Boards Boot Camp Program

[Dr. Zombie]

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I noticed most of the posts are outdated. Have anyone used BBC in the recent years? If so, what did you think of the program? I am assuming they are competing with DIT.

 

[Allykat1850]

I used Combank, FA, Pathoma, Sketchy Micro, and BBC to study to study for step 1, and only took COMLEX. BBC is designed for students with a weak foundation going into boards studying. The program reviews high yield concepts, and each day is set up to review path, pharm, and OPP.
After completing step 1, I don't think BBC alone is enough to excel at boards, it is just too simplistic. It might be enough to pass, but the program just has too many gaps in knowledge that are never addressed. I still did ok since I reviewed FA and Pathoma, but I wish now I had dedicated more time to other resources.
The COMLEX was also revamped this last testing cycle, and I don't think BBC adequately prepared me for these changes. My questions stems were much longer than anything I encountered in BBC, and although I'm traditionally a fast test taker I used all of the allotted time on COMLEX. The OPP on my test was also completely different than the materials in BBC. I think BBC does a good job of reviewing the concepts listed in the program, but most of my COMLEX questions were either pediatric or cranial questions not covered in the program. The new COMLEX is also neuro and psych heavy, both of which aren't covered until the very end of the program and in light detail.
BBC did increase my COMLEX score about 100 points from my very first COMSAE, so it did do some things right. I have friends that used DIT and loved the program. It follows along with the FA book. Many students in my class also swear by UWorld, however I felt it was slightly overkill if you are just taking COMLEX. I do not think you should use BBC as your primary study tool if you plan on taking the USMLE, it just doesn't go into enough detail. If you are a board-line student and your only goal is passing, BBC goes through the material slowly and fills in any gaps in your knowledge.
As a side note, I highly recommend Sketchy Micro and Pathoma. My test was very micro heavy, Sketchy saved my butt and micro ended up being my highest section. Pathoma is just awesome period. Use it throughout the semester and then review it a couple weeks before COMLEX and you should be golden.

 

[Mr Kenobi]

Good post above (especially Pathoma and some sort of micro supplement recommendation).

If I'm being blunt, I thought BBC was absolute garbage. Our school forced us to use it and monitored our progress through the program. Studying for boards is not a one size fits all type of thing. BBC is a serious time requirement to complete as well. Makes using supplemental materials challenging. Most folks I've spoken with were not happy with it. Do yourself a favor and use DIT if you're looking at organized programs because you'll at least see FA in its entirety. Then supplement with Savarese for OMM.

I'm also starting to hear stories from classmates who BBC dismissed from their study program when they were unable to pass post course diagnostic exams and such. Probably don't want people who used their program to fail COMLEX and muck up their pass rate statistics...sounds Caribbean-esque

 

[faith100]

I used it for COMLEX level 1 for over 6 months, completed all aspects of the program...and FAILED. The program is LONG, I think too long, where at least in my place, I had difficulty retaining what videos went over in January to what I was supposed to apply in June. So, I do not feel that it adequately prepared me and I agree with the above posters, it has gaps concerning what you need to know...wish I would have used DIT like everyone else, live and learn. They use to have a saying that they had a 98% pass rate, they have taken that claim off their website in the past year I've noticed.

You are much better off using FA, Pathoma, BRS Pathology, and Savarese - knowing these 4 like a boss and of course doing lots of q's and you should rock it - that's what I did for my retake 🙂

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

First Aid/Goljan, DIT, Combank, Comquest, Savarese all you need for Step 1

 

[Dr. Zombie]

First Aid/Goljan, DIT, Combank, Comquest, Savarese all you need for Step 1

Thanks guys! Did you find Combank or Comquest questions to be more representative of the Comlex version you took?

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Thanks guys! Did you find Combank or Comquest questions to be more representative of the Comlex version you took?

Both were solid options based on the different subjects.
I think when I took Step2 was when Comquest came out.

 

[Bacchus]

I noticed most of the posts are outdated. Have anyone used BBC in the recent years? If so, what did you think of the program? I am assuming they are competing with DIT.

In my post history I talk about my difficulties with passing COMLEX I and did my retake with BBC and the same for COMLEX II. I scored a 576 on my retake and a 563 on my COMLEX II. I strongly recommend the program. If you look through my post history me talking about BBC should ocme up. I Like BBC because it presents the information to you in 2-3 different ways, rehashing it enough.

EDIT: I used COMBANK with it. For my retake and COMLEX II it predicted my score within 20 or so points. I used the techniques BBC employs for COMLEX I to COMLEX II (the flashcards and I'm NOT a flashcard person).

EDIT EDIT: Also, it restored my confidence in standardized test taking.

P.S. I'm not a BBC spokesperson.

 

[itsalwayssarcoid]

Good post above (especially Pathoma and some sort of micro supplement recommendation).

If I'm being blunt, I thought BBC was absolute garbage. Our school forced us to use it and monitored our progress through the program. Studying for boards is not a one size fits all type of thing. BBC is a serious time requirement to complete as well. Makes using supplemental materials challenging. Most folks I've spoken with were not happy with it. Do yourself a favor and use DIT if you're looking at organized programs because you'll at least see FA in its entirety. Then supplement with Savarese for OMM.

I'm also starting to hear stories from classmates who BBC dismissed from their study program when they were unable to pass post course diagnostic exams and such. Probably don't want people who used their program to fail COMLEX and muck up their pass rate statistics...sounds Caribbean-esque

I started boards boot camp and I am really struggling. The information seems extremely scattered to me. I do not learn with notecards and reading; I learn visually and be having the time to draw things out, literally. Other students who were dissatisfied-were they different types of learners, etc? The time commitment is huge, but at the same time, I'm given 5 minutes to review 25 drugs. I barely got a hold of 2-3 little facts, that will undoubtedly be gone by next week because I didnt learn them in context with anything. Was this a frequent problem among the students since the program was disseminated to all the students? Did many people switch and if so what to?

Feeling frustrated and really skeptical!

 

[itsalwayssarcoid]

I used it for COMLEX level 1 for over 6 months, completed all aspects of the program...and FAILED. The program is LONG, I think too long, where at least in my place, I had difficulty retaining what videos went over in January to what I was supposed to apply in June. So, I do not feel that it adequately prepared me and I agree with the above posters, it has gaps concerning what you need to know...wish I would have used DIT like everyone else, live and learn. They use to have a saying that they had a 98% pass rate, they have taken that claim off their website in the past year I've noticed.

You are much better off using FA, Pathoma, BRS Pathology, and Savarese - knowing these 4 like a boss and of course doing lots of q's and you should rock it - that's what I did for my retake 🙂

Did you have any concerns when you first started the program and if so, what were they like? I do not feel that the information is in depth enough--and the questions are not written to be very complex as to be worth my time. The time is scattered and seems dissonant with the topics. Why do you say that you wish you had used DIT? Did you use it the next time and have success? What type of learner are you? Visual/pathway/auditory/reading? Thank you!

 

[ortnakas]

I admittedly don't know much about BBC (admittedly I went to their presentation for a free burrito but I'd already purchased DIT...) but I can say that so far I really like DIT. I'm not sure if it's everything you need if you're an ortho-y/derm-y gunner type, but I like that it'll give me at least one organized pass through everything; First Aid feels like an encyclopedia to me and I'd worry I was somehow skipping things if I relied on the traditional UWorld/FA/Pathoma combo. Also if you're looking at BBC for the live lectures, DIT doesn't have those.

That said, I'm learning a ton from the explanations in UWorld, even just doing a limited number of questions in tutor mode right now. So I'd have to say I'd disagree with the recommendations not to use it for COMLEX. It might be overkill, but the explanations are far superior to the ones in COMBANK.

I'm also starting to hear stories from classmates who BBC dismissed from their study program when they were unable to pass post course diagnostic exams and such. Probably don't want people who used their program to fail COMLEX and muck up their pass rate statistics...sounds Caribbean-esque

You can get kicked out of a study program?!

 

[kenjixshadow]

x

 

[joeyVictory]

I went with FA, Pathoma, and Sketchy exclusively.

Out of curiosity, for those of you using BBC or DIT; what year/month did you guys start?

 

[Allykat1850]

JoeyVictory, I started using BBC periodically in January but really started going through the program in April. But like I stated above, I would recommend DIT over BBC, it's more detailed and uses FA, a proven resource.
I was wondering if any third or fourth years have advice on which materials to use for step 2 studying. Obviously I won't be using BBC again. Should I invest in DIT, or is there another resource I should look in to? Also when would you recommend dedicated studying? I plan on taking the exam at the end of July. Would going through Pathoma or Sketchy again be beneficial?

 

[asdf123g]

General question: What does DIT stand for?

First Aid/Goljan, DIT, Combank, Comquest, Savarese all you need for Step 1

Coming from multiple anecdotes, you should ditch BBC immediately. Go with DIT*, use it along with FA, Sketchy*, Pathoma*, and Savarese. Also, maybe use Combank or Uworld if you want. I know two ppl failed with using BBC and then used the aforementioned method, they passed comfortably in the 600s range.
* = videos

@Allykat1850 : what do you wish you had done instead in terms of what resources to use?
@Doctor4Life1769 @kenjixshadow @Allykat1850 : how does one use all of those resources simultaneously?? Is this a necessity?? When studying for the MCAT, I had trouble using more than one prep program as commonly done and recommended on sdn (ex: Berkley review + Examkrackers). I felt I had to read both end to end. This was extremely time consuming, especially since I am a slow reader. I ended up picking just ONE and for me it made all of the difference in the world.

 

[kenjixshadow]

x

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

I liked DIT/FA, Goljan/RR Path, Savarese, Combank/Comquest/UW.

It seems Pathoma is new, and I am unfamiliar with it.

 

[asdf123g]

I liked DIT/FA, Goljan/RR Path, Savarese, Combank/Comquest/UW.

It seems Pathoma is new, and I am unfamiliar with it.

I looked up FA and its ~750 pages, Goljan path ~800 pages), savarese ~400 pages, then thousands of practice questions. How does one have time to read then memorize all of those thousand and thousand of pages followed by practice questions in like a 6 week dedicated period?!

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

I looked up FA and its ~750 pages, Goljan path ~800 pages), savarese ~400 pages, then thousands of practice questions. How does one have time to read then memorize all of those thousand and thousand of pages followed by practice questions in like a 6 week dedicated period?!

Oh no, it's not a 6 week venture.
It's a 6 month or even 1 year venture.
6 weeks out, just do DIT/FA, Savarese (know the high yield stuff), and Questions.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

General question: What does DIT stand for?

Doctors in Training. Very comprehensive videos. I've tried using them together with FC instead of reading the page from FC and I'm constantly surprised how in depth it goes. Haven't taken boards yet, so I don't know how it plays out for it though. Have heard similar complaints lately from Bootcamp.