Official Usmle Step 1 Booklist

[Chandler]

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I have posted Ramoray's USMLE STEP 1 book list below, and I will add my book list when it is completed. For the rest of the SDNers, post your booklist for your upcoming Step 1. This thread will help future SDN medical students be familiar with what books SDNers used to study for Step 1. So, PLEASE POST the books you are planning to use for Step 1 (even if it is just First Aid). The more people that volunteer, the better it will help the future SDNers.

Thanks

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RAMORAY'S BOOKLIST

Well i must say thank god for sdn, i remember not finding sdn until after i took my mcat and there were so many things differently i would have done- so many things i found out that i didnt know about so with that said i thank everyone for their criticism and constant tips and advice to everyone on their board. I was origially going to study withalot of big books for the boards and after alot of advice and posts i came to a realization i was going to be setting myself up for failure on the step so i have finalized a set of books and Qs i am going to use for 8 weeks of boards study and i wanted to see if anyone had any comments either yay or nay about them just to make sure i am not wasting my time. I have already went through each along with classes as well so its not like ill be seeing them for the first time. anyway-
BRS Path
Lange micro/immuno review
Lippincott Pharm
Costanzo Stars Physio
Lippincott biochem
BRS Neuro( i know its thick but i used it with class so its all annoted etc.)
HY anatomy, molec bio and embryo
BRS Beh. Sci.

Questions in order of importance which i plan to do all roughly 8000 questions
Robbins path review
Qbank
NMS questions
Qbook
Appleton lange Qs
Rapid Review Qs
Blue Prints Qs

So if i follow that and do all those Qs for 8 weeks, would that be an efficient yet successful plan that is not a waste of time? any suggestions other than incoportaing FA into the routine? thanks for the continued critique and advice from everyone.OFFICIAL USMLE STEP 1 BOOKLIST

 

[OSUdoc08]

I'll be starting M2 in August and have a few questions.

1. Is the Stars Pathology Review by Goljan worth buying if I already buy Robbins?
2. Is there a way that I can get a hold of just the Kaplan Pharmacology notes?
3. How do I get a hold of the Goljan audio lectures and the lecture notes?

Thanks!

1. No, get the 2006 Rapid Review Pathology, by Goljan, coming out in a few months.

 

[IzzyMD09]

what is better to review systems for exams

what is better to ace the USMLE

thanks

izzy

 

[winstonm]

hi,

It's hard to find good advice about this exam in Canada so thanks in advance for any replies. I'll try to keep them as specific as I can.

Gagnon vs BRS for physio: I have a copy of Gagnon, but is it too much for step I? Is BRS too little?

Pharm: my pharm teaching, the little we've had, sucked. I liked the style of Lippincott's Biochem (I like flow charts more than tables) and was wondering if their Pharm book is good. I plan on using it in my M2 year, not just for board prep.

Micro: Is MRS really that good? I glanced through it and it seemed to have a lot of hard to read tables. Can anyone comment on Lippincott's micro as an alternative, or any other prep book.

Cases...amyone have a good source for vignette Q's?

Anatomy: Road map vs BRS (it's bloody huge) vs HY vs nothing??

Behav. sci: BRS vs HY

Thanks again!!

 

[winstonm]

bump

come on, there has to be someone out there who can shed some light on these questions 🙂

 

[OSUdoc08]

hi,

It's hard to find good advice about this exam in Canada so thanks in advance for any replies. I'll try to keep them as specific as I can.

Gagnon vs BRS for physio: I have a copy of Gagnon, but is it too much for step I? Is BRS too little?

Pharm: my pharm teaching, the little we've had, sucked. I liked the style of Lippincott's Biochem (I like flow charts more than tables) and was wondering if their Pharm book is good. I plan on using it in my M2 year, not just for board prep.

Micro: Is MRS really that good? I glanced through it and it seemed to have a lot of hard to read tables. Can anyone comment on Lippincott's micro as an alternative, or any other prep book.

Cases...amyone have a good source for vignette Q's?

Anatomy: Road map vs BRS (it's bloody huge) vs HY vs nothing??

Behav. sci: BRS vs HY

Thanks again!!

BRS Anatomy is essential. Just do the practice questions.

For Phys use BRS as well.

 

[Long Dong]

hi,

It's hard to find good advice about this exam in Canada so thanks in advance for any replies. I'll try to keep them as specific as I can.

Gagnon vs BRS for physio: I have a copy of Gagnon, but is it too much for step I? Is BRS too little?

Pharm: my pharm teaching, the little we've had, sucked. I liked the style of Lippincott's Biochem (I like flow charts more than tables) and was wondering if their Pharm book is good. I plan on using it in my M2 year, not just for board prep.

Micro: Is MRS really that good? I glanced through it and it seemed to have a lot of hard to read tables. Can anyone comment on Lippincott's micro as an alternative, or any other prep book.

Cases...amyone have a good source for vignette Q's?

Anatomy: Road map vs BRS (it's bloody huge) vs HY vs nothing??

Behav. sci: BRS vs HY

Thanks again!!

Okay here goes my 2 cents

BRS physio is more then enough, can't comment on Gagnon never used it.

Pharm Lippin i've heard is good, but never actually used it. For boards it might be to much, for class maybe perfect so I've heard.

Micro MMRS is the bomb, tables have everthing you need at a glance but reading is easy and easy to remember. You might need something for immuno though.

Cases I had UCV but never used it didn't like the format, rather do questions in vingette formats (eg pre-test vignettes, rapid review step 1, blueprints Q&A)

Ant HY more then enough, might need more neuro eg HY neuro step 1 loves to test lesions of nerves and areas of brain.

Behave HY, BRS is overkill

Hope that helps, since I'm trying to put off writing a paper, well back to staring at a blank screen w/writers block.

 

[winstonm]

Okay here goes my 2 cents

BRS physio is more then enough, can't comment on Gagnon never used it.

Pharm Lippin i've heard is good, but never actually used it. For boards it might be to much, for class maybe perfect so I've heard.

Micro MMRS is the bomb, tables have everthing you need at a glance but reading is easy and easy to remember. You might need something for immuno though.

Cases I had UCV but never used it didn't like the format, rather do questions in vingette formats (eg pre-test vignettes, rapid review step 1, blueprints Q&A)

Ant HY more then enough, might need more neuro eg HY neuro step 1 loves to test lesions of nerves and areas of brain.

Behave HY, BRS is overkill

Hope that helps, since I'm trying to put off writing a paper, well back to staring at a blank screen w/writers block.

Thanks, it was helpfull.

 

[bxa121]

hey guys im new to this amazing site -

im from the Uk and i wish to undertake the USMLE - trouble is hardly anyone knows how to go about it from the Uk - atleast where im from anyways.

So i need some info about what sort of books are needed for the exam - is the stuff that you can get on the web any use?

eg golgan audio lectures
usmle kaplan step 1 book series, etc. - most of it is on torrents and stuff.

any other materials you giuys recomend that i should use?
i know you guys are saying its best to do this over a 6 week period for the step one alone.
but i was thinking of doing step 2 and step 3 by the end of the year.. is this feasable? - oh yeah i just graduated from uni in england.

thanks in advance.

 

[bb5oaks]

Could I get the info on where to get the kaplan notes on mp3? 🙂

 

[Magunda]

MD999:

I took Step 1 today. I did my own comparison of the books you mentioned and I felt this way:

Most preferred > moderately > not quite
Anatomy: Kaplan > FA > BRS
Physio: Kaplan + BRS > FA
(BRS seems to cover a little bit more stuff, but Kaplan explains the concept better)
Pathology: Goljan > FA > Kaplan (you can throw this on in your toilet)
Behavioral Sci: FA + Kaplan statistics section > whatever
Pharm: I used both Kaplan + FA + Pharm for Boards and Wards *(lightly, used the Qs at the end and as a reference). I do not like Kaplan pharm but it is still better than FA. There is no time for me to read Lippin so I think if I did it again probably would just read Kaplan to understand and use FA to memorize. Do Qbank.)
Biochem: Kaplan 👍 > FA > BRS
Neuroanatomy: HY for the pics. Kaplan Anatomy book has a very good neuro section at the end.
Micro: Kaplan WEBPREP > FA > Kaplan book
(Kaplan is too dry and too much detail. But if you have the Kap set, photocopy the several pages of charts, they are very very good, esp when use with FA. I didn't mention MRidisimple is because I didn't use it. I would use MRS if I were to start over again. I got a chance to listen to the WEbprep micro audio and got hooked so I use the Kaplan book, which turned out to be pretty bad......except its fungi section and the charts, etc. I would use MRS to understand and study from FA if I had to start over again)

All in all, I think you have to get a feel of the book by trying to study a chapter or two from it. (I know, there is no time....!)

That's it, hope that helps.

Hi have got to ask:
THe micro description u gave was detailed but uncertain...
What's the best combination for your opinion?

 

[SurgeryRA]

hi,

It's hard to find good advice about this exam in Canada so thanks in advance for any replies. I'll try to keep them as specific as I can.

Gagnon vs BRS for physio: I have a copy of Gagnon, but is it too much for step I? Is BRS too little?

Pharm: my pharm teaching, the little we've had, sucked. I liked the style of Lippincott's Biochem (I like flow charts more than tables) and was wondering if their Pharm book is good. I plan on using it in my M2 year, not just for board prep.

Micro: Is MRS really that good? I glanced through it and it seemed to have a lot of hard to read tables. Can anyone comment on Lippincott's micro as an alternative, or any other prep book.

Cases...amyone have a good source for vignette Q's?

Anatomy: Road map vs BRS (it's bloody huge) vs HY vs nothing??

Behav. sci: BRS vs HY

Thanks again!!

Since you asked for it here are my two cents:
Anatomy: FA was enough but HY Anatomy did help some. A definite hell no to BRS...more than you need to know for how little anatomy there is. (Although my test seemed to have more than i expected)
Embryology: HY embryology was pretty good. Went over it in a day, but forgot everything in it once test time came around. Basically just remembered what was in FA and turned out well. (More embryo questions than i expected on the exam)
Neuroanatomy: HY Neuroanatomy was a very good book. It was more than you needed to know, but you feel comfortable with the subject material after going through it.
Physiology: Used BRS Physio and it worked well with FA
Microbiology: Honestly when I look back at it, knowing the microbiology section in FA cold is enough to do well in the section. I used Microbio MRS also but I don't know if it added any points to my score in the end.
Pharmacology: Similar with Microbio, if you know the FA section down cold i felt like it was enough to score well in the section. I did look through portions of lippincott's because qbank's pharm section scared the shi* out of me.
Pathology: BRS pathology. Read it cover to cover as many times as you can. Good book, not that difficult of a read.
Behavioral Science: I used BRS and it was overkill. One of my biggest regrets. I think FA and common sense is enough for this section.
Biostats: Used HY Biostatistics. It was helpful, in the back of the book there is a bare minimum outline of things to know for Step I and it has page numbers so there is no need to read the entire thing. Took about 2 hours to get through. (More biostat than expected on my exam)

Basically when it comes down to it...know first aid really, really, well. Also know BRS path really, really, well. Qbank is also helpful, but closer to the test date, take the NBME exams. They are very representative of the real thing. Good luck!

 

[reza423]

there is superb information on this thread about books and guides. i appreciate all effort and hardwork that goes into giving such great advice. i am just confused about what to do with two subjects and which books to use for them even after reading all the threads

PHARM: katzung/trevor review or lippincot or kaplan notes?
MICROBIO: Kaplan notes or Warren Levinson Lange review?

basically what im asking is that most people say PHARMA n MICRO from FA is enough as long as ure base is good. so then does reading any of the above books help in increasing ure score beyond what u can get with FA, or are they just extra big books n wastage of time.

Thanks a lot. hope u dont mind me repeating the Qs! I just dont wanna lose precious time

 

[rowan]

My advice would be to use FA as an outline, and then supplement FA with another resourse for each of those subjects. For instance, I used FA for micro, then followed along and read the little summaries at the end of the Levinson book for each organism (and did most of the questions at the end). Similarly, for pharm, I used FA as an outline, then read about the individual drugs with Lippencott Pharmcards. So, I certainly didn't read the whole Levinson book, but used it fairly extensively as a resource. For pharm, if you do it this way, ultimately, you'll find you will cover the vast majority of the pharmcards.

Just as an aside, I used this basic strategy for most of the subjects on Step 1 (excluding possibly anatomy and embryo)...using FA as an outline, then supplementing from some outside resourse, even if I didn't completely cover that book...hope that made sense. I thought this worked well for me.

Hope this helps.

 

[mtDNA]

Hey guys, I am currently an MS1 looking to read board review material along with my first semester classes (biochem, human anatomy, developement). I bought HY and Rapid Review for biochem. I have a question about these: how come so many people use HY and not Rapid Review? It seems like rapid review would be better because it has so many practice questions, whereas HY has none. Another question: I looked at HY embryology and noticed that some of the terminology in there differs from our embryology textbook (Moore and Persaud, the Developing Human). ANyone else notice this?
One last question: Rapid Review makes a book that includes both human anatomy and embryology. Does anyone have any experience with this? I was thinking I might get it, and use the RR books, and not use HY. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[trikatrix]

Hey- will you let me know how I can get the kaplan mp3's?

 

[poloace]

ugh... looking back on how much **** i had to use for step I makes me want to vomit. i never want to study that hard again. EVER.

 

[MissionComplete]

😀 I still like these lists-- plus it's got a pic of Sir Dr Goljan 😀

It's scary to believe that as a 3rd year I still use Goljan books!

 

[hale-bopp]

Hey guys, I am currently an MS1 looking to read board review material along with my first semester classes (biochem, human anatomy, developement). I bought HY and Rapid Review for biochem. I have a question about these: how come so many people use HY and not Rapid Review? It seems like rapid review would be better because it has so many practice questions, whereas HY has none. Another question: I looked at HY embryology and noticed that some of the terminology in there differs from our embryology textbook (Moore and Persaud, the Developing Human). ANyone else notice this?
One last question: Rapid Review makes a book that includes both human anatomy and embryology. Does anyone have any experience with this? I was thinking I might get it, and use the RR books, and not use HY. Any input would be appreciated.

as far as reviewing embryology, the reason people only get HY is because there's not much on the test. I don't know anyone who got more than 5-6questions of embryo. Most people said they were all easy to answer from First Aid and Qbank. (I know one person who said they were impossible)

I used HY anatomy but thought it was a waste of time too, I think the Qbank questions and some time looking at an atlas at cross sectional anatomy would be more than sufficient.

 

[fizzbot]

Ok so is there at all a general consensus about certain books I should buy? I am bookless and wanted to go ahead and get a few

 

[Taus]

Ok so is there at all a general consensus about certain books I should buy? I am bookless and wanted to go ahead and get a few

take a look through this thread....opinions vary but you can come accross a general concensus

 

[fizzbot]

would you mind just telling me? its not that i am lazy my computer seriously has huge problems right now and scrolling/moving pages is a huge pain in the boot.

 

[fizzbot]

pretty please?

 

[Taus]

you're capable of posting this same question in multiple forums.....and you can't take any one persons word on this.....just scroll through these few pages...

 

[bigdan]

1. FA
2. BRS Physio
3. BRS Path

Know those and you'll get to ask questions about what to buy for your MGH Derm residency.

dc

 

[docrjay]

Im torn between getting a qbook (board buster step1) and subscribing usmlerx. I dont have a broadband connection and I my dial up usually disconnects.

What q book would you best recommend?

Thanks..

 

[Taus]

Im torn between getting a qbook (board buster step1) and subscribing usmlerx. I dont have a broadband connection and I my dial up usually disconnects.

What q book would you best recommend?

Thanks..

I haven't heard much positive feedback on board busters...i would go w/ the qbook called "QBook" by kaplan

 

[pristine21]

I have heard some new info from two separate 3rd years. I am not doing this to freak anyone out, but to confirm/rebute the idea that they are dropping their number of classic clinical cases for questions involving:

1.)research articles and how to apply new research to a patient.

2.)Info that we wouldn't know, but can deduce based on our scientific knowlege learned from first year

How true is this? Ask around...

I have a feeling that theese questions may have been the experimental questions we will all encounter, because from what I know USMLE wont make major changes without making it public, but I was wondering if anyone else has heard anything like this

 

[lord_jeebus]

I saw questions that make you apply information you should know in ways you may not have before.

I also had questions that have you expain the meaning of study results to test your understanding of biostatistics.

The way I see it, they are not changing the content of what they are testing, but they are trying to make the USMLE a test of understanding and not just memorization. I saw some released boards questions from the mid-90s (or earlier?) that were basically memorize-and-regurgitate, but covered most of the same things seen now.

 

[Twitch]

I have heard some new info from two separate 3rd years. I am not doing this to freak anyone out, but to confirm/rebute the idea that they are dropping their number of classic clinical cases for questions involving:

1.)research articles and how to apply new research to a patient.

2.)Info that we wouldn't know, but can deduce based on our scientific knowlege learned from first year

How true is this? Ask around...

I have a feeling that theese questions may have been the experimental questions we will all encounter, because from what I know USMLE wont make major changes without making it public, but I was wondering if anyone else has heard anything like this

The recent change I've heard is the addition of the multimedia components.

 

[MissionComplete]

😀 I still like these lists-- plus it's got a pic of Sir Dr Goljan 😀

Would you believe that today on rounds our attending said "That she listened to Goljan for Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, and that she reads his books like the bible?"

Sounds like she's a little obssessed-- he's good and all, but not that good!

 

[Shades McCool]

What do you guys think about me just using the Kaplan books and First Aid? Also might use high yield molecular genetics.

 

[surprisedgirl]

from what i've read on here (majority opinoin not all) you should substitute the kaplan path at least for maybe goljan RR or BRS

 

[LauraMac]

i get the impression that all the pharm books suck, but it makes me nervous to only use FA. do you guys think there are any that are actually worth using? and if i only use FA do you think i'll be prepared enough? i guess i have ucv and the pretest book, but i wanted a longer more thorough (but not too thorough) book. any thoughts?

 

[Jfowler]

By far, I have gained the best review that incorporates pathology with biochem, pharm, micro and physio in Goljan's Rapid Review of Pathology. It is concise enough to not overwhelm but has everything you need for path (a major board section) and much more integration to give you an extra edge. Use it, Love it!!

 

[LolaGene]

MS1 here- can anyone recommend what is most useful to do this year? I've heard using First Aid along with courses. Is there anything else I could do for now? Thanks!

 

[ginger60]

MS1 here- can anyone recommend what is most useful to do this year? I've heard using First Aid along with courses. Is there anything else I could do for now? Thanks!

Incoming MS1, or finishing MS1/incoming MS2? If the former, not sure if you need to start with FA for first year phys stuff (although some of the mnemonics are good), if the latter, review BRS phys sections with the relevant path in your courses.

 

[AntonioS]

Hi..
I'm also looking for Step 1 kaplan videos or even audio mp3 files. Do you know where I can download it from...

 

[katcatkelly]

Okay here is mine. Keep in mind I'm a *******, who forgets where I park my car twice a day, once in the morning, and again after school. I'm always walking around the parking lot trying to remember where I parked my car and what level. So I need massive amounts of repetition and questions to retain anything. Also that I've read all these books once already while following along these subjects in class. So hopefully when I get out of school these books won't be to hard to review.

1. Anatomy-HY anat, HY neuro, HY embryo, HY histo
2. Behavioral Sci-HY Beh Sci
3. Bio chem-HY bio chem, HY molecular bio
4. Micro/Immuno-Micro made ridiculously simple, Medical micro & immuno exam and board review by levinson and Jawetz (just the immuno section)
5. Path-Stars Pathology Review by goljan, robbins review of path done first time during christmas vacation (~70%) did it again 4 weeks b4 exam, goljan audio (listen to while working out, gone threw them 5 times from Aug-Dec of 2nd year).
6. Pharm-Kaplan lecture notes
7. Physio-BRS
8. Question books- Kaplan Q book, Appleton & Lange question book, did subjects will following along with class.
9. Comprehensive sources-Web prep listen to while working out (tryin to learn via osmosis) started in Jan almost finished second time threw except for path and micro. FA 2005 started in Jan.


Things finished after last final exam.
-CBSE 88~245 (10 weeks b4 exam).
-BSS ~72%, started in jan doing 50 Qs/day/5 days a week (finished 9 weeks b4 exam).
-Qbank 78%, all random, all timed (finished 5 weeks b4 exam).
-Step 1 released items (41,43,44)=85% (4 weeks b4 exam).
-NMS 78% (3 weeks b4 exam).
-Kaplan full length simulated 77% (3 weeks b4 exam).
-Blueprints 85% (2 1/2 weeks b4 exam).
-Pretest vignettes 76% (2 1/2 weeks b4 exam).
-Rapid review usmle step 1 qbook 80% (2 weeks b4 exam).
-Blackwell free online exam 80% (2 weeks b4 exam).
-NBME form 1 670~252 (10 days b4 exam).
-NBME form 2 710~257 (5 days b4 D-day).

Okay to answer some questions about which question resources are better, if I had to rank which question sources in order of importance. It would be:

1. Robins review of path, idiopathic got me hooked on this one, after doing this twice all other path questions seem easy by comparsion.
2. Board Simulator Series a guy named Dr. Cuts (carribean grad who matched rads) told me about this. This series doesn't represent the current testing format but I've seem to learn the bread and butter from this comprehensive source. One poster once said it is like training with heavy weights, other questions after are just light reps. Requires some time to get threw them all. The body systems books are pretty good, lots of thinking and questions with arrows going up and down. The basic concepts and normal/abnormal books not as good, more like factoid memorization.
3. Qbook and Appleton & Lange (big frank and omarsaleh introduced me to this one) rank about the same good basics to practice after having reviewed the subject.
4. Qbank I didn't like it to much, I didn't think I learned to much from it except for how to pace myself under timed conditions, deal with doing random blocks and guessing when you get 5-10 question in a row that make you say WTF. But you just have to do it cause you're just afraid that you'll be missing out on what others have learned.
5. Pre test clinical vingettes for the usmle step 1, big frank recommended, good thinking questions.
6. Blueprints Q&A, Rapid Review for the usmle step 1, and Blackwells online exam are like icing on the cake, mostly vingettes. The only reason they rank so low is because I've already seen most of what they are testing from other sources, but are good if you don't have the time to get threw BSS.

The one I thought sucked a$$ was NMS alot of nit picky detail (eg SH2 second messenger after Tyrosine kinase, and TF2D binds tata box).

As for how did I have time to do all these question I learned from Big frank and idio that those guys started like nov and dec of second year. These guys are also top ranked in their class, so an average guy like me would have to put in at least as much effort to get any where near them. I couldn't get myself to start that early but I did start after partying my a$$ off on new years. BF went ocd with the FA on the toilet thing, Jalby read big robbins cover to cover, idio did ~11,000 questions. I liked idios idea and did questions. I would do them during my lunch, and by the time school got out I had finished robbins review, BSS, Kaplan Qbook and A&L. I also tend to get sleepy after staring at a reveiw book for more then 3 hours so I did questions for the rest of the day during the 8 weeks that I've been out of school studying for boards.

I've gotten several PMs for my study schedule to I've added it to this post.
So here it goes, started the day after new years:

-Jan first 2 weeks was still out of school so spent it on my weakest subject pharm (poorly taught as an after thought at my organ/systems school). ~10 hours a day/6 days a week X 2 weeks. First reading kaplan pharm notes, then memorizing FA pharm, then doing pharm questions from BRS pharm, Qbook, A&L. Next 2 weeks in Jan physio BRS, FA physio, physio Q's from brs, Qboook, A&L. School started so studied for class first then would spend about 2 hours a day/ 5 days a week board studying. Also started doing BSS ~50 Qs a day/5 days a week during my lunch break at school.

-Feb first 2 weeks Bio chem HY,FA Bio chem, Qs from BRS bio chem,Qbook and A&L. Again 2 hours/day/5day/week while still studying for class and ~50 Qs/day/5 day/week from BSS keeping this pattern threw out 6 month of studying. Next 2 weeks micro/immuno MMMRS, the lange book for immuno and FA micro. Micro/immuno Qs from brs,qbook, a&L.

-March first 3 weeks anatomy hy, neuro hy, histo hy, FA anatomy, Qs from brs, qbook, a&l. 1 week of behavioral sci HY and FA and Qs from that subject.

-April first 2 week path goljans review, FA path, and path Qs from above subject books, and was finishing up on BSS by now. Last 2 weeks in april out of school and began dedicated board studying

-I had 8 weeks of dedicated board studying. Day began with 100 Qbank Qs done random and timed (finished q bank in 3 weeks, and a 4th week to do Qs that I got wrong over again). Then studied a subject for about 6-8 hours and then did more qestions at night 50-100 from other sources on that subject that I studied during the day. Did 3 day cycle of subject, example 3 days pharm, 3 days physio, 3 days BC, 3 days micro/immun, 4 days anatomy/histo/neuro, 2 days BS. Repeated cycle again but this time 2 day, then cylced again 1 day. When I finished q bank I did other sources instead.

-One week before the exam just went over FA over and over again. Day before exam chilled out, did my laundry and packed my bags for my trip to Hawaii. Day of exam took exam first 2 blocks without a brake, each block after 5 minute bathroom brake in between each block and one peanut butter power bar brake. I think I was done a little after 4, and by 7:30 was on a plan to Hawaii with my GF. Good luck all and hope this long post helps.

Hey thanks for sharing your studying schedules. I think they're awesome! What's BSS? I just finished the first year and never heard of it somehow.

 

[lord_jeebus]

i would also like to know where i can download kaplan audio mp3 files from. thanks!

You're not going to find that out here. Please take your requests for illegal materials elsewhere.

 

[Pewl]

Hey thanks for sharing your studying schedules. I think they're awesome! What's BSS? I just finished the first year and never heard of it somehow.

Board Simulator Series

 

[SoCuteMD]

Please note that SDN does not allow the soliciting of copyrighted materials through improper channels. Kaplan MP3 files are not produced or sold by Kaplan Test Prep, and thus are a copyright violation.

 

[DreamRavyn]

My Booklist - hooray - it's over:
Anatomy: USMLE Roadmap (better than HY) - all of those little clinical vignettes are a nice way to drive home boring anatomy
Embryology: HY - overkill but necessary to make FA's embryo not seem so disjointed
Neuroanatomy, Stats, Ethics, and Behav Science: HY "Brain and Behavior" (one of those new organ systems books)
Physiology: BRS
Path: BRS (that's right - no goljan for path here - i know - people are shocked!)
Micro: RR
Biochem: RR
Pharm: Pharm Recall - it was ok - pretty up-to-date. I used it to suplement some Lange Flashcards - it was a pretty good in my opinion. Of course, if you you don't make sure to learn FA pharm, though, then why try?

The two Rapid Review selections were absolute gold. I hate CMMRS and Lippincott's series, so they were great substitutes. Now if only I had a good substitute for Lippincott's pharm ...

260/99

 

[Pewl]

My Booklist - hooray - it's over:
Anatomy: USMLE Roadmap (better than HY) - all of those little clinical vignettes are a nice way to drive home boring anatomy
Embryology: HY - overkill but necessary to make FA's embryo not seem so disjointed
Neuroanatomy, Stats, Ethics, and Behav Science: HY "Brain and Behavior" (one of those new organ systems books)
Physiology: BRS
Path: BRS (that's right - no goljan for path here - i know - people are shocked!)
Micro: RR
Biochem: RR
Pharm: Pharm Recall - it was ok - pretty up-to-date. I used it to suplement some Lange Flashcards - it was a pretty good in my opinion. Of course, if you you don't make sure to learn FA pharm, though, then why try?



The two Rapid Review selections were absolute gold. I hate CMMRS and Lippincott's series, so they were great substitutes. Now if only I had a good substitute for Lippincott's pharm ...

Did most people prefer RR or Kaplan for biochem? I've been hearing good things about Kaplan as well

 

[Hoooba]

Guys, is there much of a difference between 2000 vs. 2004 Robbins Review of Pathology? Thanks,

 

[HunterGatherer]

Guys, is there much of a difference between 2000 vs. 2004 Robbins Review of Pathology? Thanks,

I had the 1st edition and then got the 2nd since I thought they might update with mostly new questions. This would be the first time in publishing history that any company did that for a text book. Well I fell for it.

From my flip-through it seemed that at least 80% of the questions/answers were word-for-word and picture-for-picture exactly the same. There are a few additional questions per chapter and a comprehensive review that consists of 74 questions.

If you did not get a book yet then get the 2nd edition. If you have the first then getting the second edition would only be for peace of mind in my opinion.

 

[Hoooba]

I had the 1st edition and then got the 2nd since I thought they might update with mostly new questions. This would be the first time in publishing history that any company did that for a text book. Well I fell for it.

From my flip-through it seemed that at least 80% of the questions/answers were word-for-word and picture-for-picture exactly the same. There are a few additional questions per chapter and a comprehensive review that consists of 74 questions.

If you did not get a book yet then get the 2nd edition. If you have the first then getting the second edition would only be for peace of mind in my opinion.

Thanks a lot 👍

 

[Loanna]

I think they are helpful not as good as goljan but still helpful. And yeah if you got alot time driving, working out, sitting on the dumper, then sure use them. I PMed you on who to contact for them.

Hello!I was wondering if Long Dong (or anyone else) could help me in getting this stuff, as I already have gone through Goljan's twice...Thanx!!

 

[Long Dong]

Hello!I was wondering if Long Dong (or anyone else) could help me in getting this stuff, as I already have gone through Goljan's twice...Thanx!!

The SDN forums is not a place that promotes or discusses the distrubution of illegal/pirated goods. But you never know someone might PM u this information.

 

[UVAgirl]

Hi, I'm an M1 getting ready to start Neuro and Behavioral Science in January. It seems that the best books for these courses would be:

HY Neuro, USMLE Road Map Neuro
HY Behav, BRS Behav

I'm leaning toward USMLE Road Map Neuro and BRS Behav, but both of them are coming out with new editions this year (in March for Neuro and in Oct for Behav). Is it worth it to wait for the newest editions, or should I just go ahead and buy the ones that are available now so that I can use them as I go through the coursework?

Also, would you advise against these books and recommend the HY books instead? And what's the deal with HY Brain and Behavior?

Note: I'm aiming for a 240+ when it comes time for the boards.

 

[lord_jeebus]

Hi, I'm an M1 getting ready to start Neuro and Behavioral Science in January. It seems that the best books for these courses would be:

HY Neuro, USMLE Road Map Neuro
HY Behav, BRS Behav

I'm leaning toward USMLE Road Map Neuro and BRS Behav, but both of them are coming out with new editions this year (in March for Neuro and in Oct for Behav). Is it worth it to wait for the newest editions, or should I just go ahead and buy the ones that are available now so that I can use them as I go through the coursework?

Also, would you advise against these books and recommend the HY books instead? And what's the deal with HY Brain and Behavior?

Note: I'm aiming for a 240+ when it comes time for the boards.

There is very little new material added to new editions of review books. The market for these books is huge and new editinos come out so people get too scared to buy used ones. The content that you are responsible has changed little in the past 5 years and old books are generally fine. Sometimes they are better because the new ones can get bloated with low yield material (Dudek's High Yield books are a good example of this).

The only benefit of waiting for a new edition is that the previous edition will become significantly cheaper.

HY Brain and Behavior is supposed to be some sort of integration of neuro, behavioral, perhaps other things. It should fit in with the newer HY books that are organized by organ systems. I have not seen them first-hand so I don't know how good they are.

Concerning BRS vs HY for Behavioral, I went with BRS but if I were to do it again I would choose HY. I picked BRS for the questions but they were a waste of time -- too detailed.