Gunner Training or Kaplan QBank?

[futuredoctor10]

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Did anyone here use both Gunner Training and Kaplan QBank... if so, can you let me know your thoughts on both - their differences, which you liked better, which was most like Step 1 (if you've taken it)?

I am debating which test bank to get. (I am assuming both would be too many questions to complete realistically with the timeframe)

Kaplan's 12 month QBank is $499.00 (over 2000 questions).
Gunner Training's 12 month is $189.00 (6018 practice questions).

-Gunner Training pricewise is a good deal, and I have read good things on the program on SDN, but it seems like alot more people stick with Kaplan. I just want to see people's thoughts on differences of these two programs.

-I can get access to Gunner Training for 18 months for $225, which would enable me to start taking the practice questions in my M1 year in the Spring.

-If Kaplan is better than Gunner Training, then I'd rather wait and just get the Kaplan QBank for 1 year. (If GT is better I can start it my M1 year and start working through those 6000+ questions).

-I also heard GT takes 1 hour or 1.5 hrs/day at minimum to really get the most out of it, which is alot of time... would starting earlier help me reduce that time to 30 mins 5x/week and be okay to complete the program in a year or so? If not, I don't think I'd have the time (>45 min/day) to commit for the benefits of the program.

 

[ar2388]

I dont know anything personally abotu kaplan but i have GT and i really like it. although i dont stick to their prescribed number of questions per day adn whatnot, as a supplemental resource, it is great. and oyu get more questions for less money

 

[C5toC9]

I have both and if you are an M1, I would definitely go with GT. No question. Keep up to it with your coursework and it will be magic.

 

[Dr.CCM]

M1 here too. Took the free trial with GT. It's good stuff. Gonna stick with it for
about 30 minutes a day to keep up some of my knowledge from first year. You are really limited as to what you can review since most of
the subjects are from 2nd year classes.

 

[DrDrToBe]

M2 here; I have both and would highly recommend both. Keep in mind that they are different resources, so they complement each other. GT helps you to memorize stuff, while the Qbank simulates Step 1 questions to help get you into exam mode.
If you're a M1 I would suggest getting GT and leaving Kaplan (or any other Qbank) until 2nd year. The Qbanks integrate a lot of info that you won't learn until 2nd year so it would be a waste of time to attempt it now. Use GT along with your classes and M1 stuff will be golden by the time Step 1 comes around.
Also, don't compare the number of questions in Kaplan to GT. Kaplan questions are in test format with clinical scenarios, whereas GT questions are just one liners to test your memory of the flashcards you study. And although GT has tons of questions and you may not be able to get through them all, you may not need to since alot of M2 courses mostly require understanding and there isn't as much memorization involved.

 

[Day man]

To anyone who took step 1 already:
Was planning on doing usmlerx questions jan/feb to familiarize with first aid...so would you just highlight all the subjects we've done so far this year and do 46q timed tests until you're done? Or would you do a specific subject? Or some mix of both?

 

[pezzang]

I am currently using GT and was thinking about getting kaplan Qbank. GT DOES have scenario questions like Qbank as well as flashcard and flashcard review quizzes.
What do people think about GT's Qbank questions? I thought they are a bit straightforward but haven't used kaplan Qbank so I can't compared. Any insights please?

 

[DoctwoB]

The answer is to go with Both (or USMLEW or Rx Qbank insteak of Kaplan)

Gunner Training is a fantastic resource for factual recall. It is basically an interactive First Aid, that quizzes you with simple, factual questions until you remember everything. It does have some more involved questions, but even those tend to be based on remembering 1 or 2 facts.

Kaplan Qbank (or competing Qbanks) are designed to give you USMLE type questions, which helps you for a few reasons. You can simulate a test like environment by taking a number of blocks, You get really good at answering USMLE type questions (though I've heard USMLEW is even better for this), and you will recall some facts based on the questions you got right or wrong.

Basically GT = learning the facts, Qbank = applying the facts. You need to learn how to do both.