Opinions on Kaplan's "Lecture Notes" books

[highclass]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on this book series. I am just starting my step 1 studying (I am doing webprep) and I have gone through the Kaplan biochem/genetics book which is pretty good. I started physio today and I don't think it is as good as the biochem book, so I am thinking about switching to BRS instead. Does anyone have any opinions on the physio book or any of the other "class notes" in the kaplan series?

Thanks!!!!!

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[VincentAdultman]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on this book series. I am just starting my step 1 studying (I am doing webprep) and I have gone through the Kaplan biochem/genetics book which is pretty good. I started physio today and I don't think it is as good as the biochem book, so I am thinking about switching to BRS instead. Does anyone have any opinions on the physio book or any of the other "class notes" in the kaplan series?

Thanks!!!!!

The lecture notes are meant to be supplemented by lecture. Kaplan even states that fact at the start of each of the books. Using them alone is probably a bad idea.

 

[Sals]

Using the notes along with Web prep lectures is an EXCELLENT idea! I know of many residents from 3rd world countries who swore by kaplan notes. All they relied on were these and Knew them inside and out..mind you english is not the first language for these guys..inspite of it they managed to score 90+ on boards.
I am personally using kaplan books along with web prep....I feel they are extensive but have all the info required to do well.
my 2 cents

 

[highclass]

Using the notes along with Web prep lectures is an EXCELLENT idea! I know of many residents from 3rd world countries who swore by kaplan notes. All they relied on were these and Knew them inside and out..mind you english is not the first language for these guys..inspite of it they managed to score 90+ on boards.
I am personally using kaplan books along with web prep....I feel they are extensive but have all the info required to do well.
my 2 cents

Hi, I am also using webprep along with the class notes. Can you post your opinions on the different subject books? I have only really looked at phys and biochem. Thanks!

 

[Sals]

I personally feel that apart from the Pathology book of kaplan..all the others are dead on what USMLE requires! I am studying path from goljian audio lectures and rapid review book.

Biochem book which also contains the genetics portion is on the money.

Physiology is very lengthy and at times I incorporate BRS physio along with Kaplan.

Micro and Immuno. Well Micro is in a table format for the most part so if your the type who prefers a more text book approach then you may not like this..however i think the micro section has way too much info thats needed foor the exam.

I like the Anatomy book and from what i have heard its dead on target....perhaps a bit more then needed. I am also using HY anatomy and neuroanatomy for reference.

The Pharm book is supposed to be excellent from what my friends have told me. Even though I personally feel that its a lot of information but I think this book cuts out all the irrelevant stuff. A review book with the feel of a text book. Thats what I like about it.

I have been told by a lot of people that Apart from Kaplan, the BRS behavioral science book is on the money. I read that for class...so i think i will probably stick to the BRS for Behavioral...perhaps look at developmental stages and doc-patient relationship from the kaplan book. Ofcourse i plan on listening to the web prep lectures of Behavioral science for sure!

HOpe this helps...How are you liking combining wep prep with the books? Do you find the lectures compliment the text well? I have heard mixed reviews about wep prep...but i am doing it cause its kaplan..and it has worked for many i know!

 

[doctortwindad]

Using the notes along with Web prep lectures is an EXCELLENT idea! I know of many residents from 3rd world countries who swore by kaplan notes. All they relied on were these and Knew them inside and out..mind you english is not the first language for these guys..inspite of it they managed to score 90+ on boards.
I am personally using kaplan books along with web prep....I feel they are extensive but have all the info required to do well.
my 2 cents

I dont know what you were trying to say, but these IMGs(sounds civilized than 3rd worldies), are also good doctors, usually from good universities.

You think that's why they scored those 90s on their board's?Or is it only because of Kaplan, and those third world docs are no good?

 

[Beta_Hemolysis]

I dont know what you were trying to say, but these IMGs(sounds civilized than 3rd worldies), are also good doctors, usually from good universities.

You think that's why they scored those 90s on their board's?Or is it only because of Kaplan, and those third world docs are no good?

Oh please! Nothing derrogatory was said about IMG's here. Stop trying to make something of nothing. He simply was saying that he knows of people that weren't trained in the US that used solely these books and did very well. No harm in this. I will tell you however, why I think that SOME (not all, I'm sure some are among the brighest people in the world, so don't jump on me here) of these IMGs scored in the 90's. Many of these people study for step 1 over 3 months, and some more than 1 year!!! That is some serious time, effort, and preparation. Much more than the average US student.

 

[highclass]

I personally feel that apart from the Pathology book of kaplan..all the others are dead on what USMLE requires! I am studying path from goljian audio lectures and rapid review book.

Biochem book which also contains the genetics portion is on the money.

Physiology is very lengthy and at times I incorporate BRS physio along with Kaplan.

Micro and Immuno. Well Micro is in a table format for the most part so if your the type who prefers a more text book approach then you may not like this..however i think the micro section has way too much info thats needed foor the exam.

I like the Anatomy book and from what i have heard its dead on target....perhaps a bit more then needed. I am also using HY anatomy and neuroanatomy for reference.

The Pharm book is supposed to be excellent from what my friends have told me. Even though I personally feel that its a lot of information but I think this book cuts out all the irrelevant stuff. A review book with the feel of a text book. Thats what I like about it.

I have been told by a lot of people that Apart from Kaplan, the BRS behavioral science book is on the money. I read that for class...so i think i will probably stick to the BRS for Behavioral...perhaps look at developmental stages and doc-patient relationship from the kaplan book. Ofcourse i plan on listening to the web prep lectures of Behavioral science for sure!

HOpe this helps...How are you liking combining wep prep with the books? Do you find the lectures compliment the text well? I have heard mixed reviews about wep prep...but i am doing it cause its kaplan..and it has worked for many i know!

Hey! Thanks for all of your good opinions! So far, I am liking webprep. I listened to all of biochem and it was really helpful, I only listened to part of genetics and part of physio. It is very time consuming so I really need to make sure I am not listening to things that I already know (ie there is a 30 min lecture on PCR...I worked in a lab for 4 years...don't really need the help on that). But, I am planning on listening to it for pharm, behavioral and parts of anatomy. I am also using Goljan and RR for path as he is the path master. 🙂

do you think the anatomy book is comprehensive enough to use it along with FA for histology, anatomy, neuro and embryo? Or, do you think it needs to be supplemented with High Yield books?

Anyway, thanks for your help!!!

 

[beponychick]

guys, would you find any of these books appropriate to supplement class material? I heard that the Kaplan books are bit lengthy compared to the other board review books. So would they work best if you use them with class notes instead?

 

[highclass]

guys, would you find any of these books appropriate to supplement class material? I heard that the Kaplan books are bit lengthy compared to the other board review books. So would they work best if you use them with class notes instead?

I think it is better to use books like HY and BRS for classes during the year. I am using the Kaplan "class notes" books for subjects that are less "fresh" (ie stuff from first year). But during both M1 and M2 I used BRS and HY and definately recommend those over the Kaplan books.

 

[chintu]

I really like kaplan books also. I think webprep is good for somethings but its too time consuming and unnessary for others. I like webprep biochem/genetics, micro/immuno, goljan for path and that's about it. I personally learn pharm best by memorizing from a book rather than hearing audio and the same with physio, I like to take my time to think about it. As far as the books go I really all except path may be. Compared to other sources I like their biostats and other stuff on behavioral too.

 

[Options]

I used the kaplan lecture notes for my board prep. My school forced us to watch the videos, but I'm not an audio learner, so I wore earplugs. The lecturers don't really add much that isn't already in those notes. They are all great books except for the pathology and possibly micro, but I still used the micro book.

 

[beponychick]

I think it is better to use books like HY and BRS for classes during the year. I am using the Kaplan "class notes" books for subjects that are less "fresh" (ie stuff from first year). But during both M1 and M2 I used BRS and HY and definately recommend those over the Kaplan books.

Thanks so much. Which BRS and HY books did you use during first year? I have BRS phys, anatomy and a few rapid review books. But I didnt purchase any high yield ones.

Thanks!

 

[highclass]

I used the kaplan lecture notes for my board prep. My school forced us to watch the videos, but I'm not an audio learner, so I wore earplugs. The lecturers don't really add much that isn't already in those notes. They are all great books except for the pathology and possibly micro, but I still used the micro book.

I have heard mixed reviews regarding the micro book, I am debating whether to use the kaplan micro or MMRS...any thoughts?

 

[Options]

I have heard mixed reviews regarding the micro book, I am debating whether to use the kaplan micro or MMRS...any thoughts?

Well, I had already read MMRS a few semesters before while studying for a micro shelf exam. It is a good book and alot of stuff from that book stuck with my for a long time. I think it is kindav a long read though and I think I woudl have gotten bogged down too much if I had tried to use it for board review. I just went ahead and used the kaplan book and added missing info in FA using that book as well as totally missing bugs that were not in FA. That was plenty.

I think if you are weak in micro.. go ahead and read MMRS because it gives you a basis of all the bugs, but if you are already pretty strong in micro, I would just use kaplan and FA. I used those two and found all the micro on the test to be pretty easy.

 

[Powel6016]

Does anyone see a difference in the newer versions of the Kaplan Lecture notes over the older ones?

 

[kito]

for the kaplan lecture notes:

excellent- biochemistry, anatomy, pharmacology

okay- microbiology, physiology, epidemiology (use MMRS, BRS and BRS)

crap- pathology (use BRS)

unless you really really want to, don't waste your time with the class. $ave yourself some loot and get a used set of these notes, its okay if they are a year old.

 

[liumas]

Hi,
sorry for the stupid question, but what is BRS and webprep. I'm just starting my studying for Step 1 and I'm unfamiliar with some of the books, and studying techniques. It'll be great if you could tell me which books are best for my Step 1 preparation.

 

[lipofuscin232]

BRS stands for board review series, it's just a series of books that some people use during classes/boards...the best ones for boards are the pathology and physiology....don't bother with the rest. Webprep I believe is online lectures from Kaplan?

 

[liumas]

thank you