Hey guys

I am thinking about what books to use for the USMLE step 1 and I was hoping I could get some help and feedback. I know this topic has been beaten to death but I was hoping I could still get some comments about my pics.

After thinking about it for a long while and checking out a bunch of the review books I have came up with the following list:

OVERALL: First Aid
ANAT: BRS
EMBRYOLOGY: BRS or HY
NEUROANATOMY: USMLE Road map
HISTOLOGY: BRS or HY
PHYS: Costanzo’s review book (not her BRS book but her larger one)
PATH: BRS using medium Robbins for stuff I don’t understand and pictures
PHARM: Lippincott’s illustrated reviews (maybe Katzung but it seems to long)
BIOCHEM: Lippincott’s illustrated reviews
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES: BRS
MICRO AND IMMUNO: Medical Microbiology and Immunology: Examination and Board
Review

I’m an IMG that is currently attending an Irish med school so eventhough I feel like Im getting a good education over here I really want to make sure Im well prepared for the boards. I have alloted several months of study and Im starting early (8-12 months) to be sure I do OK. Also, I have being doing only mediocre in my classes here in med school. I am taking a year off before my clinical years to relax a bit (I havent taken any time off since high school and I need a break for a couple months) and then start studying for step 1. I’m going to write the USMLE 1 at the end of my year off.

I am planning on reviewing First Aid as I am reviewing the other review books to make sure I cover all the important concepts in First Aid. I am also going to do as many questions as I can as well.

So with this in mind do you think Im taking on too much? Would I be better off going over shorter books more often than using these longer books? I know its no good to take on too much or your mark can sometimes suffer. Good choices? Bad Choices?


Thanks

Oilers suck. Go Avs.

OVERALL: First Aid - good
ANAT: BRS - NO - too low yield topic. BRS is insane.
EMBRYOLOGY: BRS or HY - go with HY
NEUROANATOMY: USMLE Road map - yes or Kaplan or HY
HISTOLOGY: BRS or HY - none but if you really wnat one - HY
PHYS: Costanzo’s review book (not her BRS book but her larger one) - good
PATH: BRS using medium Robbins for stuff I don’t understand and pictures - good
PHARM: Lippincott’s illustrated reviews (maybe Katzung but it seems to long) - FA only, others for clarification
BIOCHEM: Lippincott’s illustrated reviews - NO too much.
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES: BRS - HY would be better
MICRO AND IMMUNO: Medical Microbiology and Immunology: Examination and Board --- didnt' use that book, can't say ----- but FA, CMMRS, Kaplan.
Review


Hoep that helps. Also there are lists in the sticky here, take a look. Gotmedbooks.com has a guide with a list, take a look. Google USMLE websites and look at their lists also.


good luck.