Study Method For Biochem

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MedicineForLife 777

Senior Member
15+ Year Member
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I thought I'd turn this topic into a poll since it'll be faster and easier to respond that way than to type out your opinion. But, feel free to comment as well! 😀
 
Hey thanks for setting up the poll. 👍 I wondered the same thing and it is much easier to get answers this way. By the way, how did you go about setting up the poll and posting?
 
Hey thanks for setting up the poll. 👍 I wondered the same thing and it is much easier to get answers this way. By the way, how did you go about setting up the poll and posting?

Yup, no problem! Setting up a poll is really easy. Just start a thread like you normally would. Then at the bottom before you submit, there is an option to add a poll. Check that box then hit submit, and it will allow you to set up the poll question and options (I think this is the correct order). Hope that helps!
 
Reading through a biochem text is overkill. Go through FA. Whatever pathways you don't understand, reference a biochem review text until you understand it.
 
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Anyone have experience with both RR Biochem and the Kaplan Biochem notes care to comment the differences and why you prefer the one you do?

As far as not using a review source other the FA, UW didn't you hear goljan say how most people suck at biochem? I'd think biochem defintly warrents 2-3 days of going through a book during crunch month.
 
I'm using RR Biochem, whether or not it's the best study method I don't know (I hope so, since I suck at it!).
 
My vote goes for Kaplan biochemistry. I'm almost finished with my biochem. What I did is that I watched 2-3 chapters of biochem kaplan videos in the evening and then read those same chapters from kaplan lecture notes next morning. Actually I'm working 35 hours a week so a bit slow yes. By the way I'm watching the newer 2007 lectures by Dr. David Seastone. I also have the older lectures but they are not visually appealing (video quality not good), they didn't use powerpoint then, they used overhead projector with transparencies (atleast this is so in the 2001 version of my lectures). So I finally decided to do from the latest ones (although some say Dr. Raymon is great). Though I didn't have the chance to watch Dr. Raymon's lecutres but I tell you Dr. Seastone is good. I like the way he teaches. He gives a lot of examples, he's lively, he gives nice mnemonics, he tells clearly what is high yield and what can be given less importance plus he also correlates to clinical stuff and pharmacology as well. Plus a few of biochem lectures in the newer version are by Dr. Sam Turco. I tell you he's amazing. He makes the most difficult and boring topics seem like a breeze. Unfortunately he only teaches about 3-4 chaps in biochem.

So if anyone is still considering as to watch the newer or the older version of kaplan biochem lectures, I would suggest try the newer one. The newer trends in the exam are well covered in it. Although I haven't taken the exam yet so don't take this advice as sure shot way to your biochem success. At least this is what works for me.
 
Yup, no problem! Setting up a poll is really easy. Just start a thread like you normally would. Then at the bottom before you submit, there is an option to add a poll. Check that box then hit submit, and it will allow you to set up the poll question and options (I think this is the correct order). Hope that helps!

hey thanks
 
I have lippincott, RR, and kaplan. Used lippincott during class. For boards its overkill. Tried using RR but having biochem explained in bullets and outline form was definitely not for me. Kaplan was by far my favorite. Its short, high yield, and the layout was engaging with its use of diagrams, charts, and short explanations. Plus there are video lectures to pace you if you get tired of reading all day.
 
I wanna know the answer to what someone asked above as well: do you have to memorize the pathways in biochem, or just know the enzymes, deficiencies, etc.
 
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Several ppl have mentioned Kaplan Biochem on here, but only one of you (I believe) specified "Kaplan Lecture Notes"... So I have the Kaplan lecture notes for biochemistry which (not including the medical genetics section) are 285 pages long and I also have the Kaplan USMLE Step 1 Review Volume 1 book with the biochemistry section that is only ~114 pages long. So when I see that the highest rated method for studying biochem is the "Kaplan Biochem," which one are you guys talking about? Lecture notes or Step 1 Review book? Also if you're talking about the lecture notes, then does anyone think its overkill to watch the vids along with reading the notes or would just reading the notes be sufficient?