Biochemistry and Anatomy Review

General Med Student Discussion
1

I have a question to those who are past step 1 or preparing for it! I need good review books for biochemistry and anatomy; biochemistry - b/c I already forgot half of it, and anatomy b/c (at least first part of it) I’ve never learn it. I was thinking that I would review these two classes during the summer and I’m not sure which books to choose - should I go with BRS series, or is there anything better than that?


Thanks a lot,


Kasia

2

Kasia,


Granted, it has been a while since I sat for Step 1; however, I generally found that if I focused my attentions at the depth of the BRS series I did pretty well on my exams, both in class ones & the Boards. I also used Kaplan Q-bank extensively for step 2, did not exist for step 1 (I think).


Just to polish up a bit & snag a few extra points, I also picked up a copy of Buzzwords for the Board. No, it does not teach you concepts or applications, but I used it only over the final week or two prior to Boards because I figured on questions where I am stumped, by chance, I might have picked up on a few word/concept associations to garner a few extra points. I would certainly not make this book a major part of your prep, but I thin it probably helped me raise my score a small bit. And, it is was for more digestible in the final days than any more heavy-text studying.

3

Kasia -


There’s not a lot of anatomy on the boards. You’re probably fine with what’s in First Aid for both anatomy and embryology. BRS biochem is pretty good, I also liked High Yield Biochem and used it for both boards and the Biochem shelf. I also found the last (not the newest) edition of High Yield Cell and Molecular Biology to be very good (and it rehashes some biochem as well).

4

Thank you guys for your input.


It looks like I’ll be able to get all the books mentioned for less than I expected! M2s just started selling theirs and they go for anywhere between $1 and $5 per book!



5

The M3 who’s mentoring our board prep small group also says older editions are fine for many of these (he paid 50 cents for his hi-yield neuro online and scored very well).