Behavioral Science Shelf

[HTxFrog]

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I'm trying to figure out what to study for the behavioral science shelf exam, and I was wondering if anyone has taken it and has some input. My plan right now is to read HY behavioral and FA behavioral and psych. then do all the qbank behavioral questions. Is that enough?
Also, the NBME website says that 50-55% of the exam falls under the category of "Central and Peripheral Nervous System" Ummm, could they be a little more vague?? Does that mean we need to know a lot of neuroscience type of stuff for this test? Do I need to know a bunch of crazy neuro pathways and stuff like that?
Oh yeah, also I guess there is no biostatistics on this test, but correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[MilkmanAl]

I haven't really gotten any input on the subject, but my plan is to just read FA and do a bunch of UWorld questions. We only have a day and a half to study, so it has to be short and sweet.

 

[Phenytoin]

I have the shelf coming up at the end of the week, and I was thinking of reading the BRS behavioral science book and maybe some FA. I look forward to input from those who have taken it as well about whether it is big on neuro.

 

[TopsyKrett]

Ok let me just tell you it has a lot of behavioral pharm on it. know the antidepressants, antipsychotics etc. mine didn't have too much biostats, but definately know the developmental milestones for kids- there were a lot of q's about that. I will happily say I got an 89% on it which apparently was the highest in my class because after the curve it was 100% needless to say I was psyched lol

I mainly studied from the kaplan behavioral book btw

 

[coldweatherblue]

I read BRS behavioral science the day before and got +1 SD. I'd agree with the above; lots of psych drugs.. lots of milestones. Know these well (as well as criteria for mental illnesses like: schizophrenia = symptoms > 6 mo, schizophreniform = 1-6 mo, brief pyschotic d/o = < 1 mo.) and you'll do fine. There were some neuro questions but compared with our neuro course they were very easy. Everything else, just read the question carefully and think of the most appropriate response; it's mostly second nature. g/l

 

[HTxFrog]

When you say the Kaplan behavioral book, are you talking about one of the Kaplan and Saddocks books or are you talking about Kaplan the test prep company? May sound stupid, but our class text is Kaplan/Saddocks so idk which one you are talking about.
Also, TopsyKret or anyone else who has taken it. You said it doesn't have much Biostats, but does it have any biostats. I didn't think that was included on the Behavioral Science Shelf.

 

[Guile]

The Kaplan Behavioral Science book and BRS BS are both great. They worked for me.

 

[Phenytoin]

How specific do they get on the pharm part? Is it more about use or MOA/toxicity?
Same with the neuroanatomy, how specific does it get?

 

[utdoc05]

so took it this week, pharm drugs were pretty straight forward, maybe 12 to 15 or so questions out of the 125, some toxicity and some straight up which would you use. There is a decent amount of neuro on it, so def look at the neuro section in FA - especially the part where it has the specific NT and associated brain region (for example, Ventral Tegmentum = DA) - and be familiar with the different causes of dementia and their pathologic and gross findings. There are a lot of ethics type questions and no matter what you prepare with a few will still have you scratching your head saying both these look right. Be prepared for some crazy long vignettes also... good luck

 

[TopsyKrett]

When you say the Kaplan behavioral book, are you talking about one of the Kaplan and Saddocks books or are you talking about Kaplan the test prep company? May sound stupid, but our class text is Kaplan/Saddocks so idk which one you are talking about.
Also, TopsyKret or anyone else who has taken it. You said it doesn't have much Biostats, but does it have any biostats. I didn't think that was included on the Behavioral Science Shelf.

Ya I used Kaplan the test prep company's book and their videos were very helpful. I don't remember any biostats but I cant say for sure though. I didn't study biostats at all going into it so I am guessing I probably didn't have more than 1 question if i did.