Courses
  The PASS Program is unique in that it offers a completely integrated approach to the United States Medical Licensing Examination. This is the only program of its kind in the country that offers individualized one-on-one tutoring in addition to classroom instruction. All instructors are former PASS Program students who have already passed the same exams they are helping other students to pass. Therefore, the instructors are speaking from a standpoint of experience. Each instructor is willing to share their individualized experience at the PASS program and how the program has significantly impacted their respective careers.

• USMLE Step 1: We teach students a more thorough and integrated approach to learning and, ultimately, mastering medical information.
• USMLE Step 2: We teach students how to use their knowledge in the basic medical sciences and apply it clinically. We teach the student how to understand and explain pathological issues as well as explain normal events.
• USMLE Step 3: We teach students how to thoroughly evaluate a patient through completing a history and physical. We teach them how to formulate a sound diagnostic and therapeutic plan. We teach them how to decide what complete and thorough follow-up is. We also show students how all this still relates back to a firm understanding of basic physiology and biochemistry.

Format
  Classes are held five days a week. And all students are expected to attend all classes. It is during these classes that students are taught what a concept is and how to formulate them over time. The classes are also taught only in a high yield format. As I tell students all the time, it is not necessary to know everything. But, there are some things that you have to know in order to figure out everything else. Time is a medical student’s most precious commodity. Therefore, it is imperative that he or she is taught how to decide what information is actually important, and what information can be derived.

  Classes are held for only 5 to 6 hours a day, ending in the early afternoons. Therefore, students have adequate time to study and digest the information that was discussed in class. We encourage small group “ drill sessions” to help solidify memory and recall. But, each student should first study his or her notes first. Students also have time on the weekends to study their notes. Thus, as one can discern, a student has more than enough out of class time to study, as long as that student is making good use of time.

  Each student is guaranteed a minimum of two one-on-one sessions weekly with one of our clinical instructors. This allows students to get much needed feedback on their progress at the beginning and at the end of each week. During these sessions, the instructor will initially guide a student through the proper way to approach the standardized multiple-choice questions. After 2 to 3 of these guided sessions, the student will then begin doing these questions in the presence of the clinical instructor. By observing and hearing the student think out loud, the clinical instructor is able then to identify a student’s weaknesses, misunderstandings, and strengths. The instructor will then give immediate feedback, in a positive and constructive manner, which will help correct the weaknesses and misunderstandings. In addition, we will give positive reinforcement to increase the strengths. In short, these sessions are designed to “ fine tune” a student’s knowledge, organizational and test-taking skills. These one –on-one sessions do the most to help any student overcome any academic problems he or she may be experiencing. And, as far as I know, we are the only national boards review program that offers this on a regular basis.

  We also offer several simulated testing stations available at the center. Students are allowed to do mini-comprehensive exams on weekends to help them overcome the anxiety of test taking.

  Voice recording of the lectures is welcomed. We realize that many students are auditory learners. And some students may need this additional tool in order to have complete notes. However, any type of videotaping is strictly forbidden, unless written permission is obtained from the course director, Dr. Francis Ihejirika.