USMLE Step 1 is the first Step of the physician licensing exam. It has about 280 questions in 14 blocks of 30 minutes, given in one 8-hour day, and it is scored pass/fail. Reproductive and Endocrine Systems (12–16%) and Respiratory and Renal/Urinary Systems (11–15%) are the two largest published shares, and Cardiovascular gets the highest difficulty weighting in Study Scheduler.
11 topics, each with its share of the exam
Effective May 2026
8 hours, 9 hours, or two days
Ranked by share of the exam weighted against Study Scheduler's difficulty rating, not share alone, since a smaller topic rated harder can be worth more study time than a bigger, easier one.
Pathology · Physiology · Pharmacology · Gross Anatomy & Embryology
Pathology · Physiology · Pharmacology · Gross Anatomy & Embryology
Pathology · Physiology · Pharmacology · Gross Anatomy & Embryology
Every topic in the official USMLE content outline, with its share of the exam. Study Scheduler allocates your study hours in this same proportion automatically.
The content outline groups questions by organ system, such as Reproductive and Endocrine, Respiratory and Renal/Urinary, Cardiovascular and Gastrointestinal, plus Multisystem Processes and Human Development. Each question also draws on a discipline like pathology, physiology or pharmacology, so the plan rotates through those while you study each system.
Reproductive and Endocrine Systems, at 12–16% of the exam. Respiratory and Renal/Urinary Systems is next at 11–15%, followed by Behavioral Health and Nervous Systems/Special Senses at 10–14%. The outline classifies each question more than one way, so the percentages overlap.
Yes. Step 1 reports pass or fail, and your score report marks each content area as lower, the same or higher than a low-pass examinee. Enter those ratings in setup if you are retaking and the plan puts more time into the areas marked lower.
For how many hours to budget, week-by-week study plans, and how Study Scheduler weights your plan — see the full USMLE study guide.
Your schedule combines topic study, review, mock practice, and time away. Actual blocks depend on your exam, study budget, and days off.
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