pretest books good prep for step 2?

[tsbqb]

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Does anyone feel that the pretest books are good prep for step 2?

I was thinking of using UW and pretest books as my only resources for step 2.

Any opinions would be great. Thanks!

 

[vicinihil]

If you have the time....if each pretest book packs 500 questions, then to study all the subjects would be over 3000 questions. The questions do not mimic the boards so I would use them just to make sure I have good grounding in individual clerkship. Then again, it may be too involved and ask about minuscule things the boards will not ask you.

Not the best use of time but if you've exhausted uWorld and reading First Aid CK then I guess you can give it a shot.

 

[Picchu127]

No...way to basic and simple for the type of stuff youll see on the steps. If theres an area you are weak in, you could start with PT to get a handle on the field, but I wouldnt expect to see those type of ? on the Step or even on shelfs for that matter.

 

[Valadi]

No. They're terrible for it.

 

[SlaveOfTCMC]

I felt they helped me a bit on my Shelf exams. (not every question.. but I did pick up a few good tidbits)

Overall, it's mostly diminishing returns. Personally I have the iPad apps, so I could do them on the go and learn something while I am out and about.

 

[Green Grass]

I used Pretest for each Shelf exam I took during M3 year, and I loved them.

But, I don't think it would be the best use of your time to use them during your specific Step 2CK studying. I would use a combination of UWorld and SUTM for that. Good luck.

 

[SlaveOfTCMC]

I will say, the Pretest questions were EXCELLENT for clerkships.

The clinical nuances and subtleties were all tested and my preceptors all asked me concepts of management there.

The thing is, Pretest is not for Step 2 preparation because the USMLE tests broader concepts of pathophysiology and management.

Be warned: attempting these qusetions will be very frustrating.

The only way you could possibly know these things is if you were a diligent TEXTBOOK reader. (because the questions and answers cite textbooks)

But reading TEXTBOOKS is not conducive to good USMLE scores.

Moreover, there are so MANY TEXTBOOKS, that it is not possible for any medical student to get 100% on all the Pretest questions


Logically, a student should just do and learn from Pretest to be a better doctor long term.

 

[MossPoh]

Pretest is good for hammering in the stupid little details for shelf exams. They are much more rapid fire and less integrative with fewer steps required to get the answer...or as I call it, "Factoid-y"