Post by Admin on Apr 29, 2014 22:51:09 GMT -5
i scored 255/99 on step one and here is my experience..., Am 2003 graduate..
My background in basic siences was sub sub sub zero(I mean it).. When started step one preparation I realized this fact and as all materials for step one are review ,so it will not help me as I know a rule saying “u cannt review what u never knew”
So,I started the journey with intense search about the resources of 1st and 2nd year in USA medical schools.. I decided to be a good doctor not just a test taker so I sweared to myself I’ll never let any piece of information untill know WHY and HOW(these two words were my weapons )..
My preparation was two stages…
stage one is building my background
Stage two is direct step one preparation (just like anybody on this forum kaplan and first aid…lablablaaaaa)
My materials for stage one :
Physiology:
Physiology for linda costanzo (the big one,BRS,and cases and problems) ,lange serieses (GIT RESPIRATORY,Renal),physiology Q bank of kaplan,Guyton(but didn’t complete it and it was very helpful just as a refrence),the pathophysiology of heart diseases for lilly(it s the most amazing book I had ever ,it s a must to master anything related to CVS) Pathology:
Robbins (am in love with this book,I have all the family .I recoomend the basic pathology(800 pages) and the atlas ,I completed it from cover to cover),Goljan (it is the best book for any test taker and anyone want to be a good doctor),BRS
Anatomy: Grays anatomy for students,clinical anatomy made ridiculously simple
Neuroanatomy: Neuroanatomy through clinical cases(what a book,it s amazing ..BTW my background in neuroanatomy was that I know this s called neuroanatomy ,now my favorite is neuroanatomy),neuroanatomy made ridiculously simple
Embryology: The devolping human for moore (recommended),langman’s(didn’t like it)
Histology: Wheater’s functional histology (what a book,very recommended) Microbiology: Ofcourse made ridiculously simple but just as a beginning then microbiology of levinson (recommended).then microcards(very very helpful) for final review (I didn’t do kaplan in this subject)
Immunology: Levinson was the best ,I did lippincotts but didn’t like it,kaplan also is fine…u will don’t believe that I learned immunology from Robbins basic pathology ..
Behavioral sciences: Behavioral science in medicine for Barbra Fadem (very helpful),BRS for the same author,kaplan Biostatistics: I tought myself all subjects but this one was impossible ,and after long struggle I came across lectures on u tube for a guy called Daniel Judge and learned the basics of statistics then went to Daughtry to complete it ..
Epidemiology: Epidemiology for Leon Gordis(this book will ace any problem in this subject,very recommended) Then kaplan ..
Biochemistry: Lippincotts,kaplan ,rapid review
Genetics: Just like neuroanatomy all what I know about this subject is only its name(the same for molecular biology)….thompson and thompson genetics in medicine ,medical genetics for Lyn B. Jorde….but the most helpful for genetics and molecular biology was the animations on the internet(search for animations for any subject in mol biology or genetics and study it it will help u to master this area)….
Pharmacology: Lippincott’s,Trevor and Katzung..but kaplan was the most helpful especially this guy of 2007 edition (I wish if he teach all the subjects,this guy has an amazing ability to integrate all subjects)ofcourse I listend also to kaplan biochemistry but the older edition for the same guy .. Q banks: Kaplan Q bank: -75 % ….complete ,all blocks mixed and timed - I found it helpful (I know many people hate it but I don’t know why) - kaplan diagnostic:72%
UW: - Ofcourse it s the best - 78%...complete, all blocks r timed and the majority was mixed
USMLE Rx: Did only 600 Qs just last week before the exam to memorize FA,didn’t like it (I recommend it only to memorize FA which is the most important cornerstone in ur preparation)
NBME: Only form 5 online one wk before the exam Scored 670… All above Q banks were online
First Aid: I don’t know what to say about this miracle …..try to eat ,drink and sleep with it
Kaplan medessentials: It was nice but as adjuvant to FA
Internet: Wekipedia,freedictionary,google images (very very very helpful I saw any picture related to any disease ),google videos,animations...
I spend about 2 and half years to finish this..i know this is long time but at the end i mastered the basic science for life al7amdolelah..any Qs ,am ready...good luck