Dr. Charles Highway

Here are my picks for the best books money can buy for the USMLE Step 1 Examinations. It helps if you have time to read them more than once just to re-enforce what you’re studying. Here they are:

#1:

First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 by Tao Le, Vikas Bhushan, and Deepak A. Rao

By the time you read this the First Aid [2009 Edition] will be available and on sale. This is the Number 1 book you will need for the boards. No exaggeration. Not only does this book contain almost everything needed to get a top score in the USMLEs, it can also be used as a supplementary text with your medical school’s curriculum. The book covers High Yield General Principles: Behavioural Science Biochemistry Embryology Microbiology Immunology Pathology Pharmacology As well as High-Yield Systems: Cardiovascular Respiratory Endocrine Gastrointestinal Haematology and Oncology Musculoskeletal Neurology Renal Reproductive There are then a myriad of pathology slides to analyse which help in the USMLE because pathology slides are used A LOT. All in all, it is probably your first line of defense, and attack, for the board examinations. This is not to say that a high score can not be attained without, but rather it is a book that makes the road to 230 plus scores easier.

#2:

BRS Physiology by Linda S. Costanzo

Unless you are a physiology master, this book is probably the most concise piece of reading material out on the subject. It covers all the major high yield systems in a very detailed, but simple format. I really loved this book because I was able to find the answer to most of my physiology based questions, which are numerous, and read through chapters within a fairly short period of time – hence more time to cover other subjects. Chapters: Cell Physiology, Neurophysiology, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Renal and Acid-Base, Gastrointestinal and Endocrine.

#3:

Rapid Review Pathology by Dr. Edward F. Goljan

This book sets the standards for pathology within the USMLE environment. Dr Goljan (or simply Goljan) has been helping students through the USMLEs by listening to their feedback as well as analysing trends within the boards examination process. Not everyone will like the format of the book, but I assure you that if you persevere it will help you out in the long run. The book is infamous for is bullet point system which can be hard to read, but provides for a quick and efficient way of getting through all of systemic pathology. This book covers (almost) everything you could possibly get asked from a pathology perspective. If you have time, the book is best accompanied by his audio files which are mildly amusing, but highly informative. Conclusion: Do not attempt the boards without it!

#4:

USMLEWorld (website)

While this is not a text book, numerous high scorers of the USMLE have advised that one should not enter the exam without signing up and attempting some of the questions. It is a subscription based system so you will have to pay for access to the questions and answers (which have explanations), however, it offers different subscription packages catering for people with different bank balances. I advise trying the site for a short period of time and dedicating a few hours of your life towards going through as much content as possible. If you feel that after two or three weeks of intense Q&A that you have actually learnt something then sign up for a longer period. You only need this to get you past the exam so just pay for the service during your main pre-board examination prep; after you are finished you can ditch it and, hopefully, move on with your life.

Site: http://usmleworld.com/

ADVICE: Don’t get caught up in the all too common trap of amassing a treasure chest of books and attempting to get through all of them just before the exam. Usually it’s not possible and you will be constantly spreading yourself thin. Repetition is key in the boards and make use of the lecture notes given at your university because usually, if you were paying attention in class, you initially understood the first principles there.

Also See:

Supplementary USMLE Book List

Best Books For Surgery

Top Cardiology Books

Best 5 Anatomy Books

EKG/ECG Books