Old First Aid

[brainsRcool]

My friend will be starting medical school in August, and she was offered a free USMLE Step 1 First Aid book from 2014. She's not going to be studying for Step 1 yet, but wanted to have the First Aid book to start writing notes in as she goes through blocks this year. Should she splurge on the $50 2016 version now? Or should she just use the 2014 for MS1, and then buy the newest version available when it's time for her to crack down for boards?
I just don't know how much the versions have changed, but my thoughts are free book!
Thank you in advance.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[ActinicKeratosis]

My friend will be starting medical school in August, and she was offered a free USMLE Step 1 First Aid book from 2014. She's not going to be studying for Step 1 yet, but wanted to have the First Aid book to start writing notes in as she goes through blocks this year. Should she splurge on the $50 2016 version now? Or should she just use the 2014 for MS1, and then buy the newest version available when it's time for her to crack down for boards?
I just don't know how much the versions have changed, but my thoughts are free book!
Thank you in advance.

I would buy the 2016 edition.

 

[brainsRcool]

I would buy the 2016 edition.

Do you have advice for any other resources she should buy? (need to get bill to $100 for free shipping, so might as well ask now). Iserson's Getting into residency was suggested by an MS3 to her. Do you think this is worth a purchase?

 

[ActinicKeratosis]

Do you have advice for any other resources she should buy? (need to get bill to $100 for free shipping, so might as well ask now). Iserson's Getting into residency was suggested by an MS3 to her. Do you think this is worth a purchase?

I am not familiar with that book. In terms of board prep, I highly recommend First Aid, UWORLD, and Pathoma. Your friend should not start using UWORLD until second year however.

 

[Phloston]

My friend will be starting medical school in August, and she was offered a free USMLE Step 1 First Aid book from 2014. She's not going to be studying for Step 1 yet, but wanted to have the First Aid book to start writing notes in as she goes through blocks this year. Should she splurge on the $50 2016 version now? Or should she just use the 2014 for MS1, and then buy the newest version available when it's time for her to crack down for boards?
I just don't know how much the versions have changed, but my thoughts are free book!
Thank you in advance.

I would buy the 2016 edition.

I agree with Mr. precursor-to-SCC. I'd buy the new one.

 

[HereWeGo21]

Wow. People are way too neurotic about this! I took the test in 2016, and I studied using the 2014 edition, during preclinical and through the test. It's unlikely to make a difference. The yearly editions are probably just to make money of neurotic med students; the changes between them are incremental.

Score >265, before anyone asks😉

 

[ActinicKeratosis]

Wow. People are way too neurotic about this! I took the test in 2016, and I studied using the 2014 edition, during preclinical and through the test. It's unlikely to make a difference. The yearly editions are probably just to make money of neurotic med students; the changes between them are incremental.

Score >265, before anyone asks😉

While a >265 is impressive, I still disagree with your advice. Buying the newest version of First Aid is a small price to pay for prepping for the most important exam of a medical student's career. The older NBME exams are out of date for the current step 1. You don't think commercial test prep materials go out of date as well? You can't just "hope" that there will be no new changes in First Aid to justify saving a buck.

 

[burritoboy]

Use the '14 now even though it's not necessary. Buy Pathoma at the beginning of 2nd year. Buy FA '18 when it comes out.

Why would she buy '16 now when '18 will be out during her dedicated study time?

 

[Reperfused]

I'd say get the free FA 2014 version for now and read from it.
Since your friend is just starting med school, she'll be taking her step 1 in summer 2018. So when FA 2018 comes out in dec 2017, just pre order it to get it as quick as possible.
No point in buying FA 2016 now and then FA 2018 1.5 yrs later.

 

[Reperfused]

Use the '14 now even though it's not necessary. Buy Pathoma at the beginning of 2nd year. Buy FA '18 when it comes out.

Why would she buy '16 now when '18 will be out during her dedicated study time?

Haha just saw that you posted the exact same advice a moment before me while I was writing the post I guess 😉