Physio/Biochem NBME Shelf Prep

[DoctorLacrosse]

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So at the end of this month I have both the Biochem and Physio NBME shelf exams, and I'm starting to come up with my plan to study for both.

As far as content goes I planned to use BRS physio for physio, and mostly First Aid for Biochem.

My first question is, is this enough content to do well on these? I particularly want to crush the physio one, but I'm not sure if BRS is enough, nor am I sure if first aid is in depth enough for Biochem. are there any must have resources for either? I have big costanzo also, but don't know if it's overkill.

Secondly, does anyone know of any good question sources for these? everyone says pre-test in all the old threads, but I personally dislike the series. anything else I should look into here? Thanks for all the help, as usual.

 

[Kera]

I recently took the biochem NBME. I do not think First Aid would be thorough enough at all. It was certainly a valuable resource and served to organize topics in my mind, but I used it as sort of a checklist or outline when I was reviewing rather than trying to learn from it. I think the key to doing well in biochem is really understanding each pathway. FA tells you what happens but not why, and the why is the critical part. I did use FA to brush up on some of the diseases, like PKU and maple syrup urine disease, that we just didn't cover in class, and I found it to be plenty sufficient for those.

I was a big fan of Lippincott during the class. I also went through the Biochem section of Rx and found that to be very helpful too. I know this is controversial because of the time sink, but Najeeb explains this stuff like no other. If there's a topic you're particularly weak on, I'd recommend checking out Najeeb for that topic, because he helps you understand the why behind the what.

Good luck! (And I'll be paying attention to other responses for phys, because I'm taking that one now.)

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

I recently took the biochem NBME. I do not think First Aid would be thorough enough at all. It was certainly a valuable resource and served to organize topics in my mind, but I used it as sort of a checklist or outline when I was reviewing rather than trying to learn from it. I think the key to doing well in biochem is really understanding each pathway. FA tells you what happens but not why, and the why is the critical part. I did use FA to brush up on some of the diseases, like PKU and maple syrup urine disease, that we just didn't cover in class, and I found it to be plenty sufficient for those.

I was a big fan of Lippincott during the class. I also went through the Biochem section of Rx and found that to be very helpful too. I know this is controversial because of the time sink, but Najeeb explains this stuff like no other. If there's a topic you're particularly weak on, I'd recommend checking out Najeeb for that topic, because he helps you understand the why behind the what.

Good luck! (And I'll be paying attention to other responses for phys, because I'm taking that one now.)

thanks for the reply! I just worry I won't have the time to get through lippincott. it's a decently large book.

hopefully someone chimes in for physio!

 

[Jabbed]

FA is not good enough for either. I second Lipincott for Biochem. BRS is the single best resource for physio, but still inadequate for the shelf imo. If you truly want to crush it: BRS + RR +/- Kaplan.

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

How would one be expected to get through Lippincott with only a few days before the test?

 

[Kera]

You can't; presumably you had a biochem course preceding the test, and that's the best time to use it. I can't think of one great go-to review resource for biochem like BRS for phys. I did Lippincott + Najeeb during the course and made my own review notes, which I used for exam prep. I only opened FA several days before the exam, and that was just to make sure I hit everything. I did refer back to Lippincott and Najeeb on my weak points, which I discovered as I did Rx questions.

Some of my classmates used and enjoyed the Kaplan biochem videos. We don't discuss grades much so I can't say for sure, but it seemed as though the weaker students were doing Kaplan. It's a chicken-and-the-egg problem though; I'm not sure if they were weak because Kaplan didn't give them enough background, or if they were already weak and thus looking for a simple all-encompassing review series so gravitated to Kaplan. My sense is that Kaplan may be able to pull you up from a fail to a pass, but is not sufficient to pull you up from a pass to honors.

 

[Jabbed]

How would one be expected to get through Lippincott with only a few days before the test?

You underestimate the power of fear and coffee. Besides the real reason that you use Lipincott is for the illustrations, flow charts, and chapter summaries. With even a moderate biochem background (i.e., course syllabus) it's a very straightforward and efficient review of biochem.

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

You underestimate the power of fear and coffee. Besides the real reason that you use Lipincott is for the illustrations, flow charts, and chapter summaries. With even a moderate biochem background (i.e., course syllabus) it's a very straightforward and efficient review of biochem.

I hear such mixed reviews it's hard to gauge lol. some say first aid is sufficient if your background knowledge is decent, others say no way (as for every other resource also).

I'm thinking BRS + Costanzo Cases and Problems book for physio, and either lippincott or rapid review for Biochem (people say this book is great), along with DIT videos. does that sound like enough to at least pass/break 80?

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

bump for helping a brother out

 

[haanman]

For biochem, I thought FA was very crammable and a great skeleton for the shelf. I hear you about the mixed reviews--best to just try it and see if it works for you. Agree with Kera that it's not comprehensive, so supplement with lecture slides +/- Lippincott for a few topics if you'd like more details. I found the Rapid Review text tough to study from and wouldn't recommend it as a primary source, but the question bank was decent and hit a few points that weren't covered well in my class. The Lippincott Q&A Biochem book is another good question source, with great figures and explanations.

For phys, BRS with Cases and Problems is a really good combination (along with Costanzo if you'd like something explained in greater depth). If you need more questions, the Guyton and Hall Physiology Review is very solid, with tons of arrow questions and good coverage of pathophys, but it hits a few low-yield topics and is easier to use if you've been reading Guyton (I hadn't been).

I found the phys shelf tougher and less crammable than the biochem shelf, so consider spending more time on phys earlier and ramping up the biochem studying in the week or so before the test. A good phys background will really pay off during M2 as well--that material comes back all the time, unlike biochem, which I didn't need to revisit until time to study for Step.

Sounds like you're going to ace it. Good luck!

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

For biochem, I thought FA was very crammable and a great skeleton for the shelf. I hear you about the mixed reviews--best to just try it and see if it works for you. Agree with Kera that it's not comprehensive, so supplement with lecture slides +/- Lippincott for a few topics if you'd like more details. I found the Rapid Review text tough to study from and wouldn't recommend it as a primary source, but the question bank was decent and hit a few points that weren't covered well in my class. The Lippincott Q&A Biochem book is another good question source, with great figures and explanations.

For phys, BRS with Cases and Problems is a really good combination (along with Costanzo if you'd like something explained in greater depth). If you need more questions, the Guyton and Hall Physiology Review is very solid, with tons of arrow questions and good coverage of pathophys, but it hits a few low-yield topics and is easier to use if you've been reading Guyton (I hadn't been).

I found the phys shelf tougher and less crammable than the biochem shelf, so consider spending more time on phys earlier and ramping up the biochem studying in the week or so before the test. A good phys background will really pay off during M2 as well--that material comes back all the time, unlike biochem, which I didn't need to revisit until time to study for Step.

Sounds like you're going to ace it. Good luck!

wow, this is a FANTASTIC post, thank you for taking the time! I really do feel my biochem background is already much stronger, so part of me is debating making the majority of my studying First Aid (with some supplementing of course), and focusing much more on physio. I certainly appreciate your valuable input.

Also, how do you feel about pretest for either of these exams? thanks again!

 

[haanman]

I didn't use either of the Pretests (also haven't been a huge fan of the series, at least for M1-M2). Some of my classmates used the physio one and found it okay though--you could try it if you need another question source.

 

[Dave89]

Full background: our Physio NBME was customized, and I used my in-house materials to study for the in-house portion of our final. But I used BRS Physio on the side, and I think that it alone is sufficient to do extremely well on the shelf.

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

Full background: our Physio NBME was customized, and I used my in-house materials to study for the in-house portion of our final. But I used BRS Physio on the side, and I think that it alone is sufficient to do extremely well on the shelf.

haha music to my ears. I won't have time for more than BRS + cases and problems, so I'm hoping it's enough to do okay. thanks for the insight

 

[Dave89]

haha music to my ears. I won't have time for more than BRS + cases and problems, so I'm hoping it's enough to do okay. thanks for the insight

Sure thing. Caveat: you need to know BRS. Not skim through it.

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

I wanted to update this incase people Google search it in the future looking for help...

-Biochem NBME: all I did for this was know the first aid section very well. my school does a fantastic job preparing us for this during the course, so if you have a good biochem background (be honest with yourself), First Aid was sufficient to do very well. if your background isn't strong, I'd recommend Lange Biochem flashcards and skimming Lippincott biochem to supplement, along with knowing first aid very well. Result: 92nd Percentile

-Physio NBME: due to limitations on time, I focused solely on BRS physio, and supplemented with Costanzos Cases and Problems book for a couple chapters (didn't have time to do more, unfortunately). BRS physio is absolute GOLD, and I would highly recommend it. use it along with the course. if you know this book inside and out, it should be sufficient to do decently well, if not very well. As others have said above, you have to actually KNOW this book though, not just be familiar with it. I read most chapters at least 3 times, and it worked out. My schools physio wasn't great tbh, so I was happy to have BRS, even though you will still get problems on this exam that leave you scratching your head. Result: 90th percentile

Good luck to all, and if I can be of any assistance, feel free to message me.

 

[Procrastinateuntildead]

I wanted to update this incase people Google search it in the future looking for help...

-Biochem NBME: all I did for this was know the first aid section very well. my school does a fantastic job preparing us for this during the course, so if you have a good biochem background (be honest with yourself), First Aid was sufficient to do very well. if your background isn't strong, I'd recommend Lange Biochem flashcards and skimming Lippincott biochem to supplement, along with knowing first aid very well. Result: 92nd Percentile

-Physio NBME: due to limitations on time, I focused solely on BRS physio, and supplemented with Costanzos Cases and Problems book for a couple chapters (didn't have time to do more, unfortunately). BRS physio is absolute GOLD, and I would highly recommend it. use it along with the course. if you know this book inside and out, it should be sufficient to do decently well, if not very well. As others have said above, you have to actually KNOW this book though, not just be familiar with it. I read most chapters at least 3 times, and it worked out. My schools physio wasn't great tbh, so I was happy to have BRS, even though you will still get problems on this exam that leave you scratching your head. Result: 90th percentile

Good luck to all, and if I can be of any assistance, feel free to message me.

Did you know that you are a great person? I really love you. So many times do people ask for help on various forums but never come back to give a report on how it went, how they fixed X or whatever. You did it. I made an account here just to say this. Thank you!!!

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

Did you know that you are a great person? I really love you. So many times do people ask for help on various forums but never come back to give a report on how it went, how they fixed X or whatever. You did it. I made an account here just to say this. Thank you!!!

hahaha you're welcome, I'm always happy to help... but yes I've certainly noticed that trend around here, so I was happy to break the mold and hopefully help some people out in the future. of course take all advice with a grain of salt and tailor things to your own needs.