Biochem on Step 1

[jhrugger]

Again, different people prefer different sources, but is there some sort of consensus source that most people agree is a high yield and covers Step 1 info- I'm concerned that you can spend a loooot of time on Biochem minutia that may never appear on the Step.

Thanks!

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[pocketknife52]

bioc

 

[docmd2010]

I am reading the kaplan biochem books, are you taking the class? if not, look around for one, maybe an upperclassmen some kaplan books that they could lend you.
anyway, i think they are really good, it's only about 300 pages or so, you could read it in a solid week for sure. i'm almost through it, and have been annotating in first aid as well if there is something in kaplan that isn't in first aid. that way, when i want to review biochem again, all i have to do is read first aid/my notes and i can probably review all of biochem in 2-3 days. I do have lippincots that i use for reference as this book has great diagrams. sometimes kaplan's diagrams and explanations lack so i just reference this book when necessary. it's an excellent resource to have at your desk.

good luck.

 

[BabyPsychDoc]

I graduated from a med school >5 yrs ago, so I felt that biochem was not exactly my strong point and invested a lot of time, money and effort into studying it. I started reading Lippincott review, and was so bogged down by the minutia that dropped it after first five pages. I then bought the Clin Biochem Made Ridiculously Simple and read it twice - it gave me a good overview of biochem and pointed out the clinically relevant info. it also has quite a few good mnemonics - though do not expect it to be as good as the CMMRS. I then supplemented the book with FA section on biochem. The net result - I felt well-prepared on the test day. My performance on UW biochem improved from 30% to 60% - which was all I really needed.

The bummer is - my test was very light on biochem...ARRRGGGHHH😡

 

[mudphudwannabe]

biochem was more emphasized on step one than pharm without a doubt......

I don't think this is true. I think biochem is one of those subjects that definitely *seems* like it is emphasized on a particular test, but this is influenced by the fact that it is one of the most hated and least remembered subjects by med students. I can only recall a couple of questions related to biochem on my test, and they were about the typical named disorders (glycogen storage, etc). There was maybe 1 question that actually asked about a pathway, and I didn't feel bad at all guessing. FA really does cover the major stuff. If you want to memorize pathways in detail, consult a biochem textbook, and if you feel very weak in the subject maybe another review resource might be helpful...but biochem really isn't a high yield subject, so be sure you aren't cutting time out of the truly high yield information (pathophysiology) to make time for excessive biochem reviewing.

 

[ronny009]

biochem is one big headach for me, yet u guys make it sound so easy. i am preparing for the next sitting and i am confused about somethings. what are the major topics of study for the usmle biochem?
im reading from Lehninger's principles of biochemistry 3rd edition, and firstaid is on the way. how should i go about this?thanking u inadvance🙂

 

[Doctor Bagel]

I recently purchased Rapid Review biochem and have been slowly making my way through it. Overall, I think it seems pretty good. I have the Lippincott book, but honestly that's just too long for me right now.

 

[mudphudwannabe]

I wouldn't bother with Lehninger's --it's good as a reference, but not so useful to sit down and read through. Wait until FA comes, then see if there are any pathways you feel need refreshing and review those ones in Lehninger's. If you want something more substantial than FA, go for one of the biochem review books -- at least it will be in condense form and focus on the stuff that is relevant for Step 1.

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

Almost all my biochem was tangental to another disease process. For example, identifying what's being built up in a LPS syndrome, or how folate/b12 deficiency causes an anemia biochemically.

 

[Terpskins99]

My opinion

Kaplan Biochem > RR Biochem > Lippincott biochem >>> HY Biochem (the last book is pretty lousy to study from if you aren't already a master of the subject)

Of the first three, Kaplan is probably the easiest to get through and just comprehensive enough to cover every biochem question you'll likely encounter. Lippincott is probably overkill, but a fantastic reference to THOROUGHLY iron out any topic that has been giving you trouble (just borrow this from your school library to have on hand). Many people like Rapid review because its a compromise between the two books, but I still think Kaplan is more than enough.