Psych Subject Test

[mandyjoy]

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Hey guys, I am freaking out right now. I have been studying from a Kaplan book for the subject test, and it said the subject test uses the DSM 4. However, I did not realize I had an old edition until I went to the ets website and it said that they are now using the DSM 5. I do not have time to read and memorize all of the changes in one night, so does anyone know what are the most important changes to remember for this test?

 

[mandyjoy]

I have the 5th edition, how much has changed since then?

 

[Ollie123]

http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/changes from dsm-iv-tr to dsm-5.pdf

The overlap is huge so I wouldn't stress too much. I'd focus in on the more "prototypical" abnormal psych disorders (e.g. depression, schizophrenia) - I don't remember things like somatization or neurodevelopmental disorders being too prevalent on the subject test. Purely speculation though - no one is going to be able to tell you what will be on there.

 

[erg923]

I have the 5th edition, how much has changed since then?

What percentage of the test is abnormal psych/psychopathology? Out of that, what percentage of questions ask about specific sx criteria? Sure you're not freaking out over a negligible amount of material?

 

[PsychBiker]

Don't freak out, the change isn't that dramatic for your purposes (I would assume). I don't recall there being that much on DSM diagnosis in particular on the test.

 

[modestmousktr]

There were very, VERY few clinical/abnormal questions on my subject test. It is mostly social psych, research methods, and cognitive/sensation questions, from my experience and the experience of others. With this info and the amount of overlap between 4 and 5, you'll probably be fine 🙂

 

[Triken]

This is from a few years ago but I studied solely from the Kaplan book and got a near perfect score. Never once opened a DSM book. Maybe it has changed.