How to study for the USMLE(TM) [Paperback]

Armin Kamyab (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 143890357X | ISBN-13: 978-1438903576 | Publication Date: October 31, 2008 | Edition: Stg

Unlike other USMLE™ books that try to cover as much test material as possible, very few books tackle the more important task of preparing for these all-important examinations. From the author of How to Study in Medical School, How to Study for the USMLE™ provides a thorough and comprehensive method for studying for the USMLEs™ and leaves no detail behind. The unique system of studying that is illustrated is an effective process that not only helps you study efficiently, but also helps you organize your valuable study time and retain greater amounts of information. It also offers powerful advice proven to help increase your score. How to Study for the USMLE™ is written by an M.D. who has excelled in the USMLEs™, and is therefore written by an author who knows how to study effectively and succeed. If you want to study more efficiently, be more organized, be more confident, and want to do your best on the USMLE™, pick up your copy today!

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse; Stg edition (October 31, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 143890357X
• ISBN-13: 978-1438903576
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,125,045 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY ON THIS BOOK!!, May 3, 2009

By 

Freida (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to study for the USMLE(TM) (Paperback)

This book is a total rip-off! I paid over $27 for this with shipping and after I read it, I felt like a big fool for buying it. It only offers the standard test-taking advice that we've all heard before like "know where you stand", "set-up a schedule", "take practice exams", etc. In fact, these are the titles of some of his "chapters". I put "chapters" in quotes because I don't even feel like this is a real book. The writer seriously could have condensed all of his advice into a one-pager and posted it on Student Doctor for FREE! By the way, it is not 100 pages like stated but less than 80 with large font and several blank filler pages. The author also attaches about 8 pages of his notes which I found uselss. It was a random list of information that he had trouble remembering.

If you want constructive advice for the USMLE, I would use two sources: 1) the internet and 2) students in your medical school that have already taken the exam and done well. You can find tons of advice and study schedules for free on Student Doctor or First Aid's website. The students in your school will also tell you about your curriculum's weaknesses. For example, I realized from talking to several students that microbiology was a real weakness in our curriculum and made sure to do extra studying on my own in that subject.

Lastly, the final advice in this book gave me a real chuckle - a WTF kind of chuckle. He tells you to take a piece of paper and write down a bunch of silly statements meant to boost your ego like "I am the smartest!" and "There is nothing that I don't know!". Is he for real?? He wants money for that crap? Yes, it's important to be confident, but the way to build it is to work hard and have a strategy based on knowing yourself and learning from other's experiences, not mindlessly chanting garbage to yourself.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, should be everyone's first USMLE book, November 13, 2008

By 

Linda Murry "LindsM" (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to study for the USMLE(TM) (Paperback)

Not only is this the best usmle preparation book available, it is the ONLY usmle prep book out there!!

I totally agree with the author's philosphy. A little time spent preparing for the usmle goes a long way, rather than just hitting the books and starting to study.
This book helped me organize and plan the months prior to my exam, and i have no doubt that it helped me get my 99. If i had just started reading First Aid or all my BRS', without first having a detailed study plan, i would probably not have done as well.

Everyone should read this book before starting to study for the usmle.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but not for everyone, May 25, 2009

By 

Laura - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to study for the USMLE(TM) (Paperback)

This book is exactly what i was looking for. I failed the Step 1 once already, and was looking for a book to help me prepare for my second attempt. It helped me a lot.

I see other comments complaining that it has too few pages, but when you're studying for the USMLE you probably don't want to spend time reading a 500 page book! This book hits the main points and does it well without any fluff or filler. It's a quick read, full of useful information.

That being said, this book is definitely NOT for everyone. I mean it does exactly what it claims to do; it shows you "how to study for the USMLE". So it's most helpful for those who feel overwhelmed and need a clearly outlined study method. If you're confident, disciplined, have good study habits and are a good test-taker, this book is clearly not for you.