What's in your Step 1 arsenal?

[citr8]

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I know there are many pros/cons to which study aids to use...but I get conflicted info from upperclassmen so I wanted to vet the forums as to a plan of attack.

Q Banks:
Kaplan (early study)
UWorld (late study)

Books:
Kaplan
FF
RR

Any suggestions/input/further inquiry/criticism is as always appreciated
What's in your arsenal?

 

[RedSoxSuck]

I know there are many pros/cons to which study aids to use...but I get conflicted info from upperclassmen so I wanted to vet the forums as to a plan of attack.

Q Banks:
Kaplan (early study)
UWorld (late study)

Books:
Kaplan
FF
RR

Any suggestions/input/further inquiry/criticism is as always appreciated
What's in your arsenal?

All you need is this:

First aid, Pathoma and Uworld. Nothing else.

 

[SOML]

I have a bunch of materials (hard copies and PDF's).. still formulating a plan. But this seems to be what I see most on SDN:

Gunner Training (relatively new to the scene, but seems like a promising and unique way to study)
Pathoma (Book+Vids)
Goljan RR (Audio only)

Uworld
Kaplan Qbank (maybe?)

FA

 

[Kaputt]

All you need is this:

First aid, Pathoma and Uworld. Nothing else.

Pretty much. FA and UWorld definitely being essential, ±Pathoma depending on how strong you are on path. I didn't use Pathoma and did very well on path.

 

[san2]

Kaplan MedEssentials
First Aid
Uworld

Thats all you need really

Go through as much of Kaplan ME as you can trying to memorize as much as you can, but giving particular attention to things found in ME that are also found in FA making sure you know those cold. Then practice applying what you learned to Uworld, and use that as a learning experience as well

And if time allows,
Kaplan Qbank

 

[wonkytonks]

I know there are many pros/cons to which study aids to use...but I get conflicted info from upperclassmen so I wanted to vet the forums as to a plan of attack.

Q Banks:
Kaplan (early study)
UWorld (late study)

Books:
Kaplan
FF
RR

Any suggestions/input/further inquiry/criticism is as always appreciated
What's in your arsenal?

what's Uworld , FF and RR, Gunner ? I am an Indian IMG and i am planning to give USMLE in june/july 2013 ...

 

[RedSoxSuck]

what's Uworld , FF and RR, Gunner ? I am an Indian IMG and i am planning to give USMLE in june/july 2013 ...

Uworld is Usmle world question bank which can be purchased at http://usmleworld.com

RR is Rapid review pathology by Edward Goljan. Its a little too dense for "dedicated" study time. Its best when used during year 1 and 2 of medical school. Pathoma (pathoma.com) is a much better source to be used during dedicated study time (most ppl have 6 weeks).

 

[oanjiwks]

I used FA, DIT, and UWorld. I'd say once I was done with DIT I spent almost all my time with UWorld (I'd say the best resource I used). RR takes too long and pathoma was interesting, but didn't have enough time. I know a lot of people on this site rag on DIT, but it gave me structure and a 40 point bump by the time I was done with it.

 

[wonkytonks]

What's DIT?

 

[wonkytonks]

used FA, DIT, and UWorld. I'd say once I was done with DIT I spent almost all my time with UWorld (I'd say the best resource I used). RR takes too long and pathoma was interesting, but didn't have enough time. I know a lot of people on this site rag on DIT, but it gave me structure and a 40 point bump by the time I was done with it.
What's DIT?

 

[RedSoxSuck]

used FA, DIT, and UWorld. I'd say once I was done with DIT I spent almost all my time with UWorld (I'd say the best resource I used). RR takes too long and pathoma was interesting, but didn't have enough time. I know a lot of people on this site rag on DIT, but it gave me structure and a 40 point bump by the time I was done with it.
What's DIT?

Doctors in training (DIT) is a review course ($700, i think). Different lectures help you get through First aid. Course follows First aid and it allows an individual to get through first aid in 15 days. Course comes with a booklet which consists of quizes which helps to hammer in the must know facts.

I used DIT and did not find it helpful.

 

[wonkytonks]

where can i get first aid from? Someone told me it's a book which just gives you tips on how to prepare,is it so?

p.s. I'm an indian Img

 

[wonkytonks]

What books and question banks should i use? Sorry, it's been posted in the forum already but i am just kinda scared ....i don't want to end up using my time ineffectively..!

 

[Auriga]

I bought my FA on Amazon, and I know they ship to much of the world.
If you need it now, the 2012 is released:
http://www.amazon.com/First-Aid-USMLE-Step-2012/dp/0071776362/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1353841056&sr=8-2&keywords=first+aid
And then look on First Aid's website for errata. There are like 10+ pages of errata.

If you can wait until Jan, the 2013 edition will be out...but the errata won't be out yet, so you get what you get. I'm not sure how important it is to get the exact year, anyhow...

Everyone says it is critical to use http://www.usmleworld.com/ as the primary Qbank. The questions are hard and more like actual exam questions than Kaplan, so I hear. There are 2155 questions with detailed answers. I love them.

I love Pathoma, but I haven't gotten very far and I'm running short on time. I had bought DIT a year ago, so I'm going to use it over 4 weeks and give myself a good long review week at the end. (I did use FA during M1 and M2, so it's not quite my first pass...)

What you decide to do has everything to do with how much time you have, and how long you can keep it up. People say they feel burnout at around 6-8 weeks of full-on boards study, so be aware of that. It's a game of maximizing quality time.

Good luck!

 

[wonkytonks]

thank you! i have around 6months but i will also be simultaneously doing community medicine, opthalmology and ENT as part of my regular course work...

 

[wonkytonks]

I bought my FA on Amazon, and I know they ship to much of the world.
If you need it now, the 2012 is released:
http://www.amazon.com/First-Aid-USMLE-Step-2012/dp/0071776362/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1353841056&sr=8-2&keywords=first+aid
And then look on First Aid's website for errata. There are like 10+ pages of errata.

If you can wait until Jan, the 2013 edition will be out...but the errata won't be out yet, so you get what you get. I'm not sure how important it is to get the exact year, anyhow...

Everyone says it is critical to use http://www.usmleworld.com/ as the primary Qbank. The questions are hard and more like actual exam questions than Kaplan, so I hear. There are 2155 questions with detailed answers. I love them.

I love Pathoma, but I haven't gotten very far and I'm running short on time. I had bought DIT a year ago, so I'm going to use it over 4 weeks and give myself a good long review week at the end. (I did use FA during M1 and M2, so it's not quite my first pass...)

What you decide to do has everything to do with how much time you have, and how long you can keep it up. People say they feel burnout at around 6-8 weeks of full-on boards study, so be aware of that. It's a game of maximizing quality time.

Good luck!

There is like a 3 months, 12 months and 21/24 months course available on pathoma right?Or you just have the videos?I have finished the whole of pathology in my regular course ,so the 4 weeks one for review is adequate right?I will be starting my preparation in january and giving the step 1 in june/july.
Another thing i wanted to ask is how many months before giving the exam do i have to register for it?
p.s. I havn't registered just yet.

 

[san2]

Kaplan MedEssentials
First Aid
Uworld

Thats all you need really

Go through as much of Kaplan ME as you can trying to memorize as much as you can, but giving particular attention to things found in ME that are also found in FA making sure you know those cold. Then practice applying what you learned to Uworld, and use that as a learning experience as well

And if time allows,
Kaplan Qbank

This