Highest Yield Subjects for Step I

[Darksmurf]

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This may have already been discussed ad nauseum, but I couldn't find a thread for it.

What are the highest yield subjects on Step I, in descending order of importance? I'm trying to decide how to split up my limited time.

Specifically: biochem, cell bio, genetics, pharm, general path, micro, neuro, msk, respiratory, HemOnc, immuno, GI, cardio, reproductive, psych, embryo, endocrine, renal, behavioral, histology, biostats

I'm thinking: general path>neuro>micro>cardio>GI>pharm>cell bio>immuno> renal>respiratory>endocrine>msk>histology>genetics>biochem>embryo>behavioral> biostats

Any thoughts?

 

[sprinkibrio]

Yes I second this question. I've actually heard percentages like 20% micro, 15% biochem, so this information must be out there. No idea where, though.

 

[nope80]

I'd also be curious about which "organ systems" are tested more. Like neuro for example, my favorite subject🙁

 

[nope80]

bump

 

[silas2642]

This may have already been discussed ad nauseum, but I couldn't find a thread for it.

What are the highest yield subjects on Step I, in descending order of importance? I'm trying to decide how to split up my limited time.

Specifically: biochem, cell bio, genetics, pharm, general path, micro, neuro, msk, respiratory, HemOnc, immuno, GI, cardio, reproductive, psych, embryo, endocrine, renal, behavioral, histology, biostats

I'm thinking: general path>neuro>micro>cardio>GI>pharm>cell bio>immuno> renal>respiratory>endocrine>msk>histology>genetics>biochem>embryo>behavioral> biostats

Any thoughts?

I honestly couldn't give you the actual breakdown, but according to the current third years-- pathophys, pathophys, pathophys. Embryo is pretty low yield, and behavioral is far more high yield than embryo. Biochem is probably the highest yield subject for first year subjects.

 

[Darksmurf]

I honestly couldn't give you the actual breakdown, but according to the current third years-- pathophys, pathophys, pathophys. Embryo is pretty low yield, and behavioral is far more high yield than embryo. Biochem is probably the highest yield subject for first year subjects.

When you say Biochem, are you including genetics and cell bio?

 

[Re3iRtH]

Path/pathophys almost in every question, Pharm ~15%, rest <<10%.
This is just going by NBMEs.

 

[HarveyCushing]

I always heard the 3 P's: path, physio, and pharm. Then I think micro and biochem and behavior.

 

[triniman]

I always heard the 3 P's: path, physio, and pharm. Then I think micro and biochem and behavior.

3Ps and the 3Bs (Bugs, Biochem and Behavior)😉

 

[Instatewaiter]

In descending order

Path
Phys
Pharm
Micro
Behavioral/stats
Neuroanatomy
Biochem
Genetics
Anatomy, embryo and Histo

 

[Captopril]

I'm thinking: general path>neuro>micro>cardio>GI>pharm>cell bio>immuno> renal>respiratory>endocrine>msk>histology>genetics>biochem>embryo>behavioral> biostats

Any thoughts?

Really, Gen Path is considered the highest yield? That is music to my ears if true, because I would much rather try to get a solid handle on Gen Path as compared to Syst Path.

 

[igottaquestion]

In descending order

Path
Phys
Pharm
Micro
Behavioral/stats
Neuroanatomy
Biochem
Genetics
Anatomy, embryo and Histo

Oh crap. That's the reverse order in which I've been learning this stuff. 😉

 

[SnowTown]

Oh crap. That's the reverse order in which I've been learning this stuff. 😉

that just mean the more high yield stuff fresher

 

[defcon8]

that just mean the more high yield stuff fresher

unless he has a deadline to meet

 

[Terpskins99]

Highest yield: path, pharm, phys
Medium yield: micro, neuro, behavioral, biostats, biochem
Lowest yield: anatomy, embryology, genetics

 

[Darksmurf]

Thanks for the input.

One aspect that I am particularly concerned about (with a limited amount of study time) is: Which organ systems are the highest yield for pathophys and physio?

 

[SnakeEyes]

Based on previous posts, alot of people have been saying that they have been getting alot of Respiratory q's. I would suppose this order for path importance though:

Cardio
Neuro
Heme/Onc
Respiratory
Renal
Endocrine
Musculoskeletal/skin

**At least thats how they are important to me

 

[Divine Furor]

Seriously, every person you talk to will give you a different breakdown on what is high-yield, just as every third-party prep provider (from Kaplan to Lippincott) has their own metric and methodology. What did your medical school emphasize, in what length, and what do you feel you need the most preparation in? Obviously, you shouldn't spend the majority of your time on Reproductive Path, while Behavioral/Neuro/Cardio/General Pathologic Principles I'm willing to bet ate a larger chunk of your basic science curriculum.

 

[TXDO]

How about COMLEX level 1? Any thought heh?😀

 

[joeylux]

How about COMLEX level 1? Any thought heh?😀

This is from the sticky at the top of this forum:

Content breakdown for COMLEX

Dimension I: Patient Presentation

Asymptomatic & General Symptoms 8 -- 16%
Symptoms & Disorders of Digestion & Metabolism 4 &#8211; 10%
Symptoms & Disorders of Sensory Alternations 28 &#8211; 38%
Symptoms & Disorders of Motor Alternations 6 &#8211; 12%
Symptoms & Disorders Related to Human Sexuality & Urination 3 &#8211; 8%
Symptoms & Disorders of Respiration & Circulation 8 &#8211; 16%
Symptoms & Disorders of Thermoregulation 2 &#8211; 6%
Symptoms & Disorders of the Tissues and Trauma 8 &#8211; 16%
Symptoms & Disorders of Human Development 3 &#8211; 8%

Dimension II: Physician Tasks

Health Promotion & Disease Prevention 1 &#8211; 5%
History & Physical 5 &#8211; 15%
Diagnostic Technologies 1 &#8211; 5%
Management 2 &#8211; 7%
Scientific Understanding of Mechanisms 70 &#8211; 85 %
Health Care Delivery 1 &#8211; 3 %



And no, I don't know what the hell they're talking about and I'll also be taking both, USMLE tomorrow.

​

 

[TXDO]

This is from the sticky at the top of this forum:

Content breakdown for COMLEX

Dimension I: Patient Presentation

Asymptomatic & General Symptoms 8 -- 16%
Symptoms & Disorders of Digestion & Metabolism 4 &#8211; 10%
Symptoms & Disorders of Sensory Alternations 28 &#8211; 38%
Symptoms & Disorders of Motor Alternations 6 &#8211; 12%
Symptoms & Disorders Related to Human Sexuality & Urination 3 &#8211; 8%
Symptoms & Disorders of Respiration & Circulation 8 &#8211; 16%
Symptoms & Disorders of Thermoregulation 2 &#8211; 6%
Symptoms & Disorders of the Tissues and Trauma 8 &#8211; 16%
Symptoms & Disorders of Human Development 3 &#8211; 8%

Dimension II: Physician Tasks

Health Promotion & Disease Prevention 1 &#8211; 5%
History & Physical 5 &#8211; 15%
Diagnostic Technologies 1 &#8211; 5%
Management 2 &#8211; 7%
Scientific Understanding of Mechanisms 70 &#8211; 85 %
Health Care Delivery 1 &#8211; 3 %



And no, I don't know what the hell they're talking about and I'll also be taking both, USMLE tomorrow.

​

Wish you good luck, and let me know how they go. Recently, I heard that COMLEX has tremendously improved on the exam content and structure. It gets harder than couple years ago when people said COMLEX was easier than USMLE.
Anyway, good luck to you and give me some feedbacks on both USMLE and COMLEX.
Thanks👍