Step I molecular cellular biology

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InternationlDoc

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talking with upperclassmen, many told me they had 30-40 MCB questions kicking their butt!

People on sdn have been amazing at providing me with board study advice/other matters. I turn to you again -

I know 1999 cell book by dudek is high yield, but really it is such a fast read, is that all you need? Taus's schedule says to review this book, some other posters like blz read the new one (2006 version) but it didn't help them, bigfrank said to know MCB cold somehow, and I looked at kaplan books and didn't find much "cellular molecular" info...as such, I am at a loss as to what SOURCE would be efficient and adequate for MCB.

Thank you big dawgs! hope M3 and M4 years are gong well for step 1 crushers
 
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I'm not sure what sort of score you are aiming for, but I used the HY Cell Molec book and thought it was fantastic. That book combined with the HY Histo (an awesome book) book and the Goljan pathology book (the older edition in my day) were my secret weapons for Step 1.

I really thought the majority of the cell molec questions on the exam were more understanding concepts/applying knowledge rather that asking about specific facts per say, although I do remember one about the JAK/STAT pathway! Just because a book is short does not mean it's not enough!

FYI: I got a 249 on Step 1, if you are looking to absolutely blow the top off of the exam, I guess ignore my advice!

good luck!
 
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I really like the 1999 CMB book by dudek. it is "high yield"

I want to get as good a score as I can (or in sdn language, an "sdn score")

I've read the CMB book twice already, it so short with basic concepts...however, I agree, that histology book is very good. It is one tough book. I covers alot of material, not just histo. I guess I'll focus more on that book.

I just don't want to "hope for the best" I want to be ready for the exam and if CMB was the downfall of good students on USMLE, I want to solidify the traditionally "ignored subject"

Do post sdners if you know of better sources for CMB prep.
 
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knowing all of this "cold" i'm pretty sure would be a poor idea b/c as you squeeze in esoteric pathways, your knowledge of commonly tested things like leukemias and germ cell tumors will fade - and they are several times more important ...

I used HY MCB and Histo as the other poster did (the latest versions) - and they served me quite well. From histo, I annotated FA just to plump up some of the FA entries. For MCB, I did not annotate a damn thing - I read one chapter a night leading up to the day before the exam, and that's it (btw, there are a lot of chapters on ?viruses? i think in that book that you can definitely skip) - basically, its purpose was to remind me that there are things called cells that have a lot of smaller things in them ... and you have to read it towards the end so you know what dudek brings up when he starts talking about certain diseases ... it worked for me: 260

I also know people who just omitted HY MCB completely and stuck with HY histo and FA and scored 263 - i guess it depends on how much you remembered from undergrad (for me, not very much) ...
 
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DreamRavyn said:
knowing all of this "cold" i'm pretty sure would be a poor idea b/c as you squeeze in esoteric pathways, your knowledge of commonly tested things like leukemias and germ cell tumors will fade - and they are several times more important ...

I used HY MCB and Histo as the other poster did (the latest versions) - and they served me quite well. From histo, I annotated FA just to plump up some of the FA entries. For MCB, I did not annotate a damn thing - I read one chapter a night leading up to the day before the exam, and that's it (btw, there are a lot of chapters on ?viruses? i think in that book that you can definitely skip) - basically, its purpose was to remind me that there are things called cells that have a lot of smaller things in them ... and you have to read it towards the end so you know what dudek brings up when he starts talking about certain diseases ... it worked for me: 260

I also know people who just omitted HY MCB completely and stuck with HY histo and FA and scored 263 - i guess it depends on how much you remembered from undergrad (for me, not very much) ...
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congrats on a great score!
HY histology is a great book with alot of info. I'll definitely be looking at it now.
 
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happy4thyear said:
I'm not sure what sort of score you are aiming for, but I used the HY Cell Molec book and thought it was fantastic. That book combined with the HY Histo (an awesome book) book and the Goljan pathology book (the older edition in my day) were my secret weapons for Step 1.

I really thought the majority of the cell molec questions on the exam were more understanding concepts/applying knowledge rather that asking about specific facts per say, although I do remember one about the JAK/STAT pathway! Just because a book is short does not mean it's not enough!

FYI: I got a 249 on Step 1, if you are looking to absolutely blow the top off of the exam, I guess ignore my advice!

good luck!
Click to expand...

Hi!

Just curious, would you recommend using HY Histo during the 6 weeks I have for board prep at the end of the second year or using it along with classes? I have the book but im not sure when would be a good time to start reading through it. What did you end up doing?

Thanks so much!
 
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beponychick said:
Hi!

Just curious, would you recommend using HY Histo during the 6 weeks I have for board prep at the end of the second year or using it along with classes? I have the book but im not sure when would be a good time to start reading through it. What did you end up doing?

Thanks so much!
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I don't think I even knew that book existed before I started board review! You guys are way ahead of the game, very impressive. I used the HY Histo book towards the end of my board prep as a way to kind of bring things together along with a few of my other favorite books. I don't think it would be very useful to you now, just save it for closer to board review in my opinion. good luck!
 
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USMLE Road Map Genetics is coming out next month...its written by a guy who has a PhD in molecular biology. I think it shud be a good book with updated science.
 
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