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Hi!
Thanks for giving this post a read.. I could use some quick advise here as I commence studying for the USMLE Step 1 and 2.
Here's my situation: I took an academic leave from med school for three years and just finished a few months ago. So now I'm an MD but I didn't take Step 1 or 2 yet. (Yeah, it's not a requirement for us.) So I'm a bit rusty and need to do a good comprehensive review to get back into it.. and then do the match thing. I'm not working right now, so I have a bit of time.
Here's the questions:
1) How long should I allot to for board review? I hear 2 months is average, so if I give myself 3 or so, maybe that's sufficient? What have you guys done?
2) Courses: I want to use some sort of comprehensive system to organize myself and simplify the situation. Everyone talks about kaplan this or that. I haven't really heard of any others that are recommended. Soo, here are my options:
* Webprep - $699 for 90 hours of audio lectures online and the kaplan "lecture notes" & qbook
* Home Study Kit - $499 .. I think two books. People have said good things about this, but I am so confused here.. No lectures are included and its just the books. Are these better way to go than the notes?
* Buy the notes on ebay - $299. Are the audio lectures included in a webprep even useful? Should I just get the lecture notes from ebay and call it a day?
* Q-bank - $150 or something. Differing opinions here.. is this worth while?
* And how about Princeton review? Useful?
3) What other books should I get my hands on to augment above? Concensus looks like BRS Physio/BRS Path/First Aid/High Yield Gross/High Yield Neuro/Lippencott Pharm. Sound reasonable? Any that I am missing?
4) Last question: Since I need to prep for Step 1 and 2 -- is there any tactic you guys can think of to prep efficiently for both at the same time and come out ahead? Or should I do them one at a time?
Thanks!
Dave
Thanks for giving this post a read.. I could use some quick advise here as I commence studying for the USMLE Step 1 and 2.
Here's my situation: I took an academic leave from med school for three years and just finished a few months ago. So now I'm an MD but I didn't take Step 1 or 2 yet. (Yeah, it's not a requirement for us.) So I'm a bit rusty and need to do a good comprehensive review to get back into it.. and then do the match thing. I'm not working right now, so I have a bit of time.
Here's the questions:
1) How long should I allot to for board review? I hear 2 months is average, so if I give myself 3 or so, maybe that's sufficient? What have you guys done?
2) Courses: I want to use some sort of comprehensive system to organize myself and simplify the situation. Everyone talks about kaplan this or that. I haven't really heard of any others that are recommended. Soo, here are my options:
* Webprep - $699 for 90 hours of audio lectures online and the kaplan "lecture notes" & qbook
* Home Study Kit - $499 .. I think two books. People have said good things about this, but I am so confused here.. No lectures are included and its just the books. Are these better way to go than the notes?
* Buy the notes on ebay - $299. Are the audio lectures included in a webprep even useful? Should I just get the lecture notes from ebay and call it a day?
* Q-bank - $150 or something. Differing opinions here.. is this worth while?
* And how about Princeton review? Useful?
3) What other books should I get my hands on to augment above? Concensus looks like BRS Physio/BRS Path/First Aid/High Yield Gross/High Yield Neuro/Lippencott Pharm. Sound reasonable? Any that I am missing?
4) Last question: Since I need to prep for Step 1 and 2 -- is there any tactic you guys can think of to prep efficiently for both at the same time and come out ahead? Or should I do them one at a time?
Thanks!
Dave
