Kaplan High Yield

[mdeast]

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Hey guys-

Felt like going through First Aid was hard without someone guiding, so purchased Kaplan High Yield this morning (if you have Qbank + AMA membership already it's actually only $200 to upgrade to High Yield). Thinking of using it for everything but Pathology (Pathoma covers this so well, I don't feel scared in this realm). I also can easily watch things on 1.5x speed, so I don't think that going through it will actually take more than a week or two.

What have people's opinion been on it so far? Worth the time? Should be done my first run through of First Aid by the end of this upcoming week. Will have about 6 weeks after that for re-reviews and going back to old sections and using High Yield/QBank/USMLE World questions. Any suggestions for study plan?

Thanks! Nice to have some online support from those more knowledgeable about how to ace the exam 😉

 

[shan564]

I started watching FA Express (from USMLERx) yesterday and some of the lectures are excellent (while others are dry/boring). The guy who does the immunology lectures is brilliant. I have a better understanding of immunology from one morning of watching lectures than ever before.

But the Kaplan demo videos seem good too. I was tempted to get that, but it seemed too similar to DIT in its purpose. I figured I'd use FA Express to help with FA review and then use DIT for high-yield review just because it's proven.

I'd love to hear your opinion on the Kaplan course though.

 

[mdeast]

Just started on the Kaplan Videos. Did most of GI and started on Biochem. Thought the biochem lectures were awesome so far. GI was OK/meh. It's good to help you read through First Aid though. I was having trouble concentrating on what was important and staying focused on non-path stuff (I use Pathoma for that). They make it more interesting by going through it with you... but trying to relate how these questions would be asked on Step I (i.e will it be a pharm question? a physiology question? an anatomy question?), which ones are most likely to show up, etc. Does take a lot of pausing because a lot of the slides are just "you should know this....memorize this table in First Aid" essentially.

So far I would definitely recommend it, if you were in the situation like myself in just having trouble going through First Aid by reading and having trouble staying focused/motivated. Also would suggest watching the videos after having looked at First Aid/BRS Physio/any other review books because everything will make much more sense.

 

[Chirurg]

Just started on the Kaplan Videos. Did most of GI and started on Biochem. Thought the biochem lectures were awesome so far. GI was OK/meh. It's good to help you read through First Aid though. I was having trouble concentrating on what was important and staying focused on non-path stuff (I use Pathoma for that). They make it more interesting by going through it with you... but trying to relate how these questions would be asked on Step I (i.e will it be a pharm question? a physiology question? an anatomy question?), which ones are most likely to show up, etc. Does take a lot of pausing because a lot of the slides are just "you should know this....memorize this table in First Aid" essentially.

So far I would definitely recommend it, if you were in the situation like myself in just having trouble going through First Aid by reading and having trouble staying focused/motivated. Also would suggest watching the videos after having looked at First Aid/BRS Physio/any other review books because everything will make much more sense.

cheers for the update.
please, do report back when you are done with a few more sections of FA.

 

[JackShephard MD]

This program seems pretty good, I'd like to hear more from current users.

http://www.kaptest.com/Medical-Licensing/Step1/s1-high-yield.html

 

[ijn]

I haven't heard good things about it from students at my school. One got a refund for HighYield after about a week and decided to go with full CenterPrep video set instead. I think she thought High Yield was too superficial and wanted a more substantial review.

 

[Chirurg]

I haven't heard good things about it from students at my school. One got a refund for HighYield after about a week and decided to go with full CenterPrep video set instead. I think she thought High Yield was too superficial and wanted a more substantial review.

this all depends on where your baseline knowledge is.
personally I think my baseline knowledge is good enough to get bored with the full centerprep set, and I'm sure this would apply to most people on here.
I watched one demo-lecture, I thought it was good, but this was only 1 lecture,
so I'd like to hear more about it.

 

[mdeast]

cheers for the update.
please, do report back when you are done with a few more sections of FA.

Will do. Gonna try out the Micro tomorrow for a bit. Skipping all the path because I think Pathoma is a better use of my time. So far, I feel like the course is better if you've been through the material once before. Moreso for helping you integrate things and review big concepts without stressing the small details.

There are also are some supplemental "clinical integration" videos/animations that I assume are sets of older Kaplan tutorials. Some are amazing, some are meh. Though, I thought the gastric acid regulation animation was very helpful and has already gotten me some questions right on the QBank/UWorld.

So far, I wouldn't pay $500 for this. But $200 upgrade from QBank, I think it's worth it for the extra study source.

 

[WonderBoy]

Is there a special text for the HY lectures? Our school gave us access to them, will use them in dedicated period.

 

[Kennedypjp]

That's good question that I would like to know as well!

 

[swamprat]

I got HY Kaplan and I'm not a big fan of it and neither is one of my friends who recently purchased it. The lectures are ok, but very superficial and I wish they had a little more depth to them..which some of them I guess do but others don't. I wish you could also go faster than 1.5 speed and I find some of the lectures a bit glitchy when u try and switch between regular and high speed. I haven't done them all or even really started my step 1 studying yet except for some qbank here and there but from what I have done I pretty much decided to cut my losses with kaplans HY.

I'm just gunna read first aid, do goljan, uworld and any other review sources I might get my hands on organizing it all into a schedule using that iphone app cram fighter. I'm not really an audio learner and I find it to be an extreme waste of time to allow kaplan to read first aid to me when I can do it in half the time AND get more out of it. Kaplan HY 👎thumbdown👎

 

[kaleerkalut]

I started watching FA Express (from USMLERx) yesterday and some of the lectures are excellent (while others are dry/boring). The guy who does the immunology lectures is brilliant. I have a better understanding of immunology from one morning of watching lectures than ever before.

But the Kaplan demo videos seem good too. I was tempted to get that, but it seemed too similar to DIT in its purpose. I figured I'd use FA Express to help with FA review and then use DIT for high-yield review just because it's proven.

I'd love to hear your opinion on the Kaplan course though.

Anybody know what are the really good First Aid Express videos if you had pick some to watch (besides Immuno pointed out in the quoted post)? Thanks 🙂

 

[futuredoc8788]

I have it and I like it. I like it because it forces me to go through first aid faster than I normally would on my first run through. In addition, they do add in a little extra(more than what's in FA). I really think it all depends on your knowledge base as well. I've done very well in my first 4 years so I still have a bit( ONLY LITTLE BIT lol) of residual details that can still be resurrected in my brain. Furthermore, it depends on what you expect, obviously its not going to cover everything in 50 hours, but it will help refamiliarize you to information and lay the foundation for good boards studying or more detailed prep if you desire. To me, its a good alternative to listening to hours and hours of lecture like that seen in many of the extended prep courses because I loose focus. In addition, at the end of the lecture they have questions to make sure you understand. However I will say this, as with any study course or any type of prep for step 1, you must take the initiative to make sure you understand everything that's said in the course and within first aid. Take the time to research additional sources on those things to make sure you get it, and spend time on your weaknesses, especially if you find the course is too superficial in those areas. Its a general course so we as users must assess our weak points and put extra time into those areas. Plus with the AMA membership its not as expensive as the other courses and it comes with kaplan Qbank. Lastly, we recently had our first CBSE exam and I've only completed about 50% of the course but I scored 35 points higher than our class average so I think its helping.

Hope this helps your decision 🙂

 

[PteFabulous]

I did the high yield but also found it was too superficial. I prefer DIT especially if you're looking for something to guide you through FA.

 

[mdeast]

Been going through some more videos. I think it High Yield is a somewhat helpful supplement to other tools, but shouldn't be a sole resource.

I think it is definitely helpful for sections I was having trouble getting through because either I hadn't learned them in a while or didn't remember the basics very well. Or, just wanted someone to read me the important stuff. I'll agree...a lot of what they do is pretty superficial. Like..."yeah, you need to learn all these female anatomy ligaments....check out First Aid for that. Onto the next section...."

The lectures are hit and miss as well. Some just read off slides and it's pretty terrible. Others will go off on asides to remind you how questions will be asked on the Step 1 and really highlight key points to know. They'll also explain mechanisms to remind you how to reason questions, rather than just memorize facts. I really thought Biochem was helpful as I just couldn't get through reading it myself.

Personally, I'd stick to Pathoma for all the path stuff. Dr. S is just too good. Kaplan can be helpful on other sections though i.e. Biochem, BRS, etc. that aren't covered well by him or all the anatomy/physiology/embryology that you might just need someone to read to you.

I personally am not spending a whole lot of time with it. There are better uses. But, for as cheap as it is compared to DIT, I think it's an OK investment.

 

[shan564]

Anybody know what are the really good First Aid Express videos if you had pick some to watch (besides Immuno pointed out in the quoted post)? Thanks 🙂

So far, I've watched all of psych, immuno, neuro, and embryo.

Neuro and embryo were both pretty good... engaging enough to capture my attention with enough explanation so that I have an understanding of what I'm watching rather than just reading FA. They were done by Jeremy Hofmann, who is also listed as the #3 author on the cover of FA 2012.

The immuno videos were excellent... like I said before, I never really understood immuno until Peter Gayed explained it to me. I was such a big fan that I googled him and started following his blog. He's listed as the #4 author in the "about the authors" page in the back of FA.

The psych videos by Tao Le were pretty bland. He basically just read First Aid to me. And I'm planning to go into psych, so I'm actually particularly interested in that field...

So, in summary, the different lectures are quite variable in content, but for the most part, it's definitely been a worthwhile investment of my time. It's really helped me work through FA much more efficiently.

Also, the workbook helps you nail down a lot of the highest-yield points in the book. I've found that it's especially hard to memorize the long lists of facts sometimes, so the workbook turns it into an active learning experience. Reminds me of high school...

 

[Phloston]

So far, I've watched all of psych, immuno, neuro, and embryo.

Neuro and embryo were both pretty good... engaging enough to capture my attention with enough explanation so that I have an understanding of what I'm watching rather than just reading FA. They were done by Jeremy Hofmann, who is also listed as the #3 author on the cover of FA 2012.

The immuno videos were excellent... like I said before, I never really understood immuno until Peter Gayed explained it to me. I was such a big fan that I googled him and started following his blog. He's listed as the #4 author in the "about the authors" page in the back of FA.

The psych videos by Tao Le were pretty bland. He basically just read First Aid to me. And I'm planning to go into psych, so I'm actually particularly interested in that field...

So, in summary, the different lectures are quite variable in content, but for the most part, it's definitely been a worthwhile investment of my time. It's really helped me work through FA much more efficiently.

Also, the workbook helps you nail down a lot of the highest-yield points in the book. I've found that it's especially hard to memorize the long lists of facts sometimes, so the workbook turns it into an active learning experience. Reminds me of high school...

I'd be interested in watching the immuno ones in particular, but it doesn't look like I can just purchase "single views" of the videos, but instead need to pay $299 for a subscription to everything! (unless I'm missing out on something here..what do you think?)

 

[WonderBoy]

So far, I've watched all of psych, immuno, neuro, and embryo.

Neuro and embryo were both pretty good... engaging enough to capture my attention with enough explanation so that I have an understanding of what I'm watching rather than just reading FA. They were done by Jeremy Hofmann, who is also listed as the #3 author on the cover of FA 2012.

The immuno videos were excellent... like I said before, I never really understood immuno until Peter Gayed explained it to me. I was such a big fan that I googled him and started following his blog. He's listed as the #4 author in the "about the authors" page in the back of FA.

The psych videos by Tao Le were pretty bland. He basically just read First Aid to me. And I'm planning to go into psych, so I'm actually particularly interested in that field...

So, in summary, the different lectures are quite variable in content, but for the most part, it's definitely been a worthwhile investment of my time. It's really helped me work through FA much more efficiently.

Also, the workbook helps you nail down a lot of the highest-yield points in the book. I've found that it's especially hard to memorize the long lists of facts sometimes, so the workbook turns it into an active learning experience. Reminds me of high school...

Are you still planning on doing DIT?

Is the First Aid Express workbook similar to the one DIT has?

Thanks

 

[JackShephard MD]

So from what I've read, Kaplan High Yield, First Aid Express and DIT are all pretty much superficial overviews of material, almost like having someone read you FA?

 

[uNiq1]

sorry delete post

 

[shan564]

Are you still planning on doing DIT?

Yes. I'm using Express as an aid to go through the book in preparation for DIT, since they suggest that you go through all of FA at least once.

Is the First Aid Express workbook similar to the one DIT has?
Thanks

No. The Express workbook has a lot of questions about straightforward details that might be hard to remember. The DIT workbook is usually a bit more conceptual and focuses on the higher-yield concepts. I'm doing both.

So from what I've read, Kaplan High Yield, First Aid Express and DIT are all pretty much superficial overviews of material, almost like having someone read you FA?

I wouldn't say that at all. Here's my general impression:

-Kaplan HY seems like a superficial overview of material, but it's not presented in the same way as FA. I think it could be useful as the first source that you use, just to help solidify the basic knowledge. But I've only watched one of their lectures (the sample one on the website).

-USMLE Express helps you go through FA, but most of the sections don't feel like they're just reading it to you. It usually has explanations and useful tie-ins. When you get to a long table that you just need to memorize, they usually skip it and say "you need to memorize this, so I won't waste your time by reading it to you."

-DIT is more focused on getting you through the exam. They guide you through FA too, but it's more exam-oriented than USMLE Express.

So I'm using USMLE Express to help me go through First Aid, and then I'll use the DIT course for another guided run through First Aid.

 

[mdeast]

Yes. I'm using Express as an aid to go through the book in preparation for DIT, since they suggest that you go through all of FA at least once.


No. The Express workbook has a lot of questions about straightforward details that might be hard to remember. The DIT workbook is usually a bit more conceptual and focuses on the higher-yield concepts. I'm doing both.



I wouldn't say that at all. Here's my general impression:

-Kaplan HY seems like a superficial overview of material, but it's not presented in the same way as FA. I think it could be useful as the first source that you use, just to help solidify the basic knowledge. But I've only watched one of their lectures (the sample one on the website).

-USMLE Express helps you go through FA, but most of the sections don't feel like they're just reading it to you. It usually has explanations and useful tie-ins. When you get to a long table that you just need to memorize, they usually skip it and say "you need to memorize this, so I won't waste your time by reading it to you."

-DIT is more focused on getting you through the exam. They guide you through FA too, but it's more exam-oriented than USMLE Express.

So I'm using USMLE Express to help me go through First Aid, and then I'll use the DIT course for another guided run through First Aid.

While I feel that Kaplan is a bit superficial, it definitely present things in a First Aid order. All lecture slides have a reference to the page in First Aid that they are discussing and most lectures go in relatively the same order as First Aid in going over things.

Haven't watched too much DIT. But, in the example video I felt weird watching someone with a strange "high school yearbook"-esque background just read out loud to me. I do like that High Yield has corresponding slides and (when used appropriately) are very good at pointing out key points.

 

[shan564]

While I feel that Kaplan is a bit superficial, it definitely present things in a First Aid order. All lecture slides have a reference to the page in First Aid that they are discussing and most lectures go in relatively the same order as First Aid in going over things.

Yeah, the order is the same... what I meant was that the structure is different. FA Express literally just puts up the page from FA and explains it. Kaplan follows the same general structure, but does things in their own way.

Haven't watched too much DIT. But, in the example video I felt weird watching someone with a strange "high school yearbook"-esque background just read out loud to me. I do like that High Yield has corresponding slides and (when used appropriately) are very good at pointing out key points.

Yeah, I also feel like DIT is a bit bland and boring, but it's also tried and true...

 

[WonderBoy]

Shan,

How long do these videos take on avg? For example the immunology or any other sections you have done so far? I am curious because DIT says you can do 3 videos a day but it takes hell of a lot longer if you are pausing and doing the workbook.

Thanks!

 

[shan564]

Shan,

How long do these videos take on avg? For example the immunology or any other sections you have done so far? I am curious because DIT says you can do 3 videos a day but it takes hell of a lot longer if you are pausing and doing the workbook.

Thanks!

I watch most of the videos at increased speed... at least 1.5x, but often higher. I occasionally pause/rewind, but not often. I haven't measured how long it takes me to get through any given lecture, and of course, it depends on how well I already know the topic. For instance, I watched the Psych lectures (about one and a half hours) in one sitting, all the way through... but the embryo lectures (about 50 minutes) took me about an entire day to get through because I had to take lots of breaks and memorize all of the lists in First Aid in between slides.

 

[futuredoctor10]

I watch most of the videos at increased speed... at least 1.5x, but often higher. I occasionally pause/rewind, but not often. I haven't measured how long it takes me to get through any given lecture, and of course, it depends on how well I already know the topic. For instance, I watched the Psych lectures (about one and a half hours) in one sitting, all the way through... but the embryo lectures (about 50 minutes) took me about an entire day to get through because I had to take lots of breaks and memorize all of the lists in First Aid in between slides.

Did you organize all the Psych & Embryo together like that, or did you do them as organized in the course (which is split up over different time periods)

 

[TheMan21]

The main reason I chose this program was because of the substantial discount you get for being an AMA member. So far, I'd say that yes, it's kind of superficial. There are several questions at the end of each lecture that are often difficult to get right if you don't have good baseline knowledge. But the truth is, if HY is too superficial, then First Aid is too, because HY often adds a few details that FA is missing.

I'd say buy if the discount is available to you, otherwise shop around first.

 

[shan564]

Did you organize all the Psych & Embryo together like that, or did you do them as organized in the course (which is split up over different time periods)

I watched them all together.