Comparison

USMLE Surgery PreTest vs Case Files Surgery

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

Head to head
About

USMLE Surgery PreTest

Prepare for medical licensure and shelf exams with extensive practice questions and detailed explanations. This app offers a comprehensive review of key surgical concepts, helping you master the material for your professional career.

Highlights
  • 390+ practice questions
  • Detailed explanations with images
  • 110+ tough quiz questions
  • Unlimited access to all surgical categories
  • Detailed results tracking
  • In-depth statistics
Features
Read full description

PreTest is the closest you can get to seeing the test before you take it! Great for course review and preparation for the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) and shelf exams, Surgery by PreTest puts everything you need to know right at your fingertips. Install the free version today and jump-start your studying! We have provided a limited free version of the app that you can try before deciding to upgrade. This version includes a limited amount of practice questions and basic progress metrics. Subscribe today and get access to: • 390+ practice questions • Detailed explanations with images • Developed by experts • 110+ tough quiz questions • Unlimited access to ALL categories: • Neurosurgery, otolaryngology • Critical care, trauma • Urology, orthopedics • Skin, oncology • Detailed results tracking • In depth statistics that display your strengths and weaknesses Topics include: · Pre- and Postoperative Care · Critical Care · Skin · Trauma and Shock · Transplants, Immunology, and Oncology · Endocrine Problems and the Breast · Gastrointestinal Tract, Liver, and Pancreas · Cardiothoracic Problems · Peripheral Vascular Problems · Urology · Orthopedics · Neurosurgery · Otolaryngology · Pediatric Surgery By offering a rigorous review of key concepts and facts, Surgery PreTest for the USMLE Step 2 gives you the knowledge you need to master the USMLE and medical boards to begin your rewarding professional career. Get access to all questions when you subscribe: • 1 Month: one auto-renewing payment of $12.99 • 12 Months: one auto-renewing payment of $39.99 This app offers two auto-renewing subscription options to help you pass your exam. -Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase -Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period -Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal -Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase -Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable These prices are for United States customers. Pricing in other countries may vary and actual charges may be converted to your local currency depending on the country of residence. Our Customer Success Team is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday - Friday (except on major holidays). Call us at 319-246-5271 and email us at support@hltcorp.com with any questions. Privacy Policy - http://builtbyhlt.com/privacy Terms of Conditions - http://builtbyhlt.com/EULA

About

Case Files Surgery

Prepare for surgery exams with high-yield clinical cases designed for rapid learning. This app guides you through diagnosis and management, helping you think like a clinician under pressure. Master essential concepts for USMLE and shelf exams with step-by-step reasoning and key takeaways.

Highlights
  • 58 high-yield clinical cases
  • Step-by-step clinical reasoning
  • Key takeaways and rapid review
  • Designed for fast retention
  • Seamless progress tracking
  • Case-based review
Features
Read full description

Pass Surgery—Fast - Prepare for your surgery exams with high-yield clinical cases designed for rapid, focused learning. Case Files: Surgery helps you think like a clinician and perform under pressure. Learn Through Real Clinical Cases - Each case mirrors real exam scenarios, guiding you step-by-step through diagnosis, management, and decision-making. Built for Intense Exam Prep - When time is limited, focus on what matters most: -58 high-yield clinical cases -Step-by-step clinical reasoning -Key takeaways and rapid review -Designed for fast retention Master Surgery for Your Exams - Ideal for USMLE Step 1 and shelf exams, this app helps you prepare efficiently and confidently. Study Anywhere, Anytime -Quick case-based review -Seamless progress tracking -Study in minutes or deep sessions Trusted by Medical Students -Proven Case Files® series -Real-world clinical scenarios -High-yield, exam-focused content -Built for results Written by experienced academic surgeons and educators. Privacy Policy: https://expandedapps.com/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://expandedapps.com/terms-of-use/ Sixth Edition

Screenshots

USMLE Surgery PreTest4 screens
Case Files Surgery4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: USMLE Surgery PreTest at 80% against Case Files Surgery's 50%. USMLE Surgery PreTest also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 17 months) and ratings volume (38 vs 1). Case Files Surgery's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. USMLE Surgery PreTest sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $15.99 per month and Case Files Surgery sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Case Files Surgery holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: USMLE Surgery PreTest has 38 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of USMLE Surgery PreTest's written reviews are positive against 50% of Case Files Surgery's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

USMLE Surgery PreTest ships an update fortnightly, Case Files Surgery every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
USMLE Surgery PreTest versus Case Files Surgery: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUSMLE Surgery PreTestCase Files Surgery
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (38 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings38 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 17 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size126 MB24 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperHigher Learning TechnologiesExpanded Apps

Customer experience

USMLE Surgery PreTest

All ratings38 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral2.6%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

Case Files Surgery

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

USMLE Surgery PreTest

Subscriptions2
  • PreTest Surgery - 1 month3 Days trial$15.991 Month
  • PreTEst - 12 Months3 Days trial$49.991 Year
8 purchases

Case Files Surgery

Subscriptions5
  • 1 Week$7.997 Days
  • Weekly$11.997 Days
  • 1 Month$14.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Monthly$19.991 Month
  • 1 Year$89.991 Year
One-time3
  • Lifetime Access$24.99
  • Case Files Surgery 6e$39.99
  • Lifetime Access$39.99

Questions

Is USMLE Surgery PreTest free?
USMLE Surgery PreTest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Case Files Surgery free?
Case Files Surgery is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, USMLE Surgery PreTest or Case Files Surgery?
Case Files Surgery is rated higher. USMLE Surgery PreTest averages 4.8 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while Case Files Surgery averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do USMLE Surgery PreTest or Case Files Surgery have ads?
Neither USMLE Surgery PreTest nor Case Files Surgery shows ads.
Which is updated more often, USMLE Surgery PreTest or Case Files Surgery?
USMLE Surgery PreTest ships an update fortnightly, and Case Files Surgery every 17 months. Most recently, USMLE Surgery PreTest was updated on November 1, 2026 and Case Files Surgery on November 3, 2026.

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