Approach to step 2

[Prop]

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Hi all.

So I just applied for step 2 ck, and now I've started wondering which books to study.
I'm a FMG from Europe, a small country with a narrower scope of diseases than seen in the US. Our medical education is highly regarded (at least that was what I were told by the attendings when doing rotations in the US). However, we do not focus as much on those diseases rarely seen here (of course we learn about them, just not that much detail), eg sickle-cell anemia, blackfan-diamond anemia etc.

So, now I'm about to start studying for step 2, and I'm aware that I have to study more indepth than my American counterparts. I can't just take the approcach with step-up-to medicine, FA step 2 and UWorld.

I thought I would use the step-up-to medicine, and the blueprint series for the rest (surgery, pediatrics, obgyn, psychiatry and maybe neurology). However, I just realized that this would maybe be a bad way to study and I should maybe take a different approach.
I looked at Amazon.com and found the following series:
- Blueprint series
- Blueprint Clinical Cases
- Pre-test Self Assesment and Review (Pre-test Clinical Medicine) (McGraw-Hill Medical)
- Case Files (LANGE)
- BRS series

Could anyone comment on which books is regarded better, and which to stay clear of, when considering that I need an in-depth review rather that a brush-off (like you would need for the in-service exam)?
Also, do I need to study neurology seperately? (On step 1 I had a lot of neuro questions, causing my score to drop more than I wanted).

Any comments or suggestions will be a big help.

 

[Depakote]

USMLE World for Step 2CK was gold for the test and is the best resource out there.

 

[Prop]

Hi Depakote.
Thank you for your advise.
I used UWorld for step 1 and will definately be using it for step 2CK as well.
However, before I start doing questions I need to get up to speed with all those diseases that I don't see on a regular basis here, but that you do see in the US.
Did you use any books before or along with UWorld?

Thanks,
prop

 

[Golding]

I really like the BRS series, and I read through it throughout my third year. That said, don't waste your time using them for Step 2. They will devour your time unnecessarily. Aside from not having an Internal Medicine book (which would really be the most important topic for this test), they have disproportionate length to them. There are two surgery books: The General Surgery book is quite thick, and the Surgery Specialties book regular sized. Of the topics of IM, OB/Gyn, Peds, Surgery, and Psych... Surgery isn't the priority that BRS dedicates such text towards. You'll get bogged down on details that take up space better occupied by higher yield stuff.

I really dislike the Blueprints series, so it doesn't pain me to advise you to not waste your time with that, either. It has a great deal of low yield stuff, and not at all enough important stuff.

The standard bearers for test takers (aside from USMLEWorld, which should be a given for anyone taking the Step 2) include:
- Step 2 Secrets / Crush
- The 5 book Kaplan series
- First Aid
- Step Up to Step 2 or Step Up to Medicine
- Master the Boards

And various question books. Each have their ups and downs, and vary in style (so their successes are student-dependent). It seems like Step Up is the most widely regarded, though not by a long distance the way First Aid is for Step 1. The most important thing, though, is to practice and do questions all the time, going over your mistakes and trying to fix them as you do more questions.

 

[Prop]

Hi Golding.

Thank you for your answer. I just got the Kaplan books from 08-09, and they are exactly what I were looking for. I will stay clear of Blueprints, and just use Kaplan, substituting the IM book with step-up to medicine.

One final question. Do people use both FA and eg crush/secrets or do they only use one of these? I guess both provides an overview of all subjects, so would it make any sense to read both?