Official 2008 USMLE/COMLEX Study Plans Discussion

[Doctor Bagel]

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How about we use this thread to talk about when we're planning on taking Step 1 and how we're planning on studying for it. I'll start --

USMLE 1 date: June 16

Goal: 230+

Where I'm at: I'm doing Kaplan Qbank now because I won the 3 month deal here in December and am doing some USMLERx questions. I've also worked through some of the BSS books.

I currently suck at anatomy, biochem, pharm and immunology. I'll start the hard core studying for path and pharm in April/May because we have comprehensive finals for those in mid-May. Then I'm planning to hit everything else until my test. USMLEWorld will be my main qbank then.

Books
First Aid
Kaplan Qbook
Robbins Qbook
Board Simulator Series
High Yield Anatomy and might use BRS for questions, charts, highlighted info
High Yield Neuroanatomy
BRS Brain and Behavioral Science
RR Biochemistry
CMMRS
High Yield Immunology (maybe?)
BRS Pharm (maybe?)
BRS Phys
BRS Path
RR Path
High Yield Molecular Bio

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

If taking the COMLEX only and NOT THE USMLE, I would agree w/ that statement.

Why's that? Just wondering. Thanks

 

[Sublimelvc]

Nt

 

[ScootDoc]

haha thanks man...I think I almost blushed

I too have implemented a modified Taus method. It has worked wonders. I modified it by studying about 3hrs a day since holiday break back in December-January. We have also recentely had a 1.5 week break of which I spent the whole time studying 🙁 , but on the bright side I'm on track to have gone through FA in it's entirety 1 time before my 6 weeks of designated study actually begins. As I'v gone through each section I've consolidated other resources into my FA, including charts, figures, and pertinent details found there in. Here is a list of my other resources.

BRS NEURO - wouldn't recommend. v. detailed, long read.
BRS Phys - I have not used this to consolidate. I will have this with me throughout the process (i.e. I will have through it atleast 4 times)
RR Path - Another book that I will have with me through it all. I read the respective chapters as I go through each section in FA.
Goljan Lectures - I was also fortunate enough to pick up a PDF of Goljan's most recent lecture (2009). They are great. They are 2 slides/page w/ goljan high yield on the actual slide itself, and reference to the book are also on each slide for more detail. I also listen to Goljan audio everyday on the way to school.
CMMRS - I chopped the binding off it and have some of many of the drug/bug charts in my FA binder in their respective places throughout the FA micro section - This book was a great read. Summary charts are golden!
FA Organ Systems - At first I was a little hesitant, but then after reading a few sections as I went through FA organ section. I realized that they are really quite comprehensive and thorough, if you can get past the poor binding, the poor oraganization, and few grammatical errors that are so typical of a 1st edition. I use it to consolidate into FA.
RR Biochem - Easy read, not much consolidation needed. Most questions I've taken on UW for biochem have been covered by FA.
Lange Roadmaps Anatomy- quick, decent review of anatomy. Good Imaging figures.
BRS Flash cards - Pharm, Micro, Biochem - try to go through them once a week.
USMLE WORLD - by far the best eduational resource for the USMLE so far. When I miss a question I write the concept into FA in the margins next to its respective place/concept. I take questions after finishing the respective sections/2' resource. As of right now I am at 75%.
Webpath - This is a great resource for path. Endless questions, but not a lot of teaching. This comes from my institution (UofU), and I've also used it throughout the path coursework.

Once I am done with the consolidation phase. I will lose all the other books, except BRS phys, BRS path, & Goljan lectures and good ol' modified FA. I plan on going through these resource 3 more times before my actual test date. June 24th.

Goal: Atleast 1 SD (~240) but would give my left testicle for 250+

Cheers to Taus! Great study method!

 

[rishi718]

Test 6/10/08


Resources:

FA
Lippincott's Biochem
RR Pathology
BRS Physiology
HY Cell & Molecular
CMMRS
Brenner Pharm Cards
pathguy.com
webpath
youtube histology series
HY Immunology (?)
HY Neuroanatomy (?)

Kaplan Qbank (won 3 month)
USMLE World
Robbins Qbook


Where am I now? Read about half of Lippincott's Biochem, a third of FA, and have completed about 900 Qbank questions. Biochem was very weak, quickly getting better.

i was wondering if i could get ur opinion on pathguy, i cant rmemebr of top of my head, but i believe it had a lower relative score in the FA grades in the back, correct. I'm having trouble finding opinions on pathguy or any other source.

I am about to begin studying hardcore, and besides for the basics, like FA, RR Goljan, CMMRS, BRS PHYSIO BRS PATH which i have

i dont know if i should just buy all the top books in the back of FA blindly bc im worried in that way i would miss the books that would actually prescribe more to my learning style. Like im asking abotu pathguy, cus if i had just gone with back of FA reviews, i never would of picked pathguy up. besides, im more worried that these are all review review books and that i might need things with more details as I have forgotten a lot of material. thank you, sorry for confusion jumping around.

 

[raisa024]

where do I find the exact taus plan on this website?!

thanks 🙂

 

[kryptik]

where do I find the exact taus plan on this website?!

thanks 🙂

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=6192274&postcount=12

 

[drmedstudent]

Of course First Aid is a must get...But I was just wondering if their First Aid Cases book is good as well or not worth investing into?

BQ: How about the First Aid General Principles, and First Aid Organ Systems?

 

[Pink Candy]

I created this schedule/guide last year for the COMLEX & USMLE and a lot of my classmates and other SDN'ers seemed to think it was helpful. I recently edited it and added a FAQ section at the end that should clarify most of the common q's people asked me about it. Go kick some ***** on the boards.

Hi Taus!! I just finished my first year at LECOM. I know that it has been two years since you took your comlex and usmle, but i wanted to ask you how you did on your step 1 USMLE as well as your comlex. Also, do you any other suggestions that i could do from now to better prepare for those hugmongous exams? (I have read every post in here, so i just mean what i can do besides that, since i just finished my first year)

Thanks a lot, and i hope that your residency is/went great!!!😀

 

[mytime]

Hey Taus,

i wanted to say thank you for coming up with something like that. i have already an attempt in step 1 due to personal reasons, however none to blame except myself for it. So i guess i need some plan which has already been tried & tested & found your step 1 plan. i m gonna read accordingly. Thanks buddy & goodluck