Everything Goljan - Including Biochem???

[Jay Jay]

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Many know of Goljan's prowess with path. But what about the Biochem book he wrote for the Step 1? Anybody use it? Like it?

I am wondering whether to use that, the Kaplan lecture notes, or the HY book. Help!

Thanks,

JJ

 

[predodoc]

I asked the same question months ago and never got a reply. I have a copy of the kaplan 2004 biochem and I just bought the Rapid review 2nd ed.

I havnt looked at the rapid review too much but this is my breakdown so far:
RR-about 200 pages, 350 online Q's and 100Q's in the book. lots of drawings/diagrams but not photographs(prob. not many anyway). It seems more condensed than kaplan(more info on each page) While kaplans is more spread out. RR seems to have more of a Outline format with less explaining and maybe more detail. kaplan seems to talk more in paragraphs. Cant tell for sure which has more clinical stuff, but i would guess RR.

Kaplan: 265 pages , but including the genetics section its 345. An avg of 10 questions after each chapter (24 ch.). Since its spread out more, it probably has the same(maybe more/less ) info than RR.

Overall, both have good reviews from people, nither have bad reviews. Overall Ive heard of more people using the Kaplan, so its more popular but whether its beter or not might be a toss up. I plan to pick one chapter for each that overlaps and read them both sometime over christmas, then Ill know which I like better.

 

[DragonWell]

I haven't really started reviewing yet, so take my opinion with some salt. So far of all the biochem review books I've seen, the Lippincott has been hands down most helpful - well organized, useful summaries, excellent concept maps, color pictures...RR seems more concise but perhaps a little less clearly organized...

 

[Arctic Char]

IMHO, lippincott is too dense on its own, but i find it to be the BEST reference text for biochem. use FA to guide what you need to know, and then learn it from lippincott. when you've read about a particular topic (e.g. ribonucleotide salvage pathways), annotate the major points in the corresponding section of first aid. thats my plan for biochem, although i hear the high yield biochem is efficient.

good luck

 

[Arctic Char]

oh, bodymechanic - dude, your avatar is crazy. i can't stop looking at it!

 

[mesoderm]

I have the RR Biochemistry book co-authored by Goljan, and after giving it a good going over, I can say that it's a very good resource. I had BRS Biochem, which I used for school and it worked well for exam prep. But now that I am hunkering down for the boards, that book just doesn't do it for me any longer. Even though they are both in outline form, I prefer the look of the pages and text of RR over BRS. I also use FA, but if you want or need just a tad more meat, RR Biochem will give you that without bogging you down. Also, the pathophysiology that accompanies the biochemical processes (Dr. Goljan's contribution to the joint effort, most likely) will echo Dr. G's path audio lectures.

 

[Jay Jay]

Thanks for the guidance! Looks like Goljan's biochem would be a good read to incorporate multiple subjects (ie the physio with the biochem).