FA 2011 vs FA 2012

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I was wondering this, I'm taking Step 1 on Aug 31, thats 32 days from now.

Is there really a big difference between FA 2011 and FA 2012?
 
I was wondering this, I'm taking Step 1 on Aug 31, thats 32 days from now.

Is there really a big difference between FA 2011 and FA 2012?

There are minor differences. I took Step 1 last month, and I studied using FA 2011. I pulled up the PDF version of 2012 while I was studying just to make sure it matched 2011. 99% of the stuff is the same...except that 2012 has color. The neuro section in 2012 had an extra page that wasn't in 2011, and they reformatted the section on brain lesions and hemorrhages. Otherwise, I used 2011 and had no problems.
 
I've read both the 2009 and 2012 editions cover-to-cover. If there's anything I can comment on, it's that the 2012 is overall MUCH BETTER in terms of its affability. However, there are certainly some things in the '09 edition that are left out in the 2012, which blows my mind because the stuff left out ISN'T low-yield either.

For example, the dopamine pathways diagram in the neuro section of FA2012 is really bad because not only are the stimulatory arrows red and the inhibitory ones green (Gd knows why), but they've tried to fancy it up and it's just not as clear. The 2009 edition, in contrast, has a GREAT diagram. I've actually copied this over into the 2012 edition, and I visualize it when I think of the pathways, rather than thinking about the one in the '12 edition.

Also, you'll notice that FA2012 doesn't have any info on the ear. The '09 edition has an entire page on it (info that has shown up in practice questions for me).

I know you've asked about the 2011, not the 2009, but I would say that if you've already started annotating the 2011, stick with it, since one year likely won't make much of a difference, and the 2012 edition, apart from being easier to read because it's in color, has some important info removed and is littered with errors.
 
I have been using 2010 version. I have 2012 version and i compared it with 2010. I would 99% of the material is the same. Some stuff is added which i annotated into 2010. Reason why i stuck with 2010 was because i had already annotate decent amount of information for school work and uworld.
 
Hi all,

I have the 2011 FA and am planning on taking the step 1 in 2013. Is there really a big difference between the two editions?

Personally, the COLOR in 2012 did a lot for me. Also the pics are in the right places (who actually flips to the designated "color" pages in FA 2011 whenever they're referenced??). I found that FA 2012 also physically separated things out better. You'll see light dashed lines in between entries in tables and such. Sounds pretty trivial, but it's a blessing for the visual learner and makes everything that much neater. Extremely good use of my $35.

Also, many people mentioned that they annotated in earlier versions and were thus less inclined to switch to the newer version. I did the same (annotated 2011 throughout M1/2), but ended up biting the bullet and buying 2012. I told myself I would re-annotate into it, but I didn't need to. Turns out all the crap you annotate in FA as an MS1-earlyMS2 is pretty irrelevant to boards, or by dedicated study time it's so ingrained in your head that annotating it is unnecessary. You'll be surprised.
 
I'd say don't buy 2012 if you have 2011 already AND are planning on buying 2013 (which you absolutely should). 2011 is more than good enough for following along during your classes with. And then when 2013 comes out in January, switch to that one.

2012 also has a mind-numbing long list of errors downloadable from first aid website that you would have to correct so it won't necessarily be better than 2011. It has more errors I think because of the total format change of the book.

Anyway, long story short, don't waste your money buying 2012 if you are going to buy 2013 4 months from now. Seriously take my advice. Usually I say spend what ever money required in order to ensure a great board score, but in this cae you'll see that 2011 will be more than good enough for following along with your classes for the next 4 months.

THEN switch to 2013.
 
I used 2010 and got a 262. I really don't think it's a big deal as long as you go through the errata and annotate from UWorld.
 
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