What is the best plan for Micro and Biochem? Both are my weakest subjects, and I would need something to take me step by step (esp. for biochem)?
I have plenty time before my exam
I have plenty time before my exam
-
CycleTrack and SDN are teaming up to make medical school admissions more transparent and accessible! Read the announcement to learn how we’re supporting the future of CycleTrack’s free application-tracking tools .
Step I Plan for Micro and Biochem
Started by Macroslide
Get help with your application
Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.
Watch the videos for Kaplan Micro / Biochem.
I can't afford to buy those videos, but is that really the best way to do it (if this is indeed the single-best way then I can try to get the videos)?
Are there other options using videos and/or books?
Are there other options using videos and/or books?
So is reading CMMRS cover-to-cover best for micro (in terms of not too much, but all the necessary stuff)? The book doesn't have any pictures of microscopic stains, etc--is that an issue?
For biochem, LIR seems a little overkill for me...is Rapid Review better?
For biochem, LIR seems a little overkill for me...is Rapid Review better?
You won't find a Micro resource with a sufficent amount of pictures. Qbanks will do the job. Of course there is always a MIcro atlas a solution, but i don't think anyone has the time for this. CMMRS definitely has all the necessary stuff. Has all the essential info in tables at the end of each chapter.
I don't know about RR Biochem. They say it's good. But, FA + Qbanks will be way too much. So don't bother. Unless your background is very weak.
The CRRS book is amazing for Micro it takes about a week to read (but you say you have time) ..Pholston put some powerpoints up you might want to download them since he points out the super HY info. For biochem the Kaplan videos were amazing if you can get a hold of them somehow.
which is better: HY micro or CRRS? There's quite a difference in length!
For Micro, probably the best prep material are the MicroCards by Sanjiv. I used those in my med school and I aced the micro exams with them. I tried CMMRS at first but it was too lengthy to review it and it didn't have images (apart from the cartoons). The MicroCards were incredible. They are very high yield, images of how the disease will look like on a patient (like Scalded Skin Syndrome and Slapped-cheek disease), the information is very comprehensive and easy to follow, specially if you memorize the organism trees. And it has vignettes in the front so you can familiarize with the clinical picture that usually presents with each organism. Last year many students from my school used the MicroCards and on the Step they aced the crap out of the micro questions lol.
im just not a flashcard person...between HY and CMMRS what would be better?
Same here. I have never liked flashcards for studying, but these are different, is almost like an engaging book. CMMRS is much better than HY, but I used CMMRS before the MicroCards and the MicroCards are way better to understand.
biochem is one of my weakest subjects.I used 3 resources (1) USMLE Express videos (2) DIT (3) UWORLD
1) USMLE express - they read through FA, first pass, NOT IN-DEPTH but there were massive diagrams in FA that I was like WTF....
2) DIT - gives you all the high yield info...i.e. there is alot of stuff you actually don't need to memorize
3) UWORLD - apply the material
1) USMLE express - they read through FA, first pass, NOT IN-DEPTH but there were massive diagrams in FA that I was like WTF....
2) DIT - gives you all the high yield info...i.e. there is alot of stuff you actually don't need to memorize
3) UWORLD - apply the material
