Study Materials For Med Students to Prepare for Step 1

[PharmDwithAdream]

Hello! I will be starting medical school in August and wanted to know if the Pathoma book, First Aid book, Sketchy online, and UWorld online are all the necessary additional materials to get and use alongside my school texts, powerpoints, etc for MS1 and MS2 years? I have already purchased and have the latest Pathoma and First Aid books. Or is it overkill or not enough resources? I just want to make sure I set myself up for success in school and on STEP exams. Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Vyzzle]

Step will be P/F by the time you take it, so definitely don't stress about it. It's not hard to pass at all, even if they increase the set-point for passing.

For me, Anki + Boards & Beyond + Pathoma + Sketchy (Pharm/Micro) were all the resources I used for M1/M2 and Step prep, and UWorld and such for question banks during dedicated.

But, like I said, don't worry about Step before even starting med school - especially now considering it's P/F. Just focus on your coursework, do the best you can, really take in the things that'll make you a better physician (or at least a better M3), and use that extra time for yourself (whether that be medical or non-medical related).

 

[PharmDwithAdream]

True, Step 1 won't be as high stakes as previously. Thank you for the input! I haven't heard of Boards & Beyond, but I will check that resource out.

 

[Vyzzle]

True, Step 1 won't be as high stakes as previously. Thank you for the input! I haven't heard of Boards & Beyond, but I will check that resource out.

Boards & Beyond is essentially a lecture series that covers pretty much all of the pre-clinical years content. Some people replace their class lectures with B&B completely. However, your class lectures may cover material not covered by B&B so I wouldn't recommend this unless your school is a true P/F school and gives NBME-based exams. Either way, it's a great supplement to concepts you may be confused about.

 

[CJhooper123]

True, Step 1 won't be as high stakes as previously. Thank you for the input! I haven't heard of Boards & Beyond, but I will check that resource out.

While it’s very likely Step 1 will be P/F for c/o 2024 (and possibly even 2023 via score masking) dates have not been finalized. The resources you listed are great and would recommend using them regardless of P/F Step 1. If your looking to add another text, consider Robbins path. It’s awesome and has helped my lecture studying quite a bit. Otherwise, your good to go!

 

[ciestar]

I didnt even need Pathoma until M2. B&B is a good plan though

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

True, Step 1 won't be as high stakes as previously. Thank you for the input! I haven't heard of Boards & Beyond, but I will check that resource out.

Boards and Beyond is pure gold. Pathoma is also great. It’s basically BnB for pathology. You may not need it until MS2 if you’re in a more traditional curriculum, but if you’re on a systems based 1.5 year curriculum, it’s worth starting from the beginning.

 

[Nugester]

Following.

 

[texan2016]

I would just purchase as you go. You may not need a certain resource until you get to a block. Like you may not need sketchy until your pharm block or however your school does it.

I usually watch BNB first, then pathoma if relevant, sketchy pharm/micro. And then hit the anking cards. And then watch class lecture. Class lecture makes so much more sense after a solid first pass from 3rd party resources

Even if boards are pass fail I’m sticking to this. It’s so much better for my wellness doing this method

 

[MedScat]

Boards and Beyond was crucial for me in order to gain a stronger understanding on topics. It's a bit much to try to fit in all of those videos during dedicated so, I'd definitely supplement your year 1/2 with the B&B videos. Pathoma is great but I didnt need it until year 2. I started Anki January of year 2 but, definitely wish I had started it sooner. Also, Sketchy is pure gold for micro.

If you are on a traditionally curriculum and start pathology 2nd year, once your second year starts I would definitely purchase a qbank (other than UWorld cause Uworld is for dedicated). Use this qbank as you learn the material. I recommend scholar rx or Amboss. Kaplan isn't bad either

 

[ciestar]

Oh, do NOT purchase UWorld as an M1.

 

[M&L]

Oh, do NOT purchase UWorld as an M1.

But if your school gives it for free - start earlier . I do uworld questions closer to the end of each module , and I find that it helps to solidify info . Like I said , I didn’t pay for it though .

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

But if your school gives it for free - start earlier . I do uworld questions closer to the end of each module , and I find that it helps to solidify info . Like I said , I didn’t pay for it though .

Most people recommend saving uworld for closer to dedicated. There is some data that show that a larger number of unique questions is better than multiple passes through the same questions. So doing amboss or Kaplan or something during preclerkship and then hitting uworld closer to dedicated is probably “better” since uworld is supposed to be the best.

I put better in quotes because obviously people probably do different things and still do well. Just some food for thought.

 

[ciestar]

Most people recommend saving uworld for closer to dedicated. There is some data that show that a larger number of unique questions is better than multiple passes through the same questions. So doing amboss or Kaplan or something during preclerkship and then hitting uworld closer to dedicated is probably “better” since uworld is supposed to be the best.

I put better in quotes because obviously people probably do different things and still do well. Just some food for thought.

This. I wouldnt burn UWorld questions early.

 

[M&L]

Most people recommend saving uworld for closer to dedicated. There is some data that show that a larger number of unique questions is better than multiple passes through the same questions. So doing amboss or Kaplan or something during preclerkship and then hitting uworld closer to dedicated is probably “better” since uworld is supposed to be the best.

I put better in quotes because obviously people probably do different things and still do well. Just some food for thought.

In my school uworld questions are integrated sort of . We are given a list for every block and we do them for each exam (our exams are NBME ). We have pretty high average score for step , so I trust our academic development .

 

[ExplodingUlcers]

I was never much of a textbook reader but Costanzo for physio is so clutch. BNB/pathoma for everything else.

 

[CJhooper123]

I was never much of a textbook reader but Costanzo for physio is so clutch. BNB/pathoma for everything else.

+1
Costanzo cardio physiology was big time.

 

[deleted688779]

I usually watch BNB first, then pathoma if relevant, sketchy pharm/micro. And then hit the anking cards. And then watch class lecture. Class lecture makes so much more sense after a solid first pass from 3rd party resources

Boards and Beyond was crucial for me in order to gain a stronger understanding on topics. It's a bit much to try to fit in all of those videos during dedicated so, I'd definitely supplement your year 1/2 with the B&B videos. Pathoma is great but I didnt need it until year 2. I started Anki January of year 2 but, definitely wish I had started it sooner. Also, Sketchy is pure gold for micro.

I've never seen the inside of BNB so this might be a stupid question: How did you use BNB? Are they more or less a substitute for lectures?? Do you take notes as you go through them or do you passively watch them and then hope that Anki hammers the info into your memory? Does BNB come with slides or notes? Anyone else reading this feel free to chime in.

 

[slowthai]

I've never seen the inside of BNB so this might be a stupid question: How did you use BNB? Are they more or less a substitute for lectures?? Do you take notes as you go through them or do you passively watch them and then hope that Anki hammers the info into your memory? Does BNB come with slides or notes? Anyone else reading this feel free to chime in.

I would love to use it as a substitute for lectures, but my school's in-houses focus on the low yield. For me, it's a passive way of connecting the dots and big picture review. Anki is my base (knowledge), and BnB helps with context and understanding. I don't take any notes. If I recall correctly, you can buy the slides.

 

[deleted688779]

I would love to use it as a substitute for lectures, but my school's in-houses focus on the low yield. For me, it's a passive way of connecting the dots and big picture review. Anki is my base (knowledge), and BnB helps with context and understanding. I don't take any notes. If I recall correctly, you can buy the slides.

So I always have anxiety thinking I'm going to forget things if I don't write it down for future reference, especially for really specific minutiae. I know this may vary between individuals but, typically, does Anki help mitigate this issue?

 

[slowthai]

So I always have anxiety thinking I'm going to forget things if I don't write it down for future reference, especially for really specific minutiae. I know this may vary between individuals but, typically, does Anki help mitigate this issue?

Yeah, that's where Anki shines. It was specifically designed to combat the forgetting curve. I just did a practice question involving osteogenesis imperfecta, and I was able to come up with the diagnosis after not seeing the card for almost 2 months.

 

[slowthai]

Anki really reminds you that you know what you know.

Being confident in knowing what you know and knowing what you don't know will save you time, make your studying more efficient, and overall make you a better student. For a lot of people, Anki helps with that.

This right here is correct. Just started using qbanks and I'm able to skim/skip over a lot of the explanations for correct/incorrect choices simply because I know so much from doing Zanki. It just allows you to go way faster during the review process.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I've never seen the inside of BNB so this might be a stupid question: How did you use BNB? Are they more or less a substitute for lectures?? Do you take notes as you go through them or do you passively watch them and then hope that Anki hammers the info into your memory? Does BNB come with slides or notes? Anyone else reading this feel free to chime in.

BnB is a complete substitute for lectures for me. It comes with slides. I take notes in first aid while I watch the videos, then do the quiz questions after I watch the video to make sure I understood what I watched.

 

[raiderette]

I used q banks throughout med school (systems based curriculum). USMLE-RX was fine for class material, then I did UWorld for dedicated. I assume clinical grades will be much more important, so kill your shelf exams and Step 2.

 

[texan2016]

I've never seen the inside of BNB so this might be a stupid question: How did you use BNB? Are they more or less a substitute for lectures?? Do you take notes as you go through them or do you passively watch them and then hope that Anki hammers the info into your memory? Does BNB come with slides or notes? Anyone else reading this feel free to chime in.

Yes exactly. They have PDFs you can view on the BNB website.

I stopped taking notes unless it’s mega high yield or I can’t remember a fact after anki.

this method may not work for everyone, we’re all different