Malaysian
Forum Guru
Topics: 28
Posts: 778
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Hi,
I saw your messages a few times so I thought I'll reply(and for others who have just started wondering what to study for USMLE Step 1).
I haven't given the exam yet but I'll just summarize the expereinces of others over here.
Kaplan notes,FA and Goljan notes(Pathology) forms the backbone for almost everyone's studies here. in addition the other highly recommended/alternative books are:
BRS: Physiology,Pathology,Behavioural Sciences
High Yield:Neuro anatomy,gross anatomy,embryology,histology
Rarely:immunology,molecular biology
Lippincott's: biochemistry,Pharmacology
The main question source is Q-bank and also there is this thing called NBME.....or something like that....it seems questions from these 2 banks mirror the actual exam.
The other question sources are usmleasy(free till 31st May),BSS and at times Appleton and Lange,NMS,Robbin's review of pathology,blackwell's IV question bank........however there is usually a mixed review on all of these...some like them others don't.I've not come across anyone mention Pretest.
Alot of people have told me NOT TO READ PATHO. ROBBINS as its a very slow process and usually most of the people tend to abandon it half way through.
It seems the current USMLE questions in Behavioural Science trend is to ask about medico-ethics and doctor-patient relationship.As for molecular Medicine it seems they are asking experimental type of questions.I'm not sure where a good source of questions for them is obtainable.But since people are complaining about them therefore the present form of resources as mentioned above may not be adequate to answer these questions on the exam.
Some people will/may take audio/CD tapes containing lectures.....mainly kaplan and the 5CDs of Goljan....however there are usually not many discussion on them.For those who are looking for a place to purchase these can try buy/sell internet sites like e-bay.
There is alot of emphasis on visuals for the exam.Can anyone list some free websites here, which show....gross specimens,histo.,micro slides,MRI,CT,PET,X-rays,V/Q scans and any other scans or visuals which are relevant to the exam here so everyone gets to benefit from them?
The average time taken by anyone to prepare for the exam is 4 months.Not many tend to give the exam in less than 2months or later than 6months.As most of the people live a busy life therefore the usual study time ranges from 4-7 hours/day.However there are a few who have more concentration abilities and even cross 10hours/day.In your case since you've already given step 2 it may be easier for you to read up and give the exam quicker.
Previously repeated questions of USMLE(of those who even gave the exam recently)are not very useful as the questions don't tend to get repeated in the exam.However its good to know the general trend of questions being asked so as to be aware on what to emphasize on your reading.
So,Fetus.....I hope this explanation is helpful enough in helping you to start out on your Step 1 studies.I'm not going to be sitting for USMLE Step 2 anytime soon however there are some people in this forum like asmi,mdwannabe,anne,mdhakeem,lucky etc who gave the Step 1 and may benefit from your advice on how to tackle Step 2.I hope you oblige them.All the best and take care.Bye.
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| azazelo
Forum Junior
Topics: 10
Posts: 32
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Very good analysis, Malaysian. I concur. Good luck to you.
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| louismarelise
Forum Senior
Topics: 36
Posts: 56
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That was very kind of you and helpful to ME as well.
louismarelise
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