Board Buddy: USMLE Games

Board Buddy: USMLE Games

Pass Med School With Games!

19 ratings
10 reviews
Free
In-App Purchases

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • March 16, 2026
  • July 14, 2026

Features

Board Buddy: USMLE Games screenshot #1 for iPhone
Board Buddy: USMLE Games screenshot #2 for iPhone
Board Buddy: USMLE Games screenshot #3 for iPhone
Board Buddy: USMLE Games screenshot #4 for iPhone
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Board Buddy: USMLE Games screenshot #7 for iPhone
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About

This app transforms studying for the USMLE Step 1 into an engaging experience with interactive games. It offers free games for high-yield topics and a premium subscription for over 20 medical games, practice questions, and 3D anatomy.

Interactive study games
Active recall learning
High-yield topic focus
3,000+ practice questions
3D anatomy modules
AI-powered explanations
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What's New in Board Buddy

1.0.20

July 14, 2026

• Fixed subscription purchasing — checkout is now reliable even on slow connections • Leaderboards for every game across Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 • New games: Exam Speak, Risk Factor Recall, Screening, Monitor This, SAD PUCKER, Which Specialty? and more • Faster home screen and dozens of stability fixes

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Subscription plans

Monthly

Monthly Subscription to IvyMed's Step 1 Platform

$29.991 Month
7 Days trial
How to cancel Board Buddy subscription ⁉️

User reviews

Board Buddy Rocks!!

I rarely write reviews, but this app truly deserves one❤️! If you're tired or just not in the mood to study, this app is incredibly addictive!! It offers a ton of engaging games and learning options beyond the usual QBank and flashcards. I’m not an Anki fan, but with so much information needed to learn for these exams, active recall becomes essential, and this app makes it a fun and enjoyable experience. You’ll be studying without even noticing because this app makes learning exciting and fun!! Huge thanks for creating this masterpiece! I’m counting down the days for the Step 2CK and Step 3 versions!! 🙌🏼❤️
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Great and Helpful!

I was using Board Buddy daily, and it really helped me stay organized and manage my study time better. Simple, helpful, and great for staying consistent with preparation. Highly recommend!

Poor experience

Very poorly designed app probably vibe coded and has obvious design and functionality issues.

Response from developer

Thanks for your review! Could you send me an email at blake@ivytutoring.net so I can work on improving it?

Great concept, but not refined enough for $30/month

Love the many different categories of interactive games that help target weaknesses within specific topics and question types; however, the game is just not developed enough to justify a $30/months subscription price. A few issues I’ve had so far: falsely marking answers as incorrect, HY image section (which asks you to choose 1/4 histology/XR/CT images based on a diagnosis) will have completely unrelated answer choices, making the answer painfully obvious. The 3D anatomy identification is such a dope concept, but also isn’t well coded and very difficult to read. Don’t get me wrong this app is incredibly engaging and well organized, but it functions a bit more like a beta atm, so cannot say the price is justified
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Response from developer

Thank you SO much for your review! Can you send me a message at blake@ivytutoring.net? I want to let you try the version 2.0 that is coming out this month! I've fixed a lot of the issues that you addressed. I'd love to get your continued feedback and build features that you enjoy

Fun, fast and High yield learning !

I absolutely love this app.

BoardBuddy makes studying feel like a game, which is exactly what you need when you're tired and don’t feel like studying anymore. Instead of forcing yourself through more questions, you open the app and suddenly you're learning while actually enjoying it.

The USMLE Bingo feature is amazing it keeps your mind alert and focused. The timed questions push you to think quickly and move on, which is great practice for real exam conditions.

I also love how you can study specific topics like Arrows, Pathoma 1–3, pharmacology (beta blockers, alpha blockers), and more. You can create your own quizzes, review specific chapters, and track your progress easily.

It also includes NBME-style questions organized by form, which is a huge plus for exam prep.

Overall, BoardBuddy is the perfect balance between fun and high-yield studying. It keeps you engaged, motivated, and learning at the same time. If you’re preparing for Step 1, this is definitely an app you want to have.

Highly recommend 100% worth it.
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Developer apps

FAQ

What is Board Buddy?

Board Buddy is an interactive companion app designed for medical students to prepare for the USMLE Step 1 exam. It uses games and active recall methods to help students master high-yield topics.

Does Board Buddy have ads?

No, Board Buddy does not contain advertisements. The app operates on a freemium model, offering free games and an optional subscription for premium features.

What are the free features of Board Buddy?

Board Buddy offers four free games permanently: USMLE Bingo, Pathoma 1-3, HY Risk Factors, and Bugs & Drugs, covering essential high-yield topics.

What does the IvyMed Pro subscription include?

The IvyMed Pro subscription unlocks over 20 medical games, more than 3,000 practice questions, interactive 3D anatomy, a music library, and AI-powered explanations.

What kind of games are available in Board Buddy?

Games include HY ARROWS for arrow questions, DIAGNOSIS DETECTIVE for auscultation skills, BIOSTATS BATTLE for statistics, PICTURE QUIZ for pathology slides, and CLINICAL ECGs for rhythm strip analysis.

What devices is Board Buddy compatible with?

Board Buddy is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod, making it accessible on various Apple devices for studying on the go.

How often is Board Buddy updated?

The app was last updated on March 16, 2026, with version 1.2. This indicates ongoing development and potential for future content additions and improvements.

What is the age rating for Board Buddy?

Board Buddy has an age rating of 17+, which is appropriate for the target audience of medical students preparing for a professional licensing exam.