Reviewing for Biochem Shelf Exam

[OzFan321]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone,

I'm beginning to review for a biochemistry shelf exam (miniboard) I have on December 20 and was looking for some pointers of how best to review. My school teaches biochem integrated with cell bio and we learned the glucose and lipid pathways last semester. Anyways, I'm begining to review using NMS biochemistry and PreTest, but was wondering- are there other books that would be better? I've been told to do lots of pratice questions and from what I'm reviewiong material-wise, the info from NMS isn't reflective of these boards-like questions. I'm getting kind of nervous as time counts down and I have a lot on my plate. Any advice???

 

[omarsaleh66]

When I took the biochem shelf last year, there was a lot of stuff from the First Aid biochem section. Sadly, I didnt study at all for the biochem shelf and just used the FA biochem section the night before, and that saved me big time. I mean just using First Aid got me an 83 (raw score of 70). But again, I retained alot from class so I dont want to give u a false sense of security. It's only 20 pages but it's super HIGH YIELD. THat's one thing u need to master and if u do Pretest or NMS then Im sure u will ace it.

Really know metabolism pathways, master insulin,glucagon, a bunch of arrow questions, I would know fat metabolism, and basic diet questions (like 3500 cal in 1 lb of fat, or reduce daily intake by 500 calories a day to lose 1 lb a week, etc...)

I would also learn some physiology metabolism like pathways for dopamine, Norepinephrine, Epinephrine, etc..

There are also going to be some Pathology questions like Kwashikor or marasmus type questions so be sure to learn basic biochem pathology if u have time.


later

Omar

 

[CallawayDoc]

I read BRS cover to cover and did extremely well. If nothing else, look at the diseases at the end of the chapters...they were right on track.

As best as I remember, it had all you needed to know and was pretty close to the appropriate level of detail.

Enzymes are hit pretty hard.

 

[Dr. Rosenrose]

You can go to the website and get a breakdown of what is asked (%'s). It will give you a good idea of what to focus on.

 

[chameleonknight]

Is anybody else taking the biochem shelf at the end of this semester? Sounds like spooky stuff.

 

[Man In The Box]

What website are you referring to Dr. Rosenrose? I used BRS and First Aid and did very well on it. The following website is also very helpful.

http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/BMBB/courses/5100/

Regardless of how well you do you will probably think that you bombed it. So don't stress out after the test.

 

[katrinadams9]

What website are you referring to Dr. Rosenrose? I used BRS and First Aid and did very well on it. The following website is also very helpful.

http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/BMBB/courses/5100/

Regardless of how well you do you will probably think that you bombed it. So don't stress out after the test.

I may be way out of the loop, but what exactly is a shelf exam? Are we required to take them on top of the boards? Is there any benefit to taking them if they aren't required?

 

[thackl]

I used Pretest (two straight days of practice questions) and First Aid and scored very well. BRS looked good too, but I din't have time to use it.

 

[2112_rush]

I may be way out of the loop, but what exactly is a shelf exam? Are we required to take them on top of the boards? Is there any benefit to taking them if they aren't required?

The shelf exams are given by some schools and aren't by others. From what I understand they are written by the same people that write the STEP (NBME) and are meant to be diagnostic of how you might do on that subject in the STEP. My school used it and a faculty-made final for 30% of our final grade in all our classes.

 

[2112_rush]

Oh and First Aid rocks. I used it and loved it. Also heard good things about High Yeild and BRS.