Are Dental Decks exhaustive?

[wildzodiac]

So I just finished up my D1 year and am studying for my boards. I've been using the newest edition of the dental decks and have an older version of First Aid. So everyone swears by the decks, but so far, everyone who I know who has taken it said that they feel like they completely bombed the thing. Like COMPLETELY bombed the thing. One even went as far as to say that the decks didn't help in the slightest. Mind you, these students are all very bright and are no slouches!

So I went through the decks once and feel like there is just so much on the cards. I am 3 weeks into studying and have a few more weeks to go until my exam date. I plan on going through the decks one more time then calling it quits. So yeah, are dental decks exhaustive? Meaning that everything that could possibly be tested come from the decks? Thanks in advance.

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[DoctaFauci]

Decks and First Aid are study guides for the boards, not a replacement for one/two years of dental education, homie.

That being said, the national pass rate is well over 90%. Relax. It will feel like you did poorly when you walk out of the test, but you will pass if you prepare.

 

[vicsin]

I hated the decks. I don't know if they have everything that can be tested but theres no way you're gonna remember everything on them anyway. I thought doing the released NBDE exams was helpful. The more practice the better. I also liked the First Aid practice questions. The best thing you can do is try to know your dental anatomy cold. That stuff doesn't change year to year and the info isn't that varied. It'll boost your score. Also pick another subject that you find the easiest to learn and know it really well also. Do your best to prepare and you'll pass but probably still feel like you failed ;p

 

[cmcner]

If I were to do it again I'd take it without studying and hope I didn't fail and if I did fail then I'd start studying and take it again. You have to miss a lot of questions to fail. That being said I wasn't as bold and I studied a good deal before each part, easier to talk a big game now than back then. I also agree decks had too much in them and released questions are more efficient but require more independent research when you don't know why you got the question wrong.

 

[shulk]

The Decks were designed in a time when you still got a board score back - so there was a interest among students to do as well as possible on it, as though it were the DAT. So, the Decks are exhaustive and intense study of them can give you much higher than 'passing' on the exam, I would think. Since it's just P/F now, you probably don't need them and there are cheaper resources out there that will do fine anyway.