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[wishfulthinker]

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Hey, I hope everyone is doing well in studying for their boards. I was just wondering what you all think of the following books: the kaplan NBDE book AND either the first aid for USMLE or for the NBDE part I.

Now I'm sure that with both kaplan and first aid for books, and decks, and ordering back exams I should have enough to kill the board but first aid for the USMLE or for the NBDE? This should be an obvious answer, for the NBDE is what I think considering I'm taking the dental board, not the medical board. But a lot of people on this site are swearing by the USMLE version which makes me wonder if there are any weaknesses/inadequacies in the first aid for the NBDE that have pushed people to the USMLE version. If anyone knows the differences, the pros and cons here, I would be very grateful.

thank you

 

[dentaldentist]

Hey, I hope everyone is doing well in studying for their boards. I was just wondering what you all think of the following books: the kaplan NBDE book AND either the first aid for USMLE or for the NBDE part I.

Now I'm sure that with both kaplan and first aid for books, and decks, and ordering back exams I should have enough to kill the board but first aid for the USMLE or for the NBDE? This should be an obvious answer, for the NBDE is what I think considering I'm taking the dental board, not the medical board. But a lot of people on this site are swearing by the USMLE version which makes me wonder if there are any weaknesses/inadequacies in the first aid for the NBDE that have pushed people to the USMLE version. If anyone knows the differences, the pros and cons here, I would be very grateful.

thank you

I think a lot of people use the first aid for the USMLE in the past because there was no First Aid book for the NBDE. It is a new book that I believe came out last year. Anyway, I'm using the First aid book for the NBDE part one (along with the decks) and it is definitly a good review book. From what I hear it is very similar to the USMLE book, but of course there is the additional section on Dental Anatomy and Occlusion. I would also for sure get the Dental Decks - I personally think its the best study resource.

First Aid for NBDE
Dental Decks

 

[PlaqueAttack]

I agree with dentaldentist in saying that decks should be your #1 resource, followed by old tests. I looked at both First Aid books, the NBDE book had quite a few mistakes in it (needs editing i.e. its the first edition) and i personally felt it was tough to retain the information from its outline format, others may like that, but it did provide a quick review of nearly all the information. The USMLE book was GREAT for the biochem, micro, and immunology sections, there were a lot of mnemonics that got points for me when i took my exam, however the rest of the book is generally overkill, including the Path sections, i think your best suited looking at decks for that section. But in the end its always your decision, if you don't feel like buying the USMLE book you can always go to a Barnes and Noble and just read thru the pertinent sections in a day and write down the mnemonics/info that you liked and save yourself $60 or whatever it costs, hope this helps

 

[wishfulthinker]

thank you

I'm going to try the NBDE book, considering I just ordered it online an hour ago. and if its that bad then I'll go to the USMLE source but im sure if hte decks are amazing then I'll find any potential contradictions and errors in the NBDE that way.

What about all this hysteria over getting old exams? and then i see people on this website and on criagslist that are selling their old materials and claim o have "unreleased questions" - isnt that illegal?

also, where did you order all your legitimately released or "similar to NBDE format" tests?
thanks