepare for your Comlex or USMLE if your goal is to pass. They are completely out the... read more

    miles davis Avatar miles davis
    April 2, 2020
  • Passed step 1 and just found out I have also passed step 2, all on my first attempt thanks to Dr. Untara/MedSmarter!!! I literally couldn’t have done this without her.... read more

    catherine nguyen Avatar catherine nguyen
    April 2, 2023

    Put yourself in MedSmarter's capable hands and never look back! I struggled with Step 1 prep for 2 years before discovering MedSmarter. Dr. Untara's dedication and investment in each... read more

    Natasha Singh Avatar Natasha Singh
    April 2, 2021

    I was looking for an intensive program for CS Prep and found MedSmarter through Google. I read that they had individualized attention, and that is what I was looking... read more

    Lydia Anikin Avatar Lydia Anikin
    April 2, 2020

    Trusting MedSmarter was the best investment I could have ever made for myself. I always struggled with testing and after sitting for Step 1 with no formal test prep and... read more

    Jada Bedeau Avatar Jada Bedeau
    December 2, 2023

    I used MedSmarter for step 2 CK prep and also for my residency personal statement and interview prep. Not only did I score twelve points higher than my highest... read more

    Rameez Siddiqui Avatar Rameez Siddiqui
    April 2, 2023

    Dr Untara Shaikh is one of the best mentors I have ever had. Over several months of hard work, she helped me achieve my dream Step 2 score. She is... read more

    Rimsha Arshad Avatar Rimsha Arshad
    September 20, 2024

    “I started with Medsmarter last fall after 2 failed attempts to take Step 1 in the previous year. The atmosphere in the class was more family friendly so that everyone... read more

    Moh Shawkat Avatar Moh Shawkat
    April 2, 2021

    I've now gone to Medsmarter for help for Step 1& 2 (CS & Ck). Passed Step 1 & CS first attempt and taking CK in a few weeks. This program... read more

    Amartej Deol Avatar Amartej Deol
    April 2, 2019

    Thank you to the owner Don for his patience and efforts, by helping me out with Proctoring on my final exam. I will be returning to do a one... read more

    Paula Coleman Avatar Paula Coleman
    April 2, 2020
  • Before I took my USMLE step 2 CS, I thought I was not ready for the exam and I needed help. I made the right decision to take a prep... read more

    jimmy JOSEPH Avatar jimmy JOSEPH
    April 2, 2019

    Great study experience. Very detail oriented

    sawrajpal singh Avatar sawrajpal singh
    April 2, 2023

    When I started the program I had been trying on my own and felt lost I didnt know where to start. Dr Untara Grounds you in a way that you... read more

    Aury Fernandez Avatar Aury Fernandez
    April 2, 2021

    I took the Step 1 review here. The facilities, staff, and curriculum are amazing, they keep class size small and gave me 1 on 1 attention to focus on where... read more

    Zuhair Hasan Avatar Zuhair Hasan
    April 2, 2020

    Wonderful family environment with structured curriculum.

    IC Cowboy Avatar IC Cowboy
    April 2, 2021

    I found the MedSmarter program extremely helpful. I not only attended the Step 1 Course, but I also did the one on one tutoring with Dr Untara. Dr... read more

    Barbara Bond Avatar Barbara Bond
    April 2, 2020

    I first found out about MedSmarter at an AMSA convention in Washington, DC. They had one of the most noticeable booths in the vendor's exhibit hall. I had quickly... read more

    Dr. Naheed Mann Avatar Dr. Naheed Mann
    April 2, 2022

    What a blessing MedSmarter has been! I cannot voice enough how thankful I am to them for all their help with my STEP 1 studying. I was not passing NBME... read more

    Mandy Hammond Avatar Mandy Hammond
    April 2, 2020

    Medsmarter is a great prep program if your interested in a focused and more individualized approach to studying for your USMLE Step exams. I am a detail oriented individual... read more

    Melanie Rookwood Avatar Melanie Rookwood
    April 2, 2017
  • I'm so appreciative and grateful with Dr Untara and Med Smarter team for helping me with Step 1 prep. I was lost to prepare me for this test but they... read more

    Wendoly M Vazquez Oliveras Avatar Wendoly M Vazquez Oliveras
    April 2, 2022

    Excellent, well thought out and well designed. This is a MUST-HAVE review program for anyone aspiring for USMLE.  Being a part of this program was most definitely a breath of fresh... read more

    Prashant Karkal Avatar Prashant Karkal
    April 2, 2017

    I would strongly recommend this course to anyone who is studying for the usmle exams. I am an American born Indian trained img and I enrolled in the 1 week... read more

    Annamalai Nadarajan Jr Avatar Annamalai Nadarajan Jr
    April 2, 2017

    Medsmarter has truly been a blessing in disguise. I was completely lost in my step 1 prep, one of my friend recommended me to try Medsmarter and it was the... read more

    Priyanka Pradhan Avatar Priyanka Pradhan
    April 2, 2023

    Medsmarter is second to none for USMLE prep. Dr. Untara is passionate, student focused, and effective in her approach to helping students. My experience has been nothing but positive in... read more

    Hashem Rifai Avatar Hashem Rifai
    January 2, 2024

    MedSmarter is such an amazing program. I am so thankful for Dr. Shaikh and her support throughout this entire program. Not only did she help clarify confusing concepts for me,... read more

    Lacey Carper Avatar Lacey Carper
    April 2, 2021

    Working with Dr. Untara for the preparation of my USMLE STEP 1 has been nothing but exceptional. Her commitment, professionalism and dedication were always outstanding, she guided me through the... read more

    Catherine Ricart García Avatar Catherine Ricart García
    September 2, 2023

    What a blessing MedSmarter has been! I cannot voice enough how thankful I am to them for all their help with my STEP 1 studying. I was not passing NBME... read more

    Mandy Hammond Avatar Mandy Hammond
    April 2, 2020

    Medsmarter is a great prep program if your interested in a focused and more individualized approach to studying for your USMLE Step exams. I am a detail oriented individual... read more

    Melanie Rookwood Avatar Melanie Rookwood
    April 2, 2017

For more visit our YouTube Channel

INDEPENDENT REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS FROM STUDENTS

We pride ourselves on building lasting relationships by being transparent and following the Golden Rule. Read what some of our previous students are saying about their experiences with MedSmarter’s instructors and programs.

What’s the Golden Rule… “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” … with honesty, integrity, hard work, and dedication. These are the core values that help shape aspiring doctors with medical skills and a good bedside manner. We aim to instill those same values in all of our students.

Common Questions

Personalized Study Plans — Your Questions Answered

Everything you need to know about how MedSmarter builds, delivers, and adjusts your study plan.

What is included in a MedSmarter study plan?

Every study plan includes a diagnostic assessment of your current knowledge and skills, a custom week-by-week roadmap built around your exam date and schedule, curated high-yield resources, a practice exam calendar, and ongoing weekly adjustments based on your progress. Plans are built by a physician tutor, not generated from a template.

How long does it take to receive my study plan?

After your free consultation and diagnostic assessment, most students receive their first draft study plan within 72 hours. Your tutor will walk you through it during your first session and adjust it based on your feedback and schedule.

Do I need to buy a tutoring package to get a study plan?

You can start with a single 2-hour diagnostic session to see a draft of your plan before committing to anything larger. Most students then choose a 10-, 20-, or 40-hour package so a tutor can actively help them follow and adjust the plan week to week.

How often is my study plan updated?

Your plan is reviewed during your live weekly sessions and adjusted based on your practice exam scores, question-bank performance, and how each topic is going. This keeps the schedule accurate instead of stale after the first draft.

How is a personalized study plan different from a generic schedule?

A generic schedule assumes every student needs the same amount of time on every subject. A MedSmarter study plan starts with a diagnostic assessment of your actual strengths and gaps, then allocates study time accordingly. It also adjusts weekly as your tutor reviews your practice data, rather than staying fixed for the entire prep period.

Can my study plan change if my exam date changes?

Yes. Your study plan is a living document, not a fixed printout. If you reschedule your exam, change specialties, or your residency or school schedule shifts, your tutor rebuilds the timeline around the new date at no extra cost.

Can I get a study plan for MCAT or COMLEX too?

Yes. MedSmarter builds personalized study plans for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3, as well as COMLEX Level 1 and Level 2, and the MCAT. The diagnostic-first approach and weekly adjustment process is the same across every exam.

Can I finance my study plan and tutoring package?

Yes. MedSmarter offers 0% APR financing through Affirm on all tutoring packages, allowing you to begin immediately and pay over time with no interest. Simply select Affirm at checkout when enrolling in any 10-, 20-, or 40-hour package. Learn more at medsmarter.com/affirm-educational-page/.

Ready for a Study Plan
Built Around Actually You?

Book a free, no-obligation 15-minute consultation with a MedSmarter Senior Advisor. We will review your exam date, schedule, and goals — and show you exactly how your custom study plan would look.

No commitment required · Open enrollment year-round · 0% APR financing via Affirm · 📞 1.678.944.7150