First, the reason why not too many recommendations other than the big 3 is that the other subjects are not as crucial in doing well in Step 1. However, if you are aiming for a 99, then that’s a different story. You need to be strong on all subjects. You still have to be strongest in the big 3 but you can’t have weak points. Most important for Anatomy and Neuroanatomy is study them clinically. If it is important clinically, it will come out. For example, anatomy related to trauma – brachial plexus, lumbar plexus, the knee, etc. and important surgical cases like inguinal hernia are high yield. In neuroanatomy, you need to understand the pathology of the different syndromes, etc. For biochem, Lippincott is good to understand the basic, but lacks advanced topics especially in Molecular biology. You need to supplement with Kaplan notes or BRS Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Histology, just know cell biology primarily and normal histology vs. pathology. For physiology, use BRS physiology. Supplement with Guyton or Ganong for acid-base disorders. Concentrate on pathophysiology, esp. endocrine, spirometry, etc. Hope that helps.

Askdoc

First of all, thank you for your excellent advice. I just stumbled upon your website while doing some research for study methods and I have found your blog to be very inspiring.

I am a recently graduated mexican IMG and my objective is to ace my Step 1, since I am aiming for a pathology residency. Curiously enough, I have used precisely the materials you have recommended for the “Big 3″ subjects and I feel very confident on them. I think it helps they were my best subjects in school, but who knows. However, I have noticed that there are not a lot of recommendations on what materials to study for biochem, cell bio, histo and anatomy, this last one being my weakness (this meaning, even tho I had a very good grade in my school I mostly memorized everything and by now I have no clue where to begin again). I am really dreading anatomy and I am so desperate that I am literally thinking of studying Gray’s Anatomy for Students from cover to cover. I was wondering if you have any pointers on this and any other of the less tested items on the exam. For biochem I have studied Lippincott’s, and for histo I have pretty much read all of Gartner’s. I have 6 months until my test and I really want to fine tune my study methods in order to achieve my goal.

Anyways, any advice you might offer will be greatly appreciated and again thank you very much for taking the time to write this. Live long and prosper!!!

I usually supplement Kaplan/BRS path with Robbins (I love the mechanisms and diagrams in Robbins). I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

PS: Totally love your blog – keep up the good work!

My score for USMLE Step 1 is 99/256 and I do credit Robbins as one of the reasons I was able to get a high score, but not the only reason. However, I do not recommend you use Robbin’s entirely for your review of Pathology unless you have a large memory capacity and you know how to chose what is important vs. what is trivial. Otherwise, since you can’t remember everything you have read, you might end up reviewing the wrong things and get an even lower score. That is why in my course, I was forced to write notes for the use of my students. They just refer to Robbin’s for additional details so they know what to study and how much to study.

Askdoc

Askdoc

I’m aiming for doing very well in the USMLE, but if that is not possible, then at least above average. I’m thinking about pediatrics as a specialty, i know it’s not as competitive as other areas, but still want to do well. I’m a mexican IMG, and I bought BRS Pathology for my review, but I realize that some of the mechanisms of disease will be missing there. Do you think that that book and my Robbins review and textbook to fill in those lagoons is a fair game?

Many thanks! Truly appreciate all your advice!