Overwhelmed with board materials, advice needed

[yanks26dmb]

---

Members do not see this ad.

*I'm ms1

So I've done extensive research on sdn, talked to people at my school, and sought out other outside sources on this one, and I'm just feeling overwhelmed.

It seems like there's so much conflicting information when it comes to prep materials. My school just gave us combank, but I've seen so many people say it sucks. Some say firecracker is great others say it's a waste of money. Same goes for doctors in training. Etc.

Im already covering systems so I want to get started reinforcing what I'm learning and board prep over thr summer as well..just kind of stuck due to so many options and not knowing what's best use of my time.

Anyone else feel/felt the same way and/or have advice?

 

[Elevencents]

Read the 2015 thread in the Step 1 forum. Majority of those scoring well say to focus on class work then do UFAP. Don't make it harder than it is.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[DopaDO]

Second, the above. Uworld, First Aid, Pathoma and Savarese for OMM if you care about COMLEX. A lot of your classmates will talk about other things they are using, dont let them distract you. Time spent using any other resource other than the above mentioned is a huge waste of time.

 

[yanks26dmb]

Second, the above. Uworld, First Aid, Pathoma and Savarese for OMM if you care about COMLEX. A lot of your classmates will talk about other things they are using, dont let them distract you. Time spent using any other resource other than the above mentioned is a huge waste of time.

Great, thanks for the advice.

Would you recommend against doing brosen's anki deck? Think it's better to make my own anki cards as I go through the materials you listed?

Also, should I completely ignore using COMBANK and get UWORLD and start using it now?

 

[DopaDO]

I would stick to u world (do at least twice reading explanations with annotations if needed - should take about 3-4 hours per 46 question block) + pathoma + FA. I wouldn't touch anything else. If you master the above you will score very well.

I didn't touch combank, but I also didn't care about COMLEX at all as I knew I wanted an ACGME residency. I did well on both exams just with the above.



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using SDN mobile

 

[ortnakas]

Great, thanks for the advice.

Would you recommend against doing brosen's anki deck? Think it's better to make my own anki cards as I go through the materials you listed?

Also, should I completely ignore using COMBANK and get UWORLD and start using it now?

You're a first year? It's way too early for UWorld.

 

[yanks26dmb]

You're a first year? It's way too early for UWorld.

Any reason for that? We're going through systems already. I was under the impression UWORLD was good for when you started getting into clinical medicine/path?

I guess I'm just worried about forgetting what I'm learning (we started with blood first semester and I'm afraid to think about how much I've already forgotten). How would you recommend I continually reinforce this material so I don't forget it?

 

[Elevencents]

Any reason for that? We're going through systems already. I was under the impression UWORLD was good for when you started getting into clinical medicine/path?

I guess I'm just worried about forgetting what I'm learning (we started with blood first semester and I'm afraid to think about how much I've already forgotten). How would you recommend I continually reinforce this material so I don't forget it?

Use USMLERx or Kaplan during second year systems. Save UW for closer to dedicated. But again, classes are priority.

 

[hallowmann]

Use USMLERx or Kaplan during second year systems. Save UW for closer to dedicated. But again, classes are priority.

This.

This really doesn't even need to be a thread as a MS1. Focus on your own work, firecracker if you feel you're getting something out of it. Second year, Uworld, FA, & Pathoma.

 

[Bucks901]

I agree with a lot thats been said here. For MS1 & MS2 Classes I used USMLErx > Kaplan to practice board related questions during the different clinical blocks. I used Pathoma throughout first and second year with FirstAid too to supplement/enforce class material. I did use Firecracker from summer between first and second year up until dedicated study time. This is a HUGE commitment if you use it as intended but it really worked for me. As others have said only use UWORLD for dedicated study time. Don't overdue it with other resources. Knowing a few resources really well is better than trying to spread yourself thin between different books/resources.

 

[ortnakas]

Any reason for that? We're going through systems already. I was under the impression UWORLD was good for when you started getting into clinical medicine/path?

I guess I'm just worried about forgetting what I'm learning (we started with blood first semester and I'm afraid to think about how much I've already forgotten). How would you recommend I continually reinforce this material so I don't forget it?

Everyone's answered for me. UWorld is great for putting it all together for board prep-- not continual reinforcement. Using it when you're getting started is wasting its true purpose.

I concur with what others have said-- Kaplan or USMLERx if you really want a a boards-style question bank. Firecracker if you like the spaced repetition thing. The others I'd add are that Memorang has some flashcards based on First Aid that I find really useful, and SketchyMicro is great too and would probably be useful first year as well as for boards.

 

[yanks26dmb]

Really appreciate all the advice everyone.

Think it's useful to use brosencephalon's deck before serious board studying...or will it more or less be a waste of time?

 

[DoctorKrieger]

Combank doesn't suck, it just isn't as thorough as the USMLE qbanks. Since your school bought it for you, burn through combank as you go through systems then do Rx/Kaplan spring of M2 and finally UW as you near dedicated.

Or, more importantly, whatever works for you. No matter what order, if you complete 3+ qbanks you likely don't have much to worry about.

 

[JustPlainBill]

As I've said before, ad nauseum, take FA and go down to your local Kinko's copy place -- have them take off the cover and 3 hole punch it for you. Then go buy 1 or 2 2 inch binders and get some dividers. Put the newly punched FA in the binders and set up the dividers as appropriate.

as you're going through the classes, spend time previewing what's medically important for boards by reading/memorizing the appropriate FA section and annotating heavily with details that are germane to the issue presented. You can also -- now because it's in a binder -- add extra pages as needed ---

As you're doing this, you are creating a study resource built to your style with all the info/salient points you will need to study for boards with --- and you are creating a study resource to use for exams as they are happening and it's all centrally located. something about writing stuff down in your own hand helps with memorization.

yes, it's labor intensive, will cause you to spend a lot of time up front but review tends to be a piece of cake ---

I had a 3rd year when I was an OMS1 try to explain this to me -- I didn't catch on about it until I was a 3rd year (made the mistake of listening to other classmates about what they were doing -- kinda like getting medical advice from Reader's Digest --- when I did use it, my grades on exam rotations improved significantly -- like I was one of 8 that passed the initial Ob/Gyn exam while the rest of the 20 failed it.

As an MS1, unless you have a significant medical background, you really don't know what's important and FA can guide you as to what's going to be tested so you can pay attention. it's a skeleton, not a substitute for learning the material in depth.

Relax -- thousands of people before you have done this -- 50% were smarter than you, the other 50% were dumber than you -- you got this ---

 

[mcloaf]

As I've said before, ad nauseum, take FA and go down to your local Kinko's copy place -- have them take off the cover and 3 hole punch it for you. Then go buy 1 or 2 2 inch binders and get some dividers. Put the newly punched FA in the binders and set up the dividers as appropriate.

as you're going through the classes, spend time previewing what's medically important for boards by reading/memorizing the appropriate FA section and annotating heavily with details that are germane to the issue presented. You can also -- now because it's in a binder -- add extra pages as needed ---

As you're doing this, you are creating a study resource built to your style with all the info/salient points you will need to study for boards with --- and you are creating a study resource to use for exams as they are happening and it's all centrally located. something about writing stuff down in your own hand helps with memorization.

yes, it's labor intensive, will cause you to spend a lot of time up front but review tends to be a piece of cake ---

I had a 3rd year when I was an OMS1 try to explain this to me -- I didn't catch on about it until I was a 3rd year (made the mistake of listening to other classmates about what they were doing -- kinda like getting medical advice from Reader's Digest --- when I did use it, my grades on exam rotations improved significantly -- like I was one of 8 that passed the initial Ob/Gyn exam while the rest of the 20 failed it.

As an MS1, unless you have a significant medical background, you really don't know what's important and FA can guide you as to what's going to be tested so you can pay attention. it's a skeleton, not a substitute for learning the material in depth.

Relax -- thousands of people before you have done this -- 50% were smarter than you, the other 50% were dumber than you -- you got this ---

Not sure whether or not I understood what you wrote clearly; are you advising that OP annotate stuff from classes into first aid?

 

[JustPlainBill]

Not sure whether or not I understood what you wrote clearly; are you advising that OP annotate stuff from classes into first aid?

Yes.

 

[mymembernames]

Really appreciate all the advice everyone.

Think it's useful to use brosencephalon's deck before serious board studying...or will it more or less be a waste of time?

I've been using flash facts instead and like it so far.

 

[asdf123g]

It sounds like you should use UWorld during dedicated.
When should you begin using FA and Pathoma?

When should one begin using USLMErx and combank (if your school purchases it)?

I am trying to picture a timeline to begin using each of these materials but it is not clear to me.

 

[mcloaf]

Yes.

Personally I'd be pretty wary of filling up first aid with information from class, much of which will not be helpful for boards. I'm fully with you as far as getting first aid hole punched and put in a binder as well as reading it along with class during M2, but I limited myself to annotating things from qbanks and pathoma which I thought was plenty of extra information from better curated sources.

 

[MedNation907]

I've actually taken @JustPlainBill 's advice before my [current] first year started. 3-hole punched FA and I bring what's pertinent to my block in a smaller binder. I take notes on OneNote during class for each lecture, then I print the really good ones out and insert them in FA. That could be a better option than hand-writing notes to stick in there. As for early board review, like OP my school provided me COMBANK and Kaplan so I make myself tests over each block's material during my week break. I go through the one's I missed and type out the logic in OneNote, and my plan is to have a collection of missed answers that I can review at some point. I find this really helpful but I don't think I would do it if it wasn't for my program's "remediation week", in which I get a week 100% free.

 

[D4C]

Bros deck is great. If you are down with anki, I'd highly recommend using it - and don't bother trying to anki your own FA, it's a waste of time.

 

[Goro]

At my Combank usage has a good predictor for COMLEX success. But Wai a minute...you're an OMSI, right? What are fussing about Boards for at this time????

*I'm ms1

So I've done extensive research on sdn, talked to people at my school, and sought out other outside sources on this one, and I'm just feeling overwhelmed.

It seems like there's so much conflicting information when it comes to prep materials. My school just gave us combank, but I've seen so many people say it sucks. Some say firecracker is great others say it's a waste of money. Same goes for doctors in training. Etc.

Im already covering systems so I want to get started reinforcing what I'm learning and board prep over thr summer as well..just kind of stuck due to so many options and not knowing what's best use of my time.

Anyone else feel/felt the same way and/or have advice?

 

[MedNation907]

At my Combank usage has a good predictor for COMLEX success. But Wai a minute...you're an OMSI, right? What are fussing about Boards for at this time????

I suppose it's subjective.. My school encourages us to take practice tests during first year. I don't see why someone would suggest not to...

 

[Goro]

I've had students who start fussing about Boards a week after matriculation!

I suppose it's subjective.. My school encourages us to take practice tests during first year. I don't see why someone would suggest not to...

 

[NontradCA]

If you haven't fully annotated First Aid with Big Robin's prior to first year, you're already way behind the curve OP. Have you considered switching to podiatry so that you could at least scrape away with something to pay off your first year loans?

 

[DoReMiFaSo]

*I'm ms1

Me too :] So you might find it useful to hear what another first yr have to say on this matter.

I'm not a huge fan of reading through a novel, so I will make truncate my comments into bullets

* Follow @JustPlainBill 's Firstaid advice... Like, just get it done today. To channel Shia LaBeouf, "JUST DO IT!!"

* Make current courses your absolute top priority. I know it's silly to say the obvious that people who ace school tend to ace boards. But it helps to feel less overwhelmed to simplify this giant mission of "board prep," into just "do well in school," at least as a MS1.

I guess I'm just worried about forgetting what I'm learning

* We all do. It's just an unavoidable part of learning. It will be a lot easier to pick it up again. Just think Kreb cycle or Tyrosine kinase receptors. Repeat exposure is the key.

* On that last note, I recommend Firecracker. It systemically helps you to retain old info while learning new topics. I wish I get paid every time I advertise their product -.-

* If you still haven't followed @JustPlainBill 's advice, you need to get off SDN now and sprint to the nearest office supply store

Good luck OP! I will join you to fuss about Step1 after Yr1 :]

 

[asdf123g]

It sounds like you should use UWorld during dedicated.
When should you begin using FA and Pathoma?

When should one begin using USLMErx and combank (if your school purchases it)?

I am trying to picture a timeline to begin using each of these materials but it is not clear to me.

bump

 

[Jinxapotato]

Me and my friend were thinking of going through the key subjects (we are in a subject based curriculum) - ie biochem, anatomy, neuroanatomy, physio that we learned in the 1st year during the Summer. I don't know if this is a good idea in general, but I feel it would build a solid foundation for us when venturing into 2nd year, where we will get patho, pharm and more physio. I don't see the point of studying ahead (not just preview) of what you are taught as you probably won't understand most of it anyway...

 

[Mbeas]

All this thread shows is that there isn't one way that works for everyone. You have to pick a resource and just stick to it. Personally, I didn't annotate in FA at all and did well. Everyone has their own technique and you just need to find yours, which you have plenty of time for as a MS1. It's way too early for you to be studying for step 1. Focus on your classes for now and don't even think about Step 1 again until at least August/September.

Anything that you think you forgot will come back, trust me.


Sent from my iPad using SDN mobile

 

[DocWinter]

way too much noise out there on SDN, other students....

NO board study 1st year.

In 2nd year, start going through USMLE Rx. Read the corresponding FA section which is given in the answer choices of USMLE Rx. Do not spend too much time in the 1st semester, just do 15 Qs a day.

2nd semester, stick to the UFAP. I personally like BRS Path with pathoma, and I'm partial to sketchy micro, but those are things I spend maybe 10% of my time on outside of UFAP. Don't try to reinvent the wheel.

 

[asdf123g]

way too much noise out there on SDN, other students....

NO board study 1st year.

In 2nd year, start going through USMLE Rx. Read the corresponding FA section which is given in the answer choices of USMLE Rx. Do not spend too much time in the 1st semester, just do 15 Qs a day.

2nd semester, stick to the UFAP. I personally like BRS Path with pathoma, and I'm partial to sketchy micro, but those are things I spend maybe 10% of my time on outside of UFAP. Don't try to reinvent the wheel.

do you finish USMLErx first semester? How long does 15Q's a day take?

 

[DocWinter]

do you finish USMLErx first semester? How long does 15Q's a day take?

Roughly 5 months/just about the semester

 

[QueenJames]

Quick question.

How many of you guys used the Kaplan classes to prepare for step 1? Given that many MD and DO programs give about a month or so for board prep, is it a feasible option? They have a 7 and 14 week option but how many folks use it and benefit from it? Figure it could be a solid alternative to the UFAP system that is pledged to be a lifesaver on SDN. Thanks!

 

[asdf123g]

Roughly 5 months/just about the semester

is it really realistic for the average student to do all of those questions, everyday, on top of school work? M1 is hard, but M2 I hear is harder and theres more time spent in classes (for mandatory attendence people at least)

 

[DocWinter]

is it really realistic for the average student to do all of those questions, everyday, on top of school work? M1 is hard, but M2 I hear is harder and theres more time spent in classes (for mandatory attendence people at least)

Yes. It's hard to comprehend doing even more than you do in 1st, but you get better at it. 1 hr of board study is no big deal

 

[Dr.Jekyll75]

the only bank i would go with as a first year would be usmle rx. good price and it helps reinforce big picture ideas