# The Exact NBME Order

> Which NBME form to take when, from 26 through 33, what each one tells you, and the score thresholds that signal readiness.

URL: https://vault-guides.vercel.app/nbme-order.html
Canonical: https://vault-guides.vercel.app/nbme-order.html

## Summary

The exact order for USMLE Step 1 NBME forms 26 through 33, grouped into four stages rather than eight separate events. NBME 26 is taken first for confidence. NBME 27 and 28 are the real baseline and are taken only after Foundation Anki, a full First Aid read through the First Aid Guide, and AMBOSS 200 are complete for every system; whatever they expose becomes the syllabus for the next round. NBME 29 and 30 follow a repair round of Mehlman videos with First Aid open alongside. NBME 31, 32 and 33 come after the NBME Series Anki deck is finished system by system, and are given as 31 in 10 blocks of 20, 32 paired with the Med School Guru Free 120, and 33 paired with the real Free 120.

## Key facts

- NBME 26 goes first, in blocks, for confidence rather than judgement
- Before NBME 27 and 28: Foundation Anki every system (~2,400 cards, ~400/day), First Aid read and understood via the First Aid Guide, and AMBOSS 200 high-yield concepts every system
- NBME 27 and 28 are the real baseline; what they expose is the syllabus for 29 and 30
- Before NBME 29 and 30: Mehlman videos for every system with First Aid open alongside, repairing only what 27 and 28 exposed
- Before NBME 31, 32 and 33: the NBME Series Anki deck, roughly 3,500 cards, run system by system and never form by form
- Give 31 in 10 blocks of 20, 32 paired with the Med School Guru Free 120, and 33 paired with the real Free 120
- Every form offline, blocks of 20 questions in 30 minutes, first pass finished by 23 minutes leaving 5-7 minutes spare
- Ready means above 67-68% on all three of 31, 32 and 33, consecutively and progressively

## Covers

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## Source

USMLE Vault — https://usmlevault.com
Author: Dr. Marish Asudani

Updated: 2026-08-26