Ah yes. The smell of the newly
minted 2nd year medical students shaking in their boots over boards. I can
taste the fear in the air. Never fear! I passed my boards first try and I’m
going to help you pass too with a handful of books you can buy on the cheap for
boards! Links are to amazon.com so be sure to look for used books in excellent
condition or buy new with the 1% discount!
USMLE Secrets Step I
: Buy this book now. Has complete explanations on the things you didn’t
understand when you sat thru lecture last year. Great book! It’s like a secret
weapon on the USMLE or COMLEX. 5 out of 5 stars.
Kaplan USMLE Step I Qbook: Semi-decent questions for when you aren’t on a computer. Covers the basics
and gets you familiar with the test format. I give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars
but it’s still worth your money if you buy a used copy without any marks in it.
First Aid for USMLE Step
: Great for memorizing bulleted lists of high yield material. You should get
this regardless of what people say on the message boards. If you memorize this
book, you’ll pass as the material is high yield even though it is not explained
as well as it is in Secrets. 4 out of 5 stars.
Physiology Review (Grid Series): Bar none the best physiology book. It’s by Linda Costanzo, and it’s the book
you know and love. If you don’t have it already (which you should if you
survived 1st year) buy it, read and head! 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Deja Review for Step 1: Great pocket pimp book to learn the little details involved in pathology and
such. Great for 5-10 minutes of reading time when you are at school and bored. 4
out of 5 stars.
Osteopathic Medicine Recall: All you future Osteopathic physicians out there know you need to all of
medicine in addition to this manual medicine stuff. Yes, being tested on OMM
sucks but it’s on your COMLEX so you better remember what the hell sacral
rocking does and what your viscerosomatic reflex arcs are. This book is a quick
refresher on those details. Read it in a day and you’re set.
Microbiology Recall and Pharmacology Recall: Buy both of these to learn your
BUGS and DRUGS. Down and dirty review of both subjects and the books
cross-reference each other to some degree. Helps greatly on your
rotations too when you forget something! Make your own notes in the
margins also.
Anyway there are some books for you to look at! I wish you all the best in your board prep!
Richie Truxillo, MS IV
