USMLE WORLD vs BSS
Started by supergirl280
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I recommend BSS only after you have become comfortable with Kaplan Q bank or another question source that is similar to the USMLE style. Even then, BSS is great only if you want to score high on your step I.
The questions on BSS are extremely challenging and in no way represent the ones that are on the actual boards. So if you are not prepared, you will be in for a very rude awakening and might find the whole thing to be counterproductive and demoralizing.
On the plus side, if you actually want to practice tough questions so you can be mentally prepared for any challenge, then BSS is highly recommended. I did several chapters in the series (Heme, nervous system, cardio, etc ...) for a couple of weeks and it made step I look like a joke (literally). Another positive point is that BSS integrates everything into body systems.
Another great source is Robbins review of path Q book (also has very tough Qs).
I'm not familiar with USMLE world.
good luck
The questions on BSS are extremely challenging and in no way represent the ones that are on the actual boards. So if you are not prepared, you will be in for a very rude awakening and might find the whole thing to be counterproductive and demoralizing.
On the plus side, if you actually want to practice tough questions so you can be mentally prepared for any challenge, then BSS is highly recommended. I did several chapters in the series (Heme, nervous system, cardio, etc ...) for a couple of weeks and it made step I look like a joke (literally). Another positive point is that BSS integrates everything into body systems.
Another great source is Robbins review of path Q book (also has very tough Qs).
I'm not familiar with USMLE world.
good luck
I have BSS books have only looked at them once but will definitely hit them up. I just do not like the fact that the questions are not board style. Robbins Q book I have used that through out the year ( I like the question style but not sure how board-like it is though) and I plan on redoing all the questions before the boards. USMLE world is challenging but its a good prep I think. I like it because it makes Kaplan Q bank seem a little easier🙂 Might seem a bit discouraging at first but after a while u get used to it.
phew.. reading the above is bit comforting. i studied rr and was able to answer almost all Goljan questions (except some stupid mistakes) but when it came to robbins review the score dropped to 65-70. since im used to that score being a failing grade, it took my confidence level down. im taking up uw next week.. can anyone suggest the strength of uw on particular subject/systems?
and the fact that BSS is from 1997 didn't affect anything?
the BSS question format does not mirror the format seen on the current USMLE. this has been stated many times.
however, the concepts tested in BSS are still extremely valid, and these books do a great job of reviewing concepts. it's amazing the depth and breadth of a concept that can be tested with a deceptively "simple" one-sentence question stem, which is what you'll find in BSS.
personally, i'm using BSS now, before qbank/uw, to solidfy my conceptual understanding. then onto the qbanks to become comfortable with question style.
however, the concepts tested in BSS are still extremely valid, and these books do a great job of reviewing concepts. it's amazing the depth and breadth of a concept that can be tested with a deceptively "simple" one-sentence question stem, which is what you'll find in BSS.
personally, i'm using BSS now, before qbank/uw, to solidfy my conceptual understanding. then onto the qbanks to become comfortable with question style.
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I have been looking very hard for the cd. i'd love to buy it, but I can't find it anywhere and amazon doesn't seem to have it (supposedly ships in 4-6 weeks, generally meaning that they probably wont be able to obtain it to fill the order). Do any of you have suggestions as to how I can get my hands on the BSS cd?
The topics on BSS are the same that we have all covered in the 1st two years of med school (and then some). Those same topics are the ones that are tested on step I. So from that perspective, they are not outdated.
Agreed step 1 is gonna cover the bread and butter, that cutting edge stuff most people well say WTF, guess and move on to the questions that they can answer.
The BSS CD actually remembers all the questions that you have done, it just doesn't update it when you start the program. Just click on start study session after turning it off and it will make a randomized test of unused questions and will update the question bank screen showing the used questions.
