Customer Reviews

Crush the Boards: The Ultimate USMLE Step 2 Review

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a terrible studier with no attention span whatsoever, yet with the help of this book I went up 25 from my step 1. Here's what I did: I read this book, reread the blueprints books that I had read anyway over the course of third year, did most of the questions in the NMS book, then reread this. Whenever anything important-sounding came up, especially in the questions from the NMS book, I would write it into the margins of crush the boards. It took a fair amount of time, but certainly no more (probably a good deal less) than I spent on step 1. It was also far less painful studying for step 2 than for step 1.

The book is a nearly flawless summary of important points. It skips the basics (e.g. assumes you already know what a QRS complex is) and focuses on only the highest of the high yield. In fact, I'd bet that you could beat the mean just by reading this book alone.

One minor point, I ran out of time and did not review the "pictures" section at the end of the book (that's one problem with the book. It has very few pictures, and usually just suggests that you "know how to recognize" a given finding). As it turned out, there was not a single picture on my test. Maybe 4 or 5 films, but they were easy to identify. So it's not an issue.

This book isn't probably the sufficient source to ACE the exam but I believe you CAN PASS it with that book only. That's a lot from 200 pages book.
For me it worked incredibly well as a study companion to Blueprints series in first stage of studying and then as the GREATEST final review source (with NMS and Kaplan questions sources)
Nothing can give you so much "consolidation" on your last 4 days before the exam like going through Crush The Boards for one final time.
I would take one star away for the lack of illustrations but once again ........200 pages!!!! You can always use First Aid or any atlas for pictures.

I scored average on Step 1 and was able to improve my three-digit score by 38 points on Step 2 using this book. It is extremely high-yield and right on the money. I would highly recommend this text to anyone in preparation for Step 2.

The author provides a solid review of most of the material that appeared on the USMLE Step 2. Although I studied from other books as well, I found myself returning again and again to Crush the Boards. It is a very easy book to read, and the information presented in the text came up on the majority of the test questions. Brochert has done an impeccable job. If you are on a tight time schedule, do yourself a favor and buy this book. I scored much higher on the test thanks to this book.

Wish I had this book at the beginning of every rotation during 3rd year so I would have kept my focus. Incredibly jam-packed with important facts and excellent overviews of important topics. Hardly a wasted sentence in the book. No hand holding, just the stuff you need to know to pass. Based on multiple recommendations, this is the only book I used for step 2 review and passed with flying colors! Actually did better than I did on step 1, though I spent a lot more time studying for step 1...

Do not follow the recommendations of the other reviewers for this book. It is a good book. It is not the only source necessary to score a 240 on your Step 2 Exam, however. You need to study your [rear] off using the more in-depth study guides and lecture notes you used to study for your clerkship exams, BUT "Crush the Boards" is an excellent way for you to spend the last two weeks studying for the Step 2 Exam, because it will allow you to bring it all together. "Crush the Boards" is an easy read, is up to date on management guidelines, and is well written. It is no where near complete as far as what you need to know for the exam. Use it as I have mentioned, and it will help you. Use it as the other reviewers here have mentioned, and you will be disappointed in your Step 2 score.

This book is outstanding!! I am a book hog and had about 5 step 2 review books. I skimmed them all and found this to be the best. After improving by step 2 score by 20 points more than my step 1, I can definitely say that this is the best step 2 review there is. Much of the information is like that of First Aid but the format is different which really helps you on the actual exam. It teaches the material while at the same time you have to think about the case. Don't do any other review. This really is all you need. Rx and First Aid are too much fluff. This is all the right stuff!

This book was right on the money and the best source I found for sub-specialty high yield info. Much material appeared on the boards in the same fashion it was presented in the book.

I loved this book! It was easy to read and quick to get through. Having just taken step 2, I can say that a great deal of the questions on the exam were represented in this book. It is very high yield. I studied from one other book as well but this was my main study resource. I would definitely recommend using this book for step 2!

This book will not make you pass Step 2 without any further studying or reviewing. But it is an AMAZING source for last week refreshing.

I must have had 30 or 40 questions on my step 2 that I wouldn't have remembered hadn't it been for my review of this little book. The best buy I have ever made.

It is so easy to get desperate on your last week, trying to cram all your review books at once. Don't. Read this book and be confident that you are using your last days in the most efficient way possible.