Understanding Qmax Test Settings

With USMLE-Rx, you can create custom tests to cover Step 1 or Step 2 content. Test Settings allow you to tailor each test to where you are in your study process by selecting which questions are included. 

Question Difficulty

Question difficulty is based on overall student performance: 

• Easy: More than 80% of students have answered correctly
• Medium: Between 61% and 80% of students have answered correctly 
• Hard: Fewer than 61% of students have answered correctly.

When you start using Qmax, focusing on Easy questions can help you build foundational knowledge and confidence. As you progress, it is important to incorporate Medium and Hard questions to better simulate exam conditions and identify knowledge gaps.

Question Status

Question Status allows you to filter questions based on your prior usage history.

• Unused: Includes questions you have never seen before

• Used: Includes questions that have appeared in at least one prior test

If you are just getting started, you can check the unused box, which will include all of the questions in Qmax. After you have completed several tests, you may choose to include Used questions to reinforce learning or reassess prior performance. Note that if a test is deleted, those questions return to Unused unless they appear on another test.

Answer Status

Answer Status allows you to filter questions based on how you previously answered them. 

For example, you may choose to create a test consisting only of questions you answered incorrectly. This is particularly useful for targeted remediation and reinforcing weak areas. 

Mark Status

Mark status allows you to include only questions you have flagged using the flag icon in the top menu. This is useful for reviewing questions you identified as important, confusing, or worth revisiting.

Test mode

• Tutor: Receive immediate feedback after selecting an answer. You may try again until you select the correct answer. The first answer selected is used for grading.
• Timed: Answer questions within a set time per question. Feedback is shown after the test is submitted, and the last answer selected is used for grading.
• Untimed: Same as Timed mode, but with no time limit per question. Feedback is shown after the test is submitted.