FA Microbiology enough for USMLE

[emlopez2]

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So Ive done a few searches and nobody ever mentions anything about the First Aid microbiology section. Of course Micro Made Rediculously Simple might be wise for COMLEX but do you really need it for the USMLE. I just about have the FA micro down cold. Is it possible to still do well with just FA or should I invest in another resource?

 

[lord_jeebus]

How well do you want to do?

 

[emlopez2]

How well do you want to do?

COMLEX im not too conerned with but for the USMLE I would like to get in the 240 range. Just wasnt sure if it would be possible with just FA as a Micro source.

 

[BabyPsychDoc]

I have not taken the test yet, so take my words with a pinch of salt. I think, FA gives you the bare minimum required for the USMLE. However, I found I could not study with just FA as the sole source of info for the test. Reason number 1: I like to make connections and I like to understand the stuff I read. So, it is easier for me to memorize 10 pages from MMRS than half page from FA micro - because MMRS is buzzing with associations, and they explain the stuff really well, so it just gets stuck in your brain. Reason number 2: USMLE tests understanding and integration, not simply memorization. Hence... see reason number 1.

I will let you know how my strategy worked in a few weeks time.🙂

 

[emlopez2]

Well I think I knew it all along but I just had to here it from a few other people. I think my best bet is to just shell out a few more dollars and get MMRS. Thanks for the replies though. Good luck!!

 

[mm3781]

I would at least get MMRS. I felt it served me well for the micro on Step 1. I also used the micro questions in the first aid Q&A book and Kaplan Step 1 Qbook to get used to the type of micro questions on the exam. between all of that, you should have it pretty well covered. One thing though, the antibiotics coverage in MMRS is not enough for the exam. I'd go with Lippincotts pharm review book for that.

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

I agree, it really depends on what you want to get.

If you want to be super competitive, I'd recommend knowing everything in Step 1 cold, reading MMRS, memorizing some virus classification schemes (they show up sometimes....blaaargh), and do some practice questions. Be warned: Kaplan Q Bank's micro questions are ridiculously specific and esoteric, they're sometimes not representative of what's on the actual test. You should focus on common stuff like what causes pneumonia in alcoholics instead of what's the organism that causes "Rat fever" in Asia.

 

[BabyPsychDoc]

If you can, sign up for UW. their micro qs are very representative of the NBME self-assessment forms - which are reported to be representative of the real thing. just my 2 cents.