What USMLE/COMLEX prep books should I buy

[smohamma]

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Hey,
Just wanted to get a list of books that would be helpful to prepare for the USMLE/COMLEX step one exams and beneficial for the basic science courses during med school. I heard a lot of people talk about the Board Review Series books and the USMLE first aid book. I don't know what other books are sold that would be good. I just want basic stuff that I should keep for supplementing my M1 courses. Most M2s have told me not to buy textbooks but rather buy review books. Just wanted to know what everyone on this forum thinks -especially those who have just taken their boards ....
Any help will be greatly appreciated 🙂

Thanks!

 

[smohamma]

First semester I will be taking:

Biochemistry
Anatomy
Physiology
Histology

I was not sure if I should buy High Yield Book for each of these courses or BRS series..or Pre-test... so really my question is which series will be most beneficial to use as I go through these courses...rather than read over 6 - 8 weeks before the actual test.

Please someone help... I don't wanna just buy a lot of random books 🙂

 

[hucm2009]

Lippincott Biochemistry
Costanzo Physiology
I dont know what you should read for Histo/Anatomy. I just used class notes and I was fine. Hope this helps.

 

[Taus]

Hey,
Just wanted to get a list of books that would be helpful to prepare for the USMLE/COMLEX step one exams and beneficial for the basic science courses during med school. I heard a lot of people talk about the Board Review Series books and the USMLE first aid book. I don't know what other books are sold that would be good. I just want basic stuff that I should keep for supplementing my M1 courses. Most M2s have told me not to buy textbooks but rather buy review books. Just wanted to know what everyone on this forum thinks -especially those who have just taken their boards ....
Any help will be greatly appreciated 🙂

Thanks!

the FAQ thread at the top of this forum has several links w/ long threads discussing what books people used and why...you may want to look there 1st and then post in this forum w/ specific questions

 

[smohamma]

thanks!
Well, I guess the question - is which is a better series??

 

[ShyRem]

I think that depends on you, smohamma. I know folks who LOVED BRS, and folks who HATED it. How do you learn? How do you retain knowledge? Do you need just an outline, or a detailed explanation? Lots of pictures or lots of bullets?

I haven't read every series, but I know some books work better for me than others just because the format of the book "fits" my brain better (with lots of practice and lots of money wasted on books that don't work for me, I have learned how to tell by a brief flip through the pages which one is better for me). The question you answer isn't simple and has more variables than "which one is better".

 

[smohamma]

I guess I will just have to go to a bookstore and look at some of the different types and then pick what is best for me.

Thanks.