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The best USMLE prep prepares you for success beyond the test.
When it comes to the stressors associated with graduating medical school, number one among international medical graduates is fear of failing the USMLE. Many graduates know if you don’t do well enough on the exam, it significantly lowers your chances of matching in your preferred residency program.
Thus, USMLE prep is crucial and can determine the rest of a graduate’s medical career. Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing USMLE prep materials.
Timing is everything when it comes to USMLE prep
When buying your books, it’s easy to get hand-me-downs from family or upperclassmen in medical school. But remember that the 1st edition of Kick Butt on the Boards is very outdated, compared to the current 15th edition. It’s best to go back no further back than the two latest editions, as these are the most refreshed in terms of errata and management changes. Yes, books are expensive, but so is taking the USMLE more than once.
Trust your instincts
It’s important to note that USMLE prep materials are not infallible. Most question banks and all medical textbooks have some errors—even the most notable ones. If you see something that seems odd, it’s a good idea to go back and double-check a reference book. Always trust your instincts—you will find yourself relying on them quite a lot as a doctor. Plus, when you take the time to look something up, you solidify the right answer in your good ol’ hippocampus.
The rule of 300
If you ask three hundred people what the best USMLE resources are, you will get 300 different answers. Thus, the best person to ask is you. If you are an audio learner, take a live class. If you prefer your own desk, try a class On Demand. If you love to read by the ocean with the waves crashing in front of a bonfire under a moonlit sky, then find yourself a beach and a book. Ultimately, choose the USMLE prep that works best for you—not one of the other 300 people you ask.
Right amount of focus
In every USMLE book, the topic of hyponatremia is discussed in a few paragraphs. But did you know there is an entire textbook 500 pages long dedicated to only hyponatremia? The bottom line is to make sure when studying for the USMLE you are using a system that targets the high yield material in the exam. At the same time, don’t pick a book or course that is too general and vague. Anything that is ridiculously simple is usually just that—oversimplified and not useful to you.
Build a pyramid
The top test-takers and chief residents everywhere will tell you to have one reference source as your base material. Then narrow down to one USMLE source for information, and then top off the pyramid with a question bank. Remember, the goal is to distill the essence of the material into manageable parts.
To make sure you get all the latest USMLE prep materials, check out Kaplan’s USMLE High Yield and Qbank course.
The post How to Choose Your USMLE Prep Materials appeared first on Residency Secrets.
