Need to buy latest ed of FA???

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DMBFan

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I have a 2006 FA. Do I need to buy the 2008 edition if I'll be taking Step 1 this semester?
 
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the info in FA is revised every year to add new material which, according to "students who aced the boards" (direct quote from back cover), is high yield. they also take out material which has been deemed low yield. So you would be putting yourself at a disadvantage if you decide not look at FA 2008.

now if you like FA 2006 because you prefer the style or because you have already added some notes from class or question banks, then you can keep 2006 as your primary resource. I would just recommend that you buy 2008 and take note of any new material.

Good Luck
 
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lankysudanese said:
the info in FA is revised every year to add new material which, according to "students who aced the boards" (direct quote from back cover), is high yield. they also take out material which has been deemed low yield. So you would be putting yourself at a disadvantage if you decide not look at FA 2008.
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:laugh: Do you work for First Aid?

I have not seen the 2008 edition, but have noted that 1. changes from year to year are very minor and 2. somehow things that used to be correct get turned into errors every year, just as much as old errors are corrected.
 
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lord_jeebus said:
:laugh: Do you work for First Aid?

I have not seen the 2008 edition, but have noted that 1. changes from year to year are very minor and 2. somehow things that used to be correct get turned into errors every year, just as much as old errors are corrected.
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LOL...i don't work for FA, and always wondered how they solicited information from "students who aced the boards", and what their definition of "aced" was. Actually, I am not a fan of FA at all. I just wrote the post to relate the opinions of the FA faithful at our school.
 
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DMBFan said:
I have a 2006 FA. Do I need to buy the 2008 edition if I'll be taking Step 1 this semester?
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I'm in the same boat.

My thinking was to borrow the 2008 version from a friend for a day or two and add whatever is in it that is new to my 06 version.

Otherwise I don't mind spending another $40 since I already have been pretty cost-effective in getting my books.
 
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IMO, it's just a judgment call. If it's a choice of a new FA or putting ramen on the table, well, I'm sure people have gotten high scores and done just fine with older editions of FA.

However, the 2006 edition is 500 pages and the 2008 is 580 pages. I have no idea exactly how much of that 80 pages is empty space and how much is new info, but it's worth 40 bucks to me to not have to wonder. I also didn't want to start w/ an older edition of FA and then panic and go for the new one after I started annotating.
 
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I wouldn't worry about a couple years difference in most of the review books. As lord_jeebus pointed out, more pages = more errors, so likely as many (or more) new errors will be made as were correct. In my experience, the errors in FA were either so glaring that anyone would notice them, or so subtle that they would be very unlikely to be tested. They release new editions of books like FA so frequently to get students to buy new copies instead of used ones, for fear they might be missing out on very important information for the test. The changes from year to year are very minor. A book that is 10 years old will probably be out of date, but a difference of 2 years is nothing. The stuff that is tested on Step 1 just doesn't change all that much year to year. Also, those 80 extra pages could easily have been added to the (mostly useless) introduction, or due to changing the format (rather than the content) of the chapters. In short, I wouldn't worry about using an older version.
 
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An advantage to using a 1-2 year old FA is that you can find a complete errata list by doing a search here.
 
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i gave in and bought the 2008 edition of FA since i havent really attacked my older version. so hopefully this is a good one. do let me know guys if there are errors that you know of thanks. please pray for me!
 
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estrogenic said:
i gave in and bought the 2008 edition of FA since i havent really attacked my older version. so hopefully this is a good one. do let me know guys if there are errors that you know of thanks. please pray for me!
Click to expand...

Since I sorta doubt anyone will be personally notifying you of errors 😉, you might wanta keep your eye on here and here. Good luck!
 
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It was mentioned before that the 08 version is some 80 pages longer. I thumbed through the index of the 08 and compared it to my 07 version. I'll be studying in a group where we go through FA on roughly the same schedule (about two chapters per week) and review together on the weekend, and everyone else has just purchased the 08 version. I's spend another $40 if it looked like there was a substantial difference just to make it easier to keep on the same pace etc.

Looks like a few chapters are essentially identical, and most are increased by a page or two. Total length difference is less than the 80 stated before in actual content (half of that or less). Thumbing through it is hard to tell what has changed. A few topic blocks look like they have been lengthened. I noticed a diagram or two that was different but showing pretty much the same thing. The length changes in some topic blocks made page breaks change, which makes it difficult to easily flip to the same page/area in both, but you can get close and go forwards or backwards a few pages and find the same info.

Looks like essentially the same book with some areas expanded just a bit. Errata is easier to find (for now) for the old edition. New one might have some clarifications for parts of the 07 that are difficult to follow (there are several I've noticed... not technically incorrect, but just that FA's form of non-strict shorthand grammar sometimes leaves a little to be desired in the form of clarity. Not sure... but you'd hope so at least.
 
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So far, it seems like 2008 FA is a good investment for me--I didn't buy it, my girlfriend did. I have looked at a few chapters in detail and neuro has a bunch of improvements. They finally have a diagram of the dorsal brain stem. I have been annotating FA for the last ~3 weeks and my additions are eerily similar to what the authors of FA have done. Did they rob from kaplan and UW???? hmmm. I wonder if the new authors added info they wish they knew for the exam or if they just took their notes from UW and kaplan????
 
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SuperMonkey said:
So far, it seems like 2008 FA is a good investment for me--I didn't buy it, my girlfriend did. I have looked at a few chapters in detail and neuro has a bunch of improvements. They finally have a diagram of the dorsal brain stem. I have been annotating FA for the last ~3 weeks and my additions are eerily similar to what the authors of FA have done. Did they rob from kaplan and UW???? hmmm. I wonder if the new authors added info they wish they knew for the exam or if they just took their notes from UW and kaplan????
Click to expand...

You're about pushing me over to purchase it. I haven't started using my 2007 version at all, so it's not like I'm losing anything aside from the money.

If anybody else feels oddly tempted to buy FA the summer before 2nd year on some strange notion that you'll actually study, don't do it unless you're really serious! That was my mistake.
 
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It is absurd not to buy the new version of FA b/c there may be a few errors. What is the error rate on the new material? 1%? Wouldn't it be better to know most of the material with a small error rate than some of the material with a lower error rate?

What if you are applying to a program that has a cutoff of 230 and you score a 229 with the old version of FA. Well, congrats on your 229. The new version may get you one point, but that would be worth $40.

Besides, isn't it best to annotate FA when you cover other review books? When you do that, you can correct the errors yourself. At least you can note the discrepancies.

I'll take 2008, thank you.
 
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I bought FA 2006 when I started medical school. Then, because our classes aren't strictly system-oriented but rather topic-oriented, I bought FA 2005, thinking that would help me study more for class. Now, I have two outdated versions of First Aid that I've never really used, and I need to actually start studying for Step 1. I would feel pretty wasteful getting FA 2008 after having "bought and forgot" two earlier editions. I doubt the content is different enough to decrease my score, even by the previous example of needing a 230 but getting a 229 because my FA wasn't current. I think it's probably more about how you use the book than how new it is. Am I right people?
 
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Rogue Synapse said:
I bought FA 2006 when I started medical school. Then, because our classes aren't strictly system-oriented but rather topic-oriented, I bought FA 2005, thinking that would help me study more for class. Now, I have two outdated versions of First Aid that I've never really used, and I need to actually start studying for Step 1. I would feel pretty wasteful getting FA 2008 after having "bought and forgot" two earlier editions. I doubt the content is different enough to decrease my score, even by the previous example of needing a 230 but getting a 229 because my FA wasn't current. I think it's probably more about how you use the book than how new it is. Am I right people?
Click to expand...

This is getting at my hesitancy about buying a new book. I bought the 2007 edition last summer thinking I might use it along with classes this year and to do some review of first year. But in reality, I've read about 3 pages of it. So I guess the advice for people behind us is to be honest with yourself about whether or not you'll use it earlier (knowing that most people probably won't) and waiting until the year you're taking the test before getting it.

Today I'm thinking I won't upgrade. We'll see how I feel tomorrow. 🙂
 
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SuperMonkey said:
It is absurd not to buy the new version of FA b/c there may be a few errors. What is the error rate on the new material? 1%? Wouldn't it be better to know most of the material with a small error rate than some of the material with a lower error rate?

What if you are applying to a program that has a cutoff of 230 and you score a 229 with the old version of FA. Well, congrats on your 229. The new version may get you one point, but that would be worth $40.

Besides, isn't it best to annotate FA when you cover other review books? When you do that, you can correct the errors yourself. At least you can note the discrepancies.

I'll take 2008, thank you.
Click to expand...

You assume that the new edition has useful information not found in the previous edition. I have not seen the new edition, but usually with FA this is a false assumption.

EDIT: nevermind, I see that you did find some additions
 
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You guys are acting like a bunch of WIMPS.

Either buy the '08 edition and start studying or use your damn 1989 version AND START STUDYING.

Jeez.

I think I need to eat...
 
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I would switch versions except I have already gone through review books and questions and annotated by 2006 version pretty thoroughly.

My plan is to borrow a friend's version and add the new things by hand.
 
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I was in the same dilemma, I have the 2006 edition and was not sure about getting the 2008.

Well, I got the new one yesterday (along with other review books -brs physio, HY neuro, Step Up-, just couldn't resist the temptation! :laugh:).

But anyways, I have both editions side by side and I'm comparing them, and yes, the 2008 has more information, and it seems (take it with a grain of salt, I haven't checked the entire book, I'm just now in the Behavioral part) that the "new" info is worthwhile. The organization seems better as well. So basically I'm happy with the purchase so far.

I don't know if that makes any sense...I woke up at 4am for no reason so I'm still half asleep 😴
 
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I had at least 5 questions that were in 2008 that were not in 2007, but I had added most of that info into 2007 from other sources.
 
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It also has separate sections on immunology, path, and psych (sorry if this has been mentioned before 😛). And our beloved diagram of the brachial plexus plus a table with the corresponding injuries for UE and LE (I have no idea if that was included in the 2007 though). So far I'm loving it, haha :laugh: what a nerd.....😀 Now....the real issue is how I'm going to memorize (or how you guys say "know it cold!"!) all of this....oh boy....
 
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oh great 😱
i'm taking the USMLE April 14th and up until now, I've studied w/the 2006 version of FA. Should I get my hands on FA 2008 within the next week to look at?

I'm not exclusively basing my studies on FA, but I'm in the process of memorizing it. The possibility of "new info" I'm missing out on is definitely freaking me out. 🙁 Well, at least I know now...
 
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funshine said:
oh great 😱
i'm taking the USMLE April 14th and up until now, I've studied w/the 2006 version of FA. Should I get my hands on FA 2008 within the next week to look at?
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No, no, no! Don't worry about it. FA does not change drastically from year to year. Chances are they are just shifting around layout and stuff like that. Some "new" information will be added, some "old" stuff taken out, but since no one knows what will be on your particular exam it shouldn't make a big difference. They are not changing around the big stuff -- they are just trying to sell more books (and it's working 😛).
 
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mudphudwannabe said:
No, no, no! Don't worry about it. FA does not change drastically from year to year. Chances are they are just shifting around layout and stuff like that. Some "new" information will be added, some "old" stuff taken out, but since no one knows what will be on your particular exam it shouldn't make a big difference. They are not changing around the big stuff -- they are just trying to sell more books (and it's working 😛).
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Haha, you're probably right 😛 I didn't mean to freak out anybody 😳 I just like it better than the old one, that's it.

And I agree with mudphud, I don't think it would be worth it for just one week of review. I just have more time until my exam, that's why I got it.:luck:
 
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mudphudwannabe said:
No, no, no! Don't worry about it. FA does not change drastically from year to year. Chances are they are just shifting around layout and stuff like that. Some "new" information will be added, some "old" stuff taken out, but since no one knows what will be on your particular exam it shouldn't make a big difference. They are not changing around the big stuff -- they are just trying to sell more books (and it's working 😛).
Click to expand...

Fear is a great motivator.

[related rant]
Anybody else getting sick of endless Step 1 spam? It seems like everyday I open my email I have something about an improved Qbank, new edition of a review book, etc. I can't wait to take this test just so I can start feeling more like a med student again and less like a target market. 😡
 
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SuperMonkey said:
Did they rob from kaplan and UW???? hmmm. I wonder if the new authors added info they wish they knew for the exam or if they just took their notes from UW and kaplan????
Click to expand...

Hahaha!! - that's funny, because as I've been going through Kaplan Qbank, i've noticed that a lot of the content directly traverses over into FA 2006! I mean, word for word. Literally, the same words. Same sentences. And these aren't the universal pathognemonic phases we all know and love. which came 1st, the chicken or the egg? cause one of them is stealing from the other. :meanie: In the beginning of FA, the authors state that their book started by compiling a collection of their notes while they were studying for step 1 themselves... odds are pretty good they were using kaplan qbanks.
 
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BAM! said:
Hahaha!! - that's funny, because as I've been going through Kaplan Qbank, i've noticed that a lot of the content directly traverses over into FA 2006! I mean, word for word. Literally, the same words. Same sentences. And these aren't the universal pathognemonic phases we all know and love. which came 1st, the chicken or the egg? cause one of them is stealing from the other. :meanie: In the beginning of FA, the authors state that their book started by compiling a collection of their notes while they were studying for step 1 themselves... odds are pretty good they were using kaplan qbanks.
Click to expand...

Great, now you're going to see people paying hundreds of dollars for the 2006 edition of FA on eBay! Be careful, what you say on these boards, just ask Jeebus!:laugh:

[All of a sudden Mehrdad realizes that he has the 2006 edition of FA on his study desk]

Um, what I meant to say was that if you don't have a used copy of FA 2006, there's no way you'll pass...seriously! 😉
 
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Mehrdad1 said:
Great, now you're going to see people paying hundreds of dollars for the 2006 edition of FA on eBay! Be careful, what you say on these boards, just ask Jeebus!:laugh:

[All of a sudden Mehrdad realizes that he has the 2006 edition of FA on his study desk]

Um, what I meant to say was that if you don't have a used copy of FA 2006, there's no way you'll pass...seriously! 😉
Click to expand...

of course, FA2006 is one of those books that, if one is so inclined, can probably be found in pdf format pretty readily. :zip:
 
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zahque said:
of course, FA2006 is one of those books that, if one is so inclined, can probably be found in pdf format pretty readily. :zip:
Click to expand...

The same thing could be said for the 1999 HY Cell and Molecular, 2nd Ed. However, that still hasn't stopped people from getting fleeced in the past by unscrupulous sellers.
 
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So to update, I checked out FA 2008. Organization is superb, much better than 2006...but in terms of new material, not much to worry about. A list of hyperlipidemia drugs, some heart embryology, but that's about all I remember being "new."
 
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I'd like to kind of semi-second the post above. I have read the sections of FA 2006 a lot, and I got a copy of 2008 yesterday and flicked through it and quite a few additions to the text flagged up in my head.

Now, there are really only two things I'd like to mention about these 'new' additions. Firstly, I'm not sure how much of this was in 2007 because I don't have that edition. The second thing is that the new bits and pieces are actually not new if you have been using other review books to supplement your study.

Each section has a few new things of note, and I also understand that the psychiatry section has received a bit of a boost. Like I said, if you have been supplementing all along I doubt you would need to invest another $40 on this book.
 
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So now I'm wishing I hadn't read this thread.... I've got the 2006 version and was perfectly happy with it prior to reading this. Now I'm thinking I should get 2008. I haven't done a lot of annotating in it - mostly just behavioral, getting additional info from Kaplan.

Naw.... I don't need to "upgrade". I've got Kaplan materials (online lectures plus lecture notes, I've got other review books. I'll be fine.
 
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