USMLE in 2012

What are most popular materials for USMLE Step 1 in 2012?
I am afraid the list remains the same as last year:

Kaplan Step 1 Video Lectures (make sure this is 2010)
Kaplan Step 1 Notes (ditto)
Goljan Pathology Lectures
Minarcik Pathology Lectures
Pass Program Video Lectures
Doctors in Training Video Lectures

Do you think differently? Let me know.

New attempt limit for USMLE examinations

The USMLE Program is introducing a limit on the total number of times an examinee can take the same Step or Step Component. When this limit takes effect, an examinee will be ineligible to take a Step or Step Component if the examinee has made six or more prior attempts to pass that Step or Step Component, including incomplete attempts.

Relationship between USMLE’s 2-digit and 3-digit score scales

It was recently announced that starting July 1, 2011, USMLE would begin the process of eliminating the reporting of results on the 2-digit score scale to all score users except the examinee and the state licensing authority to whom results are reported at the examinee’s request.

Other users of USMLE results who have focused on the 2-digit score scale in the past will need to transition to using the 3-digit score. A table that will allow users to look up the 3-digit score(s) that corresponds approximately to a specific 2-digit score on recently administered Step 1 (since January 2010) and Step 2 CK (since July 1, 2010) examinations has been posted. This table will not apply for results reported October 1, 2011 and later.

USMLE materials - Step 1 Overview

I am often asked what are the best USMLE materials. Here is my view for 2011.

Kaplan Video Lectures for USMLE Step 1. This is a 200 hour review of Step 1 subjects by best Professors. IF you have time and money to attend Kaplan Live Center - do this. If you are on a tight budget (like everyone else) - ask your friends. They might be able to point you in a right direction on how to download a copy of Kaplan Step 1 Video.

Kaplan Notes -  Just like Kaplan Video Lectures, they are impossible to obtain if you have not attended Kaplan Live Center. This is a set of 8 books, 2000 pages total. Very good summary of all Step 1 Subjects and clear and concise overview of most important USMLE Step 1 topics.

Goljan Pathology - this is a tricky one. Everyone keeps talking about Goljan but the only thing you can obtain on the web is Goljan's Pathology Rapid Review or RR. There is a audio lecture which was made by someone attending Goljan Lectures, which is widely used by USMLE Prep students.
There are some other materials that accompany Goljan Pathology Lectures  - Lectures handouts in PDF, High-Yield questions, and High-Yield notes.
Addditional bonus is a transcript of Audio Lectures which was created for those who can not or do not want to follow audio lectures. This is a word-by-word transcript of Prof. Goljan Pathology Lectures.

Kaplan Webprep - this is a rare gem for USMLE Step 1. 70 hours of Audio Lectures with visual aids (i.e. slides). This can be used to quickly review the USMLE Step 1 materials and will save you 130 hours compared with full set of Kaplam Lectures. This is an original Kaplan Product.

First Aid for USMLE Step 1 - this is a very important book. It is concise and short but it gives so much value for Step 1 that some course providers simply use this book as their curriculum.

Pass Program - great course for USMLE Step 1. This is based on First Aid book and gives a very good preparation for Step 1.

If you have anything to add to this list - please post a comment.

Minarcik Pathology Lectures

http://www.usmletorrent.com/minarcik-pathology-lectures/

Minarcik Pathology Lectures - available for free for limited period.

USMLE prep materials - 2011 survey

What are your recommendations for USMLE prep materials for Step 1?
I would be interested to understand if there are any changes to the usual USMLE top materials list:

Goljan Pathology Lectures
Kaplan 2010 Video Lectures
Step 1 Doctors in Training Video Lectures
Kaplan 2010 Notes
Step 1 Pass Program 2010 edition

Any other suggestions

USMLE Community - which are you using frequently?

I would like to get your opinion about USMLE online communities. Which one do you use frequently (usmle.net; 4usmle.com; 4usmle.net; prepusmle.com; imgboards.com etc.) - if you use more than 1 community - why is that? How would you describe ideal USMLE online community? Do you want it to be more like facebook, i.e. social interactive community?

Your feedback is very valuable for us and will be appreciated.

What is OpenEMR and how to get a demo

Here is a quick way to access OpenEMR and understand how easy to get $44,000 from US Government for a medical practice.

Follow this link: http://opensourceemr.com:2096/openemr/interface/login/login_frame.php

Username:Password
admin:pass
physician:physician
receptionist:receptionist

How to save $44,000 if you are a medical doctor

With the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, qualified professionals (physicians, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists, and some chiropractors) can realize up to $44,000 in Medicare incentives (or $63,750 through Medicaid) through meaningful use of a certified electronic medical records software system, such as OpenEMR.

Medical providers who do not demonstrate 'meaningful use' of a certified EHR system by 2014 will see a decrease of 1% in their Medicare fee schedules for 2015. Medicare fee payment reductions will continue annually, up to a maximum of 5% if it is determined that total EHR adoption is under 75% of eligible providers by 2018.

USMLETORRENT.com - new usmle site

Have you seen new site for USMLE takers?

http://www.usmletorrent.com

A lot of new USMLE materials - Pass Program 2010; Kaplan Video 2010 and many more.

Kaplan Step 2 Lectures - 2010 edition

Kaplan Step 2 Lectures are now available in HD quality. If you have seen Step 1 Kaplan Video Lectures 2010 Edition then you will really like 2010 edition of Step 2 Kaplan Lectures. They are crystall crisp, quality is very good and you can watch them full-screen in a very good definition.
I recommend you ask your friends around about these great video lectures for Step 2.

Toronto Notes 2010

Are you looking for a FREE download of Toronto Notes 2010?
You can get this here:

http://www.usmletorrent.com/september-promotion

Step 1 Pass Program 2010

Step 1 Pass Program 2010 is now available for USMLE Takers. This is an excellent source of great high-yield materials for Step 1 and Step 2 in a high-quality Video format. If you have not done so - please ask your friends about this video lecture set.

How Student Loans work

Student loans are a way to pay for higher education. Whether you love debt or you hate it, student loans are an investment in your future. They can make an education possible when there is no other way. This page covers the basics of student loans and points you towards additional resources.

Student loans are unique because they have some special features. You often get an attractive interest rate, and almost any student can borrow some money – regardless of income or credit history.

To get a student loan, your first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You should submit your FAFSA as soon as possible – you can make estimates and correct the details later.

Once you’ve completed your FAFSA, you’ll want to visit your school’s student aid office. Ask what kind of aid you might expect.

Some of the most common student loans:

* Perkins Loans should be a first choice because of their low interest rate
* Stafford Loans are easy to qualify for, and the interest charges may be subsidized for some time
* PLUS Loans allow parents to borrow very large dollar amounts so that you can cover all your costs

You can postpone repayment of your loans under a variety of conditions. This is called a deferment. While you’re in school, for example, you may qualify for an in-school deferment. When you’re in a tough financial spot you can often temporarily stop paying back your loans without any penalty or damage to your credit.

fter you’ve finished your education, expect to pay those loans back. Most often your lender will set up an amortizing repayment schedule. If you’ve taken several loans over the years, you may want to consider consolidating your loans. Student loan consolidation has some unique benefits that you can’t find in any other type of loan.

Kaplan USMLE 2010 Video Lectures -Microbiology

This is a free download sample of Kaplan USMLE Step 1 Video (2010 edition)

Kaplan USMLE Step 1- 2010 Video Lectures

Kaplan has posted their new 2009-2010 USMLE Step 1 Videos on Youtube.
It has many new features and it's in High-Definition and can be streamed online when you sign up for their courses.

Here's one of the USMLE 2010 videos from Kaplan.

MKSAP 15

If you are looking for MKSAP 15 Digital and Audio Companion - drop me an email - usmlestep@gmail.com. This is not free!

:-)

Free USMLE Downloads

Are you looking for free USMLE downloads?
I suggest you take a look here:

http://usmlestep.com/usmle-torrent.html

What you can find:

Step 1 Kaplan Video Lectures - Biochemistry Section
Step 2 Kaplan Video Lectures - Cardiology Section
Step 2 Surgery Recall in Mp3

and many other USMLE stuff

Managing Menopaus - facts for COMPLEX/USMLE

Grenada #1 Rank in USMLE Step One and Step Two/CK in Caribbean

The students enrolled in medical school in Grenada – and St. George’s University School of Medicine is the only one - have put Grenada in first place for the highest first time pass rate on Step 1 and Step 2/CK for all countries with medical schools in the Caribbean over the past 15 years, according to a study just released in the journal, Academic Medicine. The authors state that there were 56 Caribbean medical schools during all or part of the period of study.

The study ranked Grenada (SGUSOM) number one in the Step 1 (testing basic sciences knowledge) with an 84.4% pass rate for first time takers, well above the closest country with private medical schools. If one deducts Grenada from the study, the average pass rate for all other countries during this 15-year period was 49.9%.

According to Chancellor Charles R. Modica, “This official study, the first of its kind in over 15 years, is an unbiased and accurate representation of the abilities of St. George’s University’s medical students. The numbers speak for themselves, as SGUSOM students outperformed students from other countries in the region, exceeding the pass rate of some countries by more than 60%.

While the University has long been aware of the outstanding performance of its culturally diverse student body, Dr. Modica is pleased that such a study recognized their preparedness, and looks forward to the University’s continued success in future analysis.

“This impartial study is most welcome – and extremely necessary - for students trying to assess options as they choose a medical school,” stated Margaret Lambert, Dean of Enrolment Planning at St. George’s University. “Finally, after many years, there is an objective, impartial study which will help both prospective students and licensing agencies to recognize SGU’s continuous academic excellence. In the only other study published, over 20 years ago, St. George’s students outperformed all other major medical schools in the initial pass rate on the ECFMG examination. The trend of excellence continues.”

Produced by the American Association of Medical Colleges, Academic Medicine is dedicated to issues in academic medicine in the United States. Fully one quarter of all physicians practicing in the US are internationally trained rendering a study such as this invaluable.

Source: http://www.sgu.edu/news-events/news-archives08-Grenada1USMLE.html

Free Download for USMLE Step 1

Are you looking for Step 1 Kaplan Video Lectures? You can get a free download of Biochemistry section and understand the quality and usefullness of this videoset:

http://usmlestep.com/usmle-torrent.html

This is a quite large download (5-6 GB), so make sure you have space on your hard drive and you have a good speed of internet access.

Best Schedule for Step 1 preparation

Anyone wants to recommend a good Step 1 Preparation schedule?
I know 6-week schedule (or42-day) was pretty popular couple of years ago.
This one:

http://www.4usmle.net/showthread.php?49-42-Day-Study-Schedule-for-Step-1-USMLE


Any other new smarter ways for formalised preparation schedule for Step 1?

Gold Standard Tapes

Anyone knows what is happened to Gold Standard Tapes's website?
I was trying to access it at www.boardprep.net and it is not responding.

Step 1 Kaplan Lectures -2007 Edition

Do you want to check the quality of Step 1 2007 Video Lectures?
Now you can do this here:

Download Step 1 Kaplan Biochemistry lectures

USMLE Community

One of the most popular USMLE communities, www.4usmle.net changed their design.
IT is more refreshing than previous one - and you can find a lot of useful USMLE materials.

http://www.4usmle.net