Comparison

Core Step Prep vs SchoolModeApp

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Core Step Prep

This platform offers a high-yield question bank and study tools designed for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK preparation. It focuses on recurring exam concepts with expert-crafted questions, actionable analytics, and realistic practice interfaces. Enhance your board prep with targeted study blocks and detailed explanations.

Highlights
  • High-yield USMLE-style questions
  • Step 1 + Step 2 CK coverage
  • Expert-crafted questions
  • Actionable analytics
  • Customizable quizzes
  • Realistic exam interface
  • Detailed explanations
  • Flashcards with spaced repetition
Features
Read full description

CoreStepPrep brings your USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 study workflow to iPhone, iPad, and native Mac. Build focused question blocks, study detailed explanations, and connect practice with notes, flashcards, reference documents, and progress insights. Your eligible access and study activity stay connected with the CoreStepPrep website. PRACTICE WITH PURPOSE • Create Tutor or Exam blocks by bank, system, discipline, difficulty, and question status • Use Smart blocks, saved presets, question IDs, and assigned curriculum blocks • Keep notes, bookmarks, highlights, scratch paper, calculator, and reference labs close to your questions • Continue already-loaded sessions when your connection is interrupted, with visible save and recovery status • Review correct, incorrect, and unanswered questions, then build focused remediation practice BUILD YOUR STUDY LIBRARY • Search and organize notes with folders and tags; export CSV, Markdown, or PDF • Review and manage flashcards, and export eligible personal or premium Anki decks • Read high-yield documents with contents, search, zoom, favorites, and saved reading progress • Search Core Concepts and move between questions and related explanations UNDERSTAND YOUR PROGRESS • Resume your work from Today and follow recent activity • Explore system and discipline results, accuracy, usage, and available peer comparisons • Use native USMLE, Shelf/CMS, and osteopathic prediction tools • Browse session history and revisit completed reviews MADE FOR APPLE DEVICES • A compact iPhone workspace and adaptive iPad and Mac sidebars • Native touch, pointer, and keyboard controls • Handoff, shortcuts, and links that return to your study context • Widgets and Live Activities on supported iPhone and iPad devices • Question of the Day, Live Quiz, and contextual support Some content and features require eligible CoreStepPrep access. Step 1 and Step 2 access may be purchased separately. Subscription availability and terms are shown before purchase. Internet access is required to load new content and synchronize changes; offline continuation applies to sessions already loaded on that device. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://corestepprep.com/#/privacy

About

SchoolModeApp

Features
Read full description

SchoolMode – Focus Starts Here SchoolMode helps schools, teachers, and parents reduce smartphone distractions during class time — without confiscation, confrontation, or complex hardware. Using QR-based check-in and native device restrictions, SchoolMode encourages students to place their phones into a focused, distraction-free state while remaining safe and reachable. Why SchoolMode? Smartphones are one of the biggest challenges in today’s classrooms. SchoolMode provides a simple, respectful, and effective solution that works with students instead of against them. No phone collection No special lockers or pouches No invasive monitoring Just clear rules, clear moments, and restored attention. Key Features QR Check-In Students scan a QR code when entering class to activate SchoolMode instantly. Focus Enforcement Encourages the use of device Focus / restriction modes to limit distractions during class time. Session-Based Control SchoolMode activates only during defined periods (class, exams, study sessions). Activity Logs Schools and teachers can review session participation and basic compliance logs. Teacher-Friendly No technical setup required. Works in seconds. Parent-Approved No spying, no content access, no private data inspection. Multi-Use Ready Perfect for: Schools & universities Exams & study halls Libraries & training centers Events & workshops Privacy & Safety First SchoolMode is built with privacy as a core principle: No access to personal content No message, photo, or app tracking No location tracking outside active sessions Data is used only to operate the service Your data remains yours. For Schools & Institutions SchoolMode integrates easily into existing school rules and policies, helping institutions: Reduce classroom distractions Improve attention and learning outcomes Support teachers without adding workload For Parents SchoolMode helps reinforce healthy phone habits during school hours while ensuring students remain reachable if needed. Our Philosophy SchoolMode is not about punishment. It’s about teaching focus, responsibility, and balance in a digital world.

Screenshots

Core Step Prep3 screens
SchoolModeApp3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SchoolModeApp at none against Core Step Prep's 6. SchoolModeApp also leads on iOS requirement (16.6 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Core Step Prep sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. SchoolModeApp asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Core Step Prep ships an update every 4 days, SchoolModeApp every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Core Step Prep versus SchoolModeApp: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCore Step PrepSchoolModeApp
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.016.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB64 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperTerry TrentMathieu Rauzier

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Core Step Prep

Subscriptions6
  • USMLE Step 1 Qbank - 1 wk access$9.997 Days
  • USMLE Step 2 CK Qbank - 1 wk access$9.997 Days
  • USMLE Step 1 Qbank - 1 mo. access$29.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • USMLE Step 2 CK Qbank - 1 mo access$29.991 Month
  • USMLE Step 2 CK Qbank - 6 mo access$99.996 Months
  • USMLE Step 1 Qbank - 6 mo access$99.996 Months
None

SchoolModeApp

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Core Step Prep free?
Core Step Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SchoolModeApp free?
SchoolModeApp is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Core Step Prep or SchoolModeApp have ads?
Neither Core Step Prep nor SchoolModeApp shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Core Step Prep or SchoolModeApp?
Core Step Prep ships an update every 4 days, and SchoolModeApp every 5 days. Most recently, Core Step Prep was updated on September 30, 2026 and SchoolModeApp on September 20, 2026.

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