My NBDE Part I Study Log

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Yah-E

Yah-E

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I will use this thread to share my studying experiences and my board results/scores as I embark on my NBDE Part I journey.

GOAL:
Anatomical Sciences: 90
Biochemistry/Physiology : 90
Microbiology/Pathology: 90
Dental Anatomy: 90
Overall Average: 90

Materials that I'm using overall:

1) 2001 Dental Decks ($198)
2) Kaplan Review Book for NBDE Part I ($500)
3) Pathology (Board Review Series) book ($35)
4) Netter's Anatomy flashcards ($20)
5) All ASDA released exams ($200)
6) Kaplan center stuff (explanations, videos, etc)
7) USMLE Step I - First Aid book ($35)

Today I started my Part I studies for July 14, 2003:

I started Microbiology section, I finished two chapters in the Kaplan Review book from 9:30 AM - 1 PM and I'll be back in the library from 9 PM - midnight. I want to do another 2 chapters tonight.

stay tune for more updates....
 
hey andy!
not that i'm starting to study yet, but do you happen to have copies of the kaplan stuff? Is there anyway to get around taking another kaplan course... i feel like I totally waste 1K for the DATs and rather not spend another X amount on them...
are you going back to chicago this summer?
good luck...study hard 🙂

=)
 
Wow!
When i read all the names of all the books you wanna study to prepare for part 1, I felt dizzy!
Kinda dwarfs what i did when i prepared for my part 1 ( only the ASDA reprints and only 4 of them).
If you do study all that, then I think you will get a very high score on your exam.
Good job keep it up.
 
500 bones for a book?!? Yikes, I better start saving up. 😱
 
dentoman...what did you get...if you don't mind sharing your score...
for us that really just want to pass 🙂
 
Hi Yah-E,

I am studying for the part 1 for july too.
I am following the same material as u posted except for the USMLE first aid book.
I just wanted to know if u have any particular book for biochemistry and physiology that u r using for reference. And also, what are u referring for Dental Anatomy tooth movements?

Thanks,
Itsme
 
Yah-E,

Quick question. You're just finishing your first year, right?

You are so cool. I am starting this fall, and with your permission, I would like to print your log later on so I can have something to follow when I prepare to take my boards later.

I really appreciate this!
 
I've completed 5 chapters thus far for the Microbiology section of the Kaplan NBDE Part I Review book. My plan is to read the whole Kaplan book (1000+ pages) as my main source of studying material and use the dental deck, ASDA released exams, among with other study books as supplemental resources.

As I finish reading each main section (Microbiology/Pathology, Biochem/Physio, etc.) of the Kaplan book, I will then go through the dental deck and the ASDA exams for that particular section. Do one section at a time, saving Dental Anatomy section last because that is the only section I am not scare of.

My plan of attack is first Micro/Patho, then Biochem/Physio, and then Anatomical Sciences, and then Dental Anatomy.

I started at 7:30 AM this morning and stopped at noon (4.5 hours) and I'll go back to the library this afternoon for another 3-4 hours or so.

Now onto your questions:

Stargirl: I do not have copies of the Kaplan Review book and I refuse to make photo copies either. The book is thick and it will cost over $300 just to copy it by Kinkos AND I have to obtain permission from Kaplan Corp for Kinkos employee to make a copy of the book. I'm afraid besides bidding on EBAY for this book, you'll probably have to sign up for the Kaplan NBDE Part I course to get your hands on this resource [$500 for US dental students, $1000 for foreign dentists].

Dentoman: do you mind sharing your Part I scores? Your studying materials seems very limited and I very curious on how you did? Please share.

FMLiazrd: The $500 is for the Part I course offered by Kaplan, but since the review book is the main attraction, people including myself have no problem spending that $ just for the book. Besides, the resale value of this book is pretty good on EBAY. I've seen this book (older editions) go for $200-$350. To me, it's worth it to spend $500 to help to get respectable Part I scores and then come back and resell it and get back $250!

Itsme: I have no suggestion for Physio and Biochem studying materials. For "dental anatomy tooth movements" [I'm assuming you're refering to OCCLUSION], I'll be using my textbook.

Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Occlusion
5th Edition
Jeffrey P. Okeson
ISBN: 0323014771

and finally..

Eight143: yes, I did just finish my first year of dental school and yes you may copy my log (this thread) for future reference ONLY if I get at least a 90 for my Part I average. Afterall, if I didn't get at least a 90, then obviously whatever I was doing here was not successful and I would be a little reluctant for you to use what I did as a guide. One of the main reason that I started this thread is to share my journey and prep methods for this huge important exam. Plus in the past, the prepping for Part I in this forum was not really discussed/mentioned in detail.

Nap time....must rest brain...
 
Yah-E,

Good luck.
 
Yah-E,

First of all thanks and good luck on your preparation. Secondly, I was wondering if you can tell me when you will be taking the step 1. I was looking at my unofficial schedule, and I notice that we won't be taking step 1 until we finished D2. Does your dental school take it a year early? Or is the dental school I'm going to taking it a year late?
 
Does kaplan give you additional board material in the center like they do for the DAT?
 
Hey Yah-E,

Good luck with your exam. It sounds like a very extreme complete operation. I'll copy your log too.

I already have most of my stuff. Except the First Aid book. I was looking at Amazon. Just wonder if anyone knows the different between the new edition and the older one? They are $10 different. I think I should get the old book. As ppl who use the old one for the board says it's good. Plus, I don't think test makers modify the test at all, or do they?
 
tinkerbell,

I took the Part I Boards in July 2002 and used the 1999 edition of First Aid. I noticed the 2002 edition was fatter than my 1999 edition, but I don't think it made a difference. I'm pretty sure I got at least 4 or 5 questions right on the Micro/Path section of the exam after reading this book.
 
I studied from early may because we had mocks to pass before we could take part 1. I went through the decks 1998 or something like that 4 times and did most of the old exams.

Anatomical sciences 88
Biochem/Physiology 92
Microbio/Pathology 95
Dental Anatomy/ Occlusion 91

Overall 92

Honestly I still thought I failed, there are so many questions that you will not know that it is ridiculous. Honestly, I think your score reflects on what you already know without studying.

Part 2 I studied a lot less - did the decks 2 times and only a few recent old exams and scored 88 which is actually a better percentile than 92 for part 1.

The key is to just relax with it, You will never memorize the decks, but do pay attention to the back explanation. I don't really recall if questions were directly from the decks but they are a good summary.
 
I studied from early may because we had mocks to pass before we could take part 1. I went through the decks 1998 or something like that 4 times and did most of the old exams.

Anatomical sciences 88
Biochem/Physiology 92
Microbio/Pathology 95
Dental Anatomy/ Occlusion 91

Overall 92

Honestly I still thought I failed, there are so many questions that you will not know that it is ridiculous. Honestly, I think your score reflects on what you already know without studying.

Part 2 I studied a lot less - did the decks 2 times and only a few recent old exams and scored 88 which is actually a better percentile than 92 for part 1.

The key is to just relax with it, You will never memorize the decks, but do pay attention to the back explanation. I don't really recall if questions were directly from the decks but they are a good summary.
 
I studied from early may because we had mocks to pass before we could take part 1. I went through the decks 1998 or something like that 4 times and did most of the old exams.

Anatomical sciences 88
Biochem/Physiology 92
Microbio/Pathology 95
Dental Anatomy/ Occlusion 91

Overall 92

Honestly I still thought I failed, there are so many questions that you will not know that it is ridiculous. Honestly, I think your score reflects on what you already know without studying.

Part 2 I studied a lot less - did the decks 2 times and only a few recent old exams and scored 88 which is actually a better percentile than 92 for part 1.

The key is to just relax with it, You will never memorize the decks, but do pay attention to the back explanation. I don't really recall if questions were directly from the decks but they are a good summary.
 
Dr. Rob: thanks for sharing your experiences and scores. We need more of that in this forum.

As of tonight, I've gone through all the Bacteriology chapters (10 chapters) of the Microbiology section in the Kaplan's book. Tomorrow, my goal is to complete the readings for Virology and Mycology.

Eight143: Nova, my dental school is allowing us to take the Part I early this year as a trail run to see if our school Part I average would increase if taken right after first year of dental curriculum. Pathology is the only course that we have not had yet, so we're doing an independent study for that course. You're absolutely right, traditionally majority of the dental schools do not take Part I until the end of year two, but I believe that there is a good "push" for a lot of dental schools to take the Part I earlier! I'm excited that I get to do this.

Must need rest 😱
 
My score was 88 which is much more than i expected when i finished the exam.
Funny thing is I didnt even know that dental decks or kaplan existed when I was preparing for my part I !!!!
One thing that bothered me during the exam was having to sit all that time on a chair and read questions! by the end I was so bored I just wanted to get out of there which is probably not the right thing to do coz you wanna give it your best.
Like Dr Rob said, it pretty much tests your base of knowledge and understanding although I think the better you prepare the better your chances are of hitting the 90's
By the way thanx Dr. Rob for your replies to my questions about the CRDTS.
 
Today, I went over the bacteriology portion of the dental decks. I noticed that there are a lot more info on the dental deck flashcards relating dental stuff while Kaplan book does not. The Kaplan book is pretty thorough about all the bacteria, but there isn't much dental correlations. I guess the Kaplan book should not be used as the main study guide as I had initially thought. It's still a great resource, I think.

In addition, I did the Virology section of the Kaplan book tonight, it wasn't that bad. Also, I read the bacteriology portion of the USMLE Step I book, this book is really informational and it has a lot of cool mnemonics. Strongly recommended for a study aid.
 
The most difficult questions in the micro/path section were relating with pathology. I hadn't even heard of some of the diseases.
 
Say you memorized dental decks for part 1. Approximately, what would you score?
 
Well, after two weeks of board studying, I've completed the MICRO half of one section, MICRO/PATHO. For this Micro section which includes materials from the following topics:

Bacteriology
Virology
Mycology (Fungi)
Immunology
Antibiotics
Disinfection/Sterilization

The following prep materials is what I've found helpful:

Kaplan review book: after reading through all the topics covered listed above, I've found that this book is really a great summary of everything. This prepping material is what I used first.

USMLE First Aid review book: I found this EXTREMELY helpful prep book, after I read the Kaplan book, I then went ahead to read this book on the same listed above topics. This book has A LOT of mnemonics and great memorizing tools. A GREAT summary section on all topics in Microbiology. Only chapters that it does not have are the Sterilization/Disinfection and Antibiotics materials (which the Kaplan review book covered both REALLY well). A definitely BUY for your studies for Part I!!

Dental Decks: after reading through the Kaplan and USMLE First Aid books on Microbiology topics, these dental deck flashcards seemed easy! I will be using these cards as a great way to cram and review materials, but not for understanding the concepts or reasoning. Again, as I mentioned before, these dental decks will not be my main source of studies. A lot of upper classmen have told me how great these dental decks are, which I agree, but I do not personally think it's suffice for the MICRO/PATHO section. It may be different for the other three sections of the exam, but I'm only using this flashcards as the third source to go to AFTER I've read the Kaplan and USMLE First Aid books. One more thing that I do have to point out that I've noticed about these dental deck flashcards, I've read materials on these flashcards that WEREN'T in the USMLE First Aid or the Kaplan review books. So again, it's necessary to read all these flashcards at least once if you're not planning on using these cards as your first main source of studying.

ASDA released exams: last, but not least, I'm going over all the released exams for the MICRO/PATHO section only at this time. What I'm doing is typing all the questions onto a word document (11 past released exams X 100 questions each for MICRO/PATHO section = I'm typing 1,100 questions onto a word document). This process is very tiring and cumbersome, but I really think it will be a great cramming tool at the end for me. It will be better for me to read/cram a 40 page word document worth of Q and A arranged appropriately by topic for the MICRO/PATHO section than flip through 11 exam booklets. See, for example, I'll have a group of questions from the last 11 NBDE Part I exam all on Bacteria group together and I can see "usually" what type of questions the examiners would "usually" ask. In doing so, I've already discoverd numerous repeated questions from year-to-year. Also, I've divided questions from the MICRO from the PATHO topics. It's a long process and I've only gone through typing 4 of the 11 exams thus far!

Since I'm typing these questions out and finding out which answers are the correct ones (with answer keys), this is a great preview and transition for me to go from MICRO to PATHO. I'm doing PATHO now and I'll let you guys know how I'm studying that portion of the MICRO/PATHO section a bit later. My goal is to be completed with all the topics in PATHO with a week (this time next week). Stay tuned!

Book time!

RECAP for MICRO topics studying: (5 being the highest rating)

Kaplan review book: 4 stars
USMLE First Aid book: 5 stars
dental decks: 3.5 stars
ASDA released exams: 3.5 stars
 
A very helpful thread! I will definately remember this thread when I start studying for the NBDE I at UOP next year.

Yah-E thanks for sharing!
 
Yah-E

DANG!!!!! You are really doing an overkill!!!!!! I dunno if you have looked at the past board exams or not, but they are really not that detailed. As for the dental decks.............the general consensus seems to be that if you know EVERYTHING on it, you will do very well.

Here are my study materials.

-Dental Decks
-Netter's Anatomy book
-Clinical Anatomy (overkill)
-Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple
-some random DAO book.

Dont get me wrong.......if I had more time and not having to study for MY FREAKING WEEKLY TESTS AT DENTAL SCHOOL, I would probably do an overkill like you. I opted to not study from the USMLE book because it is overly detailed and that it really prepares you for the med school exam, not the dental one......so the emphasis wouldnt really be correct. Again.....if you have the time, just use as much study aids. I used the MCAT books to study for my DAT.....and I did pretty well too.......altho I could have spent a lot more time back then drinking......hehe.
 
I agree with Doggie in that the past exams I've looked at, don't seem to contain very difficult questions.

I would venture, Yah-E, that you could cut your study efforts exactly in half and still score a 90 or above. Seriously!

Great thread--thanks for the info!
 
Doesn't a 90 usually equate to missing 13-25 questions, depending on the section? If I recall correctly, one can typically miss 25 (or as high as 28!) questions on the anatomic sciences and score a 90.
 
Keep studying Yah-E. I laughed when I read that someone posted that the questions weren't very difficult! If that was the case then everyone would get 90's. Also, if you can miss 25 questions and still get a 90, that is an indicator that the questions are difficult. Plus, if everyone did so well they would cut the number you could miss to like 5 or so.

Keep studying and don't let up! Come July 15th you will most likely be one step closer to being an orthodontist. Or was it OMS? Can't remember.
 
But seriously, the majority of the questions aren't too difficult. From only have college courses, I could answer 85% of the questions that pertain to courses I've had. That is, the material wasn't new to me (rather I remember the correct answer is another story!).

I think the trouble is the sheer magnitude of the material that is represented. Of course, there are always difficult questions that are used to make or break examinees, but the released exams I've seen don't look any more difficult than finals I've had in college. This is especially true for the biochem/phys. and micro/path sections.
 
Even with the materials that I am using to study from, I think 80% of them are unnecessary.....well......except for the old tests and dental decks. I'm mostly using them as references and what nots if I dont understand the crappy explanations in the back of the cards. I am really suprised that the tests questions arent that detailed...... In my classes (AND undergrad classes), the details emphasized in microbio/pathology/biochem were enough to make you scream.

But hey........if you guys have the time to use other sources to study from, then by all means go for it! I finally finished my last test in school.....now I can really concentrate on the boards.

Good luck all on your studies......😀
 
Yah-E
When I took Part 1 two years ago, my goal was the same as yours 90. I studied the WHOLE kaplan book, the dental decks, and the old tests. I got a 89. I was a little disappointed because I wanted the mythical 90. If I had to do it all over again, I would have scraped the Kaplan( took too much time), and knew the dental decks cold. Also I only had enough time to go through about 5 years of tests. i think we had 15 years or so. I was so worried about learning the most obscure stuff, that i didn't master the basics. (ex. most common intraoral site for herpes...hard palate) Learn the basics, guess on the rest.
 
Firm...that an extreme good point...

that is what I am encountering ..It's such a wide range of study materials which mostly was intneded for medical student review...I always loose track from dental aspect when I use it..

Thanks for reminding us where to concentrate
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll stick to my plan of attack and will keep your suggestions in mind.

Also, for those of you that have already taken the NBDE Part I, could you please share your scores (all sections) and which of the four section(s) you've found most challenging and difficult.

For example, Firm, you stated that you got a 89, but what was your break down of the 4 section scores?
 
I got an 92

Biochem: 89 (this was the toughest for me, I knew I passed everything else, but I really though that I was going to have to take the Biochem section again.

Anatomy:92 ( I was dissappointed, because I thought I scored much higher. I tutor gross anatomy! I still don't believe this one is correct. It's a conspiracy.....a C-O-N- spiracy)

Micro/Path:92 (I thought I did much worse, there were some easy ones that I missed. Make sure you know the basics, like I said before. )

Dental anat/occl:95 [I didn't have any problem with this section, but a lot of my classmates did. In the afternoon you are given 200 questions to answer in 4 hours. 100 micro/path, and 100 dent anat/occl. in that order. Most people do the Path first, and finish with the dental stuff because it's easier. However, on the dental stuff (occlusion especially) you have to think what hits where. This can be tough after you've been testing for 6 hours. I did it backwards, answering the dental questions first (in order to get a higher score) then came back to the Path.]

Good luck!
 
i have the latest edition brand new kalpan book for part 1
asda exams original(a to j series..out of which b,c and d ie i have 7 out of 10 booklets)
first aid book for the step 1
crashing the boards..study guide for usmle step 1)like the firstaid....if interested email me at [email protected]
 
Firm, thank you for posting your scores...much appreciated!

Youe advice is greatly valued!
 
Well, here's my scoop on the Pathology section.

Main study tools:
Dental Decks

Supplemental tools:
USMLE First Aid: very good, lots of mnemonics
BRS Pathology (Board Review Series): this review textbook is very good
Kaplan Review book: not very good, didn't read it at all

I took all the ASDA released exams (11 total as of 2003) on the Micro/Patho section, I've found A LOT of repeated questions. Also the questions asked were very direct and "surfacey" meaning they didn't dig down too deep into the topics. I've found that the dental decks are replicas of the ASDA exam questions for this section.

For example, everything on the Dental Decks that are bolded are ASDA released exams answer multiple choices. There are a lot of info to be memorized on the Pathology section of the Dental Decks, but I feel that if you know the fronts and the backs of each and every Pathology Dental Decks, you'll be in good shoes!

So far, I've read the Pathology and Microbiology section of Dental Decks twice already. I cross referenced A LOT with the USMLE First Aid and my BRS Pathology textbook.

RECAP:

Kaplan Review Book: 2 stars
USMLE First Aid: 4 stars
BRS Pathology book: 4 stars
Dental Decks: 5 stars

[NOTE: the pathology section of the Kaplan book is simply too broad and it doesn't seem like it covered the right details of each and every disease and syndrome. Too much reading for too little results. Remember, for Microbiology section, the Kaplan review book covered it really well!]

Average studying hours/day: 8 (4 in the morning and 4 at night)

3rd week progress: finished looking at all the studying materials for the Microbiology/Pathology section. Started Anatomy section, half way through the section materials. Nerves section of the Dental Decks was very challenging for me. It's not what you think, it's above and beyond just knowing the name and function of 12 cranial nerves!

Example:

for Cervical plexus, you'll learn which cervical nerves makes the Supraclavicular nerve (answer: C3 & 4), Transcervical nerve (C2 & 3). Five nerves formed by the brachial plexus is even worse!

CN VII, Facial nerve's parasympathetic branch originate from the ________ ganglion and then synapes at the ____________ ganglion to innervate the _________

All layngeal muscles are innervated by _________ except for cricothyroid muscle which is innervated by _________

All pharyngeal muscles are innervated by __________ except for stylopharyngeal muscle which is innervated by __________

To sum, there's A LOT of crap to be memorized! I know the veins and arteries like the back of my hand though! 😀 I'm aiming to finish the Anatomy section (my #2 section out of 4) by the end of this upcoming week. This will leave me just two weeks for section #3, Biochem/Physio and Section #4, Dental Anatomy. For Dental Anatomy, I'll need about two days max to study/cram, I'm not worry about this section at all (kind of the the PAT on the DAT), I know I will do well in this section.

Until next update, back to them flashcards!
 
Thanks for all the info guys.
 
Yahe et al.....
Thank god for this forum and y'all!!
I would've been lost if it were not for ur inputs.
Keep up the good work guys!!
:clap: 😀 🙂 😉 :clap:
 
Hello all...I took part I almost one year ago...it's amazing how fast time has passed. Anyway, I studied hard for about a month. And by hard, I mean approximately 12 hours a day. I used the dental decks, kaplan review books, and old exams. In retrospect, I think two weeks of studying would have been sufficient. Most of the little details I studied were forgotten...the rest weren't on the exam. I really think the best indicator for doing well on the boards is having done well in the respective subjects in dental school. If you did well all along...don't stress too much about the test...you will do fine. If anyone has any specific questions, I'll be happy to answer them. Here are my scores:
Anatomical Sciences: 99
Micro/Path: 99
Biochem/Phys 98
Dental Anatomy/Occ 93**last section...I was pretty burnt by
Overall 97 then
Best of luck to everyone.
 
Doc Sanchez:

Amazing scores! Are you planning on specializing, if so, in what field? Let me see if I can beat those numbers! 😉 I wish! 🙄 Looking back, out of all the materials that you used for your studies, what do you find most effective now that you have taken the exam? Is the Dental Decks and the old ASDA exams plenty? I'm very curious about what you find as a great tool to study for the Part I!

Also, I just want to let everyone know that obviously what I suggest here in this thread is only for your information only! By any means, this thread is not what you should go by for your studying of the Part I since everyone of us studies differently.

What works for me may not work for you and vice versa. If I do well when I recieve my score results back in September 2003, then we can say that "OK, what I suggested here may have some validity!"

Please only use this thread as a reference and for your information only. Thanks.
 
I am in the process of sending out applications to post-grad programs in Orthodontics. The funny thing is...while my board scores are high...they are only one small part of an application. Don't get to caught up with board scores....and certainly don't exclude yourself from applying to programs because you feel your scores are too low. Anyway, with regards to boards prep, I found the dental decks and exams most helpful...but it's all in the way you study them. For the exams...know not only why a correct answer is correct, but also why the incorrect answers are wrong. What questions would make the incorrect answers correct....you know what I'm getting at. Use the decks as a topic guide...they are basically explanations of old exam questions. Look up areas you need to brush up on. The Kaplan book is good as well...I read those books first to refresh my memory...but don't try to memorize everything for reasons I mentioned before. Just keep everything in perspective. And be sure to relax and get plenty of sleep the weekend before the exam. Good luck.
The Drty Doc Sanchez
 
What about the Q-bank? No one mentioned.

How would you rate it?

" 5 being the highest rating " as Yah-E's scale.
 
Garad:

Kaplan's Q-bank is a tool that students use very seldomly. The reason are the following:

1) it's $99 for one month or $199 for three month

2) a student does not want to spend the money on the Q-bank questions because they have the ASDA released exams, which are actual past NBDE examinations

3) 1000 sample questions while the Kaplan NBDE I course has 2500 sample questions

I would say that a typical student embarking on the NBDE Part I, would spend >75% of their study time reading/memorizing and <25% of their study time taking past exams/questions.

If it's the sampling of the questions that you are going after, then I'd suggest the ASDA released exams.

To be honest, the time you invest on the computer doing these Q-bank questions, you can easily spend it memorizing Dental Decks cards. It would be much more productive to you.

In my experience, Kaplan questions are much much more tougher than the actual exam questions. Obviously if you do well on Kaplan sample questions or tests, then you should be fine on the actual board.

Lastly, this thread is what I have experienced to prep my board studies and I'm not using the Kaplan Q-bank questions. That is why you don't see it in this thread and why we don't talk about it or rate it.

Perhap, you can sign up for the service and let us know how it effective it is!
 
Hi!
I was browsing the kaplan website and found that they have a $40 discount going on if u sign up for the Q-bank.
itsme
 
Hello Yah-e
I was wondering if you would like to share with me your micro/path organised by subject paper. I have a similar thing for Phsiology if you are interested.
I did only three of the 1980's micro exams and I noticed that they were in a different format. They weren't that many details about bactria and viruses like in the dental decks.
Thank you and Good luck
 
I've read through the Dental Decks section for the Anatomic Sciences thoroughly once already and it's a pretty smooth reading. Only certain topics need additional time and energy to memorize and learn, these topics in my experience are:

Nerves
Endocrine System
Arteries
Veins
Bone

There are total of 24 topics covered under the Anatomic Sciences section in the Dental Decks.

I'm going through this section of the Dental Decks again for the 2nd time around. This section of the Dental Decks is the thickest or it has the most flashcards out of the 4 sections of Part I.

What I have been doing on these Dental Deck flashcards is highlighting them on the back where all the explanations are. The later prints of the 2001 edition of Dental Decks are white on the back so you can highlight them. The earlier prints of the 2001 edition had red background on the back which made it impossible to highlight.

So far I feel pretty good about the materials that I've gone over twice for this section. This can be due to the fact that I just had Gross Anatomy, histology, oral histology, and neuroscience this past academic year during my first year of dental school. I'm aiming to finish this section for the second time by Sunday and then doing all 11 ASDA released exams. In this way, I can finally start on the Biochem/Physio section (my 3rd section out of 4).

I have 15 days left until July 14 and I plan on spending 4 days maximum on Biochem/Physio section and 3 days maximum on the Dental Anatomy section (my 4th sectionand last section). Lastly, I'll have a week left just to do old exams, reviewing and memorizing mnemonics.

Thus far, I've spent the most time on Micro/Patho section, then Anatomic Sciences, then Biochem/Physio, and lastly Dental Anatomy.

Time to hit the sac! Getting up at 6 AM tomorrow to read more Dental Decks flashcards

Materials used for Anatomic Sciences:

Dental Decks: 5 stars
Kaplan Review book: did not use yet
USMLE First Aid: did not use yet
Netter's Flashcards: 3 stars (not enough labels and IDs)
Netter's Atlas (textbook): 5 stars
ASDA released exams: did not use yet, but I'm sure it will be a great resource
 
Originally posted by DocDrtySanchez
Hello all...I took part I almost one year ago...it's amazing how fast time has passed. Anyway, I studied hard for about a month. And by hard, I mean approximately 12 hours a day. I used the dental decks, kaplan review books, and old exams. In retrospect, I think two weeks of studying would have been sufficient. Most of the little details I studied were forgotten...the rest weren't on the exam. I really think the best indicator for doing well on the boards is having done well in the respective subjects in dental school. If you did well all along...don't stress too much about the test...you will do fine. If anyone has any specific questions, I'll be happy to answer them. Here are my scores:
Anatomical Sciences: 99
Micro/Path: 99
Biochem/Phys 98
Dental Anatomy/Occ 93**last section...I was pretty burnt by
Overall 97 then
Best of luck to everyone.
Click to expand...

Hey docdrtysanchez,

Do you think the old exams are pretty similar to the real exam? From what I've seen so far, the old exams seem quite easy. Also....are my scores on the old exams somewhat relfective of what I might be receiving on the real boards exam? Thanks in advance! 🙂
 
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