Hi all,

I am not certain which Biochem book to use for Step 1 preparation and would like to get some advice from people who have used/ are using one of the following books:

Many people seem to like the Kaplan Biochem book, but that seems to only be available together with all the other Kaplan books which I don´t think I will use. Or is there any way to just get the Biochem part?

Others seem to think that Lippincotts is good, but I have heard it is too extensive.

And has anyone used Rapid Review Biochemistry by John Pelley and Edward Goljan? Is it as good as Goljan path? Is ist enough for Step 1?

And do any of these books cover Molecular Bio as well?

Thanks for any help deciding this! :) :confused:

Goma

Kaplan Biochem is very very good but you are right it comes with the other books.
I have the rapid review Biochem by Pelley and I can tell U that its a good book I like the format better than Lippicontts but I use Kaplan as my first source and the Rapid review to serach for a little extra explanations
For Molec Biology I would suggest the High Yield, the best one in this field I think!!

Hi all,

I am not certain which Biochem book to use for Step 1 preparation and would like to get some advice from people who have used/ are using one of the following books:

Many people seem to like the Kaplan Biochem book, but that seems to only be available together with all the other Kaplan books which I don´t think I will use. Or is there any way to just get the Biochem part?

Others seem to think that Lippincotts is good, but I have heard it is too extensive.

And has anyone used Rapid Review Biochemistry by John Pelley and Edward Goljan? Is it as good as Goljan path? Is ist enough for Step 1?

And do any of these books cover Molecular Bio as well?

Thanks for any help deciding this! :) :confused:

Goma

Always get anything by Goljan.

Always get anything by Goljan.

Not true. Remember he's a pathologist, not a superhero.

Not true. Remember he's a pathologist, not a superhero.
Exactly, for path he rocks.
Bio chem FA, HY, and HY molecular cell bio all that you'll ever need.

HY Cell/Molecular is good and along with Kaplan Biochem + FA is more than enough...well for my test it was at least.

Exactly, for path he rocks.
Bio chem FA, HY, and HY molecular cell bio all that you'll ever need.


I agree 100%. But then again, we got the exact same score. :horns:

Kaplan is absolutely fantastic and should not be missed if you have the time, but its more than you need for Step 1.

HamOn

Exactly, for path he rocks.
Bio chem FA, HY, and HY molecular cell bio all that you'll ever need.

I'd use him for biochem as well.

Kaplan Biochem is very very good but you are right it comes with the other books.

I just saw that Kaplan's Step 1 LivePrep comes with a set of lecture notes.

Are these notes what is so good for Biochem, or is it their USMLE Step 1 Home Study Program which consists of four books? Volume I is General Principles and has the Biochem part.

This is still confusing to me...

Thanks to everyone for the answers, I am just so annoyed that there seems to be a good source out there, but its not even possible to compare it side by side to other Biochem books.
I guess that is how Kaplan makes money. People dont want to miss out on something and then pay $449.00 for something they might not even end up using completely...

Kurogoma

I'm not studying just yet for step 1 cause i'm just a lowly first year but I have a set of the lecture notes from Kaplan and they are really good. They are good at explaining things. Do you think maybe a 3rd or 4th year in your class might have a copy they could let you look at so you could decide if they are good?

I'm not studying just yet for step 1 cause i'm just a lowly first year but I have a set of the lecture notes from Kaplan and they are really good. They are good at explaining things. Do you think maybe a 3rd or 4th year in your class might have a copy they could let you look at so you could decide if they are good?
I will see if I find someone who has the notes, but I´m actually an IMG so I don´t know that many people who took the USMLE...

In my experience Im talking about the kaplan notes from the live lectures that are pretty much the same than the home study plan, the difference is that the home study plan is base on organs and systems and the live lectures are base on subjects wich I like better than the organs approach..
And yes, as IMG I found that the Kaplan notes from all the subjects are very very good , easy to read and with very good explanations but if you take the live course with them, I think that if you dont take the live lectures will be better for you to have the Home study kit .

wondering if anyone has first hand input on goljan's biochem book yet?? thanks

wondering if anyone has first hand input on goljan's biochem book yet?? thanks

I don't know anything about his Rapid Review book, but the notes booklet he gave to students at OSU-COM is excellent. It won't be published, however.

calling all OSU-COM students ..pls check and let us know if dr goljans bio chem notes are the same that he hands out in kaplan etc for hi yield???
help us those who are not worthy to be in your school O GREAT BEINGS :)
thanks in ADVANCE

wondering if anyone has first hand input on goljan's biochem book yet?? thanks

It's a pretty good review book...somewhere between FA and Lippincott's. Some topics are better explained in FA and Lippincott's, and I was surprised by the omission of several topics.

Bottom line...it's a good book, but not all inclusive.

the kaplan biochem is excellent...i would use that as my main source and use FA and HY cell and molec bio along with it...