There are two major approaches (or let me call them methods) when it comes to what books are needed to prepare for USMLE Step 1.
Method 1 (Kaplan Lecture Notes)
This method is the most common method seen among IMGs and it has been tested to produce high scores throughout the last 5 years or more.
Kaplan lecture notes are 7 books each deals with one or two disciplines: namely (Physiology; Pathology; Microbiology & Immunology; Biochemistry & Genetics; Anatomy, Embryology, & Neuranatomy; Behavioral sciences & Biostatistics; Pharmacology).
So this method entails cramming on these 7 books (+their DVD lectures) and also First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 to backup the preparation.
Advantages:
You'll get a compact 7 books to cram and no need to get lost finding the high yield information from other resources.
Gives confidence as you are not missing any high yield info.
Less time consuming than method 2.
Proved successful by many many students in the past.
Disadvantages:
Kaplan lecture notes better to be accompanied by the DVD lectures. These lecture are not sold commercially and it's provided only for the students who take the Kaplan course and this is expensive. Of course you can find illegal downloads of these DVDs or from your friends. As for the lecture notes you can buy them from Amazon by clicking on the second link in our Best USMLE Step 1 Review Books page.
Students (and First Aid authors) believe that relying on a single series to cram step 1 is not a good way, though I disagree with this.
Method 2 (Various Resources)
This method is more popular among American grads (but also increasingly seen among IMGs). It has also proven to be a very effective method of preparation.
It entails looking for the best book in each subject (like for example by following our polls and see what is the best physiology book or the best pathology book and so on).
The current top ranked books that students rely on using this method are:
Rapid Review Pathology by Goljan or BRS pathology
BRS Physiology
Clinical Microbiology Made ridiculously simple
Basic Immunology
Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology
High Yield Neuroanatomy
Rapid Review: Biochemistry
High Yield Behavioral Science
High Yield Biostatistics
High Yield Embryology
Of course in each of the subjects ranking changes from time to time but these are the current winners. Note that I did not mention the gross anatomy book because simply I don't know what's the current highest rank reference.
Advantages:
You get the best in each.
You will cover every little detail that may come in USMLE.
Some experts believe that question makers look up these books before they put the MCQs for the USMLE.
Disadvantages:
More time consuming than method 1. (almost double the number of pages).
Topics might get repeated as for example you may read the sleep stages in BRS physiology and again in High Yield behavioral sciences while in method 1 you'll read topics in one place.
Needless to say, that these two methods are not mutually exclusive, like for example many students (specially Indians) think that Kaplan is great except for it's pathology and neuroanatomy sections. So they supplement method 1 with Goljan pathology (the book, the notes, and/or the audio) and High Yield Neuroanatomy.
Remember that after reading the books you have to do questions and see our Best USMLE step 1 Qbank poll to help you choose.
What is my choice? Method 1.
But for you, The final choice is yours!
Method 1 (Kaplan Lecture Notes)
This method is the most common method seen among IMGs and it has been tested to produce high scores throughout the last 5 years or more.
Kaplan lecture notes are 7 books each deals with one or two disciplines: namely (Physiology; Pathology; Microbiology & Immunology; Biochemistry & Genetics; Anatomy, Embryology, & Neuranatomy; Behavioral sciences & Biostatistics; Pharmacology).
So this method entails cramming on these 7 books (+their DVD lectures) and also First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 to backup the preparation.
Advantages:
You'll get a compact 7 books to cram and no need to get lost finding the high yield information from other resources.
Gives confidence as you are not missing any high yield info.
Less time consuming than method 2.
Proved successful by many many students in the past.
Disadvantages:
Kaplan lecture notes better to be accompanied by the DVD lectures. These lecture are not sold commercially and it's provided only for the students who take the Kaplan course and this is expensive. Of course you can find illegal downloads of these DVDs or from your friends. As for the lecture notes you can buy them from Amazon by clicking on the second link in our Best USMLE Step 1 Review Books page.
Students (and First Aid authors) believe that relying on a single series to cram step 1 is not a good way, though I disagree with this.
Method 2 (Various Resources)
This method is more popular among American grads (but also increasingly seen among IMGs). It has also proven to be a very effective method of preparation.
It entails looking for the best book in each subject (like for example by following our polls and see what is the best physiology book or the best pathology book and so on).
The current top ranked books that students rely on using this method are:
Rapid Review Pathology by Goljan or BRS pathology
BRS Physiology
Clinical Microbiology Made ridiculously simple
Basic Immunology
Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology
High Yield Neuroanatomy
Rapid Review: Biochemistry
High Yield Behavioral Science
High Yield Biostatistics
High Yield Embryology
Of course in each of the subjects ranking changes from time to time but these are the current winners. Note that I did not mention the gross anatomy book because simply I don't know what's the current highest rank reference.
Advantages:
You get the best in each.
You will cover every little detail that may come in USMLE.
Some experts believe that question makers look up these books before they put the MCQs for the USMLE.
Disadvantages:
More time consuming than method 1. (almost double the number of pages).
Topics might get repeated as for example you may read the sleep stages in BRS physiology and again in High Yield behavioral sciences while in method 1 you'll read topics in one place.
Needless to say, that these two methods are not mutually exclusive, like for example many students (specially Indians) think that Kaplan is great except for it's pathology and neuroanatomy sections. So they supplement method 1 with Goljan pathology (the book, the notes, and/or the audio) and High Yield Neuroanatomy.
Remember that after reading the books you have to do questions and see our Best USMLE step 1 Qbank poll to help you choose.
What is my choice? Method 1.
But for you, The final choice is yours!
From
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-step-1-forum/786-usmle-step-1-preparation-books-plan.html
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