Picmonic for IMG's -USMLE Step 1

[rednans]

---

Members don't see this ad.

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change".
-Charles Darwin

I may begin by saying PICMONIC for USMLE step 1 is awesome,I have been using PICMONIC for sometime.

Now what is PICMONIC?

Picmonic is an audio-visual learning system that uses mnemonic methodologies to help you memorize information faster, retain it for longer, and recall it when it counts.

My way of using PICMONIC is -

First I pick a System/Topic,do the Kaplan videos following from Kaplan book,then go on to PICMONIC,see the summary part and listen to their classic audio while looking at their crazy pictures/mnemonics.Finally do UWorld questions on same system/topics.I am able to visualize in my head all the picture mnemonics while doing UWorld questions and which really helps me to make those high yield connections.I have to admit ,it took me long time to come to conclusion that for USMLE step 1,this combination is the one that really works for me.I tested my memory aspect by using this methodology and I can say with confidence it is brilliant.

What are the advantages I found using PICMONIC?

1.It is a great way that I could remember/revise high yield information.
2.Picmonic has page references to First Aid 12/13.

I am sure my experience so far may be helpful to anyone preparing for USMLE Step 1,let me know if I can be of any help and they do offer discounts for students!

Thank You.

 

[whatdidigetinto]

So your first post "raves" about a product?
Nice try bro.

 

[Etorphine]

sketchy^

 

[001100010010011]

It's overpriced. It was fine when you could get a "Until You Pass" subscription for $100 but the price is inflated now.

 

[Transposony]

It's overpriced. It was fine when you could get a "Until You Pass" subscription for $100 but the price is inflated now.

Looks like it's not selling much now. Their "Picmonic Med Student Ambassador program" did not work out well enough to get them many customers.
IMHO, Nothing works like a discount code for a steeply priced product and WOM ( Word of Mouth).
But it looks like they value their product so much that they would like to keep it to themselves rather than selling it @ a cheaper, affordable price.

 

[Transposony]

So your first post "raves" about a product?
Nice try bro.

Not only here but every other USMLE Forum.

 

[Brain Bucket]

I have a subscription, but you can bet your britches I won't be renewing unless there's a significant discount. I'm talking 100 Bucks for a year...at least for SDN. Make it happen or watch your customer base dwindle.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4

 

[purplelife]

I have a subscription, but you can bet your britches I won't be renewing unless there's a significant discount. I'm talking 100 Bucks for a year...at least for SDN. Make it happen or watch your customer base dwindle.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4

Lol... I'm already unsubscribing. I didn't find it too helpful plus for the amount I got it. I am surprised how highly other people talked about it and how after I got a subscription I didn't find it too helpful. The stories don't really make sense to me and I wasn't able to really recall things as some had similar cartoons that were messing things up for me so I stopped going through them. I think it is just I'm not getting it or it's just not something for me.

 

[notbobtrustme]

It's nice but way too overpriced and some of the cards try too hard.

Firecracker is a better learning tool for me and it's cheaper to boot.

 

[xadmin]

Wow, what a way to self advertise. Shady!!

 

[KGflyboy]

Way overpriced.

 

[Ryan71]

I think its the best study tool ever created. All the micro sticks with you forever.

If I had to go back I would do it again and pay 10x as much.

 

[Brain Bucket]

Picmonic has just launched their "Pilot" Program which doubles your current subscription if you agree to disclose your Step score.

edit: there is some other fine print about providing feedback, your soul, and a kidney.

 

[ZetaGilgamesh]

Guys, I have been using Picmonic for over a year now, and I have found it to be an excellent way to jam all the various bugs and drugs into my brain. I don't use it for anything other than drugs and bugs though. If you plan on using it for learning things, rather than just using it to memorize/practice the bugs and drugs, I think it has limited utility.

That being said: 1. get it through a discount & 2. It doesn't work for everyone

Some folks from my class have been very turned off by the pictures. It just depends on how you learn most effectively.

Cheers!

 

[InVivo]

I bought it for a month, prior to my step. Its great for consolidating info that are just lists in FA. I used it for abx, viruses, t/b-cell tumors, immuno diseases. I cancelled it immediately after my step scores came back.

It's a novel program and it works, but there are 2 major drawbacks for me:
1) If the picmonic is not comprehensive on the topic and is missing some important information, it is hard to remember that extra piece of information because you remember the picture so clearly. Therefore, its tough to use during the school year because classes go so much more in depth than STEP.
2) It takes a while to get going, and images get jumbled up. Going over the entire collection of picmonic and truely learning them would take me several months. Also some of the visual cues are just not distinct enough. (Hmm... was that a gram positive angel, or a gram negative devil?)