NEW Kaplan Step 1 High Yield Course vs. Doctors in Training

dude, forget kaplan. they're totally outdated. kaplan qbank is horrible and will make you lose your mind. on the other hand DIT puts things simple, makes wise connections and forces you to learn by reinforcement w/ their study guide. use uw or rx as qbank (didn't use the latter but have read very positive reviews here in forum)

and don't forget to listen to goljan when go to bed to have good dreams lol

I don't know if this will still help you as your deadline has already passed, but figured I'd go ahead and post for everyone else what I found.

I just watched part of the example autoimmune and connective tissue disorders video Kaplan posted on their site for the high yield course (go check it out for yourself: http://www.kaptest.com/Medical-Licensing/Step1/s1-high-yield.html). I pulled out my First Aid at the same time and flipped to the page it referenced at the bottom of the video and I was able to follow right along. Lecturer even made some small connections during it that I would have had to make myself, which seemed promising in the study approach of having someone read First Aid to you.

So with that said, disclaimer is that I only watched about half of the video and this is only 1 of the sections, so can't guarantee they're all the same.

Pros:
By the looks of it the new Kaplan high yield course is very similar to DIT with someone walking you through First Aid. Plus its cheaper, you get a Qbank with it (altho definitely not as highly ranked in the past as one like USMLEWorld), and you have access to it until test time (vs DIT where you only get 30 days to go through 75 hrs of lecture and can only watch 2x max).

Cons:
The downsides I have found so far for the Kaplan high yield is that A) its new, so nobody really knows yet how well it works or not. B) as of right now it won't include 2012 First Aid (not sure if that will change or not, just going by the example video). C) you get unlimited access till test time, so it takes away the motivation to stay on a tight schedule like the DIT forces you to do.

Personally, I LOVE DIT bc he tells you stuff ON PREVIOUS tests, like whats high yield and not, for example the 3 TNF inhibitors, he says just know what they are and make know that you can treat the HLA-B27 diseases. Whereas kaplan's video (just watched the trailer now) goes into details about them. Which, granted, might be good in the long run, but as for this test, why clutter your brain with excess information when there is SO much to begin with.

Even if your test isn't for a while, i would still do DIT.

and brian jenkins is easy on the eyes hahaha jk

vs reading FA yourself and doing uworld? save a ton of cash that way...

I red the Book before doing DIT and I can say to you that my understanding of the Book was below 0 when compared after doing DIT. it really helped me to understand the Book... If you are a great student and know all the concepts behind it or have time to read brs physio and rr pathology don't buy the course but if you're struggling like me do DIT now

and listen to goljan when go to bed

Dr. Goljan is THE man. He's the pathology chair at Oklahoma. He wrote the Rapid Review for Path (and audio) and for Biochem. You can get his audio lectures/slides/books online. Definitely a great/entertaining guy to listen to - he explains core concepts really well IMO.

he is THE teacher. I never had a teacher as good as him unfortunately it would make things so easier LOL

thedoctor8706 said:

Random question about goljan, what exactly is it? Forgive my ignorance, but I don't know and can't find it on Amazon or anything.

Click to expand...

http://www.amazon.com/Rapid-Review-...4389/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318529154&sr=8-1

you can't purchase it xD

I purchased both of them to get the discount, now I am trying to figure out which one to cancel. Or should I keep them both? Could I do kaplan first, since I have unlimited access, then do DIT closer to test time?

thedoctor8706 said:

Explain

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it's basically an illegal bootleg version of the lectures he gave about 10 years ago for kaplan, was never intended to be a standalone prep.

because it isn't for sale, the audio is priceless!

i like the kapaln course , If they would sell it to me without the Qbank , i would go for it ..

i just got the program , i did DIT few months ago before my schools NBME comp exam that we had to pass before we can sit for step one ... my test is in 6 weeks , i'm just gonna do this along with my 1st aid + Uworld+pathoma + DIT Qs ... Goal is 220

Nice commentary--unfortunately we won't know how good Kaplan's new format is until after this year--I'm gong with DIT (better safe than sorry). I've heard good things about it from others who have taken it. Plus the limited access time FORCES you to be diligent and on top of things. I think the external motivation will make it worth it.

If anyone has had positive experiences with Kaplan, let's hear them!