Books

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Sort by date Sort by votes
Step up is a great book but its very very dense. I think it would mostly be useful if you just came off a medicine rotation during which Step Up was used to study for the shelf. Other than that, personally I think its a tough book to go through for the amount of information that you need to know.

As I've started my studying for Step 2, I've been using B&W and it feels a lot like how my First Aid for Step 1 felt - critical. But don't get me wrong, its a dense book packed with tons of information. I sometimes wonder how I am supposed to retain it all. But, its a great book that breaks things down by subject. Secrets is also good because it asks and explains information in ways that you haven't thought of. I can't vouch for any other resource as I haven't used them.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Babycatcher2B said:
Boards and Wards
Click to expand...

1405105097.jpg
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
EternalMD said:
Step up is a great book but its very very dense. I think it would mostly be useful if you just came off a medicine rotation during which Step Up was used to study for the shelf. Other than that, personally I think its a tough book to go through for the amount of information that you need to know.

As I've started my studying for Step 2, I've been using B&W and it feels a lot like how my First Aid for Step 1 felt - critical. But don't get me wrong, its a dense book packed with tons of information. I sometimes wonder how I am supposed to retain it all. But, its a great book that breaks things down by subject. Secrets is also good because it asks and explains information in ways that you haven't thought of. I can't vouch for any other resource as I haven't used them.
Click to expand...

Are you refering to step up to step 2 CK? Yeah i think it is a good book, but you are right, it might take a long time to read through it. I have been contemplating on using it for step 2 since i thought that step up to medicine was a great book. It is very thin and has many tables and charts. So i bought it, still contemplating if I will use it or not because iI may take it back to the store. I also bought secrets which is an easy read. I've read like 70 pages already just leisurely reading it on a 5 hour road trip. Anybody have any thoughts on step up to step 2 CK. If so, how long did you take to read it. And do you think I will be able to read both secrets and step up to step 2 ck from now till july 31st (my test date). Any thoughts are appreciated.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Any feelings on Crush Step 2 CK book? I'm looking for something like First Aid, but I heard the actual First Aid for Step 2 CK is poor.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
OHMAN0125 said:
Any feelings on Crush Step 2 CK book? I'm looking for something like First Aid, but I heard the actual First Aid for Step 2 CK is poor.
Click to expand...

I thought FA was much better than Crush, but it depends on what you're looking for. FA has more information, Crush is more "High Yield"

Either way, it doesn't matter too much because USMLEWorld is what's responsible for 95% of your useful review.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I just started reading FA and I think it's pretty good, although it probably contains way too much information.

I'm about to quit reading it and just start doing usmleworld. I have an easy rotation now, so hopefully in one month I can do all questions.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
lord_jeebus said:
Either way, it doesn't matter too much because USMLEWorld is what's responsible for 95% of your useful review.
Click to expand...

Is it because the questions are similar to the ones in the actual test, or because usmleworld covers all the material needed for the test?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gonogo said:
Is one month during an easy rotation enough time to finish it all?

Do you think is good to complement it with FA (a la step 1, writing notes on FA), or it would just take too much time?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't write notes in FA but I thought it was worth going through - once.

It's probably a good idea to make some sort of written notes on what you learn from UW, but looking up each topic in FA to annotate would take too long.

I think a month is plenty for UW - I finished it in a leisurely 2 weeks. There's about 2100 questions, do the math.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
lord_jeebus said:
I wouldn't write notes in FA but I thought it was worth going through - once.

It's probably a good idea to make some sort of written notes on what you learn from UW, but looking up each topic in FA to annotate would take too long.

I think a month is plenty for UW - I finished it in a leisurely 2 weeks. There's about 2100 questions, do the math.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

So 2 weeks UW, 1 week FA, and 1 week reviewing the notes I take from UW. Then the test. Does this sound like a good plan?

I'll probably be able to put 4-5 hours/day.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Babycatcher2B said:
Are you refering to step up to step 2 CK?
Click to expand...

I was actually talking about Step Up to Medicine. I haven't really heard much about Step up to Step 2CK so i can't comment.

As for secrets, its a really good book and ive only gone over parts of it which seem pretty good to supplement my B&W. Plus, having someone ask you a question such as "what are EKG findings of hypocalcemia?" will stick better than just reading it in a list of things associated with hypocalcemia. It's like 3rd year - i've remembered the answers to most of the pimp questions which completely befuddled me.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gonogo said:
Thanks!

So 2 weeks UW, 1 week FA, and 1 week reviewing the notes I take from UW. Then the test. Does this sound like a good plan?

I'll probably be able to put 4-5 hours/day.
Click to expand...

I think that would be fine. I'd read FA before doing UW because the most useful thing for this test is having your UW knowledge fresh.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Its true that secrets 1 and 2 require a study mate. But its the best way to establish a sense of recall, especially important for test day. I swear by them. They are the perfect compact high yield review guide.

Also I agree with a previous poster. Most of your studying will ultimately come on the UW website when you review your answers. It works! GL
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Babycatcher2B said:
Any thoughts on Secrets or Step Up to USMLE Step 2 CK?
Click to expand...
I was going to ask this too. Has anyone here used Step Up to USMLE Step 2 CK? What about Rapid Review for Step 2 for people who liked the Goljan books for Step 1? I haven't seen anyone talk much about those two books, but is it because they're new or because they're not good? Also does anyone know about the pub date of the new third edition of Secrets that is supposed to be coming out? If I am a third year now, how far in advance before taking Step 2 do I need to buy Secrets?

Relaxed, what is the purpose of also reading the Secrets book for Step 1?
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

21Rush12
  • Question Question
Best Step 2 CK question books
Replies
0
Views
813
21Rush12
21Rush12
S
  • Question Question
Audio books for Step 2 CK?
Replies
1
Views
2K
JCopft55
J
P
  • Question Question
Are there any Step 1 books that are helpful for Step 2 ??
Replies
11
Views
5K
MudPhud20XX
MudPhud20XX
Northerncardinal
  • Question Question
pretest medicine book reviews
Replies
0
Views
564
Northerncardinal
Northerncardinal
D
  • Question Question
Using shelf review books for Step/Level 2?
Replies
0
Views
1K
docbee18
D
Top