THE BEST USMLE Step 1 books

[Iatrogenic]

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Hi, I'm going to be an ms2 next fall and am trying to compile a good list of texts to use during second year for my classes and for step 1. Somebody had posted this list below (sometime last year actually) on SDN but I don't know who it was. I'm sorry for not providing credit for it...

Anyhow, I also have a few specific questions for all you lucky folks who've already taken the dreaded step 1. How much should I focus on behavioral science and biostatistics? Would BRS Behavioral Science be enough for these subjects (I think this book also includes a biostatistics section).

Also, it seems that Lippencott's Pharm is widely popular. But I've flipped through it and compared it to Langes Pharm and the Lange book looks way much more impressive. Would you guys recommend it over Lippencotts.

Here's that list somebody posted last year...
Tell me how good it is and if you recommed others...
Thank you all in advance

"if you are shooting for a 260.,,

Study every day from 8am-11pm with only two 45 minute breaks.

Memorize path BRS and do all questions from Robbins text.
Memorize Lange Review of Micro and Immuno
Memorize Lange review of Pharm (or lippencot)
Memorize Lippencot Review of Biochem'
Memorize HY Anatomy, Embryo, Histo and Neuro,
Memorize BRS Physio (this is actually the weak link but it is still the best reveiew)

Then the last three days go over all of first aid.

Do 2 hours of Kaplan per day the previous few weeks.

Hopefully you have retained some minutia from the past two years.

You will rock the test and crush 250, most likely in the 260s"

 

[pxz]

Of course you will get 260 if you do all of this. Heck, you would probably go over 260 if you were able to memerize Robbin's pathology and all the class handouts you received in the first two years of your medical school.

You know what, I was thinking about 250 too when I was a MS1 and bought a bunch of books I never read. Now, I just hope I could pass so that I can have my normal life back.

 

[phllystyl]

You know what, I was think about 250 too when I was a MS1 and bought a bunch of books I never read. Now, I just hope I could pass so that I can have my normal life back.

werd.

Youngin' you are in for a hell of a fscking yr. People like you always get hit the hardest. Personal experience...

 

[Willamette]

Geez...even just the part about hitting ALL of FA in 3 days makes my head hurt. I'm only two days out and I don't even want to study anymore!!!!

Will "I'm almost burned out" amette

 

[dancelover]

The idea of sitting down and "memorizing" full texts just scares me. I'm with you on having bought/borrowed way too many books to possibly go over before this stupid test. Now just hoping that i will get most of FA into my head before next week.

 

[moo]

The only book I have "memorized" or even come close to memorizing is BRS path. And I feel like I am as prepared for this exam as I ever can be... I followed this guy's schedule, almost, start studying at 7 going all the way to 11, with few breaks for four weeks and you know what? I still forget the stuff I memorized just a few weeks ago. Also this guy from the year above us sent the second years an email at the beginning of the year last year, and told us to read a chapter of Robbins a day starting in January, saying that it helped him get his 240. My friend's sister, who just read BRS path busted a 260. Robbins won't help if you can't retain half of what you learn from it. It's much better to read BRS path and retain 70% of it, rather than read Robbins and retain 30% of it.

 

[Willamette]

The only book I have "memorized" or even come close to memorizing is BRS path. And I feel like I am as prepared for this exam as I ever can be... I followed this guy's schedule, almost, start studying at 7 going all the way to 11, with few breaks for four weeks and you know what? I still forget the stuff I memorized just a few weeks ago. Also this guy from the year above us sent the second years an email at the beginning of the year last year, and told us to read a chapter of Robbins a day starting in January, saying that it helped him get his 240. My friend's sister, who just read BRS path busted a 260. Robbins won't help if you can't retain half of what you learn from it. It's much better to read BRS path and retain 70% of it, rather than read Robbins and retain 30% of it.

No joke! Retention is KEY!! I'm one of those that gets the most out of a GOOD 4-5 hours a day studying. When I try to do more, not only do I quickly reach the point of diminishing returns, I sometimes find myself going "backwards!" Quality over quantity, and having 3-4 good resources (overall, not per subject) "outpunches" a dozen great sources...just my two-cents.

Willamette

 

[Jalby]

I read Robbins over the last 110 days, taking me a total of 60 hours (1198 pages of robbins. 3 minutes per page) I wish I had just read BRS 5 times instead and spent 10 hours looking stuff up in robbins that I didn't know.

 

[daisygirl]

Memorize path BRS and do all questions from Robbins text.
Memorize Lange Review of Micro and Immuno
Memorize Lange review of Pharm (or lippencot)
Memorize Lippencot Review of Biochem'
Memorize HY Anatomy, Embryo, Histo and Neuro,
Memorize BRS Physio (this is actually the weak link but it is still the best reveiew)

😱 Good luck, you better get started now 😱

I'm not sure many people would say that they took step one knowing everything that is in those books. It just isn't possible- by the time you've finished studying one thing you forgot the majority of the crap that you had just read on something else. Do yourself a HUGE favor, don't worry about books you need to memorize, instead bust your butt during second year to learn the material WELL. Use First aid and annotate in it as the year goes on so that first aid is ready for you when you are ready to study for step one. I cannot even begin to tell you how much time I have wasted having to look stuff up in order to fill in the immense gaps that exist in first aid. If you have a chance during second year, use the BRS books- just read them over so that you are used to the format when you actually do use them to study for step I.

Sorry if my advice isn't what you were looking for when you posted this thread.

 

[gisnap]

I read Robbins over the last 110 days, taking me a total of 60 hours (1198 pages of robbins. 3 minutes per page)

jalby...you're nucking futz. 🙂 i couldn't read/retain all of robbins in any amt of time to save my life. it takes me at least 3 minutes to look at just a figure.

 

[Iatrogenic]

thanks for everyone who replied.
so the message I'm getting is to chill out and not try to overwhelm myself...
interesting concept.

 

[phllystyl]

As your attorney, I advise you to rent a very fast car with no top. And you'll need the cocaine. Tape recorder for special messages. Acapulco shirts. Get the hell out of L.A. for at least 48 hours.

 

[-=UberSharky=-]

As your attorney, I advise you to rent a very fast car with no top. And you'll need the cocaine. Tape recorder for special messages. Acapulco shirts. Get the hell out of L.A. for at least 48 hours.

u R the shiatz phlly. i cant believe i went off on u a few weeks ago. must have been the stress of this uber insane test. my bad. 🙁