USMLE First year books/material that are great for board prep

[libraryismyhome]

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Hello everyone!

I am a first year and am currently taking anatomy and biochemistry.

After my first exam, we will be start taking physiology as well. My learning specialist told me to start working on BRS questions but I was also told that BRS isn't great for all subjects. I would definitely use BRS for physiology but my friend recommended me his Firecracker and heard that this is great.

While studying MCAT, a lot of us found out that Examkracker Bio and berkeley chemistry were great but not Examkracker chem and berkely bio.

If there is a list of books I could use for each subject, it would be extremely helpful.. Is there a thread dedicated to that?? Any thoughts? Thank you in advance and best wishes!

 

[J ROD]

Best thing you can do first year is get used to med school. And, learn the material well the first time in class.

And what the hell is a learning specialist?.......😀

 

[SBR249]

I remembered almost zilch from MS1 when I started MS2. It was fine because MS2 courses went over most important stuff from MS1 as well.

 

[libraryismyhome]

Well unfortunately, lecture material presented at my school aren't really focused on boards. Diagrams are very poor compared to lippencott biochem text and some are not emphasized despite being emphasized in detail in first aid 2014 book..

 

[DermViser]

Hello everyone!

I am a first year and am currently taking anatomy and biochemistry.

After my first exam, we will be start taking physiology as well. My learning specialist told me to start working on BRS questions but I was also told that BRS isn't great for all subjects. I would definitely use BRS for physiology but my friend recommended me his Firecracker and heard that this is great.

While studying MCAT, a lot of us found out that Examkracker Bio and berkeley chemistry were great but not Examkracker chem and berkely bio.

If there is a list of books I could use for each subject, it would be extremely helpful.. Is there a thread dedicated to that?? Any thoughts? Thank you in advance and best wishes!

Are you talking about review books or textbooks? What are the names of your courses specifically? Is it organ system integrated or traditional?

 

[libraryismyhome]

Its organ system integrated.... I am kinda talking about both.
I would like to use the textbooks that recommended for boards EX) Lippencott Biochem and use review books' questions or online questions too. EX) BRS physiology and Firecracker.
I wish there are a thread dedicated to firecracker, a thread focused on textbooks, and another thread focused on review books.

 

[Lafakads]

what is a learning specialist out of curiosity?

 

[libraryismyhome]

In my school, learning specialists tell us how to study for certain subjects and also devise a study strategy for us. Students take learning assessment test and figure out what kind of learners and this is taken as consideration too.

 

[voicesinmyhead]

lol

 

[Nephronlearner]

Hello everyone!

I am a first year and am currently taking anatomy and biochemistry.

After my first exam, we will be start taking physiology as well. My learning specialist told me to start working on BRS questions but I was also told that BRS isn't great for all subjects. I would definitely use BRS for physiology but my friend recommended me his Firecracker and heard that this is great.

While studying MCAT, a lot of us found out that Examkracker Bio and berkeley chemistry were great but not Examkracker chem and berkely bio.

If there is a list of books I could use for each subject, it would be extremely helpful.. Is there a thread dedicated to that?? Any thoughts? Thank you in advance and best wishes!

Sincerely hope this isn't your bookshelf on your profile picture 😛

"The best books" are the ones that help you learn the material. I would agree with most others who tell you to just focus on learning things well the 1st time.
Also, regardless of how your school tests you, if you learn the material well, it will not be hard to adjust to board-style questions.

Personally, I loved Costanzo's physio + BRS and I loved Lippincott biochem (and the same is true for most people). That being said, you might hate both and prefer some completely different resources and still learn the material as well, if not better than anyone else.

Furthermore, if you were good enough to get into medical school, I am sure you don't need a "study specialist" to tell you how to study. You probably know yourself what works for you and what doesn't.

So stop worrying about "must have" and "must read" stuff and focus on learning the subjects you are studying.

 

[Brain Bucket]

I've always followed this bit of advice and it's served me well: the best books are the ones you read.

Sent from my phone. No, I wont tell you which one.