srac84
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 20
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Hey guys, how is everyone doing? I got a few questiosn about the actually books everyone is using i got a lot of usmle step 1 books, but i'm not really sure where to begin, i have the kaplan set with the video lectures. Then I have the other real review books which aren't lecture books. Brs: physio and patho. High Yield: Anatomy, embryo, and neuro, biostatistics. Micro Made ridiculously simple. Pharma Cards., and the QBOOK.
What is everyone using to study? The kaplan videos seem good, along with the lecture notes but seem to drag on forever. While the review books are great to read, but tend to get very boring. I also asked around and many people said to do a lot of questions... well how can you do a lotta questions before studying? Of course we should do the actually questions at the end of the chapters when we finish the chapters, but how bout the QBook save that till the whole subject is done? The kaplan books dont seem to be that great at correlating the information taught in the chapter and videos with the questions at the end of the chapter like it could possibly ask about something not even mentioned in the whole chapter. So im kinda lost because i dont know where to study from. Can everyone post what books they are studying from and what order they are studying them? I heard its best to focus on patho, pharma, and micro, and not so much on anatomy and histo. And known the rest of the topics other than that fairly well but that the majority of the questions on the test are dealing with patho, pharma and micro. Also, i do have the FIRST AID 2007, some people actually start with that? Shouldn't that be used at the end as the final review??
Lastly, how long do you guys think the average time should be to prepare for the usmle, say around 4 months or so?? I heard some ppl are finishing patho in 4 days?!!! How is that possible???? And other stuff in 1 or 2 days.. i mean come on really??.. haha anyways please reply thanks for all the replies!
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| DRchromatin
Forum Senior
Topics: 23
Posts: 87
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I'm preparing right now and I'm planning on studying until December when I will take the exam. You're right about the Kaplan videos and notes seeming to not cover the questions at the end of the chapters sometimes. I have been reading the chapters and then doing questions from a question bank to help me reinforce and even learn concepts. I know the videos can get boring but I personally feel that they help tremendously as far as getting the overall picture of what's going on as well as helping with remembering things. By watching the videos and reading notes you're listening, watching, and reading so you're getting the info 3 different ways. I don't see how that could hurt except for the fact that it takes up a lot of time. I hope what I'm doing is good and hopefully we can get some input from some of the other senior members of this forum who have passed the exam. Guys, don't just leave us hanging here.
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| yoga
usmlelogy professor
Topics: 73
Posts: 632
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almost every1 using same material u r using...
the combo of videos & notes is essential 2 do ( though not all videos r helpful)
how long 2 prep? thats difficult q we dont know if u r student or graduate.. how was ur performance at school ..r u working full job, u c it depends on so many factors
the mcq r learning tools & use them on that basis they r NOT created 2 show u where do u stand ( i know most will think of them as predictor 2 their score which might b right but there purpose is more of learning)
check http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/thread/57909 the ultimate student guide 2 step 1 it explains everything u asked & very good 2 guidance
GL
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| srac84
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 20
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Thanks a lot guys for replying, yeah i guess your right i should watch the videos at least once and annotate my books then just study from there, i actually skimmed through kaplan patho and compared it to BRS, man brs is too indepth, i also read a lot of ppl saying that kaplan along with the videos and FA of course with the QBANK, is good enough to get a 99..does anyone know of a source of questions which are actually similar to the ones on the USMLE, is USMLE world that much better than KAPLAN QBANK?? Is there one actually released by the NBME?
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| srac84
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 20
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OH YEAH! Haha i forgot the information you were asking me about, yeah i'm still a medical student i'm going into my last year, but I think i have time to spend till about jan/feb 2007 so stil have a good 7 months or so, I do get pretty good grades, and usually learn based on understanding rather than memorizing, I'm just having a hard time sticking to 1 subject right now, like i read a chapter or two of physio get bored and then start patho.. i know its not a good idea.. but I have no idea why i can't focus.. anyways thanks for replying, if you have any more comments please post them. HEY Dr. Chromatin, what did you start with? Are u gonna do the order of anat, phsyio and bio, then go on with patho micro and pharma, then behavioral bio statisitics??
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| paheli
It'sAllAboutGoodKarma
Topics: 170
Posts: 2,217
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KLN is not a textbook. it is a book of the highest yield subject matter that you have to know for the mles. you are required to know more than KLN in order to get that elusive 90+, if that's what you're aiming at. that's what we use supplemental books.
secondly, BRS path is not too indepth compared to KLN. KLN path is simply not sufficient, and the path videos are not that good either.
hope this helps.
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Prepare as if you're the worst, Perform as if you're the best! As you dream, so you manifest. So, DREAM BIG!! When you face hardship, remember, God never gives you more than you can handle. Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.
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| DRchromatin
Forum Senior
Topics: 23
Posts: 87
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srac84, sorry I waited so long to post back. I had forgot about this thread completely.........lets see if we can revive it. I started out with biochem, then I moved on to Anatomy and Physio. I just finished up Micro and I will be starting Immuno tomorrow. I still have to get through Behavioral, Pharm and Patho to complete my first read. I hope to be starting my 2nd read around mid-September. I am really behind schedule for my first read.
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| yoga
usmlelogy professor
Topics: 73
Posts: 632
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srac84 wrote:
USMLE world that much better than KAPLAN QBANK??
according 2 most ppl YES
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we are all in the gutter but some of us looking at the stars
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| yoga
usmlelogy professor
Topics: 73
Posts: 632
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paheli wrote:
you are required to know more than KLN in order to get that elusive 90+, if that's what you're aiming at. that's what we use supplemental books.
there r many ppl i have read their experience on xam experiences forum of ppl who used kaplan as the only review book & they have done it "99" but f course u have 2 supplement with alot of mcq=> UW, Qbank, NBME
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we are all in the gutter but some of us looking at the stars
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| sergiodegante
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 7
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Hi I´m from Mexico, Just finished my career and want to work on USA. I need your help.
Recently contacted RT Medical Exchange L.L.C and they´re said to offer: free housing, material for USMLE (123), salary 200 usd/month to prepare you in a time of 9 months (3 per each USMLE test), they place you in a hospital and you have to return 150 000 USD in 5 years...
How does this sound to you? Would it be better to go on my own? I really appreciate to orientate me thank you. email sergio_de_gante@hotmail.com
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