[drmed108]

How necessary is it to use Kaplan materials to prep for the Step 1? Can a high score be achieved using books other than Kaplan?

I've arranged a complete study schedule with books after researching for quite some time. However, I'm only using Kaplan's QBank and nothing else from Kaplan. From this forum, Kaplan courses, lecture notes and materials seem to be what most students are relying on.

 

[Sabio]

It's necessary

Generally speaking both ways are good. A combination of various books with various question books and/or various question banks is definitely a good way to prepare for Step 1.

Our staff member StepTaker prefers Kaplan materials alone as he pointed out here http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s.../786-usmle-step-1-preparation-books-plan.html but that does not mean we all endorse this approach.

 

[Dr.Sidd]

Well it really depends on your base and foundation. I think for revision you should start with the kaplan series and while doin so you should see what areas you are deficient in. For example you think kaplan isnt covering all concepts in physiology( particularly neuro physiology in my opinion) you should refer other recommended books like brs physiology. You should do this and make notes on ur kaplan books or a note book side by side. Your 1st read should focus on just the concepts.
All this will help you in your 2nd read inn retaining your stuff from kaplan.
Overall people rate Kaplan Q bank and NBME forms closest to the acual exam, and doin uworld or USMLE rx if you have time doest hurt!

 

[heights]

How necessary is it to use Kaplan materials to prep for the Step 1? Can a high score be achieved using books other than Kaplan?....
I've arranged a complete study schedule with books after researching for quite -Licensing%252FUSMLE-Prep%252Fstep-1.html%253Ftb%253Dcenter-prep"]Kaplan courses[/URL], lecture notes and materials seem to be what most students are relying on.

I think many people on this forum like Kaplan because it's comprehensive review in one nice package, and people would probably rather not search to find their own books and run the risk of missing something. However, if you have yourself a good set of books, then you don't need Kaplan. Most AMG's don't use Kaplan, they just pick their own books. I won't be using most of Kaplan books, just the Pharmacology LN's, Qbook, and Qbank (along with various other books like RR, BRS phys etc).

 

[fin-84]

I think many people on this forum like Kaplan because it's comprehensive review in one nice package, and people would probably rather not search to find their own books and run the risk of missing something. However, if you have yourself a good set of books, then you don't need Kaplan. Most AMG's don't use Kaplan, they just pick their own books. I won't be using most of Kaplan books, just the Pharmacology LN's, Qbook, and Qbank (along with various other books like RR, BRS phys etc).

Kaplan is quite light reading. As I have seen in my friends notes. I haven't used kaplan cause I need little more than just the needed to know things. But It depends largely how well you know the subjects tested. I might ask from friend to read them once, but I will lean to my books...

 

[drmed108]

Extremely helpful feedback-

This was quite an important question, as Kaplan is rather costly, and it's important to consider other options if they are more effective.

Yes, I have been advised from my AMG colleagues, who are now in some of the most competitive residency programs in the US, not to use Kaplan but rather First Aid, BSR, as well as High Yield books for individual subjects. I think I'm pretty much decided to go in this direction, and I'm creating my own book list for the Step 1 for each subject.

AMGs- are there any other effective, comprehensive, non-Kaplan Step 1 book series to consider aside from First Aid, BSR, Robbin's, and High Yield?