Not clear about USA medical notes

[sumi808]

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Hello all,

I have come across some names that I am not familiar with and was looking for some clarification. As an Australian med student the USA notes are totally unfamiliar to me and in trying to prepare for step 1 of usmle I am feeling a bit lost.

So without further delay:

1. What is IMG ? In australia there is a royal college of pathologists exam for medical students, but what is this IMG test for usmle?

2. What is NBME ?

3. What is UW 1 & 2 ?

4. What is Kaplan ? At med school we have never been recommended kaplan, is it an interview preparation course?

5. What is First Aid ? I mean.... it cant be band aids and such can it ?

6. What are HY books?

7. With regards to preparation does anyone use Toronto notes?

8. I noticed that everyone seems to buy special books to study from...I was just thinking of preparing for the exam by studying from my text books that I have from med school, without going and buying more books. Is this a good idea/ useful way to study?

Cheers

 

[celling]

First, Good luck from another US citizen who has come back to the US from Australia. I'm currently completing a surgery residency at a University program and getting ready to start a CTS fellowship at an elite training program. It's an uphill battle but not impossible. You just have to work your ass off.

1. What is IMG ? In australia there is a royal college of pathologists exam for medical students, but what is this IMG test for usmle?
-IMG= International medical graduate. There is no specific IMG exam.

2. What is NBME ?
-National Board of MEdical Examiners. They have a couple of practice USMLEs on their site. Very useful and usually the scores are pretty comparable to the actual USMLE.

3. What is UW 1 & 2 ?
USMLE World. Website with practice questions. Questions can be tough but a very useful site.

4. What is Kaplan ? At med school we have never been recommended kaplan, is it an interview preparation course?
-Kaplan is a prep course for the USMLE in addition to other things. They can be useful, especially the prep books and Qbank, but is expensive.

5. What is First Aid ? I mean.... it cant be band aids and such can it ?
First Aid is a prep book for each individual USMLE. First Aid for Step 1 is the bible for that exam.

6. What are HY books?
HY=High Yield. Individual review books for each subject. Can be hit or miss. Used Gross Anatomy, Neuroanatomy. Check out BRS as well (Board Review Series). Their physiology, behavioral sciences books are good.

7. With regards to preparation does anyone use Toronto notes?
-Not specifically designed for USMLE

8. I noticed that everyone seems to buy special books to study from...I was just thinking of preparing for the exam by studying from my text books that I have from med school, without going and buying more books. Is this a good idea/ useful way to study?
-Would be wary of this. Textbooks won't focus you on the core values that you need to learn. There will be a lot of extraneous material in those books. Plus, most of the Australian medical schools will not teach a lot of the material on the USMLE. You'll have to learn it on your own. Thus, don't waste the valuable time that you have now.

Hope it works out,
Chris

 

[sumi808]

Dear Chris,

Thank you for your're well wishes and I hope you do well in your sugical training!

Your answers to the questions were easy to understand, strait to the point and were just what I was after. Ill take them on board and act on them in my preparation

Thank you for your time!

Cheers