Cracking the Boards: USMLE Step 1 [Paperback]

Michael Stein (Author), Paul Zei (Author), Radhika Breaden (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0375761632 | ISBN-13: 978-0375761638 | Publication Date: December 5, 2000 | Edition: 3

This guide offers a thorough review of all topics covered in the first two years of medical school. Because it is written by past and present medical students who know what it's like to study for the boards, Cracking the Boards: USMLE Step 1 presents the material in the clearest, most easily accessible manner possible.

It includes:
A focused review of all the material students need to know for the exam
Bolded key terms for easy reference, plus hundreds of labeled illustrations
The Princeton Review's proven score-raising approach for USMLE success
Hundreds of charts, and diagrams
Reviews of all the material students need to know: biochemistry, cell biology, human genetics, pharmacology, microbiology, immunology and more

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

This guide offers a thorough review of all topics covered in the first two years of medical school. Because it is written by past and present medical students who know what it's like to study for the boards, Cracking the Boards: USMLE Step 1 presents the material in the clearest, most easily accessible manner possible.

It includes:
A focused review of all the material students need to know for the exam
Bolded key terms for easy reference, plus hundreds of labeled illustrations
The Princeton Review's proven score-raising approach for USMLE success
Hundreds of charts, and diagrams
Reviews of all the material students need to know: biochemistry, cell biology, human genetics, pharmacology, microbiology, immunology and more

Product Details

• Paperback: 796 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Review; 3 edition (December 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375761632
• ISBN-13: 978-0375761638
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,637,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great supplement to other review books., June 14, 2001

By 

"mjwellock" (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cracking the Boards: USMLE Step 1 (Paperback)

This book covers a lot of information, but it is not complete for a complete review. I used it along with First Aid for the USMLE and some other review books. It is a fantastic place to start.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Cracking the Boards USMLE Step 1, January 23, 2004

By 

April Fredian (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cracking the Boards: USMLE Step 1 (Paperback)

I found this book extremely frustrating to use. I found an average 1 mistake per page, causing me to question every word written. As examples, according to this book, Vitamin D is 25 hydroxylated in the kidney (should be liver), alzheimer's has equal prevalence in males and females (F=2M), classical C5 convertase is C4b2b3b (should be C4b2a3b), Myesthenia Gravis is a result of desensitization block of Ach receptors by autoreactive antibodies (antibodies do not act at the ligand binding site, but serve to cross link receptors --> increased internalization), and this is just to name a few.
I recommend choosing another book for your studies.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars LESS IS MORE, February 12, 2001

By 

Ruben Supan "Superpan" (Pampanga, Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cracking the Boards: USMLE Step 1 (Paperback)

If you ever study for the USMLE and you want to have a single book to give you the confidence that you are covering the basics, pick this one. I recommend it as a starter. There are many tables and high-yield diagrams. If you want to have the "synoptic" and "big picture" companion to the selected high yield topics in First Aid to the USMLE, then do pick this one. Big printed text and relaxed style makes reading a breeze. A confidence builder. Admittedly, not exhaustive but remember the maxim: Less is more.