a little advice please on boards

[dddunit]

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Hi all,

I know that this is probably an overdone question and I apologize ahead of time. I currently have three review books for the step 1 boards:

-first aid 2010
-kaplan medessentials 2010
-first aid basica sciences general principles and organ systems

Im torn as to which 1 or 2 books to keep as I can still return one of them to amazon by this week for a full refund.

Your advices are much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[IMGUSMLEStep1]

First Aid 2010 is a must keep. Don't even think about studying for the boards without it.

You probably don't need the other 2, but that's up to you. If you like the table format in medessentals, it may be of benefit to you.

I don't know much about First Aid Basic sciences. I've looked through the general principles and organ systems books but my opinion was that they wouldn't be too useful.

Most people do fine with only First Aid 2010, so if you return the other two, you'd still be good.

 

[dddunit]

any other opinions? What do you guys think about keeping first aid usmle and medessentials vs. first aid usmle and first aid basic sciences general principles and organ systems. I'm looking for the best comprehensive review combination. Thanks.

 

[kissmyasthma99]

If I could pick 3 books to study for boards they would be FA, Golgan RR, and BRS phys. Only two: FA and Goljan. But you have to add Uworld into that combo.

 

[dddunit]

any other opinions esp. if i were to keep 2 of the 3 books?

 

[badasshairday]

The only other thing that is probably the most helpful review source besides FA, RR, BRSPHYio, and UWORLD is microcards. I only say that, because it truly is a pain to memorize micro. But definintely it is not essential, since FA/RR/UWORLD will get you good at it anyways. You can get away with FA, RR, and UWORLD for sure. Minimize your sources. Stick to the absolute most high yield material. No point in muddling around in low yield crap like reading HY Neuro, or Kaplan biochem cover to cover... Unless you truly are deficient in a subject (ie. like barely passed a certain subject in med school).

I may not have taken boards yet, but if you look at some SDN 250+ superstars like vicinihil, psychotropic, etc, they all reiterated the fact that keep your sources simple. 90% of your studying should be RR/FA/UWORLD/BRSPHYIO.