PASS Program (pass-program.com) has a 4.7 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 60 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Education & Training and its reputation is excellent. Praise is nearly unanimous, with 92% rating it 4 stars or higher; The business has replied to 75% of negative reviews; 34 of them were added in the last 12 months. Last updated 2026-08-10.
I came to PASS Program with alot of doubts ,uncertainty and lack confidence as a prepared for the USMLE exams. I enrolled for Step 1 preparation with PASS Program, followed their guidance and rules and I Passed. I share my step 1 preparation story and how i passed fews months ago.
I returned to PASS program for my Step2 Preparations and i passed the Step 2 at first attempt. My eyes were open to see more clues and concepts,I clicked and moved. I follow the rules and I Passed. I appreciate all the staff members of the PASS program for providing the supportive environment for us to succeed. I always appreciate Dr Francis for breaking down medicine to it simplest form. May God bless you and keep you always sir.
I highly recommended the program.
Great program. Found it very helpful for laying a foundation for how to go about studying. I do think that this would work best for those who have at least a decent amount of content foundation. The pace is very fast and it feels as though this almost requires the program be done twice to truly maximize its effect. For the most part the staff themself were very friendly and quick to respond when I sought help. I definitely plan on doing it a second time when content has been solidified.
The study videos were so easy to follow and the flashcards were amazing!
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Patrick · 1 review · Verified · Experienced 2026-04-09 ·
★★★★★
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
When I came to the PASS Program, I was struggling with Step 1. Although I needed some content review, I also knew that I needed help with my confidence. The program was recommended to me by a mentor, and this has completely changed my relationship not just to Step 1, but to medical school. Dr. Francis taught me how to properly study and approach these problems that USMLE and medical school challenge their students with. I never would have imagined I would see what he saw - that the test is not all that bad when you're organized. It completely changed the way I review and synthesize material. I would recommend this program to anybody, especially those starting medical school. Had I been aware of the program before school began over two years ago, I would have come to the program to build a foundation. My only regret is I never came sooner.
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Marco Banda · 1 review · Verified · Experienced 2026-05-22 ·
★★★★★
My experiPASS Program: Rebuilding Clinical Confidence and USMLE Readiness After Years Away From Medical Schoolence with the PASS Program…
My experience with the PASS Program online course has been excellent. What impressed me the most was how effective the teaching methodology is at simplifying complex concepts and helping students truly integrate and apply knowledge instead of just memorizing facts. All the lectures were highly engaging, organized, and clinically oriented, and the instructors clearly understand the challenges USMLE students face. I also appreciated the structure of the platform, the focus on test-taking strategies, and the consistent emphasis on active learning and pattern recognition.
People who left contact info didn't respond to emails I sent them: phoebe pochcial dr. González Hernández.
I worked with a tutor on my own for drilling and evaluating my assessments.
Selectively attended step 1 lectures, but attended all step 2 CK lectures .
I had a PDF of the course textbook, but no access to a physical copy.
Hard to get noticed online.
Minimal improvement on assessments before and after pass.
Surprise to no access to morning questions link after course date.
This course was an excellent experience. It helped me connect and organize what I already knew while building new understanding in a very clear and practical way. The exam taking strategies helped reduce my fear and anxiety about exams. Dr. Francis and all the staff were amazing. The entire learning experience was motivating and enjoyable.
The PASS Program for Step 1 completely changed the way I approach studying and organizing medical knowledge. Before joining the program, I often felt overwhelmed trying to memorize disconnected facts. PASS helped me systematically organize concepts into patterns and connections that actually make sense clinically and for the exam.
What stood out most was how the program taught me to think in a structured, pattern-based way rather than just memorizing isolated information. It helped me build stronger frameworks for understanding pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, and physiology in an integrated manner. The explanations, strategies, and question dissection techniques made difficult concepts much easier to retain and apply.
I now feel significantly more confident in my preparation and much more equipped to tackle Step 1 with a clear strategy and mindset. I truly look forward to passing my exam and continuing with the PASS Program for the next USMLE step. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to strengthen both their medical knowledge and their clinical reasoning approach.
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Shalom George · 1 review · Experienced 2026-04-15 ·
★★★★★
I had failed STEP2 before this class…
I had failed STEP2 before this class and was feeling pretty hopeless. This morning I woke up to a pass score on STEP2! Phenomenal program! If you trust the process and Dr. Francis’ teaching, you’ll definitely get through an excel. Also amazing tutors (shout out to Dr. Merzier). Worth your money and your time. It’s a phenomenal community to be a part of not just during the program but beyond. God is with you! Don’t be discouraged. The best is yet to come!
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CBA · 5 reviews · Experienced 2026-04-13 ·
★★★★★
Brilliant Lectures, But the Tutoring System Ruined My $9,200 Experience
I competed the 5‑week program, and I'm leaving deeply disappointed—not because of the lectures, but because of a fundamentally broken tutoring system.
The Good (The Lectures)
The founder, Dr. Francis, and the majority of the lecturers are exceptional. Dr. Francis has a gift for breaking down complex concepts in a way that sticks. What some reviewers call "tangents," I see as relaxed, memory‑retaining diversions that actually help you absorb the material without stress. About 70% of the staff are great, and the overall atmosphere is conducive to studying—provided you don't need tutoring.
The Fatal Flaw (Tutoring & Communication)
The tutoring department is a mess. Here's what happened:
· My session was originally scheduled for a Tuesday. When I logged in to confirm the time, I discovered it had been moved to Monday—with no direct notification. I missed it.
· When I reached out, my tutor was nonchalant about the miscommunication and flatly stated it couldn't be made up.
· In Week 1, I emailed my assigned tutor and never received a reply.
· Result: I'm in Week 4 and have had only one tutoring session.
When you point out that their explanations don't make sense, the tutoring leadership gets defensive. The tone of their emails suggests they don't actually care about the students' progress—it feels like their real goal is pushing you to buy extra tutoring sessions. At 10 per question**—steep for a program already costing thousands.
Trust & Professionalism
I initially trusted Dr. Francis and the staff, but my experience with the tutoring director and their team has completely tarnished that trust. Professional leadership means staying composed, focusing on facts, and addressing issues that block a customer from getting value from your product. Getting defensive and dismissive does the opposite. They don't know how to accept feedback and not see it negatively. Instead the CAO and her team retaliate. People come here to learn, not to deal with unnecessary drama.
Amenities & Logistics
A few quality‑of‑life upgrades would go a long way—an automatic barista machine for coffee drinks and a prepped‑meal vending machine would be great. I also wish they had a housing partnership so students could stay closer to the center. These are minor compared to the tutoring issues, though.
The Cost
This 5‑week endeavor—program tuition, food, lodging, car rental, and incidentals—has cost me nearly $9,200. That is a massive investment. I didn't pay this much to chase down tutors or feel pressured into buying more sessions.
Final Verdict & Advice
Looking back, I should have taken an online review course or Kaplan. It would have been far less stressful.
If you're considering this program, I would only recommend the "pay to study independently at the center" option—it puts you around other students and creates a productive peer‑learning environment. Avoid relying on their tutoring system unless you're willing to accept unreliable scheduling and dismissive support.
This review is honest, objective, and based on facts. I'm leaving disappointed, but I hope this helps future students make a fully informed decision before spending nearly $10,000.
The information and the way that information is delivered is truly mind blowing. After attending the class, I can honestly say that I understand medicine. I was an online participant and it changed my way of thinking, I could only imagine how it would have been if I were in person. The tutors and the entire staff make it a welcoming situation, everyone wants you to succeed. Hearing the testimonies really give you hope. I would definitely recommend this program!!
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izzat izzat · 1 review · Experienced 2026-02-13 ·
★★★★★
The togetherness and nurturing mentality helped me achieve my USMLE goals!
I attended the PASS Program in October 2025 while preparing for the CBSE and Step 1, and it ended up being a turning point in my journey. I had already passed Step 2, but I struggled for a long time with the CBSE/CCSE and honestly questioned whether I had what it took to get through Step 1.
What made the biggest difference for me was the way Dr. Francis and the program teach you how to think rather than just memorize. The focus on understanding concepts, staying calm under pressure, and approaching questions with a clear strategy helped me build the confidence I was missing. The daily structure—especially the morning questions—forced me to stay consistent and actively engage with the material.
The environment also played a huge role. Being surrounded by other students going through the same process, along with supportive tutors and staff, created accountability and kept me moving forward even when things felt overwhelming.
I can confidently say this program helped me get over one of the biggest hurdles in my medical journey—I passed Step 1.
Even now, as I prepare for residency and Step 3, I plan to continue using the PASS approach (especially the question-based learning and tutoring support) because it has changed the way I think about medicine and approach exams.
If you’re struggling with confidence, test-taking strategy, or getting through CBSE/Step 1, this program can genuinely make a difference if you commit to it.
Dr. Francis is a class act and a genius. He takes apart an extremely hard concept of medicine as a whole, and breaks it down to much more digestible material for you to absorb, learn, grow and build upon. I finally have a template that I will use to get me over this hump vs before I would read a question and see what answer matches best. As he often says in class, "stop guessing." It is going to take work but at least I have a proven template to work with. I wish I knew about this program earlier.
The one on one interaction is great. You cannot hide even if you want to. So this removes all the fear in you. Dr Francis teaches us timely responses. He also guides us what clues to see in solving the question and ignore what a distraction could be which i felt very important. He does'nt make you feel low even if your answer is wrong. We need more Dr Francises around the world who actually knows the pain of a test taker. There is always more good to talk about the program.
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Luis Ramirez · 1 review · Experienced 2025-02-17 ·
★★★★★
This program is an excellent adjunct to your Step 1 journey/preparation.
This program is an excellent adjunct to your preparation. Dr. Francis helps open your mind to different perspectives when assessing topics and diagnoses. The most important aspect of this program, in my opinion, is the relentless targeting of methods to tackle questions which ultimately results in excellent test-taking strategy/preparation. All in all, great experience for me.
I have never been taught the way Dr Francis does, no memorization only logic.
J
Joe · 18 reviews · Verified · Experienced 2025-12-21 ·
★★★★★
Learned how to become a great Medical…
Learned how to become a great Medical Doctor by sitting in the classes of Dr. Francis
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Leah · 2 reviews · Experienced 2025-11-24 ·
★★★★★
I attended the pass program in person and scored 24 points higher and passed after 2 prior failed attemps at step 2 …
I attended the pass program in person in Houston. Although it was a big decision, it is one I would do 1000x over and one I wish I knew of sooner. I had previously failed STEP 2 twice, the first attempt by 7 points, the second attempt by 4 points, both completely devastating. I finished the Pass Program about a month before I sat for my next attempt. I just recieved my score and I passed with a 24 point increase from prior scores and well above the pass threshold! I could not have done it without Dr. Francis' teachings. He helped improve my foundational knowledge immensely. The other most helpful thing was learning how to organize the material in my mind. It gave clarity on topics I never thought would make sense. I would recommend this program to everyone, but especially to those who need help with foundational content and organization. I wish I had taken the course prior to STEP 1 too.
PASS truly changed my life. i would tell anyone considering it GO and go in person. i went from barely passing tests and always feeling inferior and wondering if i could pass my COMLEX to passing with flying colors and feeling more confident then i ever have