STEP UP vs. FIRST AID

[eunice]

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Please help~! =)

This is for those of you who already took the boards (step 1).

Did you use Step up or First Aid or both?
I know people swear by First Aid, but for me, I feel like Step Up is better organized, b/c it's by systems.
I wonder if there are anyone out there who used Step Up as the main book. If so, how was that? Did you do well on the exam?

Sigh...but I can't get myself NOT to use First Aid b/c EVERYONE uses it.
I bought both, but I think I really need to focus on 1 book....

Any suggestions?? it would be greatly appreciated!!

thanks!!

eunice

 

[monstermatch]

You should always always always do what works for you. If everyone tells you to try one thing, consider it, try it, and then do it your way. There are a million ways to study for step 1. I took 5 weeks and studied by subject and I used a lot of the suggested material in the back of first aid. I also used qbank to practice test-taking and identify my weaknesses, then I used group q&a sessions when I got sick of studying alone. IMHO, First Aid is hit & miss - great for BS/stats & Biochem, good for pharm, only fair for the rest. A systems approach does make sense - if that's how you learned it then by all means stick with what works. Just don't be fooled into relying solely on first aid - you need to go into more depth, especially with path (BRS is key). Good luck.

 

[8744]

Warning: All of my advice is geared towards the medical student on the "low stress" medical school track who are sometimes unkindly labeled as "slackers." AOA students kindly disregard.

Keeping in mind that everybody studies differently and what works for one might not work for all, It is my firm belief after taking both Step 1 and Step 2 that the best way to prepare for either test is to do every single USMLEWorld and Kaplan Qbank question. There are about 2000 Kaplan and 2000 USMLEWorld questions for each Step test.

If you read the explanations of the answers to the ones you got wrong and the ones you got right you will be well-prepared.

I feel that all thereading I did for both Step 1 and Step 2, while useful, was not nearly as high yield as the time I spent cranking out practice questions.

I got First Aid for Step 2 and hardly opened it. (I got a 213 on Step 2. Not spectacular, of course, but not bad for a dedicated slacker like me.)

 

[mpp]

I would go with First Aid. Step up might be nicely organized but I think the information in First Aid is closer to what you really need to know. Doing questions upon questions is also key.