MD & DO Practice question sources for M1

[The Knife & Gun Club]

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Hey all,

Im sure this has been asked before (I've found some really old threads and some without answers), but can anyone recommend a good source of practice questions for the organ modules? I swear on modules that I can use BRS or some other practice question source, my grade always jumps up 3-4 points.

My issues is that I can usually find questions for the physiology material (BRS or PreTest), but when it comes to pathophys stuff I cant find much (eg. effects of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, shock, valvular diseases, etc -- currently on cardio lol). I just got the free trial of firecracker and it's questions are good but they're open ended, not multiple choice, which I don't like.

I was thinking of buying a qbank (maybe U world, USMLE Rx, or Kaplan) but dont want to exhaust all my sources of study questions too early. Also $$$. Ideally I'd like to find a cheapish book (or freeish PDF of one)

Thanks, and if theres a thread out there I missed let me know!

 

[themoonman2]

I use USMLE Rx and it's pretty good. They have lots of questions and the explanations for the right answer and wrong answers are usually very helpful in understanding what's going on.

 

[FindMeOnTheLinks]

Is your curriculum truly systems based? As in, you cover both normal and abnormal for each organ system starting in first year?

If yes, a qbank would be a good idea. Probably not UWorld, but either Rx or Kaplan would be a good choice (there are tons of threads debating the merits of each).


Edit: if you want a book like you said that is a succinct source for pathology and pathophysiology, I would recommend RR Pathology by Goljan. The integrations he makes are invaluable for understanding disease processes from a macroscopic view and this is something that really isn't found in other review books (even pathoma doesn't hold a candle to the level of understanding you can gain from RR in my opinion). Since you're a 1st year, you actually have time to read it and gain a lot from it.

 

[Taddy Mason]

If truly systems based and looking for a good path question source, Robbin's Review of Path is probably the best. Guyton and Hall Phys Review is also an excellent question source for more phys questions (better than BRS IMO - I did every question out of both).

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

Awesome, thanks guys!

Yes we are as systems based as we come. Every module is one organ system - with one test on "normal" physiology and one on "abnormal/pathophysiology".

 

[FourniersGreenGang]

I think the Kaplan qbank is like a hundred bucks or so and it's really good in terms of availability of questions and explanations. That way you can save uworld for second year!

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

kaplan is $300 and USMLERx is $400

 

[deleted689233]

Is it smart to use Kaplan or USMLERx first year (if you have organ systems based curriculum) or saving them for second year?

 

[intubesteak]

I use Rx and have used it since beginning of M1. I think it adds about 5% to my class tests, but more importantly, helps concepts and details to sink in deeper and last longer in my memory. My complaint with Rx is that it doesn't have specific breakdowns for derm, ortho, and rheum so for the past few tests I have not been able to use it and felt the pain. FWIW, I also did a TON of Qbank questions for micro and got the top score in my class, WITHOUT using sketchy whatsoever. It is a very powerful tool and underutilized by my peers. Whichever one you choose, and it probably doesn't matter much, use the heck out of it for your class exams and reap the rewards.

 

[Eccesignum]

kaplan is $300 and USMLERx is $400

USMLE-Rx has occasional sales. Over winter break they had a 50% off sale for a while. I know that's not particularly helpful right now, but check around major holidays if you decide to wait to buy it.

 

[Affiche]

kaplan is $300 and USMLERx is $400

That price seems...wrong. I paid less than 200 bucks for 2 years of Rx.

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

That price seems...wrong. I paid less than 200 bucks for 2 years of Rx.

That's what I thought too. There's just no way everyone studying for step is dropping that kind of money. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place?

Thanks again for all the input everyone!

 

[Eccesignum]

That price seems...wrong. I paid less than 200 bucks for 2 years of Rx.

That's what I thought too. There's just no way everyone studying for step is dropping that kind of money. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place?

Thanks again for all the input everyone!
View attachment 215662

You might've gotten it on sale. I paid less than 200 for two years as well, but I got it during a flash 50% off sale.

 

[Affiche]

There's pretty much always a sale on Rx. If you can't find a coupon code, ask them to give one to your class and they'll generate one.

 

[raiderette]

I got Rx on sale and find it helps me. Don't worry about running out of test questions. If you really go through all of Uworld you will still have questions to use through Kaplan or Rx as a second pass.