Difference between version of DIT?

[Merely]

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I'm thinking about going through DIT first before seriously reading first aid and was wondering if there was any difference between say DIT 2013 and DIT 2016? Can I use the 2013/2014 version instead of having to buy the 2016 version? My step 1 is like 6 months away...just looking for some thoughts! Thanks 🙂

 

[Donald Juan]

So, your question is should you waste your time doing DIT or waste both your time and money?

Why don't you start with the 2013....if you feel like you're getting a lot out of it, but it's a little too 2013ish for you then you can upgrade to 2016.

 

[Roxas]

So, your question is should you waste your time doing DIT or waste both your time and money?

Why don't you start with the 2013....if you feel like you're getting a lot out of it, but it's a little too 2013ish for you then you can upgrade to 2016.

I'm curious, why do you say DIT is a waste of time? Is it better to just use that time toward straight up memorizing FA?

 

[Lya]

I'm thinking about going through DIT first before seriously reading first aid and was wondering if there was any difference between say DIT 2013 and DIT 2016? Can I use the 2013/2014 version instead of having to buy the 2016 version? My step 1 is like 6 months away...just looking for some thoughts! Thanks 🙂

I would use DIT 2013/14 instead of 2016 if you are able to save some money.

The only concern I might have is whether the 2013 version has an up-to-date psych chapter, because DSM-5 got published in 2013 and I am not sure if DIT updated accordingly.

 

[Merely]

So I have DIT 2014 but why do some people think its a waste of time? Isn't it like reviewing FA?

 

[Darth Doc]

I didn't use DIT - I had it, but I didn't use it. I talked to a lot of people in the class ahead of me, and a number of people who used it said it was a waste of time. Others said it was good, but then they never finished UWorld. No one I talked to with a score more than the median used just DIT and many with great scores didn't touch it. Those who use it say it's a good review of MS2, but it's far from being a full review of FA. If you do DIT, you still have to do all of UWorld. That's an enormous time commitment. --- that's my overall take on DIT after asking 20-30 people who used it.

Do your own research and make your own decision, though. Don't listen to their sales people.

 

[ortnakas]

I'm curious, why do you say DIT is a waste of time? Is it better to just use that time toward straight up memorizing FA?

I used it and really liked it, so I guess I'm the SDN DIT contrarian. It is pretty much just videos going through First Aid, but I thought it was helpful to see it in a slightly different light at least once (so you don't have the phenomena where you see it in a book and think you know it, but you actually just recognize it, not understand it) and to have one organized pass through the material so I knew I wasn't missing something. I definitely heard them a few times in my head during both exams. To me, it was worth the time because I probably would have spent even more time staring at First Aid and trying to memorize it on my own.

For what it's worth, I scored slightly below national average on USMLE but far above national average on COMLEX (I can't explain the discrepancy). So I actually kind of agree with @Darth Doc-- it's definitely not a replacement for UWorld and it's definitely not for everyone. If you're at the top of your class and you're hoping for a 260, it's not what you're looking for. But if you're struggling with material, or even if you're average-ish and/or need help keeping your studying organized, I think it's a good tool.

 

[Lya]

I used it and really liked it, so I guess I'm the SDN DIT contrarian. It is pretty much just videos going through First Aid, but I thought it was helpful to see it in a slightly different light at least once (so you don't have the phenomena where you see it in a book and think you know it, but you actually just recognize it, not understand it) and to have one organized pass through the material so I knew I wasn't missing something. I definitely heard them a few times in my head during both exams. To me, it was worth the time because I probably would have spent even more time staring at First Aid and trying to memorize it on my own.

This.

If you are a visual learner who likes watching videos, DIT is a good intro to FA. After watching 5-10 videos, you'll realize quickly if DIT fits your learning style or not. If you like how they cover the FA, then stick to it. You still have 6 months, so if I were you, I would do FA first pass along with DIT and then do Rx/Kaplan qbank if you haven't done any qbank yet. I think your goal now should be to do a slow first pass of FA, recognize your strong/weak areas, come up with useful mnemonics for small details, improve your knowledge base overall, and do as many practice questions as possible prior to starting your UWorld.

But I do agree with others that DIT does not cover everything in FA, and you still need to finish UWorld and read FA cover to cover later at some point.

 

[ScubaV]

I used DIT as an organized method of going through FA, whereas if I just sat and read/memorized it I would have lost focus after a couple pages. I also picked up a couple of very good test taking tips that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise (ex. memorize biostats formulas a couple days in advance and regurgitate them onto the laminated pages prior to starting the test). I did DIT once and about 60% of UWorld and got low 230's on Step 1. If I went back in time and tried to maximize my score I probably would have still done DIT plus a second review of FA alone and 100% of UWorld. I also used DIT for Step 2 CK, but it wasn't nearly as helpful for me there.

 

[Eddie_Currents]

I didn't use DIT - I had it, but I didn't use it. I talked to a lot of people in the class ahead of me, and a number of people who used it said it was a waste of time. Others said it was good, but then they never finished UWorld. No one I talked to with a score more than the median used just DIT and many with great scores didn't touch it. Those who use it say it's a good review of MS2, but it's far from being a full review of FA. If you do DIT, you still have to do all of UWorld. That's an enormous time commitment. --- that's my overall take on DIT after asking 20-30 people who used it.

Do your own research and make your own decision, though. Don't listen to their sales people.

I used DIT and only got through about 1/4 to 1/2 of U World... still was pretty pleased with my STEP score.
However, I will say that it's not enough. I also read through First Aid twice. And did picmonic, sketchy, and Pathoma. DIT is a great review of basics - and I'm not afraid to say I needed the structure. But I did about 16-20 DIT videos a day, plus other studying, which was exhausting. In summary, there's no right way to stuy for STEP1. Just make sure you do. 🙂