Also covers USMLE Step 3 | Small group live sessions | Taught by a Cardiovascular Fellow since 2013
Preparing for the USMLE Step 2 CK requires strong clinical reasoning, structured review, and focused exam practice. The USMLEStrike Step 2 CK course is a live online small group program led by Dr. Apurva Popat, a Cardiovascular Disease Fellow and former Chief Resident in Internal Medicine at Marshfield Clinic Health System. Running since 2013, this course has helped over 5,000 medical students — primarily IMGs — build clinical decision-making skills, improve NBME assessment scores, and progress confidently toward residency. The program also integrates USMLE Step 3 content, making it a complete clinical phase prep solution in a single course.
Preparing for the USMLE Step 2 CK requires a structured approach, strong clinical understanding, and focused practice. At USMLE Strike, our Step 2 CK prep course is designed to help medical students strengthen their clinical knowledge, improve decision-making skills, and perform confidently on test day.
This comprehensive exam prep program also supports students preparing for Step 3, making it an ideal pathway for learners progressing through the clinical phase of the USMLE journey.
Our USMLE Step 2 CK live program is delivered live online, giving you direct access to experienced instructors while maintaining flexibility during your study period. Through focused Step 2 CK preparation, you will develop a deeper understanding of clinical science essential for managing patients and answering complex multiple-choice questions—skills that are equally valuable for Step 3 clinical decision-making.
This course is built for:
Discounts for Existing Students: Current USMLE Step 1 students may be eligible for discounts up to 50%.
Dr. Apurva Popat does not teach from static slides. Every session uses a live digital board where concepts are built visually as the session progresses. Students ask questions in real time, participate in case discussions, and receive immediate feedback. This approach mirrors the way Step 2 CK questions are structured — around clinical reasoning, not content recall.
Sessions are conducted on Microsoft Teams or Zoom. All sessions are recorded, so students who miss a live class or want to review a topic can access recordings at any time.
This course is not purely exam-focused. Dr. Popat emphasizes applying clinical knowledge to real patient scenarios — integrating epidemiology, diagnostics, and treatment planning the way a physician actually thinks. Students consistently report that this approach improves their clinical rotations, not just their exam scores.
About Course Creator
Dr. Apurva Popat
5,000+
students trained
11
courses
Since 2013
teaching IMGs
Dr. Apurva Popat is well-known for his clear visual explanations using a digital board. A passionate educator who began teaching USMLE courses while still in medical school, he is the founder and CEO of USMLE Strike — dedicated to guiding medical students through every step of their USMLE journey with a unique blend of academic rigor and motivational support.
Currently serving as a Cardiovascular Disease Fellow and former Chief Resident in Internal Medicine at Marshfield Clinic Health System, Dr. Apurva Popat has guided thousands of international medical graduates (IMGs) toward successful residency placements. He emphasizes the critical connection between basic sciences and real-world clinical reasoning — inspiring future physicians to think both critically and compassionately.
USMLE Strike’s USMLE® Step 2 CK program provides integrated preparation that supports both Step 2 CK and Step 3 learners.
Key benefits include:
Our approach ensures students develop both exam confidence and strong clinical foundations before moving forward in their medical careers.
This section covers Day 1 to Day 9 rapid-review sessions, including multiple parts on key Internal Medicine topics. Each day focuses on high-yield concepts, clinical cases, and quick-revision points essential for Step 2 CK success.
This module focuses on the most frequently tested risk factors across Internal Medicine, Surgery, OBGYN, and Pediatrics. Each part highlights high-yield associations that help you quickly identify key clinical triggers during Step 2 CK questions.
This module covers essential behavioural science and psychiatry principles frequently tested in clinical scenarios. It focuses on patient communication, psychiatric diagnoses, and high-yield concepts crucial for Step 2 CK decision-making.
This module covers Day 1 to Day 5 of multi-system rapid review sessions, focusing on disorders that involve multiple organ systems. Each day highlights high-yield mechanisms, diagnostic patterns, and management essentials commonly tested on Step 2 CK.
This module covers 3 days of rapid OBGYN review, focusing on high-yield obstetrics and gynecology topics. Each part helps you master core clinical scenarios, diagnostic steps, and management principles frequently tested on Step 2 CK.
This module focuses on challenging clinical and ethical scenarios commonly tested in Step 2 CK. It helps you master decision-making, patient rights, consent, and professionalism through high-yield case-based discussions.
This section includes USMLE Strike Parts 1–10, covering core high-yield concepts, followed by Part 11 (Ethics) and Part 12, with Parts 13–15 dedicated to OBGYN Rapid Review Days 1–3. Together, these resources provide structured notes supporting every module of your Step 2 CK preparation.
The USMLEStrike Step 2 CK course is a live online small group program taught by Dr. Apurva Popat. It covers over 4,000 high-yield clinical concepts through weekly or biweekly sessions on Zoom or Microsoft Teams. All sessions are recorded for flexible review. The course also integrates USMLE Step 3 content, making it a complete clinical phase prep program in a single enrollment.
Yes. The USMLEStrike Step 2 CK course is structured as a hybrid program that covers both Step 2 CK and Step 3 clinical content within a single enrollment. Students who complete this course enter their Step 3 preparation with a strong clinical foundation already in place. This makes it one of the few live online USMLE prep programs that integrates both exams without requiring a separate course.
Dr. Apurva Popat is the founder and CEO of USMLEStrike and a practicing Cardiovascular Disease Fellow at Marshfield Clinic Health System. He began teaching USMLE courses in 2013 while in medical school and has since trained over 5,000 students, primarily IMGs. He is known for his digital board-based teaching style, which builds clinical reasoning visually rather than relying on static slides. His approach helps students think through Step 2 CK questions rather than simply recall content.
The program identifies knowledge gaps through board-style question review, strengthens clinical reasoning through case-based teaching, and provides a realistic exam experience through NBME-style practice. Students report an average of 20+ points improvement in NBME assessment scores and a 40% higher rate of selecting the correct answer on first attempt in question banks.
Most students need 2–4 months of focused preparation. The USMLE Step 2 CK passing score increased to 218 as of July 2025, making structured preparation more important than ever, particularly for IMGs targeting competitive specialties. This course helps you use that time efficiently with guided sessions, recorded lectures, and a structured study framework.
Sessions are conducted live on Zoom or Microsoft Teams in a small group format. All sessions are recorded and accessible after the class, making the course suitable for students on clinical rotations or with variable weekly schedules.
Yes. Students currently enrolled in the USMLEStrike Step 1 course may be eligible for a discount of up to 50% on the Step 2 CK course. Contact the team directly to confirm eligibility before enrolling.
UWorld is a question bank — it provides practice questions and answer explanations. This course provides live instruction, concept building, personalized guidance, and a structured study plan. Most students use UWorld alongside this course rather than as a replacement for it.
Students report an average of 20+ points improvement in NBME assessment scores after completing the course, along with a 40% higher rate of selecting the correct answer on first attempt in question banks. Individual results vary based on baseline score and study consistency.
