Ask upper classmen what are the good board review books for each basic science class and use it conjunction with the assigned text and course notes. For example, I liked BRS for anatomy, psych, physiology, and neuro. BRS is a little too light for path, but is okay. Lippincott's is good for pharm and biochem. Clinical Micro Made Ridiculously Simple for micro is great. Read and outline these books while taking the class; then when board prep time rolls around (you can reasonably prepare in about 1 month) go back through them. Answer all the practice questions in each book...many authors who submit test questions to the boards also write board review books--do you get my drift? If you discover that you're not real big on lecture attendance, don't waste your $$ on a board prep class. One month of 8 hour days will leave you in good stead for the boards and allow you to tailor your studying to your own strengths and weaknesses.
Oh, for OMM: "Except OMT" is a must. Another important OMM book you should try to secure is the pocket version of Easy OMT--great pictures.
Dr. Hendersen is correct: Just studying board review books is not the way to ace the boards. A solid performance in the first two years of medical schools is the absolute best preparation you can get.
[This message has been edited by drusso (edited August 14, 1999).]
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