Boards and Beyond USMLE Step 1 Review [2026]

Boards and Beyond (B&B) is a video lecture platform created by Dr. Jason Ryan, a board-certified internist and medical educator. It covers the full Step 1 content outline through short (10–25 minute) videos mapped to First Aid chapters.

For students who need a strong conceptual foundation before diving into QBank practice, B&B fills a gap that no textbook or flashcard deck can.

Key Takeaways

• ~400+ videos covering all Step 1 subjects, organized by organ system and mapped to First Aid chapters.
• Pricing: ~$299/year or ~$169 for 6 months.
• Best for building conceptual understanding during M1/M2 and early dedicated study.
• Pairs well with First Aid (annotation) and UWorld (application).

What Boards and Beyond Covers

B&B's video library spans every subject on Step 1:

Each video is taught in a whiteboard-lecture format with clear diagrams. Dr. Ryan explains mechanisms rather than listing facts, which makes complex topics (renal physiology, cardiac pathology, metabolic pathways) significantly more approachable than reading First Aid alone.

Where B&B Works Best

Preclinical years. Watch B&B videos alongside your M1/M2 coursework, then annotate First Aid with the concepts Dr. Ryan explains. This creates a solid foundation before dedicated study.

Conceptual understanding. If you read a topic in First Aid and don't understand the "why" behind it, B&B's video on that topic will explain the mechanism. It bridges the gap between memorizing facts and understanding systems.

Weak area remediation. During dedicated study, if your NBME performance profile flags a system as "Lower," watching the corresponding B&B videos and then drilling QBank questions in that system is one of the most efficient remediation approaches.

Where B&B Falls Short

Not enough for pathology. B&B covers pathology, but Pathoma (Dr. Sattar) goes deeper and teaches pathology more systematically. Most students use Pathoma for pathology and B&B for everything else — especially physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology.

No built-in practice questions. B&B includes some quiz questions at the end of videos, but nothing approaching a QBank. You need UWorld or Amboss alongside it.

Time-intensive if used during dedicated. Watching 400+ videos takes significant time. During dedicated study, B&B should be used selectively for weak areas — not watched from start to finish.

Boards and Beyond vs Pathoma vs Sketchy

Most students don't need all three. A common stack: B&B for physiology and biochemistry, Pathoma for pathology, Sketchy for microbiology and pharmacology.

How to Use B&B in Your Study Plan

During M1/M2: Watch B&B videos that correspond to your current organ system block. Annotate First Aid with key concepts. Review via AnKing Anki cards tagged to B&B.

During dedicated (targeted): Don't try to watch everything during dedicated. Use B&B only for systems where your NBME profile shows "Lower" performance. Watch the relevant videos, then do a QBank block in that system.

Do not use B&B as a substitute for QBank practice. Watching videos is passive learning. You must apply what you learned through UWorld questions to build exam-ready reasoning.

You can purchase B&B directly at boardsandbeyond.com.

For a complete study schedule, see our USMLE Step 1 Study Plan. For a comparison of all prep resources, read our Best USMLE Step 1 QBanks & Prep Courses review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boards and Beyond worth it for Step 1?

Yes, especially if you learn better from video lectures than from textbooks. B&B provides the conceptual framework that makes QBank questions and First Aid facts click.

Should I watch all B&B videos before dedicated?

Ideally, yes — watch them alongside your M1/M2 coursework. During dedicated study, use B&B selectively for weak systems rather than trying to watch the entire library.

Is B&B better than Pathoma?

They serve different roles. B&B covers all subjects; Pathoma covers only pathology but does it better. Most students use both.

Does B&B replace First Aid?

No. B&B teaches concepts through video; First Aid organizes facts for reference and annotation. They complement each other — B&B explains, First Aid summarizes.

For the complete exam overview, see our USMLE Step 1 Guide.