What are you using for Step 1 Path, BRS or Goljan's RR?

[318038]

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I know there are TONS of threads on this topic but I wanted to compare the newest versions of both RR (3rd edition) and BRS (5th edition). I am trying to select a book to go over some stuff from first year. A few questions:

1) Are you using BRS, RR, or another source as your primary pathology review?

2) How would you rank your prior path knowledge from 1-10 (10 being the best) at the beginning of studying?

3) Are you satisfied with the book you are currently using or would you suggest another one? Did you use this book for MS1 and MS2 through the year?

Thanks! My school is weak on path so just trying to figure this out with all the new editions of everything 🙂

 

[fahimaz7]

I'm doing BRS and Goljan for Path (next year). We don't have path as MS1's (at my school), so I'm not going to bother with it yet. BRS for physiology this summer.

Oh yea.. 12 mo subscription to USMLEworld starting in 3 weeks.

 

[abmd]

I'm doing BRS and Goljan for Path (next year). We don't have path as MS1's (at my school), so I'm not going to bother with it yet. BRS for physiology this summer.

Oh yea.. 12 mo subscription to USMLEworld starting in 3 weeks.

why did you choose UW and not one of the other ones?

 

[fahimaz7]

why did you choose UW and not one of the other ones?

I hear it's the best one out there. Tutor mode is supposed to be very helpful.

 

[killinsound]

I hear it's the best one out there. Tutor mode is supposed to be very helpful.

I would recommend against using UWorld so early and maybe start it 3 months from test time. That should be more than enough.

 

[badasshairday]

I agree with the above. You are just wasting questions if you try to do them without the full 2 years of knowledge. The integrations will be overlooked, because you lack the patho/pharm knowledge as a first year. Use Rx if you want something long term. I doubt you will even have time for that over the whole 2nd year. The earliest I can recommend a qbank for most people is the second semester of 2nd year. And that would be Rx or Kaplan. Save UWORLD for the end.

 

[318038]

BUMP! Any more opinions on the newest editions of these path books?

 

[Cataract]

BUMP! Any more opinions on the newest editions of these path books?

Everyone should use RR path starting 2nd year and save Uworld questions until the last 4-6 weeks of studying. If you want to do questions during the year use Robbins Review of Path. BRS path is fine if you don't have enough time on your hands, but if you plan early, just use RR path.

 

[C5toC9]

RR Goljan

 

[2012mdc]

BUMP! Any more opinions on the newest editions of these path books?

I used both books, Goljan during the year and for the boards and BRS for the shelf. RR is definitely more comprehensive and better for the boards. I only used BRS for the shelf because it was shorter and had a lot of questions.

I have to disagree with the sentiment that you are "wasting UW" by having a 6 month subscription. I got a 6 month one and did questions relevant to class material, 2nd yr stuff from the 1st half of the year, and some 1st year stuff. As long as you're doing questions on stuff you are learning/have learned previously it is very helpful. It could be institution based but by January we had covered big guns like cardio and renal in path/pathophys, finished most of Micro, and a decent amount of pharm.

IMHO, UW's tutor mode with good explanations is too good of a learning tool to wait on. I believe starting UW early was essential in me achieving a good score.

I do agree that you shouldn't start UW at the beginning of 2nd year, you just don't have the knowledge yet.

Co-sign on Robbins Review Path...especially helpful if you're not big on going to lecture 😎